fbpx

Independent, impartial advice for car buyers and car owners

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

Volvo S90

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Volvo S90

(2016 – present)

    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


    Media reviews


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

    The Car Expert

    +

    Auto Express

    +

    Auto Trader

    +

    Autocar

    +

    Business Car

    +

    Car

    +

    Car Keys

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Carwow

    +

    Company Car Today

    +

    Daily Mail

    +

    Eurekar

    +

    Green Car Guide

    +

    Heycar

    +

    Honest John

    +

    Motors.co.uk

    +

    Parkers

    +

    The Sun

    +

    The Sunday Times

    +

    The Telegraph

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Which?

    +

    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

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    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

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

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

    CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models169 g/kmC172 – g/kmC – A
    Diesel models157 g/kmC148 – 171 g/kmB – C
    Plug-in hybrid models18 g/kmA17 – 44 g/kmA – A
    Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
    Plug-in hybrid models55 milesC37 – 55 milesC – D
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models44D27 – 44B – D
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£362C
    Year 2£865C
    Year 3£1,279C
    Year 4£1,515C
    Year 5£2,009C
    Overall£6,030C

    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.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volvo S90 has received

    2022

    • Auto Express Awards – Best Used Executive car

    2021

    • Auto Express Awards – Best Used Executive car
    • Car Dealer Used Car Awards – Best Used Executive Car

    2015

    • Car Design News – Production Car Design of the Year

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Volvo S90, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Audi A6 | BMW 5 Series | Genesis G80Jaguar XF | Lexus ES | Maserati Ghibli | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Tesla Model S | Volvo V90


    More news, reviews and information about the Volvo S90 and V90 at The Car Expert

    Volvo expands plug-in hybrid line-up

    Volvo expands plug-in hybrid line-up

    Volvo recalls more than 700,000 cars over emergency braking issue

    Volvo recalls more than 700,000 cars over emergency braking issue

    Volvo V90

    Volvo V90

    Updates to Volvo S90 and V90 models

    Updates to Volvo S90 and V90 models

    The best used estate cars for under £20,000

    The best used estate cars for under £20,000

    Volvo issues vehicle recall over fire risk

    Volvo issues vehicle recall over fire risk

    Most new diesel cars still pollute beyond legal limits

    Most new diesel cars still pollute beyond legal limits

    Volvo 90 series adds extra petrol potency

    Volvo 90 series adds extra petrol potency

    Volvo S90 review

    Volvo S90 review

    Volvo S90 and V90 gain new petrol engine

    Volvo S90 and V90 gain new petrol engine

    Volvo V90 Cross Country review

    Volvo V90 Cross Country review

    Safety body slams Ford Mustang over poor crash results

    Safety body slams Ford Mustang over poor crash results

    Buy a Volvo S90


    If you’re looking to buy a new or used Volvo S90, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

    Cazoo 600x300

    Buy a car online from your sofa. We’ll deliver it. Find out more

    Motors 600x300

    Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more

    Lease a Volvo S90


    If you’re looking to lease a new Volvo S90, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal

    Carparison 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more

    Moneyshake logo 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from Moneyshake. Find out more

    Rivervale Leasing logo 2022

    Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more

    LeaseLoco logo 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from LeaseLoco. Find out more

    Subscribe to a Volvo S90


    If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

    Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
    Find out more

    Wagonex logo 2022

    Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
    Find out more

    Drive Fuze logo 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Drive Fuze.
    Find out more

    Elmo logo 2022

    Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
    Find out more

    Used car finance

    Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
    We Finance Any Car 400x200

    Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
    Find out more

    Blue Motor Finance

    Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Happy Motor Finance 600x300

    Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Quick Car Finance logo 800x400

    Used car finance from Quick Car Finance.
    Find out more

    Sell your car

    Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
    Motorway 600x300

    Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
    Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Get a free and instant offer for your car from Cazoo.
    Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
    Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
    Find out more

    This page last updated:

    This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We'll be adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    The Volvo S90 has a sleek design and a sumptuous cabin. However it's not as nice to drive as a BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF.Volvo S90