VOLVO S90
A luxurious saloon that shows off a distinctly Swedish take on elegance.
The Volvo S90 has been with us for a couple of years now and during that time it has proven to be a real success for the Swedish firm. This is Volvo’s take on something like a BMW 5-series or Jaguar XF – a luxury executive saloon car for the modern world – but unlike many rivals the Volvo has a different way of handling itself and comes across as a bit of a personality in a competitive area of the market.
First off, you’ll notice its design – it’s beautiful. A sleek and very elegant shape that doesn’t shout or force a certain degree of ‘bling’ into the eyes of those who behold it. The S90 has a smart and self-confident design that continues on the inside where the word ‘elegance’ is still perhaps the best way to describe the theme. In the centre of the dash is a 9-inch touchscreen that is very reminiscent of an iPad and laid out in the same portrait orientation. It’s a simple interior, uncluttered and somewhat minimalist with a light and airy feel – something that Volvo’s designers are very keen on due to Sweden’s long, dark winters and the shortage of light that comes with that.
Volvo has made the conscious decision to only offer 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engines with its newer models in a bid to be more active about combating emissions and climate change. As a result, S90 engine selection is limited but there is also a ‘T8’ plug-in hybrid version available that features an impressive combined output of 390bhp as well as low CO2 emissions and improved fuel efficiency over a standard petrol engine.
To drive, the S90 is a very laid-back car with a heavy emphasis on comfort. It doesn’t seek to compete with the likes of the BMW 5-series in terms of dynamic ability and is all the better for it, this relaxing style gets through to the driver and the occupant and promotes a real sense of serenity.
As one of the world’s leading safety innovators, Volvo has packed the S90 full of technology and safety equipment to keep the occupants safe at all times. ‘City Safety’ can detect an imminent collision and alert the driver and/or apply the brakes autonomously if necessary, and there’s even a system for detecting when the car might be about to leave the road and preventing that from happening.
Beautiful and high-tech with an abundance of technological features and a serene driving experience, the Volvo S90 is one of our favourite luxury saloons and is a welcome alternative to famous German rivals.