2021 Volvo S90

Starting at an MSRP of $51,550, the S90 is the Swedish alternative to the Germans that have always been a strong part of the market, namely, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, and the BMW 5 Series. All the cars go head-to-head in terms of technology and luxury but do the 2021 S90 offer the punch it needs to stand out, is the important question. We will find out below.

The 2021 Volvo S90 comes with a single engine option, the 2-liter inline 4 cylinder engine, and three variants on offer namely Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. The Momentum is the base variant that comes with all the things you expect out of a luxury sedan in the price bracket. From dual-zone climate control to a voice-activated navigation system, everything can be found inside the cabin. It is complemented by a slew of connectivity features like AUX, Bluetooth, Smart Device Connect system, Sirius XM AM/FM radio MP3.

We Recommend

Even though the Inscription and the R-Design trims take the car to the next level, our recommendation would be the Momentum variant as it has almost all the necessities and then some. It is in a way the jack of all trades and will provide everything you expect of it. The Momentum trim also makes it a good buy at the price when compared to the competition. Coming with a price tag of $51,550, 2021 S90 is well below the base level prices of the E-Class, A6 and the 5 Series.

The 2021 Volvo S90 comes equipped with a 2-Liter inline 4 engine with a turbocharger and supercharger. This setup churns out 316 hp at 5700 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 2200 rpm. As standard, the engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the power is sent to all the wheels. It is quite quick on its feet.

The twin-charged powertrain and the AWD drivetrain configuration gives the car enough traction and support to cross the 60 miles per hour mark in just 4.7 seconds. This is quick when compared to the time of 5.6 seconds of the Mercedes, which is the second-fastest car in the competition. Even though the S90’s motor packs a punch, it is more focused on luxury.

The Volvo S90 performs well when compared to its rivals. Its 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds is comparatively the fastest. And its quarter-mile time of 13.3 seconds is not bad too, only to be beaten by the Audi’s 13.1 by a very small difference. Overall, the S90 is an all-rounder when it comes to performance. Moreover, it is cheaper by at least a few grand than the cheapest German.

How well does the 2021 Volvo S90 handle?

The handling characteristics of the 2021 S90 are kind of a balance between smoothness and sharpness. But if driven for the first time it feels great, but towards the softer side with the suspension. Also, with less steering feedback it might seem disconnected and more oriented towards comfort. Thankfully, this can be solved using the different drive modes on offer. Put the car in a sports setting and it can turn into a mean machine that devours corners in a jiffy.

In the sport mode, the S90’s suspension feels stiffer to contain body roll and enhance the cornering ability. The steering also becomes heavy and more precise to accommodate for higher speeds and sharper turns. Overall, thanks to the drive mode select system, the S90 is a combination of the best of both worlds- performance, and luxury.

2021 Volvo S90 Braking Performance

The braking performance of the 2021 S90 is on par with its competition. The vehicle comes with 13.6-inch front brake rotors and 12.6-inch brake rotors at the back. This allows the behemoth to come to a halt in just 110 feet which is impressive for a big luxury sedan. The 2021 Volvo S90 also comes with ABS and Brake assist which makes the performance even better. It also comes with Automatic Emergency Braking as standard which also helps in braking during emergency scenarios.

The S90 has the biggest front brake rotors and also has decent-sized rear rotors which put it in the upper bracket when compared to the rivals. The BMW weighs the lowest in the competition and thus it is able to stop quicker than the S90 despite sporting smaller brakes. The Audi A6 has larger brakes but this wasn’t enough to stop the car within 110 feet owing to its heavyweight.

The 2021 Volvo S90 offers a respectable fuel economy of 21 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG combined. These numbers are decent considering the performance offered. Moreover, the vehicle comes with a 15.9-gallon fuel tank which enables the car to deliver a range of 333.9 miles in the city and 508.8 miles on the highway. 

The range offered by the S90 might seem dull when compared to the E-Class and the 5 Series. The reason is its small fuel tank capacity at 15.9 gallons while the Mercedes comes with 17.4 gallons and the 5 Series comes with an 18-gallon tank. As can be seen above, the range is a limiting factor for the Volvo but is compensated partially by overall decent fuel economy. Despite delivering decent performance figures, the BMW is the most fuel-efficient of the lot which is in line with the company’s philosophy.

The word that perfectly defines the interiors of the 2021 Volvo S90 is “exquisite”. The cabin feels well designed with flowing lines fitted with wood trims and an overall minimalistic design. At the center, comes a big 9-inch display that controls almost all the functions. The S90 also has heated seats and cushions which are beautifully accompanied by soft leather that wraps you in a sense of luxury. The fit and finish of the materials inside the cabin are top-notch and it is almost impossible to ask for more. Upgrading to the R-Design trim gets you a leather sports steering wheel, premium leather upholstery, and four-zone automatic climate control. 

The top-of-the-line Inscription trim gets you wood interior trim, perforated and ventilated front seats, and power-adjustable side supports. Moreover, you can also opt for the Lounge package with the Inscription trim which adds massaging front seats and ventilated rear seats. Moreover, you can also opt for adaptive air suspension which enhances ride quality and comfort. When it comes to space, the S90’s cabin is not the roomiest but its dimensions fit right between the competition.

The S90 can seat 5 people with comfort but has a lot of space. It truly excels in terms of rear legroom with 40.4 inches. The S90 has a trunk capacity of 13.5 cubic feet which is less when compared to BMW’s 14 but overall decent. Overall, the cabin of the Volvo S90 is a minimalistic experience with elegant styling and is a perfect alternative for the flashy interiors of the German rivals. Standout interior features in the 2021 Volvo S90 include:

• Heated front seats
• Leather upholstery
• Leather sports steering wheel
• Wood interior trim
• Perforated and ventilated front seats
• Premium leather upholstery
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Massaging front seats and Ventilated rear seats

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system in the S90 has all the bells and whistles you can wish for. For the basics, it comes with a big 9-inch touch screen that handles almost all the necessary functions paired with a 10 speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system. The R-Design adds a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. It has connectivity features like Aux, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, etc. 

It also comes with wireless charging for mobile devices and in-cabin Wi-Fi connectivity. The S90 infotainment unit also works well with all the integrated safety systems in the car, like the 360-degree camera or the multiple safety warning features that helps you drive safely. It also comes with a Sirius XM satellite radio system and voice-activated satellite navigation. Standout infotainment features:

• 9-inch touch screen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Voice command satellite system
• Wi-Fi Hotspot
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• 10-speaker Bower and Wilkins sound system

Volvo’s design philosophy has always been subtle, with long lines that flow along the length of the car. The style is simplistic and gives off an aura of elegance and this defines typical Volvo styling. The C-shaped rear lights and some tweaks to the grill are all it needed for the 2021 S90. It still looks timeless and minimalistic, not too flashy like some of the competitors. As standard, you get adaptive LED headlights and 18” 5-spoke diamond-cut alloy wheels. Upgrading to R-Design trim will give the exterior a sporty makeover.

The Volvo has a length of 200.4 inches which is longer than the BMW. The S90 is also the widest at 74.6 inches. It can clearly be seen that the S90 has a decent ground clearance which does not compromise comfort while attaining a height that can help with body roll when the car is in sport mode. It also helps the car to tackle bad road conditions with ease. Standout exterior features:

• C shaped rear lights
• 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• R-Design Exterior styling
• Front grille with black insert and chrome frame
• Adaptive air suspension

As mentioned before, Volvo takes safety very seriously and this can clearly be seen in the 2021 Volvo S90. The vehicle comes with Blind Spot Information System or BLIS which eases tension in heavy traffic, guiding the driver in rapidly changing traffic environments. It also comes with a 360-degree bird’s eye view camera that uses four cameras around the car to give a clear image of the surroundings. 

There is also a cloud-based communication system that gives you real-time data of road conditions or blockages on the road ahead. Volvo is also a pioneer in airbag technology with state-of-the-art curtain airbags, side airbags, front airbags, and even energy-absorbing seats which absorb shock force in the event of a collision. No wonder the S90 gets a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Standout safety features:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive headlights
• Adaptive cruise control
• Pilot Assist active driving system
• Oncoming collision detection
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Traffic sign recognition
• Head-up display
• A surround-view parking camera system
• Automatic parking assist
• Cloud-based communication safety system

2021 Volvo S90 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E Class

The Volvo S90 is obviously the more powerful between the two; thanks to the twin-charged engine setup. Moreover, it is also the quickest on the 0-60 MPH run. It is also roomier than the Merc and offers better cargo space. The Mercedes-Benz on the other hand shines in terms of fuel economy and overall driving range. Between the two, we would prefer the Volvo.

2021 Volvo S90 vs 2021 Audi A6

The four-ring badger is the most expensive car in the lineup today. It doesn’t shoot off the line like the Volvo but in the quarter-mile, it closes the gap and overtakes the S90; all thanks to its renowned Quattro AWD setup and 7-speed DCT onboard. The Audi also offers the most spacious interior and driving range close to 600 miles on the highway. If the extra 3000 USD isn’t a concern for you, then go for the Audi.

2021 Volvo S90 vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series is the underpowered car in the competition today but it catches up quickly with the Volvo in the quarter-mile drag. It is no slouch on the 0-60 MPH run either. More importantly, it is frugal like other BMW cars. It also offers a large fuel tank and an intuitive infotainment system. But the interior is more classy in the Volvo. 

The 2021 Volvo S90 is a strong offering by the Swedish manufacturer and creates variety in the segment which is mostly dominated by German brands. The whole philosophy of the car is to maintain simplicity and minimalism. The surprising part is that even though the S90 is cheaper than the competitors, it offers more grunt, top-notch safety, and an overall experience that gives you the best of both worlds. The Volvo S90 is also a car that never seems to be lacking in any aspect and is an all-rounder, pushing it towards the top strata of the luxury sedan hierarchy where it will always remain as a refreshing alternative to the flashy German luxury cars.