- The S90 interior has a genuine premium look with a luxury feel that's different from the competition.
- The ride comfort is excellent making this one of the most comfortable motorway cars around, helped by superb seats.
- 2.0D engine may seem small for this size car but offers plenty of pace and is impressively quiet and smooth
Hybrid power brings performance and low running costs, while cabin and ride comfort are superb.
21-01-2019:
Report of problem with Pirelli tyres of 2017 Volvo S90 Inscription. When the car had done around 7,000 miles in total (and still under warranty), it developed severe vibration over 50 mph ("you could actually see passengers hands shaking.") Owner fround reports in Internet of a recognised problem with the Pirellis fitted to this model. Volvo dealer confirmed what owner suspected: the inner lining of the tyre had detached causing the tyre to be out of balance, charged £100 for the diagnosis and offered to fit a new tyre for £300. Owner got a tyre fitted at a local specialist for £200. Volvo customer services say its not their problem and do not acknowledge that this may be a common issue. The supplying dealer does not respond to owner's emails, but is legally liable.
December 2015
Volvo unveils S90
The S90 is powered by a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, including the 190PS D4 engine that emits just 99g/km of CO2 in the V40. A powerful T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain will be available, with 407PS and sub-50g/km of CO2.
Power is delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, while D5 models with 225PS will use four-wheel drive and emit around 133g/km of CO2.
Volvo packs the S90 with semi-autonomous driving technology and Pilot Assist provides automatic steering adjustments to keep the car aligned within lane markings on the motorway or A roads. The system works up to speeds of 80mph and reflects the development work Volvo's has put in towards full autonomous driving.
The S90 uses the same platform as the XC90 and shares a number of styling cues from the SUV, with a large vertical grille, LED running lights and hammer light signatures. The interior features a similar high quality finish, with lots of soft-touch plastics and a large iPad-like screen dominating the centre console, while leather seats and automatic climate control will be offered as paid for options.
February 2016
S90 prices announced
Initially be available with a choice of two 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engines – the tax-efficient D4 and the powerful and refined D5 PowerPulse – and in two trim levels, Momentum and Inscription.
The front-wheel-drive 190PS D4 comes with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, and offers combined fuel consumption of 64.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 116 g/km in the S90.
The 235PS D5 utilises an innovative technology called PowerPulse to boost responsiveness. This uses compressed air, which is stored in a tank in the engine bay and refilled automatically, to spool up the turbo at low revs. This helps to overcome turbo lag, which is the short delay in the power delivery you experience in traditional turbocharged engines. To harness the engine’s power, the D5 PowerPulse comes with all-wheel drive. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is also standard.
As standard, even entry-level Momentum cars come with leather upholstery, LED headlights with active high beam, two-zone climate control with ‘CleanZone’ air-filtration system, keyless engine starting and heated front seats.
Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system is also standard. This brings a 9-inch touch screen, satellite navigation (including lifetime annual map updates), a sophisticated voice-control system, and access to the internet and a range of cloud-based apps such as TuneIn, Stitcher and Yelp. The S90 also gets a powered bootlid.
Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous drive feature, is standard on every S90. It automatically keeps the car at a set speed or distance from the vehicle in front, braking and accelerating with the flow of traffic, and gives gentle steering inputs to keep the car within lane markings at motorway speeds up to 80 mph. Unlike previous versions of the system, it no longer needs to follow another car. Pilot Assist is another step towards fully autonomous driving.
Moving up to Inscription adds Nappa soft leather upholstery, powered front seats, a 12.3-inch active TFT driver’s information display, 18-inch diamond-cut/silver alloy wheels, keyless entry and handsfree boot/tailgate opening and closing. Additional premium touches include walnut interior inlays, rear footwell and side step illumination, and chrome exterior details.
The optional Xenium package is available across the range and adds a powered tilt and slide glass sunroof (panoramic in the V90), a parking camera system with 360 surround view, and Park Assist Pilot, which includes automatic parallel and 90 parking.
S90 |
Trim level |
PS |
Nm |
Combined fuel economy (mpg) |
CO2(g/km) |
On-the-road price |
D4 |
Momentum |
190 |
400 |
64.2 |
116 |
£32,555.00 |
D4 |
Inscription |
190 |
400 |
64.2 |
116 |
£35,555.00 |
D5 AWD |
Momentum |
235 |
480 |
58.9 |
127 |
£39,555.00 |
D5 AWD |
Inscription |
235 |
480 |
58.9 |
127 |
£42,055.00 |
June 2016
R-Design model of S90 announced with "advanced sport chassis that delivers an energetic, road-hugging drive." Gets a new front-end design with spoiler-integrated foglights, unique grille and piano black trim both on the front and rear. Five-spoke matt black diamond-cut alloy wheels. Unique deco trim, pedals and mats, to the sporty contour seats and special steering wheel, including a high-level interior illumination package that radiates attention to detail.
September 2016
Polestar Performance pack now available
Polestar has launched the new generation of its performance package for the Volvo S90. Known as Polestar Performance Optimisation, the package upgrades the entire drivetrain and further improves driving dynamics.
The pack improves throttle and off-throttle response, gearshift speed and precision, as well as overall engine performance. The first S90 variant available for optimisation is the D5 PowerPulse diesel. The upgrade increases the engine's output from 235PS and 480Nm to 240PS and 500Nm. The upgrade costs £835. All changes as part of the Polestar Performance Optimisation package are made with certified emissions, fuel consumption, service intervals and Volvo warranties unchanged.
November 2016
S90 updates introduced
Smartphone integration now comes with Android Auto functionality in Volvo's large driver split-screen interface. This allows the driver to use both smartphone functionality and in-car features without changing views. Volvo's 90 series cars will now also feature a clever Over-The-Air navigation system update, which ensures that the car always has the latest maps on board.
A new exterior colour, Maple Brown, has been introduced to the S90 and V90 as part of this 90 series model update.
December 2016
Optional 'Red Key' now available
Priced at £110 and available both for new and for existing cars. When the car is driven with the Red Key, its top speed is reduced to 75mph, the Adaptive Cruise Control function is programmed to maintain the maximum distance to the car in front, and the maximum volume from the audio system is reduced. Meanwhile, use of the Red Key sees the permanent activation of a range of safety features, including BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), Lane Keeping Aid, Forward Collision Warning, Driver Alert Control, Distance Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition.
December 2016
Skype for Business added to spec of S90
Described as "collaborative productivity app" enabling easy access conference calls from the car. Can view upcoming meetings and participant details, and join meetings with one click via the large centre display.
August 2018
T5 engine added to S90 range
Tuned to deliver 250PS and 350Nm of torque, the T5 has well-established credentials as a strong yet refined performer that delivers impressive fuel economy and emissions. It is matched as standard to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
It achieves combined cycle fuel economy from 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions from 154g/km. The T5's power translates into sharp performance, with a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. The new S90 T5 is available from £41,120 on-the-road for the R-Design version.
February 2020
Volvo S90 updated with mild hybrid tech
Facelifted model includes new foglights, a new spoiler design and a lower front bumper.
Inside, an upgraded Bowers & Wilkins audio system introduces a better in-car sound experience, thanks to new features such as an upgraded amplifier, automatic vehicle noise cancellation and a new setting that mimics the sound of your favourite jazz club.
Another new feature inside is an Advanced Air Cleaner with a PM 2.5 particle sensor. First developed for the Chinese market and now rolled out globally, it allows drivers to monitor interior air quality via the centre screen. If desired, the Advanced Air Cleaner can clean the cabin air of almost all tiny particles within a few minutes.
Double USB-C charging points are now standard in the rear (replacing the 12-volt outlet), while a wireless charging functionality is now available on most variants.
In terms of interior materials, the tailored wool blend seats introduced on the XC90 last year are now also available on all V90 models, while there is also a leather-free interior option for the top trim levels.
A 48-volt mild-hybrid system providing up to 15 per cent better fuel economy will also be offered.