Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Volvo S90 2016 review

Volvo Volvo Reviews Volvo S90 Volvo S90 Reviews Volvo S90 2016 Sedan Best Sedan Cars Volvo Sedan Range Prestige & Luxury Cars Family Cars Car Reviews
...
EXPERT RATING
7.0

Likes

  • Distinctive Scandinavian design offers something different
  • Relatively quiet and refined
  • No shortage of luggage space

Dislikes

  • Current engine options lack punch
  • Tech pack includes options that should be standard
  • No electric steering adjust at this price?
Craig Duff
Contributing Journalist
14 Oct 2016
5 min read

The four-door flagship shows distinctive Volvo quality and style.

The problem with flagship models is that car makers invest all their efforts into vehicles very few people get to drive.

The problem for Volvo will be convincing people to drive the S90 when the same money will put you behind the wheel of something with a more credible prestige badge, from Audi's A6 to the Lexus GS.

Volvo Cars Australia boss Kevin McCann concedes that making inroads will be tough and forecasts 15-20 sales a month for the large luxury sedan, in a segment that has averaged about 320 sales a month this year.

McCann is much more ambitious about the wagon versions that arrive next year. "We've always done well in wagons and the V90 will give us a chance to push that segment and reclaim some of the SUV buyers," he says.

There's plenty of character inside the car, from the attention to detail in the speaker finish to the leather-wrapped dash and seats.

The S90 still shows what Volvo can do in terms of design and technology, with a distinctive Scandinavian outlook on what constitutes luxury.

That translates into clean textures and a sense of spaciousness inside. The S90's tablet-styled touchscreen has enabled Volvo to ditch most of the physical switchgear and the cabin benefits from the uncluttered look.

The latest driver aids are installed across the range, though some won't appreciate having to pay $3000 for Apple CarPlay connectivity as part of a tech pack bundle. Android Auto is "coming".

The 500 litre boot is long and deep and looks capable of swallowing a swag of suitcases. There's also four-way airconditioning and fitting vents into the pillars is an option.

On the road

Turn the start button between the seats and the 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine whirrs into life with a purposeful note. That sound becomes more agitated as the revs rise without ever being coarse, even if there's not much auditory character.

The engine copes well with the weight of the big sedan though acceleration is steady rather than scintillating.

There's plenty of character inside the car, from the attention to detail in the speaker finish (ask the dealer) to the leather-wrapped dash and seats.

Surprisingly for a car of this ilk, the steering wheel adjustment is a manual, rather than motorised, operation. A first-world problem, I know, but first impressions count and adjusting the tiller should be one of the first things drivers do in a new car.

Once under way, Carsguide tests and then turns off the Pilot Assist function that is designed to help the car follow the road. When it works it works well, keeping the car on a constant radius around the bends and adapting speed to the vehicle in front.

When it doesn't work it wants to hug the left side of the lane and in some cases puts the tyres on a rumble strip before I intervene.

The suspension works well on the test route but I suspect some of our more pockmarked back roads may interrupt the otherwise serene cabin ambience. No faulting the brakes though, with good initial bite and savage retardation if the pedal is pressed to the floor.

The diesel sounds like an oilburner on start but is hard to pick once under way.

There was only one occasion where it and the eight-speed auto failed to synch, resulting in a moment's lag.

Volvo S90 2016: D4 Momentum

Engine Type Twin Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 4.7L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $25,520 - $31,570
Safety Rating

Verdict

Volvo still knows how to build a quality car. The S90 shows its competence in all areas and the fit and finish are hard to fault. It is also priced accordingly, which may deter some prospective owners from taking it for a spin. That will be their loss.

What's new

Price - The S90 has been positioned to match the Germans on price, meaning the top-spec Inscription grade is effectively a six-figure car. Front-wheel drive Momentum variants, still to come, start at $79,900.

Equipment - Standard gear includes lane-keeping and blind-spot warnings, adaptive cruise control, Nappa leather upholstery, LED headlamps and four-zone aircon. A $3000 tech pack bundles digital radio, head-up display, 360-degree camera and Apple CarPlay.

Performance - The petrol engine is responsive but is no scorcher. A faster R-Design variant's on the way. Eight-speed auto hard to fault, quickly matching ratios to required pace.

Driving - As a luxury sedan, the S90 is a competent and generally cosy drive. Sharp-edged ruts and resurfaced potholes can jar and poorer roads possibly would test the suspension. The steering is direct and light and noise suppression is up with the best.

Design - Boxiness consigned to history. Striking concave grille dominates the front but at the other end the tail-lamps, though they emphasise the big sedan's width, don't seem to mesh with the design. Interior is minimalist and classy with the tablet touchscreen controlling most functions.

 

Would you consider an S90 over an A6 or 5-series? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Craig Duff
Contributing Journalist
Craig Duff is a former CarsGuide contributor and News Corp Australia journalist. An automotive expert with decades of experience, Duff specialises in performance vehicles and motorcycles.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.

Comments