The 2018 Volvo S90, the Underdog of Luxury Sedans

As long as I can remember, my dad was a huge fan of Volvo cars – and so am I. Besides the personal biases, the brand has always produced great looking cars that have withstood time and change. My dad’s 1996 970 is still as good as new (he takes good care of it), and it stands out. It’s got a nostalgic silhouette that maintains elegance and simplicity.

My first car was also a Volvo, albeit the smaller 2004 S40 – which I loved and still adore from afar. Every time I see one drive by, I get excited.

And despite the various ownerships of the brand, I’ve remained a fan – and I firmly believe that the Swedish automaker is making a comeback design-wise. The new generation of Volvo cars really stand out, and although some people tend to overlook Volvo when it comes to luxury, I have to say it pairs up with the common ones (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) and it ends up even better in my opinion (compared to those in it’s class).

The new S90 is a truly a marvelous creation. It brings the brand’s updated elegant Scandinavian design and combines it with an impressive feeling of empowerment. Interior wise, it is rather lavish and exciting; and it is done tastefully. My initial thoughts were ‘wow, I feel like I’m in a jet’ – and I continued to feel the same way as I drove it over the few weeks I had it. In comparison with the BMW 750li – a vehicle that I drove not too long ago and comes to mind right away (although I have to say the 7 series was more luxurious and I honestly preferred being in the backseat), I felt the S90 was more enjoyable to drive.

I was also impressed by the car’s fuel economy. The mid-size luxury sedan stood out when I noticed that I was getting around 9.6 L/100 km. My expectations were higher for a car like this, but it made me appreciate it a little more. The S90 is powered by a four-cylinder that’s both supercharged and turbocharged, ultimately providing a confident 316 horsepower. With that in mind, the cabin remains extremely smooth and comfortable – giving you a great overall drive. It goes above and beyond when combined with the sophisticated all wheel drive system, making it truly special for any occasion. Modernity is also very evident as the car monitors everything from individual wheel speed, throttle position, engine output and the brakes.

Beyond the technicalities, the Volvo S90 is a car you don’t want to overlook, as it provides everything you would expect it to and some more. Volvo has done a great job updating the new line with an exciting face lift, among other things. It’ll be exciting to see what else the brand has in store for us in the upcoming years – because it really looks promising for Volvo fans!