Used 2020 Volvo S90

#8 in Best Midsize Luxury Cars of 2020

The 2020 Volvo S90 is a luxury sedan that’s far less common than an Audi A6 or a BMW 5 Series, so it offers a welcome degree of exclusivity. It also offers standard Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system. The S90 is a handsome sedan, and its beautiful exterior lines are complemented by a sophisticated interior with a particularly roomy back seat that’s much larger than the one you’ll find in, say, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

For 2020, the Volvo S90 is offered in three trims: Momentum, Inscription and the new R-Design. The Momentum is available with the T6 powertrain, which features a turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder engine with 316 horsepower. The Inscription and R-Design models are available with the T6 engine or the T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid powertrain, which adds a rear-mounted electric motor and has a combined total output of 400 horsepower. A 2020 Volvo S90 with the T6 powertrain starts at about $55,000.

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Smooth, responsive and powerful, the 2020 Volvo S90 is a comfortable sedan with a dignified demeanor. It handles well, but it doesn’t quite have the agility of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle like the BMW 5 Series. We’d say this big Volvo sedan is on a handling par with the Audi A6, thanks in part to excellent steering feedback and responsive brakes.

The supercharged and turbocharged engine, displacing only 2.0 liters, may seem small for such a large car, but it produces excellent power with minimal turbo lag. Also positive: The S90’s torque curve feels as broad as Lapland, peaking at an impressively low 2,200 rpm.

While we enjoy driving this largest Volvo sedan, the S90 does have Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system that works at speeds of up to 80 mph. As long as the driver keeps her hands on the steering wheel, the S90 can start, stop and steer itself in most city or highway situations. (We use the word “most” because the S90’s Pilot Assist can’t negotiate sharp S-curves or make 90-degree turns.)

The 5-seat Volvo S90 interior is remarkably spacious, with a business-class level of rear legroom and plenty of width but perhaps not as much headroom as you might expect. Seat comfort is another Volvo strong point, and here the S90 shines, aided by excellent seat heaters that are up to a Rovaniemi winter. Overall, we love this Volvo’s understated and tasteful wood trim (birch in the Momentum, walnut in the Inscription).

The new 2020 Volvo S90 R-Design model has mesh metal inlays in place of the wood, and this model’s ambience is enhanced by a sport steering wheel, matte-silver pedals and heavily contoured seats covered in Nappa leather with Nubuck inserts.

As in previous years, the vast majority of all the S90’s controls are accessible via the large, vertical touch pad that can be swiped and pinched every which way. Some folks like this multi-function controller; others feel it pulls their eyes off the road too often and for far too long.

We don’t know a soul who dislikes the look of the Volvo S90. It’s powerful and elegant at the same time, while also looking svelte and unmistakably Volvo thanks to a scalloped grille with the prominent diagonal slash. The T-shaped “Thor’s hammer” LED headlights are a fun detail, as are sweeping lines in the hood and body that provide a welcome bit of character.

The new S90 R-Design model is distinguished by a unique grille and front spoiler along with gloss-black window trim, a rear diffuser and black mirror caps.

DRIVE-MODE SETTINGS
The S90’s four driving modes (Comfort, Eco, Dynamic and Individual) allow drivers to set this Volvo up to be soft and comfortable, firm and sporty or anywhere in between. The system defaults automatically to the Comfort setting every time the S90 is started.

STANDARD PANORAMIC MOONROOF
All 2020 Volvo S90s come with a panoramic glass moonroof that extends partway back over the rear seat and lets plenty of natural light into the cabin. The sunshade can be programmed to close automatically in warm temperatures.

All 2020 Volvo S90 sedans have a 12.3-inch driver display, leather upholstery, a lane-keeping system, dual exhaust, a high-end audio system and automatic climate control. Add to that the Pilot Assist safety suite, which includes a system designed to keep the S90 from leaving the road. At speeds between 40 and 85 mph, the system will automatically steer or brake the big S90 to keep it on the road. Also standard: City Safety, which helps to prevent collisions with pedestrians, cyclists or any other vehicle that may merge in front of you unexpectedly.

The Advanced Package, for $2,850, features active LED headlights that point their beams into corners, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, a power-opening trunk, high-pressure headlight washers and a head-up display.

If you live in areas with real winter climate, you should also consider getting heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, which are bundled in one package for $750. The Scandinavians know a thing or two about dealing with cold weather.

With the discontinuation of the entry-level T5 powertrain, the Volvo S90 is left with two engines, both good. The T6, a turbocharged and supercharged direct-injected 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, puts out 316 horsepower. The T8 eAWD Plug-In Hybrid powertrain features that gasoline engine and two electric motors. One motor is in back, driving the rear wheels, while another smaller electric motor is mounted in the front transaxle, where it serves to help drive the front wheels and double as the engine’s starter.

The maximum output of the T8 eAWD powertrain is 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. For 2020, the battery has been enlarged from 10.6 kWh to 11.6 kWh, which bumps the electric-only driving range to 21 miles. Both engines mate to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

2.0-liter turbocharged & supercharged inline-4 (T6)
316 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged & supercharged inline-4 + 87-horsepower electric motor (T8)
400 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
472 lb-ft of torque @ 5,400 rpm
Combined EPA city/highway fuel economy: 30 mpg, 60 MPGe
Electric-only range on a full charge: 21 miles