ROARING NINETIES (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 59

Volvo's modern-era S90, launched in 2017, proved to be a full-sized Executive segment saloon featuring a level of elegance, craftsmanship and technology we'd never previously seen from this Swedish manufacturer. Safe, efficient, clever, practical and stylish, it was another model that re-established this Scandinavian maker as a credibly prestigious automotive brand. Here, we look at the initial 2017-2020-era models.

Modelsword count: 7

5dr Saloon (2.0 petrol / 2.0 Diesel)

Historyword count: 376

One thing's pretty certain. If you're a typical buyer looking at a full-sized Executive saloon, you probably won't be considering this one, Volvo's S90. Sales figures suggest that models like the Mercedes E-Class, the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6 are more likely to be on your radar. But sales figures are rarely an accurate indication of excellence. And Volvo says that's what was delivered here on this car, launched in 2017. The S90 badge was first seen on run-out versions of the old 900 series model in 1997 but this modern-era model was created as part of an $11 billion investment in new models by Volvo's Chinese owners Geely Holdings - which raised expectations from the start. Nothing but the brand name was carried over from the previous S80, but much was shared with the second generation XC90 luxury SUV that was launched in 2015 to great acclaim. Including perhaps the most controversial thing about this car, Volvo's decision to fit four cylinder engines right across the range. All this model's key rivals used six cylinder units in more powerful models, but Volvo was committed to an innovative 'Drive-E' engine programme based around a single four cylinder, 2.0-litre downsized format. If you're looking at a pokier S90 variant, that means class-leading levels of efficiency. Especially in the case of the top T8 Twin Engine petrol/electric Plug-in hybrid version which, with over 400bhp on tap, was in this period one of the very quickest ways to plump up your green credentials in the company carpark. Under the skin, everything's based around the 'SPA' 'Scalable Product Architecture' modular underpinnings that during this period Volvo was using to underpin all its designs, including the V90 estate version of this car that out-sold this four-door model three-to-one. Light, stiff and sophisticated, this platform made this car better to drive than any previous large Volvo but what's probably more likely to sell you this car is the classy Scandinavian cabin and the astonishingly comprehensive levels of safety provided as standard. In late 2020, Volvo made a few minor styling changes to this car and deleted all engines except the plug-in hybrid T8 AWD powertrain. It's the earlier 2017-2020-era models with their wider powertrain choice though, that we examine here.

What You Getword count: 213

This S90's design language was apparently taken from contemporary Scandinavian culture and from most angles, the resulting shape looks elegant and sophisticated. With its short overhangs, long wheelbase and low roofline, there's an air of confidence assurance here, yet also a look that's uniquely Swedish, with a muscular shoulder line that's distinctly Volvo. Up-front, it really is very nice indeed. The first thing you'll probably notice is the 9-inch portrait-style touchscreen on the centre console that de-clutters the cabin of buttons and gives it a classy, sophisticated air emphasised by intricate detailing and rich Scandinavian design. There's more technology in the instrument binnacle where the normal conventional dials and read-outs have been replaced by virtual ones in an 'Active TFT Crystal Driver's Information Display. Given the extra body length that this S90 enjoys over some of its rivals, you'd expect it to feel pretty spacious in the back and, by and large it is, a clever design of front seatback further freeing up leg and knee room for rear seat folk. And the boot? It terms of overall size - 500-litres to be specific - this is one of the smaller trunks in the segment but it gets close enough to the capacity of the class-leaders for that not to matter too much.

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