2024 Volvo S90

The 2024 Volvo S90 is a midsize luxury sedan with a roomy and comfortable interior, plenty of technology, and an available plug-in hybrid powertrain. Its pliant ride and relaxing seats epitomize luxury. Pricing starts at $57,700.

The all-wheel-drive (AWD) Volvo S90 campaigns in the midsize luxury sedan segment facing rivals like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, and BMW 5 Series. However, unlike its German peers, the S90 focuses on passenger comfort and ride quality above performance and handling. Somewhat of a tweener, it tucks between full-size and midsize models to provide the airy cabin space of the former and the pricing of the latter. We appreciate its elegant exterior and Scandinavian-inspired interior. At the end of the day, it’s a luxury sedan that resists pigeonholing.

Other than some exterior paint changes, the major differentiator from the 2023 lineup is that, as a reflection of Volvo’s commitment to an electrified fleet, there is now a Recharge plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the entry-level Plus grade.

Before buying the Volvo S90, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. The Volvo S90 doesn’t retain its value as well as the Genesis G80 and Audi A6, for instance, but its residual value is about average for the segment.

The standard mild-hybrid B6 powertrain has both a turbocharger and supercharger to make for swift acceleration. It generates 295 horsepower — above average for the segment — and can bring the S90 from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The zero-to-60 sprint is on par with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class but an eye blink slower than the BMW 5 Series.

Driving the Volvo S90 is a serene and pleasant experience. The spacious interior has some of the most comfortable seats you’ll find in any automobile, and the quality of the materials is excellent. The compliant suspension is comfortable on rough and smooth roads alike, and comfort is improved further if you opt for the available adaptive air suspension.

Performance is improved in the Recharge model with the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain making over 400 horsepower, but there’s no ultra-high-performance S90 model that can compete with high-powered sports sedans like the BMW M5. That notwithstanding, we find the Recharge a bit more fun to drive than the B6 version simply because of its instant torque.

If you’re looking for the engaging driving experience of a sports sedan, you may be more satisfied with one of the German rivals of the S90. We wouldn’t call the Volvo boring because it isn’t, but it prioritizes comfort over performance.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury sedans, including the Volvo S90.

Fuel Economy

The S90 B6 delivers 25 mpg (22 city, 31 highway) in combined driving. This, remember, is with standard AWD. This combined mileage is similar to the rear-wheel-drive E-Class, and about average for the segment.

Opting for a Recharge version will award you with an estimated maximum electric-only range of 38 miles. When the battery is depleted, the S90 then operates like a traditional gas-electric hybrid and is rated to return 30 mpg combined. Recharging the battery requires up to five hours on a 220-volt current, like a dryer or electric stove needs, and about twice that time on a 110-volt household current.

For more fuel-economy information, you can visit the EPA website.

Hybrid Fuel Savings

So, just how much will you save with the Recharge over the B6? Take the example of driving 15,000 miles per year with gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon. In this scenario, the B6 will cost $2,650 per year or about $220 per month. The Recharge, on the other hand, will cost $1,450 per year or $121 per month. That’s an annual savings of $1,188 and a monthly break of $99. That’s not enough to recoup the price premium of the plug-in hybrid, but keep in mind the S90 Recharge is also quicker and more satisfying to drive.

We are big fans of the cabin in the Volvo S90 because it offers lots of space and features high-end materials. The interior design is luxurious and roomy enough to seat four adults comfortably, or five in a pinch. We definitely felt the Scandinavian influence in its styling and tidiness. Boasting more rear-seat legroom than any of its rivals, its 40.4 inches is impressive compared to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class measuring 36.2 inches.

Nearly every comment from our readers praised the S90’s seat comfort and overall smooth ride.

It gets even nicer in the Ultimate trim with Nappa leather seating, more front-seat adjustability, and even a crystal shifter. Some excellent standard features include 4-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, a digital gauge cluster, and wood trim.

All that rear-seat legroom had to come from somewhere, right? Even so, its trunk space (13.5 cubic feet) is about average for this segment.

Unique but subtle, the exterior design of the Volvo S90 has a distinct Scandinavian character. Moreover, the Volvo corporate design language looks excellent applied to this sizeable sedan. The light signature is distinctive, and its tasteful use of chrome helps with its upscale look.

The Volvo S90 is on the bigger side of the midsize luxury sedan segment. It’s slightly longer than the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Google built-in
The infotainment system in the Volvo S90 uses Google-based software full of useful features. It has Google Maps and Google Assistant built-in, plus it comes with Apple CarPlay and two USB ports.

Available adaptive air suspension
The adaptive air suspension system available for the Ultimate models improves the comfort of the S90. It makes this sedan glide over the road in Comfort mode, tightens up the handling in Sport mode, and automatically adjusts the car’s ride height.

Available premium audio systems
The standard 220-watt, 10-speaker audio system in the S90 sounds good, but this luxury car offers two optional premium audio systems to take your sound quality to the next level. A 600-watt, 14-speaker Harman Kardon system is optional on the Plus model and standard on the Ultimate trim. True audiophiles will want the Bowers & Wilkins 1,460-watt, 19-speaker system available in the Ultimate model.

Pilot Assist
The standard Pilot Assist Driver Assistance System can make highway driving safer and easier with adaptive cruise control and additional safety features like lane-keeping aid, road sign information, blind-spot monitoring, and much more.

Available Lounge Package
The Lounge Package available for the S90 Ultimate trim improves comfort for everyone. It adds a luxury rear armrest and ventilated rear seats, while the front occupants are treated to massaging seats.

T8 plug-in hybrid
The Volvo S90 Recharge model with the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain is a good upgrade if budget allows. It delivers impressive power and torque numbers and can travel up to 38 miles on battery power alone on a full charge.

As is true of multiple Volvo models, the S90 sources its thrust through two versions of a 4-cylinder engine. In this case, both are turbocharged and supercharged. One, powering the B6 versions, includes a mild-hybrid (MHEV) system. An MHEV doesn’t help power the wheels but provides the juice to operate a few electric components. Nearly every competitor in this segment employs a turbocharged 4-cylinder as its base engine.

The other powertrain, supplying the Recharge versions, is the same 4-cylinder engine working in tandem with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology. It can provide up to 38 miles of electric-only propulsion. Both powertrains rely on an 8-speed automatic transmission to hustle output to all four wheels.

In our experience, both powertrains measure up quite well against those of segment competitors. This is true in terms of fuel economy and performance.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Typical of warranty coverage among European luxury automakers, Volvo provides bumper-to-bumper limited protection and powertrain protection for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. It also covers scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

For whatever reason, the government’s National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has failed to issue a safety rating for the Volvo S90, despite it being six years into its current generation. Because of new testing protocols, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has yet to complete its testing of the S90 and S90 Recharge. But both were on the IIHS elite list of Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) cars for 2022.

A long list of advanced safety features highlight the S90, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and more.