2020 Volvo S90 Review

Many shoppers focus on popular German models when shopping for a midsize luxury sedan and then call it a day. But they are doing themselves a disservice as there are a few gems in the class that are less expensive but just as impressive. Take the 2020 Volvo S90, for instance.

Though we think the Volvo S90's exterior styling is one of its most appealing attributes, the cockpit deserves praise, too. The design is simple yet elegant, with ample use of leather, chrome and wood trim. Limited use of hard plastics gives the cabin an impression of quality that is in line with more expensive competitors.

The price differential is much wider when you consider the Volvo's standard turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine. Though not quite as powerful as the turbo six-cylinders in competitors, this unusual engine produces plenty of thrust and propels the S90 to highway speeds in no time. There's even a high-performance plug-in hybrid that increases power considerably while returning better fuel economy and an electric-only range of 21 miles.

While the Volvo S90 has plenty going for it, there are a few drawbacks. It doesn't feel as sporty as others — the steering is heavy but not particularly sharp, and you can feel the weight of the car transferring as you drive it quickly around corners. Even with the optional air suspension, larger wheels translate to jostling while traveling on broken pavement. Finally, tall rear passengers might rub heads against the downward sloping roof. Overall, though, we think you'll be quite pleased with Volvo's S90.