Volvo S90 long-term test review
The Volvo S90 is an all-new luxury saloon built to take on some of the most accomplished cars on sale. We’ve added one to our long-term test fleet to find out what it’s like to live with...
- The car: Volvo S90 D4 Momentum
- Run by: Steve Huntingford, editor
- Why it's here: To see if Volvo has built a genuine alternative to luxury saloons from the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes
- Needs to: Offer outstanding comfort and refinement, a sumptuous interior and low fuel consumption
Price £33,865 Price as tested £40,585 Miles covered 5024 Official economy 64.2mpg Test economy 42.4mpg Options fitted Head-up display (£750), 18in alloy wheels (£700), metallic paint (£700), electric driver’s seat with memory (£600), IntelliSafe Surround Pack (£600), Keyless Drive (£575), Volvo On Call with app (£550), Winter Pack (£525), electric passenger seat (£400), rear parking camera (£400), TFT driver’s information display (£400), smartphone integration (£300), Dark Flame Birch inlays (£220)
24 September 2017 – fourth report
Thomas Edison said that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. And so it proved with the Volvo S90’s satellite navigation.
For a couple of weeks it was out by a little over 70 miles, meaning I could aim for Oxford and end up near Birmingham. But every time I got into the car and knew where I was going, I’d plug my destination in to check if the system had rebooted itself.
Then, just when I was on the verge of accepting I really would have to find the time to take the car to a Volvo dealer, it suddenly started to work again.
A cause for celebration. But a new problem has emerged in the last week, with the trip computer going on the blink. Or at least I hope it has, because if it’s not broken our S90 has suddenly started averaging 9.1mpg – less than a 800bhp Ford Mustang that we had on test a few days ago.
It’s a pity, because aside from these glitches the S90 continues to impress me greatly, making long journeys effortless thanks to its gutsy diesel engine, cushy high-speed ride and well-appointed interior.
Volvo describes that interior as 'Swedishness at its best', and this isn't just marketing nonsense; from the attractive shapes to the choice of materials and colours, it's a really pleasant place to spend time. And if there’s a car on sale today with better seats, I haven’t driven it.
The voice control has also started to grow on me, in particular the way it lets you adjust the climate control temperature without having to delve into the touchscreen infotainment system.
Volvo saloons don't sell in huge numbers, but the S90 deserves for more people to see the light.
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