2021 Volvo S90 Review

　　

2021 Volvo S90 Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The Volvo S90 is a take on the classic midsize luxury sedan with a few distinctly Volvo twists: sleek Scandinavian design, excellent seat comfort and an emphasis on safety features. For 2021, the S90 is slightly refreshed to keep it competitive with heavy hitters such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Volvo altered its look, included new standard features, and added an optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo with stunning acoustics.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volvo S90 T6 Momentum 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$182/mo  for S90 T6 Momentum

　　S90 T6 Momentum

　　T6 Momentum 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $51,550 MSRPT6 Inscription 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) (Most Popular) - $54,650 MSRPT6 R-Design 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $54,650 MSRPRecharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 Inscription 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $60,050 MSRPRecharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 R-Design 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $60,050 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　The S90 also returns with its innovative powertrain: a small four-cylinder engine that is both turbocharged and supercharged, along with an optional plug-in hybrid. That version is called the Recharge and we've been impressed with its efficiency and smooth operation in other Volvo models. Altogether, the S90 is an example of Volvo's willingness to go against the grain and try something new. While it can't quite match the supreme polish of the E-Class or the tech-heavy vibe of the A6, the S90 is nonetheless an appealing choice for a roomy and classy luxury sedan. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating below to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the S90 drive? The Volvo S90 Recharge uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain, meaning there's both a gasoline engine and a battery pack that allows for an estimated 21 miles of all-electric range. That combination provides a generous amount of power. Acceleration is quick and relatively smooth, and there's plenty of power for passing on the highway, though it sometimes takes the transmission a second to kick down a gear. The brakes are a huge improvement over those on the last plug-in S90. It's easy to come to a smooth stop, and the brakes are strong enough to give you confidence in panic situations.

　　This isn't a sport sedan, but the S90 Recharge feels composed on winding roads. The steering lacks road feel but is light and direct, which helps make parking a breeze too.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the S90? When the S90 debuted a few years back, it lacked the polish of its German rivals. That's changed. While Volvo hasn't given the S90 Recharge a wholesale redesign, it's done a lot to improve refinement. It no longer crashes over bumps or potholes. It's still not quite as insulating as some other luxury cars, but bumps in the road are muted rather than amplified.

　　It helps that Volvo's seats remain some of the best around. Soft but supportive padding is wrapped in great-feeling leather. There's a good bit of adjustment, and the S90 Recharge is available with heated and ventilated seats both front and rear. The controls for the climate control can be frustrating since they're located in the touchscreen, but the system works quickly and quietly.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The S90 Recharge splits the difference in size between mid- and full-size luxury cars. There's acres of rear seat room, with plenty of space for passengers well over 6 feet tall to stretch out. Headroom is equally ample, helped by the bucket-style seats. The low seats make getting in and out a bit of a climb, but the large doors mean it's easy to swing your legs in. It's not difficult to find a relaxed, comfortable driving position that places most controls within reach. Visibility is generally good too, though the rear window is a bit narrow.

　　It's not all perfect. Volvo's user interface continues to frustrate. While the audio controls have fixed buttons for volume and track, most other settings, from the navigation to climate control, are tied to the touchscreen, and it's not always easy to figure out where stuff is located.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The S90 Recharge is loaded with just about all of the tech and driver aids we expect from a modern luxury car. Volvo has always focused on safety, and the S90 comes with a good suite of driver aids such as blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking as standard equipment. The suite is not as refined as some we've experienced, but it wasn't throwing up any red flags either.

　　The navigation is cumbersome to use and only encourages you to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, both of which are standard. The S90 Recharge comes with four USB ports plus 12-volt outlets, so there's no shortage of places to charge. One high note is the excellent audio system. It's clear and loud, but it doesn't get buzzy or mushy when pushed.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The S90 Recharge might have more passenger space than its rivals, but it falls short when it comes to cargo space. The 13.5-cubic-foot trunk is one of the smallest in the class, but the space itself is wide and low, so you can utilize what's available. The rear seats do fold down in a 60/40 split, which helps open up the rear at the cost of a seat or two. Storage up front isn't great either. The center console is shallow and can't even fit a pair of sunglasses. The door pockets are fine but don't fully make up for the lack of storage elsewhere.

　　Getting a car seat in and out is a much easier task. You'll have plenty of space to move around while installing or removing a seat. Anchors are easily accessible, and the copious legroom is a boon for rear-facing seats.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The S90 Recharge has an EPA-estimated electric range of 21 miles. Once the battery runs out of juice, the EPA estimates 30 mpg for both city and highway. On our 115-mile test loop, we saw just 19 miles of electric range but averaged 37 mpg over the entire drive.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the S90 a good value? The S90 Recharge really shines here. It offers more passenger room, more standard features and far more power than any rival at its price. The gap increases when you stack it up against some plug-in hybrid SUVS. And it's not like Volvo was cutting corners elsewhere. The interior is handsome and clean, with excellent wood and leather trim and interesting touches such as the crystal shift knob in the Inscription trim.

　　Volvo offers a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. Additionally, Volvo includes four years/unlimited miles of roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of free maintenance. That's as good as or better than coverage offered on just about every other plug-in hybrid around.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　This Swede oozes cool charm. The S90 Recharge's combined output of the turbocharged and supercharged inline-four and the electric motor is an impressive 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. The fact that it's wrapped is such a clean and conservative design makes it a bit of a sleeper. It's not the most engaging or athletic luxury car on the road, but it's far from boring. It stands out without standing out.

　　

Which S90 does zzdcar recommend?

Our choice, in terms of both style and standard features, is the R-Design trim. Its exterior look and a number of luxurious upgrades elevate the S90 to a truly unique sedan. Perhaps just as important, choosing the R-Design also unlocks the Recharge powertrain with electric motors and 21 miles of EV-only range. We've found it very impressive in other Volvo models.

　　

2021 Volvo S90 models

The Volvo S90 is a midsize luxury sedan with seating for up to five passengers. It comes in three trims: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. Each one is equipped with the same standard powertrain, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (316 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque) that's both turbocharged and supercharged.

　　There is also a plug-in hybrid version equipped with electric motors. Called Recharge and available on the R-Design and Inscription trims, it makes 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque and can provide an estimated 21 miles of all-electric driving. All S90s come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

　　Momentum

　　This base trim kicks off the S90 lineup with these standard feature highlights:

　　Adaptive LED headlights Digital instrument display 9-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Integrated navigation system 10-speaker audio system Front USB ports and rear USB-C ports Wireless charging station Heated front seats Leather upholstery Volvo On Call (remote connectivity features) Panoramic sunroofVolvo's suite of advanced driver safety aids also comes standard and includes:

　　Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Collision mitigation (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Oncoming lane mitigation (steers the S90 back into its lane if it begins to cross a road's center line while another vehicle approaches from the opposite direction) Road sign information (sees road signs including speed limits and displays them to the driver) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the S90 and the car in front)R-Design

　　The midlevel trim introduces these upgrades to the S90 line:

　　Exterior styling changes Leather sport steering wheel Four-way power lumbar support Premium leather upholstery Four-zone automatic climate control 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system Power window curtainsInscription

　　The top-level S90 model loads up with the following:

　　Wood interior trim Perforated and ventilated front seats Power-adjustable side supportsThese two packages are available on all three S90 trims:

　　Advanced package (power trunklid, 360-degree parking camera system, upgraded interior ambient lighting) Climate package (heated steering wheel, rear seats and wiper blades)On the R-Design and Inscription, you can also select:

　　Bowers & Wilkins sound system Automated parking system Adaptive air suspension (can raise or lower the vehicle's ride height)Finally, the Inscription also unlocks:

　　Lounge package (massaging front seats, ventilated rear seats)

　　

2021 S90 Highlights

Type: SedanPlug-in HybridSedan

　　Trim: T6 MomentumT6 InscriptionT6 R-DesignRecharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 R-DesignRecharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 InscriptionT6 Momentum

　　

Base MSRP	$51,550
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$182/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles