2021 Volvo V90
| MSRP | $56,815 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $53,205 |
2021 Volvo V90 Review
- Sleek wagon style with a decent amount of utility
- Lots of standard features
- Premium interior materials and design
- Touchscreen system is unintuitive to use
- All-wheel drive only available in upper T6 trim
- The V90 receives a subtle styling update
- A minor shuffling of feature content
- Part of the second V90 generation introduced for 2018
SUVs are clearly the most popular choice for people who want a vehicle with a lot of utility. But that's not to say that wagons don't have their place. The 2021 Volvo V90 is a good example. Its sleek styling helps it stand out among a seemingly endless sea of crossover SUVs, and it still has enough cargo capacity to handle daily driving and the occasional road trip. And compared to the typical luxury SUV, the V90 offers a lower stance for more secure handling.
For 2021, the V90 gets a mild styling update and continues to slot between the small Volvo V60 wagon and the V90 Cross Country, which is effectively a V90 with an elevated ride height. Outside of Volvo, the few wagon alternatives include the Audi A4 and A6 Allroad as well as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon. All of these have plenty of strengths and few weaknesses, so we suggest paying close attention during a test drive to see which fits your needs and budget best. Also check out our Expert Rating on the V90 to get our in-depth evaluation.
Our verdict | |
Combining SUV-like utility with eye-catching design, the V90 is the kind of car that can change minds about station wagons. Behind the good looks and giant trunk, you'll find Volvo comfort, a capable powertrain and upscale materials. It's almost enough to make up for the needlessly complicated infotainment. Unfortunately, the V90 is only available by order, which will severely limit its appeal. | |
How does the V90 drive? | |
The V90 is brisk, needing only 5.9 seconds to hit 60 mph, and handles better than most buyers expect a midsize luxury wagon to. The T6 engine is responsive and quick, though it posts longer braking distances than most competitors, and, disappointingly, even some trucks. When you order the optional adaptive suspension, it can firm up for better body control when you want. A minor point to consider for more discerning drivers: We noticed the occasional hiccup from the transmission in selecting an appropriate gear while driving in slow-moving traffic. Also, while the steering offers nice feedback in turns, the V90 lacks the locked-on, straight-ahead highway feel that some of its German competitors possess. | |
How comfortable is the V90? | |
The V90's seats and suspension are perfect for long road trips or big-box store adventures. We particularly like the power-adjustable nature of the lower thigh support and seat bolsters. The ride down the road is firm but not jostling. In Dynamic mode, the optional adaptive suspension stiffens up and limits excessive body roll when cornering. The climate control system works well, but it's frustrating to operate since controls are accessed through the touchscreen. However, if you're the type to set and forget, you should be fine. Overall the cabin remains pleasantly quiet, but it's subject to more tire noise than we're accustomed to in a luxury vehicle like this. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The V90's beautifully executed interior feels airy and open, especially with a light-colored roof liner. It also provides ample space for four adults and wide door openings, although getting in and out is complicated by the deeply set seats. The extra glass adds more all-around visibility, and while the 360-degree camera is helpful in tight spaces, it requires quite a bit of menu navigation to activate. The simple design is pleasingly free of clutter, although that hurts usability since most controls are shunted through the less-than-intuitive infotainment system. While ergonomically comfortable, this arrangement compromises the Volvo's ease of use when you need to adjust almost any setting. | |
How’s the tech? | |
On the whole, the V90's in-car technology lags behind top competitors in terms of advancement, execution and features. Still, Volvo's premium audio delivers crisp sound, connecting to Bluetooth is easy, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support is standard. Voice controls work for climate as well as navigation and audio controls, but they lack the robustness or flexibility of current German offerings. The biggest downside is the annoying menu structure and function groupings — Volvo's system is less pleasant to use than most competitors. Volvo's Pilot Assist generally does well tracking lane markings and keeping pace with traffic through its adaptive cruise control, although we experienced a situation in which the system issued a collision warning but didn't slow sufficiently. So attention to the road is, as always, required. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The generous cargo area, a V90 strong point, measures 33.9 cubic feet, which rivals what you'll get from many SUVs. It's also easy to load. The rear seats can be easily lowered, increasing volume to 59.3 cubic feet. Parents will love the easy-access car seat anchors and available child booster seats built into the outboard rear seats. The only downside is storage space for small items. The front armrest storage bin is average size for this type of vehicle, but the door pockets are thin and shallow. The front cupholders aren't deep enough to hold larger cups and bottles. | |
How’s the fuel economy? | |
We tested the V90 T6, which is EPA-estimated at 25 mpg combined. During our time with the car, we achieved 22.9 mpg, with more miles spent in town than on the open road. We were able to achieve 25.3 mpg during our evaluation drive for handling and comfort — it has a much more balanced ratio of driving on the highway and in the city. It's a shame the plug-in hybrid T8 powertrain isn't available for the V90 since the less powerful T5 engine with front-wheel drive only nets you an EPA-estimated 1 mpg improvement over the AWD T6. | |
Is the V90 a good value? | |
Volvo's restrained interior design continues to impress, bolstered by upscale materials and feeling of soliditiy to everything you touch. The V90 certainly delivers the impression of luxury and still comes in a bit under its German rivals in price. But you won't get as many of the latest tech bells and whistles, and you can't get Volvo's PHEV powertrain. Volvo generally does a good job of taking care of its customers after they leave the dealership. It'll even tow your car to the nearest authorized repair center for as long as you own the vehicle. But the V90 is generally only available by special order, making it harder to purchase and less likely to carry any sort of discount. | |
Wildcard | |
The V90 is immensely comfortable and practical, and the long-roof body looks fantastic. It also shows some potential to be fun to drive, even if it's held back by the standard-equipment tires. It's truly a shame you have to special order the V90 because this feels like the kind of car that can change people's minds about wagons. | |
Which V90 does Edmunds recommend?
Volvo V90 models
The 2021 Volvo V90 wagon is available in two trim levels: R-Design and Inscription. Both trims are offered with the choice of two engines. The T5 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (250 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque), and the T6 is also supercharged (316 hp, 295 lb-ft). An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels for the T5. The T6, meanwhile, comes standard with all-wheel drive.
2021 Volvo V90 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $51,800
- MPG & Fuel
- 22 City / 33 Hwy / 26 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: 8-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 250 hp @ 5500 rpm
- Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 194.7 in. / Height: 58.2 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 79.5 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 74.6 in.
- Curb Weight: 3976 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 53.9 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite V90 safety features:
- Run-Off Road Mitigation
- Scans the road ahead and tenses up the seat belts if it detects the car will run off the road.
- Rear Collision Warning
- Warns you if an approaching car may cause a rear-end collision. Will flash the lights, tense up the seat belts and apply brakes.
- Emergency Brake Lights
- Warns rear oncoming drivers when you panic-stop by flashing the brake lights at four pulses per second.
Volvo V90 vs. the competition
2021 Volvo V90
2020 Audi A4 Allroad
Volvo V90 vs. Audi A4 Allroad
The Audi A4 Allroad is slightly smaller than the V90 and is a good pick if you want a slightly smaller luxury wagon. It comes standard with all-wheel drive and is a bit more maneuverable than the V90. Both wagons have finely crafted interiors. Volvo's V90, however, has more standard features.
Volvo V90 vs. Audi A6 Allroad
Like the V90, the Audi A6 Allroad can rival the utility of an SUV. Audi's latest infotainment system is easy to use, but its screen placement requires drivers to take their eyes off the road to operate it. Volvo's infotainment is a bit more complicated but less distracting. Choosing between the two wagons will likely come down to budget and preference.
Volvo V90 vs. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
If you're seeking higher-end luxury in a wagon, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the obvious choice. Not surprisingly, it'll also cost you — the Benz will set you back an extra $10,000 just to start. And adding options to be competitive with the Volvo's standard equipment will quickly get the price climbing even higher. If your budget can stand it, you'll be rewarded with a noticeable gain in luxury, comfort and refinement.
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FAQ
Is the Volvo V90 a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Volvo V90?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Volvo V90:
- The V90 receives a subtle styling update
- A minor shuffling of feature content
- Part of the second V90 generation introduced for 2018
Is the Volvo V90 reliable?
Is the 2021 Volvo V90 a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Volvo V90?
The least-expensive 2021 Volvo V90 is the 2021 Volvo V90 T5 Inscription 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $51,800.
Other versions include:
- T6 Inscription 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) which starts at $57,800
- T5 Inscription 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $51,800
- T6 R-Design 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) which starts at $57,800
- T5 R-Design 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $51,800