This Overlooked Mid-Size Luxury Sedan Oozes Sophistication

For buyers looking to stand apart from the usual luxury crowd, this sedan delivers timeless design, modern features, and understated prestige. It’s a quiet statement of taste and quality, and one of the most underrated options in today’s luxury market. Here’s why it stands out as a top-tier choice for those who value true sophistication.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.

Volvo's Sleek S90 is a Masterclass in Comfort and Style

When shopping in the mid-size luxury segment, most buyers are often drawn towards the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. However, if you're looking for something a little different, Volvo's S90 easily keeps up with its competitors in the ways that matter most. It may not be as flashy, but it is just as plush.

2025 Trims and Pricing

If you look beyond segment divisions, the S90 is priced incredibly well. While it has a starting MSRP that is on par with mid-sized sedans, such as the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A6, it features rear-seat legroom that is more on par with full-size sedans. If interior luxury for those in the front and the back is your priority, it is one of the best value sedans you can buy.

The S90 used to come in two different trims with two different powertrains. The B6 is a gas-only model with a turbocharged inline-four and the T8 is a plug-in hybrid. However, only the gas-powered B6 remains, which is a bummer because we think that the plug-in hybrid delivered slightly more refinement.

Changes For 2025

Volvo hasn't changed the S90 all that much for the 2025 model year. The main alterations come to the naming scheme. The top trim has been renamed, now the Ultra instead of the Ultimate. As mentioned above, Volvo has currently also dropped the plug-in hybrid from the U.S. market, leaving the B6 your only option.

This looks like it may be the last year for the current S90. You may think this has to do with its somewhat older platform, but Volvo is facing a much broader issue. While a new model has been revealed, it won't be coming to the U.S. The S90 is currently manufactured primarily in China, and tariffs on Chinese products entering the United States have majorly harmed the Swedish brand's profits.

Warranties and Maintenance

• Limited Warranty - Four Years or 50,000 Miles
• Powertrain Warranty - Four Years or 50,000 Miles
• Complimentary Maintenance - Three Years or 36,000 Miles

For this segment, a four-year bumper-to-bumper warranty is pretty standard. Volvo's powertrain warranty is perhaps a bit shy of the average, but not by much. Genesis is an outlier in this area, with the G80 and G90 getting a ten-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Volvo's three-year scheduled maintenance plan is pretty generous, though.

The 2025 S90 Sedan Features One of the Best Interiors in the Segment

A lot of luxury automakers have taken a turn in recent times, relying on outlandish futuristic designs to stand out. The over-inclusion of tech and gimmicky styling has cheapened luxury cars in our opinion. That is why sedans like the S90 are so refreshing, letting quality and comfort speak for itself.

Interior Dimensions and Comfort

As mentioned earlier, a big win for the S90 is how spacious it is, especially in the rear. Passengers that are relegated to the back seat won't feel cramped in any way, and will be more than happy on longer journeys. Those in the front are still treated the best, though. Cargo capacity is more than reasonable for the segment as well, with the ability to fold the rear seats down making the sedan more versatile as well.

Genuine leather, open-pore wood, and brushed metal can be found throughout the cabin, with Volvo only using the highest quality materials. Front seats can be had with heating, ventilation, and a massaging function. They are also power-adjustable and come with a memory function. Four-zone automatic climate control is also standard, as is a panoramic moonroof.

Infotainment and Technology

Volvo doesn't make the S90's screens a focal point in the cabin's design, which is something we appreciate in an old-school luxury sedan. However, it remains just as connected as any of its rivals. Volvo has included their 11.2-inch infotainment screen in the current model on sale, regardless of which trim you opt for. A secondary 12.3-inch screen acts as a digital gauge display.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, but oddly only through a wired connection. Things like customizable ambient interior lighting are also standard kit. The base model gets a 10-speaker sound system, but a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system and a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system are both optional upgrades.

The Turbocharged Inline-Four Is Your Only Choice Now

As we mentioned above, Volvo has pulled the plug-in hybrid from the American market. If you're looking to buy a brand-new S90, then the B6 is your only choice. This is a bit disappointing because we think that the plug-in T8 was pretty impressive. Though, you won't be dissatisfied with the mild-hybrid.

Performance Specifications

Unlike some of the other options in this segment, the S90 doesn't try to be a sports sedan, rather focusing on its luxurious mission. This doesn't mean that it is slow, though, with its mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-four giving it more than enough grunt to get up to speed. Unfortunately, the inline-four isn't quite as smooth as the powertrains found in the S90's rivals.

Volvo's mid-size sedan is not the spring chicken it once was, riding on a rapidly aging platform. What this means is that it doesn't quite deliver the ride quality that a 5-Series or an E-Class might. It isn't horrible, though, just lacking some refinement. It also handles corners pretty well, with confidence that is plenty inspiring.

Fuel Economy

Volvo's B6 powertrain doesn't quite live up to the standard set by its competitors in this segment. Most other mid-size luxury sedans come much closer to 30 miles per gallon on their base models. Ultimately, if you want something that is going to be light on fuel, you're going to be best served elsewhere.

If you do really like the S90 but want something more efficient, consider looking for a slightly used T8 plug-in hybrid model. These get 66 MPGe and can go 38 miles on all electric power when fully charged. When the battery is depleted, it can still achieve 29 miles per gallon.

Safety and Driver Assists

• City Safety Collision Avoidance
• Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Aid
• Blind Spot Information System
• Pilot Assist

Volvo made its name through its innovations in the realms of safety. The S90 proves that the Swedish brand is still industry-leading in this area. It comes loaded with standard features, including collision detection and avoidance systems. More advanced technology includes its City Safety system and its semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system.