2019 Volvo S90 Review
Get More For Your Trade-In
2019 Volvo S90 appraisal values can range from $25,542 - $32,574.
Find out what your car is really worth in minutes.
Which S90 does Edmunds recommend?
The Momentum trim hits the sweet spot since it is well-equipped and offers many of the Inscription's features as options. There's simply more flexibility to configure a Momentum to your liking. As for engines, it's worth springing for the higher-output T6 engine over the T5.
Edmunds' Expert Review
- Seat comfort is among the best in the class
- Impressive interior materials throughout the cabin
- Comes standard with a wide array of convenience and safety features
- Rough ride when equipped with optional wheels
- Steering is on the heavy side
- Revisions to standard equipment and trim level contents
- Part of the second S90 generation introduced for 2017
Scorecard
| Overall | 7.9 / 10 |
| Driving | 7.5 |
| Comfort | 8.0 |
| Interior | 8.0 |
| Utility | 7.5 |
| Technology | 8.5 |
Driving
7.5The S90 doesn't wow you with performance, but it's plenty fast when called upon. The steering feels precise but needlessly heavy. The car's mass also makes it less snappy than its rivals in quick turns and corners. It can still hustle, but it's no sport sedan.
Comfort
8.0What the S90 lacks in heart-racing performance, it makes up for in high-class cabin comfort. But the ride quality is too harsh, perhaps due to a poor wheel-tire combination. Smaller wheels might ease the thumping we observed.
Interior
8.0The S90 concedes nothing to its rivals in cabin design and materials. This interior is first-rate all around, from upholstery, touch points and surfaces to infotainment integration. However, the large rear pillars and a sloping roofline create blind spots and diminish headroom.
Utility
7.5A 60/40-split folding rear seat with a long-item/ski pass-through improves flexibility for what is an otherwise average-size trunk. The optional hands-free trunklid and a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area add some errand-running and tailgating utility.
Technology
8.5We sampled only the high-end stereo system, but it sounds worth every penny. The navigation system also impressed with its precision. Wireless connectivity comes via 3G but should be 4G at this level. Semiautomated driving features work well both on the highway and in city traffic.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Volvo S90.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Howie K,06/06/2019
T5 Momentum 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I generally favor sportier cars, but now I am driving a Volvo S90 T5 which I got at a lease price that I could not refuse! [Actually less per month that my former Infiniti Q50.] So I will say I got a lot of bang for the buck. This is a luxury car that one would not mind being chauffeured in. The rear passenger area is HUGE and comfortable. I can finally sit in front passenger seat and not even have to think about adjusting the seat for rear passages leg room. The Driver’s seat is very pleasant for sitting and was designed by a Orthopedist. The package came with a Blonde (white) interior which (needs occasional cleaning), is wonderful and elegant. I would say it is the most nicely appointed car I ever owned. (And I have and had several MB and BMWs).
The Tech is amazing! Though sometimes touch screen is a bit overwhelming. The great thing is that you can put the car on Auto Assist Pilot, play with it without worrying about hitting anything on the road. (PS I do not support being a distractive driver, but this practically eliminates it under the right conditions. Always be alert).
The Auto Assist Pilot is from the future. It is not quite at Tesla level, but does much to keep you very safe while also removing the the tedium of Stop and Go traffic. Driving is now an ‘AHHH”. (My insurance rates actually went down when ordering this car.). It is a wonderfully solid vehicle. I will lend this Car to anyone of my family and know they will be safe in it. Gotta love that Swedish engineering.
The trade off is the sporty feel of performance. The Volvo is powerful for a 4 cylinder, and I get 25.5 mpg. (Again better than my past Infinity). 0-60 is quite good for a car this size, but you do lose the ‘feel’ of lungeing acceleration. (But you can use electronic options). It is a great luxury (family) car before it is a sports car. The ride is firm as you ‘float’ over the road. It’s very nice and quiet. Long trips are a pleasure. All in all, it is a car to enjoy the ride in. If you can get great deal on this extremely plush car, don’t hesitate. (P.S. also drove the Volvo S60 for the while. The ride and feel of the S90 is much better).
{A buying note: Volvo pricing is company set and it is difficult to negotiate a lower price When visiting other dealers. There is not much wiggle room so choose the dealership with the best service.}
1 Year Later - still the most comfortable car I ever owned. A pleasure to take a ride in for long road trips.
Pros: Orthopedically Seats 5 w/ enough backseat legroom to play football in. No more squishing upfront seat to allow backseat room. Trunk is large doesn’t seem to be. I guess it is the awkward design. Low but deep. I Love how in winter seats & steering wheel heat up to settings automatically when temp is below 40 degrees. 3 individual temp settings (not even my son’s Tesla S has that.). The Swedes made it solid and sure foot in harsh weather. It is my go-to car in snow and slush. Much better handling than my wife’s Mercedes C Class (which isn’t bad). This car is tank-like sturdy. An idiot SUV driver already backed into my rear fender in a parking lot, and l had no major damage. Have no doubt it will do a great job protecting passengers and family in a crash. (HF).
Con: I still find the screen controls cumbersome and confusing. The car has only driver 1 USB, so had to plug in a hub to use both phone and SD music card (no biggie). I have found that the autopilot is not perfect. It will veer of the road (not follow the road lines in certain situations, [with steep curves in road at higher speeds) so keep you hands on the wheel and pay some attention, [so NO napping!], but it is still a great feature 90% of the time.. But Is still a pleasure to take the stress out of everyday driving.
Still love this car as the next evolution in driving.
TWO YEARS IN;
Still enjoying the ride. Still a very comfortable, plush and quiet car to drive. Volvo has engineered a great car. Some of the Lux tech is great. ex- I can preset the the temperature (like an alarm clock) so I can enter the car at my preferred climate for trips to and from work.
However, center panel navi-entertainment system gets a bit tiresome. Not simple to operate. And the Nav system itself, while 98% accurate most of the time. Does not adjust best route for traffic & other delays. I miss my old Garmin made system (ie-MB). However, I do enjoy the S90’s ride.
Fred Davis,01/19/2021
T6 Momentum 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A)
My cars have been M.B. up until the quality fell apart in the 80's, 90's, and currently. The BMW is so highly over rated it is a joke, and the electronics in that car with an emphasis to over engineer the car is sad and a finical nightmare. The VOLVO -S-90 has been very well received, great handling, wonderful supercharged to turbo-charged 6 cly engine that loves to driven hard, designed and built by Porsche, many years ago. The same engine won "Wards" best build. Have a total of 110 k on the clock and uses zero oil, never had an Audi that could do that!
Safety
Our experts like the S90 models:
- Pilot Assist
- Maintains a gap between the S90 and the car in front and keeps the S90 in its lane, giving the driver an additional layer of safety.
- Blind-Spot Information System
- Notifies the driver if a car is lurking in the blind spot as well as if cars are approaching from the sides when backing up.
- Collision Mitigation Support
- Warns the driver if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if no action is taken.