VOLVO S90 2017

Body, cabin and cargo space

Though not as visually impressive as its German competitors, the 2017 Volvo S90’s ever-so Scandinavian approach—sleek and refined, subtle yet imposing—turned heads during our test. The rarity of the model on our roads also might have something to do with it.

Nearly five metres in length, the Volvo S90 rivals with Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E‑Class, all classed a notch below flagship level. These sedans have one thing in common: none offer as much room in the back as a mass-produced midsize car such as Toyota Camry or Volkswagen Passat. With the backseat often used by adults, that could become a problem.

Regardless of specifications, the Volvo S90 comes out ahead of certain rivals. There is plenty of leg and foot room in the back; headroom is somewhat restricted because of the sharp rake of the roof. Forget about the middle seat, rendered practically useless by the large floor tunnel. The outboard seats are remarkably comfortable, with a long seat cushion and well-shaped backrest.

In the front, a very wide centre console typical of European-made cars often rubs against a tall person’s knee. Otherwise, overall room and the driving position should suit all body types. The seats respect Volvo’s long-time tradition, perfectly combining support, comfort and numerous adjustments.

The trunk is roomy and practical, with a very regular shape, bag hooks, a 12-volt outlet (optional) and recessed hinges. The trunk opening is wide but not high enough to exploit its full capacity. The backseat has only a narrow centre pass-through for long items. For maximum versatility, the Volvo V90 wagon is a much better choice, even if it costs several thousand dollars more than the Volvo S90.

We noted some poorly fixed and missing trim in the trunk of our tester, which is surprising in an otherwise very well-finished car.

Finish and convenience

Except for the trim defects in the trunk, the quality of assembly of our test car was impeccable. From light wood to supple leather, crystal and brushed aluminum, choice materials constantly evoke the Volvo S90’s Scandinavian origins, distinctive from German reserve.

Volvo used the launch of the XC90 SUV, in 2016, to introduce a new and very streamlined dashboard concept. The 2017 Volvo S90 sedan uses the same layout, with nearly all functions accessible via an immense, vertical Tesla-like touch screen. The display is impressively clear and rapid, but ease of use is an entirely different matter.

Activating a particular function often requires scrolling through pages of menus and pressing several virtual buttons. Even driving assistance functions are accessible only via the screen. The knobs and buttons placed on the steering wheel, under the screen and on the console do not alleviate the problem.

An automaker that has always made safety its number-one priority should not tolerate such a huge potential for distraction, at least as long as its vehicles are not self-driving.

On a more positive note, the large colour instrument display is as attractive as it is easy to read. The ability to display the GPS map between the two dials facilitates navigation. The head-up projection of current speed and speed limit on the windshield is so efficient that you quickly wonder how you did without it. The same goes for the exceptional sound quality of the Bowers & Wilkins audio system, one of the best in the industry.

Safety features

• Antilock brakes with brake-force distribution and brake assist
• Stability and traction control
• Automatic post-collision braking
• Backup control
• Front airbags
• Front side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Outboard seat belt pretensioners
• Five head restraints; in front, designed to reduce whiplash in a rear collision
• Two integrated rear child booster seats (optional, replacing rear heated seats)
• Tire pressure monitor
• Backup camera
• Surround cameras, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert (as part of optional Vision package)
• Frontal collision alert with automatic emergency braking
• Lane-departure warning with automatic lane-keep assist, rear collision detection, cross-traffic detection at intersections, and adaptive cruise control

Crash test results

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Overall score: Not tested
Frontal impact: Not tested
Side impact: Not tested
Rollover resistance: Not tested

Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS)
Moderate overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Small overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Side impact: 4 / 4
Rear impact: 4 / 4
Roof strength: 4 / 4

IIHS Top Safety Pick

Visibility

Visibility is no longer as outstanding as with the former, square-shaped Volvos, but it is about average according to current standards. The backup camera makes things easier, but it is low-placed and becomes dirty quite quickly. The large alerts for the blind-spot monitor system are always very easy to see, even in full daylight. Unfortunately, the feature is an option only, even though Volvo was among the first to offer it at the end of the 1990s.

Headlights: The standard pivoting LED headlights received a marginal rating (2/4) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which judged that low-beam range was too short. High-beam mode is generally better, especially the automatic high beams on the Inscription model.

Engine and transmission

For many familiar with the make, Volvo was synonymous of inline five or six cylinder engines for more than 20 years. All that changed in 2016, when they were replaced by a brand-new 2.0-litre four-cylinder.  This engine is equipped with direct injection and a turbocharger, with also a supercharger for the brand’s sportier or more luxurious models.

The double technology aims to erase the infamous turbo lag that still afflicts certain turbo engines. It functions perfectly: the Volvo S90 accelerates instantly, at all speeds, in a linear fashion; no one will regret the old inline six. In fact, the only thing we missed was the outgoing engine’s smooth, refined exhaust note.

The eight-speed automatic transmission makes good use of the new engine’s power. However, it sometimes transmits a jolt, especially at low speed, or hesitates when downshifting. Such faults of refinement are unacceptable in a car selling for more than $70,000, though it must be acknowledged that this situation is not at all unique to the S90. It would seem that several multi-speed transmissions still need work.

We registered a fuel consumption of 9.4 L/100 km during our test, consisting of three-quarters highway. That equals Resources Canada’s combined city/highway official rating, and compares to 11.2 L/100 km with the former S80’s six-cylinder.

It is worth noting that the Volvo S90 offers a towing capacity of 1,588 kg (3,500 lb). That is not only rare for a sedan, it also matches that of several of today’s SUVs.

Ride and handling

Traditionally, Volvos seldom displayed the sporty tendencies of a BMW or the solid feel of a Mercedes-Benz. The latest generation is honing in on both thanks to a modern, rigid new platform and well-tuned suspension.

The 2017 Volvo S90 seems to be running on rails at highway speed, even with the winter tires that equipped our test car. It was relatively unbothered by pavement faults despite the 19-inch wheels and low-profile tires. Sound isolation efficiently filters out most undesirable noise, except perhaps the sharp growl of the engine in heavy acceleration.

The Volvo S90 also knows how to negotiate curves. In this age of electric steering assist, its steering is precise, properly weighted and nicely communicative. The body leans slightly in turns, more than certain of its rivals but not enough to reduce confidence at the wheel.

Obviously, the all-wheel-drive provides excellent grip when accelerating on slippery pavement. Volvo offers it as standard equipment on all models, an inevitable trend in the S90’s segment.

The automaker also is to be congratulated for providing a near-complete series of driving assistance equipment for all the S90s. The competition also offers such features as automatic emergency braking, lane-department warning or adaptive cruise control. Volvo, however, has chosen to avoid the high extra cost others often tack on.