Test drive Volvo S90 D4 190 CV: Swedish comfort and elegance

Continuing the new line debuted by the Volvo XC90, the Swedish brand’s new creations are instantly recognisable thanks to a very personal design that masterfully blends simplicity and elegance. On this occasion we took the wheel of the saloon version, namely the Volvo S90 with the D4 diesel engine producing 190 CV.

For design lovers, or for anyone seeking a personal and unconventional premium saloon, this Volvo S90 does not go unnoticed, and the combination with the 190 CV diesel engine is very sensible for devouring kilometres.

Exterior design: Simple, Swedish and premium

To describe the exterior design of this S90, the design of a well-known furniture store of Swedish origin comes to mind, in terms of clean, elegant and simple lines. At the front, straight lines stand out, a large bonnet and headlights with LED technology for all lighting functions, creating the brand’s light identity with the “Thor’s hammer” (LEDs in a horizontal T position). The huge grille does not go unnoticed either, flanked at the bottom by several chrome elements that conceal the fog lights beneath, giving a sense of width.

The Scandinavian design is also evident on the side, simpler and with huge doors that cede the spotlight only to the 18-inch alloy wheels sized 245/45 R18. But without a doubt the most personal part of this Volvo S90 is its rear. The lights outline the sides, with a strong sense of width, while in the middle we can see the brand logo “edge to edge” on the upper part of the tailgate, which has several lines emphasising its size. Finally, at the bottom are the twin square exhaust outlets. The boot lid is electrically operated on our unit.

Interior: spacious and technological, all with minimalism as the flag-bearer

When we enter the interior of the Volvo S90 we see a familiar design – a real hallmark of the brand – with simple lines, quality in practically the entire cabin and the huge touchscreen as the star.

The materials used are well finished, except for a few incomprehensible exceptions in more hidden areas and some hard plastics to the touch. Some controls such as the start button, the volume knob or the air vents look metallic and are not, a shame because they detract from a finish of leather, wood and high-quality soft-touch plastic. Despite this, the overall quality is high and in line with the segment.

Another key feature of the interior is the technology, both for its enormous vertically oriented touchscreen (fully integrated) and for the equally digital instrumentation, all while minimising physical controls.

The minimalism even shows in the on-board computer, although it provides all kinds of information. The central screen has a touch feel more typical of a high-end tablet than a vehicle display; few have such precision in their multimedia systems – though it takes some getting used to.

The driving position is low, very low for a saloon. There is plenty of room for feet and head, as well as good visibility, including to the rear. The front seats have electric adjustment and heating, and are genuinely comfortable as the kilometres add up.

The rear seats are those of a head-of-state limousine – enormous – and three adults can travel comfortably. Completing the comfort are the air vents (and optional three-zone climate control), the 12V socket and the side hooks. The rear bench can be raised for children, a very practical detail.

Good insulation and details such as the ambient interior lighting make journeys in the Volvo S90 very comfortable and relaxed; together with its enormous interior space, it exudes tranquillity and invites you to enjoy the kilometres, no matter how many.

The boot has a capacity of 500 litres, although the loading aperture is small. Inside there are several hooks for bags, and the tailgate is electric.

Engine: Four cylinders with a very refined 190 CV

Volvo began a renewal of its engine blocks a few years ago, dropping its collaboration with PSA-Ford and creating in-house engines with the same architecture for both petrol and diesel. This is a four-cylinder block, available in the diesel version in three power levels: 150, 190 and 235 CV. Choosing the 190 CV D4 for this S90 means opting – of the three diesel options – for the most balanced one.

This block is not a V6 but wants to resemble one, being extremely smooth in operation, very progressive and with good response up to nearly 4,000 rpm. It responds from 1,500 rpm, being especially strong from 2,500 rpm, and fades a little above 3,500 rpm; perhaps at high revs it falls slightly short compared with diesel V6 blocks (but it more than delivers).

This S90 has several driving modes: ECO, Comfort and Dynamic. The Swedes, aware that this is a vehicle of considerable dimensions and that the block has “only” four cylinders, have tried to squeeze every horsepower out of it, and in Dynamic mode it gives its best, responding relatively quickly to accelerator inputs while gaining speed rapidly.

Paired with the engine is an eight-speed automatic gearbox that is extremely smooth, in keeping with the engine.

Handling: in pursuit of comfort regardless of distance

The purpose of this Volvo S90 is clearly geared towards comfort, which becomes evident from the first minutes behind the wheel of the Swede. Both on motorway and on country roads it is an extremely comfortable car, ideal for travelling, with outstanding interior soundproofing.

On country roads or motorways it moves with ease, with an engine that is capable when overtaking or joining traffic. It is comfortable, and road irregularities are barely noticeable. If we are very demanding and want to see its sportier side, we will encounter body roll and some inertia, entirely normal given the size of this S90. On a mountain pass it holds its own without particularly standing out.

Fuel consumption

On our usual route on the motorway between Madrid > Vigo > Madrid, average consumption was 5.5 litres per 100 km, a good figure considering its size and power. On country roads, driving gently on the accelerator, it hovers around 6 litres per 100 km, with an overall average of 6.5 litres per 100 km on our country road test. In town, however, the figure rises to 8 litres per 100 km on our usual urban test route around Vigo.

Equipment: safety as standard and as a flagship

We begin the equipment review with the safety systems fitted as standard on this S90, which from the base trim (Momentum) includes: multiple airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, emergency brake assist, lane departure warning with auto-correction, city automatic braking (with pedestrian detection) and whiplash protection. The comprehensive safety equipment is complemented by other standard features, such as two-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors and the Volvo “On Call” service.

The multimedia system is controlled from the huge touchscreen, which operates superbly, and also gives access to all the safety systems. That said, it needs a smartphone connection to use some functions, and comes with several standard apps (Spotify, TuneIn and Wikipedia Places). The quality of the standard sound system also stands out, with a 224 W output and ten speakers.

Another notable feature is the Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous assistance system that keeps the vehicle at a pre-set speed and helps keep the car centred in its lane with small steering corrections, complemented by adaptive cruise control. Our unit also had parking assistance, both for parking and for pulling out of a parking space.

The Volvo S90 with the 150 CV diesel engine is available from 45,900 euros, while the unit we tested had a final price of 56,121 euros. An ideal saloon for those seeking comfort, who cover a lot of kilometres, and who at the same time want a car that is different from the rest, one whose design wins you over.

Photos | Test team