Volvo may best define what currently constitutes a 'globe-trotting' car brand.
The company's headquarters, heritage and heart remains in Gothenburg, Sweden. Historically, Volvo enjoys an upscale Euro pedigree as a refreshing, Scandinavian alternative to Germany's big three premium brands (Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi).
For a decade starting in 1999, Volvo was part of America's Blue Oval Company, Ford. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, one of China's largest auto conglomerates, took control in 2010. While engine parts of our S90 test sedan are largely sourced in Sweden, final assembly took place in Daqing, China, a big switch from 2017 when Sweden served as S90's production home.
The company also put down production roots here in the states, announcing in 2015 the construction of its first U.S.-based assembly plant located near Charleston, South Carolina. Production of the mid-size S60 sedan is scheduled to start later this year. A second entry, the XC90 full-size crossover, comes online at the Berkeley, South Carolina facility in 2021. Currently, Volvos are constructed either in China or Europe (including Sweden and Belgium).
The company's relatively nimble size allows for trimmed-down turn-around times when compared with larger, more heavily bureaucratic rivals. For example, Volvo announced with great fanfare that starting in 2019, all newly redesigned vehicles will incorporate a high degree of hybrid technology working alongside internal combustion engines, or be sourced all-electric.
All Volvos sold in the U.S. now incorporate four-cylinder engines, after recent retirement of five, six and eight-cylinder powertrains. At no time during our weeks testing did the full-dimensioned S90 sedan lack oomph thanks in part to technology tweaks including supercharging and turbocharging substantially pumping up the hard charging four-cylinders.
Volvo's quite handsome S90 flagship sedan debuted in the 2017 model year with a sizable, front grille sporting Volvo's iconic logo front and center (a circle with arrow head pointing directionally to the upper right reminiscent of the ancient symbol for iron). Headlights, described by Volvo as, "Thor's Hammer" (a stylized resting "T" pattern one could image being hand held by the Nordic God of Thunder) flanking the concaved inward grille. Headlights provide a swivel motion, illuminating in sync with steering wheel maneuvers. Total S90 U.S. sales in the 2017 calendar year ended at a healthy 46,602 units.
The sophomore 2018 edition adds numerous updates from, enough to easily qualify for a mid-cycle redesign. Wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) now stretches by almost five inches, allowing for prominent row-two leg room. Overall length stretches more than four inches.
Also new for 2018, a twin engine, all-wheel drive T8 plug-in hybrid trim, upping S90's hybrid quotient. Combined horsepower tickles 400. The S90 T8 joins two returning 2017 trims, a S90 T5, now available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (2017 featured only front-drive) and our tester this week, a S90 T6 with all-wheel drive continuing as standard. An available 'Inscription' content package adds extra perks (the aforementioned swiveling headlights, heated/ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, pillow-soft Nappa leather seats) not part of the base 'Momentum.'
The S90 T6 tester checked in with a starting price of $54,100. In addition to the $4,500 Inscription package, our loaner added a $2,500 convenience package (heated washer nozzles, power operated trunk lid, compass directional inlay inside rear view mirror and park assist). The number of 2018 option packages has reduced, helping simplify decision making.
Stand-alone goodies included a $1,200 premium rear suspension, $900 heads up windshield display, $300 heated steering wheel, $800 alloy wheels, $595 metallic paint and $3,200 premium sound system. All this added to a $69,140 bottom line, a comparative bargain when stacked against Germany's flagship upmarket sedans.
The T6 comes equipped with 'dual charged' engine technology consisting of a turbocharger (repurposing exhaust energy back through the engine) and supercharger (compressing a higher volume of air into the engine at front end of the four-stroke cycle). Dual charging motivates this 2.0-liter direct-injected four cylinder to deliver an impressive 316 horses. The S90 T5 teams the 2.0-liter four cylinder with turbocharging (no supercharging), to deliver 250 horses.
The sole transmission: a silky smooth eight-speed automatic sporting a 'manumatic' option allowing drivers (if the spirit moves) to maneuver up and down through the eight forward gears by tapping the floor-mounted shifter.
The S90 incorporates Volvo's 'Scalable Product Architecture' (SPA), a relatively new, flexible, modular chassis technology generating significant economies of scale. Other Volvo vehicle redesigns will borrow from this same playbook.
Electronic start takes the form of a smallish twist knob between the front bucket seats. A gentle turn to the right starts up the engine while a twist left shuts off the technology. Residing aft, a tactile, silver push scroll for selecting three distinct drive modes.
A vertically-perspective touch-sensitive multi-function screen (5.5-inches wide by 7.25-inches deep) is large enough to mimic a flat, ubiquitous iPad screen, neatly ensconced between slimmed air vents. Many audio and ventilation commands register through this screen, although quick-key front and rear defroster push buttons locate in a single row below, along with the hazard lights.
Too many times during testing, eyes wandered too long on the screen figuring such mundane chores as switching from FM to AM. Sharp graphics along with the option to 'pinch' the navigation map larger and smaller are great if a shotgun assistant rides along to plot through tutorials, but for a lone pilot, frustration and fatigue mount too easily.
Five passengers fit comfortably in this full-sized sedan with extended row-two leg room. Seating positions situate closer to the ground than conventional mid-size offerings creating a connection with the road. Soft, textured front buckets include power front extensions pampering tired knees. Pilots can expect great sight lines and minimal blind spots and a chassis tuned closer to a comfort rather than sporty ride.
The refreshing and comforting 'Scandinavian Sanctuary' interior design combines soft-touch materials and stitched leather working in tandem with wood grains, metals and chrome worthy of an upscale offering. The flat instrument panel screen serves as the backdrop to an all-animated design with two identical-sized dials.
The 15.9 gallon fuel tank (with a cap less, self-sealing lead) recommends pricier premium 91 octane fuel for optimal performance.
Another fuel-saving advancement once the privy of hybrids and now more prevalent in traditional IC engines, Start/Stop technology allowing the engine to experience a 'sleep' mode when stopped for prolonged periods, such as at a stop light. The engine wakes back to action in a perceivable fashion once the right foot lifts from the brake pedal.
2018 Volvo S90Price as tested: $66,105
Wheelbase: 120.5 inches
Length: 200.1 inches
Width: 79.5 inches
Height: 57.1 inches
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo/supercharged
Horsepower: 316
City/Highway economy: 22 mpg city/ 31 mpg highway
Assembly: Daqing, China