In an age of luxury SUVs and crossovers, the traditional executive sedan has been rather overlooked. There are loads of great choices out there, but not enough are buying them. It’s no surprise then that some manufacturers have simply abandoned that segment.
Which is why we’re glad to see some activity in that class. Meet the new Volvo S90, and the Swedish automaker would like to remind everyone that it still makes big sedans.
Notice we said ‘new’ and not ‘all-new.’ That’s because it’s still the same car that has been around since, wait for it, 2016. Okay, it’s not totally new, but hey, people are more than willing to pay serious cash for a 41-year old, brand new Land Cruiser 70, but we digress.
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So, what’s new with this car? For starters, there the rounder front end that follows the form of the new XC90 and XC60. It includes a more dynamic headlight design, a smoother front bumper, and a new grille pattern.
There are also new wheel designs available for the new S90, along with additional color options. Also, Volvo made an effort to change the rear end by giving it a totally new pair of tail lights. Because of that, the entire trunk has a different stamping that moved the license plate holder from the bumper to the trunk’s fascia. We must say that it looks better for it.
For the most part, the interior layout is the same. There’s still the vertical infotainment screen and the two-tier dashboard. However, that screen is actually larger than before, now at 11.2 inches.
But the big news here is the new infotainment software. Simply dubbed the Volvo Car UX, the company says it’s more focused and personalized than its predecessor, with several Google services built-in. It also boasts a new, simplified interface, and can be updated over the air. The new system also brings with it a redesigned digital instrument cluster.
Full powertrain details for the new Volvo S90 have yet to be released. However, the company is keen to point out that there is a turbocharged mild-hybrid option, as well as a plug-in hybrid labeled as the T8 Recharge AWD.
It’s likely the same found in the XC90, meaning it could be a 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine mated to an 18.8kWh battery and a single electric motor. If so, we might be looking at a combined output of 455hp and about 700Nm. That’s pretty serious numbers from this subtle executive cruiser. As for its electric-only range, Volvo claims it can travel up to 80km on battery power alone.
