COTY
Gallery 1
Swedish seduction and safety can only go so far.
IF PROOF proper was ever needed that Volvo has successfully transitioned from Ford’s decade-long Swedish plaything to serious luxury player under Chinese ownership, then surely the Volvo S90 is it.
The big sedan from Gothenburg (along with the alluring V90 Estate coming mid-year) is gatecrashing the BMW 5 Series/Mercedes-Benz E-Class/Audi A6 big league with a number of innovations, including semi-autonomous driver-assist and accident-prevention systems. All are on top of the company’s renowned pioneering occupant-protecting crash structures.
Of course, premium buyers respond with their hearts as much as with their heads, and here the big Volvo obliges with striking aero-cheating design and beautifully crafted interiors. From the classy swipe-able centre screen to the delicate metal ignition twist, you can sense the high-tech opulence infused into this car’s graceful cabin presentation.
Offsetting the chassis’ newfound cornering confidence, though, is too much steering tug. Even the lowly D4 has a heady 400Nm coursing through to the front wheels; this diesel is also a little on the loud side. Two ailments the upper-spec Inscription AWD alternatives with available laminated side glass don’t suffer from.
Additionally, the chassis’ sporty bias comes at the expense of ride comfort. On the D4’s standard suspension set-up, the quality deteriorates as the surfaces do, resulting in an annoying, unsettled lumpiness that undermines the model’s luxury intent. Conversely, both pleasingly fleet (though at times strained-sounding) Inscription T6 AWDs boast rear air springs, for palpably better bump absorption properties.
The distinctive and charming S90, then, is a small step for its class, and a massive one for transitioning Volvo. But in the year where your direct opponents include the segment-redefining E-Class as well as the lush-riding Jaguar XF, nothing less than a quantum leap forward is required.
Specs
BODY Type: 4-door sedan, 5 seats Boot capacity: 500 litres Weight: 1718 – 1848kg
DRIVETRAIN Layout: front engine (east-west), FWD/AWD Engines 1969cc 4cyl turbo (187kW/350Nm); 1969cc 4cyl turbo + supercharger (235kW/400Nm) 1969cc 4cyl turbo-diesel (140kW/400Nm) 1969cc 4cyl turbo-diesel (173kW/480Nm) Transmission: 8-speed automatic
CHASSIS Tyres: 245/45R18 – 255/40R19 ADR81 fuel consumption: 4.7 – 7.5L/100km CO2 emissions: 135 – 173g/km Collision mitigation: Yes Crash rating: Not tested Prices: $79,900 – $98,900
