Name: Volvo S90 (2016 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volvo S90
Rating: 75

Summary

The Volvo S90 is a large executive saloon, and the sister model to the V90 estate. It was launched in 2016 and received various light updates its life, before finally being discontinued in the UK in Autumn 2023.

Originally launched with only a pair of diesel engines, the S90 was then fitted with petrol engine options and then a plug-in hybrid. Reflecting the changing tastes and requirements of buyers, the plug-in hybrid powertrain ended up being the only version available for about the last year of the car’s life.

The Volvo S90 received plenty of praise for its design, both externally and particularly inside the cabin – which even drew favourable comparisons to models from Rolls-Royce and Bentley in terms of its ambience and choice of materials. The large central touchscreen control unit was quite pioneering when the model was launched, but has now been surpassed by better units from rivals.

The driving experience is comfortable, although not as enjoyable as alternatives like a BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF. As of August 2023, the Volvo S90 has a Used Car Expert Rating of 75% based on 28 reviews, which puts it squarely in the midfield of the large executive car segment.

In August 2023, Volvo announced that it was ceasing the sale of all its saloon and estate models (the S60, V60, S90 and V90 models) in the UK – although they will still be sold in other markets for the time being. The company said this is due to declining customer demand and the need to concentrate its investment budget on a range of new electric SUV models.

S90 highlights

Interior is still one of the best on sale
Exterior design is clean and understated
Comfortable ride
Good cabin and boot space

S90 lowlights

Driving experience doesn’t match best in class
Limited powertrain choice
Steep depreciation means lease payments are not cheap
Touchscreen sluggish compared to newer rivals

Key specifications

Body style: Large saloon
Engines: plug-in hybrid
Price: From £63,075 on-road

Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: Summer 2019
Discontinued: Autumn 2023

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Volvo S90 offers the quality the targeted clientele expects and technology that is every bit as good as – and in some areas more advanced than – executive rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volvo S90 is a handsome and well-equipped rival to German exec models, but is not quite as good to drive.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Volvo S90 offers something a bit different from the competition, with its emphasis on comfort, refinement and smoothness – not to mention its elegant good looks. It ticks all the boxes for an executive saloon, providing lots of equipment, stellar safety kit, generous cabin space and plentiful power.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Although it is a good-looking and well-mannered brute, the Volvo S90 falls short of the German trio – Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 – and the brilliant Jaguar XF.”
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Business Car+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Momentum Pro
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volvo S90 is a sophisticated and elegant car that sometimes gets overlooked in favour of its German rivals. Yes, it is slightly more expensive than most, but the amount of safety kit and modern tech on offer, plus the luxurious interior, is justification enough.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D5 R-Design
Score: 8 / 10
“Dynamically, the Volvo S90 is not as good the German competition, but as a long-distance cruiser it’s a welcome alternative. The R-Design is certainly the one to choose, though, if your budget will stretch to it.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D4 Momentum
Score: 8 / 10
“This is a comfortable, great-looking four-door executive saloon that has much going for it. The tech on offer is deeply impressive. There are few better examples of semi-autonomous tech on sale: Pilot Assist will drive for you on dual carriageways, although quite alarmingly at times.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D4 Momentum
Score: 8 / 10
“Sedate and serene, the Volvo S90 is sure to appeal to a great many drivers with its mix of comfort, predictability and efficiency. It looks fantastic, it’s got possibly the best cabin in its segment and more high-end equipment as standard than any of its rivals.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D4 R-Design
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volvo S90 was already a classy, practical and efficient alternative choice of large executive saloon before the R-Design trim arrived and this version shares those same strengths.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Volvo S90 marks a stylish return to the executive saloon class, with many of the features of the XC90 SUV.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volvo S90 proves you can have a fantastic executive saloon that’s not made in Germany. The big Swede is a safe and relaxing alternative to the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid T8 Inscription Pro
“If the individual journey pattern numbers stack up for a plug-in hybrid and you really want a Volvo then there’s nothing wrong with the S90, but the T8 is very expensive against diesel-powered S90s and German premium plug-in rivals.”
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Daily Mail+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D5 Inscription
“The Volvo S90 has it all, but for me only as a sideshow to distract us from the basic truth: this ‘executive saloon’ is a wannabe limo in a goddabe world. All in all, such an un-Volvo Volvo.”
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Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid T8 Inscription AWD
“This big saloon is a plug-in hybrid that offers excellent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions, to make it an extremely attractive company car with lower BiK payments. It is also luxurious, almost decadent, with just about every creature comfort catered for, and a few other bits and pieces as well.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic T5 R-Design Plus
“The Volvo S90 T5 R-Design Plus is a car which spoils you in ways it’s hard to appreciate if you have never tried one.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D4 R-Design Plus
“The Volvo S90 D4 is hugely economical for such a big car, which also proved a pleasure to drive with weighted direct steering and feeling surprisingly agile on bends. It swallows up five adults in comfort while the huge 500-litre boot also feels like it could swallow a couple of bodies.”
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Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: T8 Twin Engine R-Design Pro
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine offers an amazingly refined and comfortable motorway driving experience, with the potential of decent economy, and also excellent performance.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“With the S90, Volvo finally has a high-quality saloon that’s easily a match for the competition. With a genuine sense of luxury inside, a beautifully smooth ride and an excellent engine, the Volvo S90 is one impressive premium saloon with a distinct Scandinavian twist that many will find appealing.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With the S90, Volvo finally has a high-quality saloon that’s easily a match for the competition. With a genuine sense of luxury inside, a beautifully smooth ride and an excellent engine, the S90 is a genuinely impressive premium car.”
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Motors.co.uk+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volvo S90 can’t quite offer the involvement that you get with rivals. That said, the S90 does such a good job of providing a relaxing, hassle-free driving experience that few will worry about less-than-bristling steering feedback once up and running.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Stylish saloon is packed with advanced safety kit and technology”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D5
“When you’re driving a Volvo you know you’re in the presence of greatness. No flair, no fun, just superb engineering.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“Whatever your power preference, the Volvo S90 saloon and V90 estate are great alternatives to the ubiquitous German offerings currently pounding the motorways.”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D4 Momentum
Score: 6 / 10
“Sitting in a Beemer or a Merc is like being in a well-groomed man’s washbag. It’s all leather and stripes and secret pockets for condoms and what-have-you. Sitting in a Volvo S90 is like sitting in a field. It’s probably the best interior of any mainstream car on sale today.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volvo S90 isn’t far off being at the top of its class. It really is that good. It’s comfortable, stylish, a pleasure to ride in and drive, and chock-full of toys. True, a Mercedes E-class gets better fuel economy and a slightly more comfortable ride, while a Jaguar XF is more fun to drive. But the Volvo’s price advantage and gorgeous interior make it a compelling alternative.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Goes in a different direction to the German alternatives, with convincing success.”
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What Car?+

Score: 8 / 10
“The S90 is a fine executive saloon, and if you’re in the market for comfortable premium motoring you should definitely consider it.”
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Which?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Volvo S90 is a genuine, no-excuses alternative to the likes of BMW and Mercedes. What’s particularly impressive is that it doesn’t attempt to ape its German rivals, and instead offers its own take on luxury motoring. If you’re after a luxury car that’s that a little bit different, it’s worth considering.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: January 2017
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 95%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 93%

Eco rating

No eco rating

As of August 2023, the Volvo S90 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

As of August 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volvo S90 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the S90, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	169 g/km	C	172 – g/km	C – A
Diesel models	157 g/km	C	148 – 171 g/km	B – C
Plug-in hybrid models	18 g/km	A	17 – 44 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	55 miles	C	37 – 55 miles	C – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	44	D	27 – 44	B – D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£362	C
Year 2	£865	C
Year 3	£1,279	C
Year 4	£1,515	C
Year 5	£2,009	C
Overall	£6,030	C

The Volvo S90 saloon is entirely average when it comes to running costs, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

As you can see from the tables above, the S90 scores a ‘C’ in most categories. We don’t currently have fuel consumption data, but given that the CO₂ scores for petrol and diesel models are a C, it’s entirely likely that the fuel consumption scores would be similar.

Insurance is on the expensive side, but that’s not surprising given the car’s price bracket. Servicing costs are slap-bang in the middle of our A-to-E scale. Although the plug-in hybrid looks to be very efficient on paper, scoring an A for its emissions, that’s simply a function of the rather useless EU/UK government lab tests that produce completely unrealistic results for plug-in hybrids.

On a positive note, an official battery range of more than 50 miles is very good for a plug-in hybrid, meaning that you can do most of your day-to-day running on electric power – as long as you are able to keep the battery charged on pretty much a daily basis.