Volvo S90 review

The ambience of the S90’s cabin is a massive part of what separates it from its German rivals. Particularly in Inscription spec, with the light-coloured leather and wood trim, the S90’s cabin is a bright, inviting environment that really soothes the stresses associated with using and sharing Britain’s uniquely terrible road network with millions of other people. 

The front seats are superb, as is the Volvo way, and it’s most easy to find a comfortable driving position. Material quality is largely beyond reproach too, with few nasty, cheap-feeling plastics to speak of. 

IS THERE MUCH SPACE IN THE BACK?

Yep, adults and kids will be fine back there. In some parts of the world Volvo even does a long-wheelbase S90 for taxiing/chauffeuring, but the standard car we get here in the UK more than does the job – it feels bigger in the back than the 5 Series or A6, with enough room to stretch out on longer journeys. At 461-litres the boot isn’t vast, but it’s a usable shape/size and you can flip the rear bench down in a 60/40 split for loading larger items. 

WHAT ABOUT THE TECH?

Many of the controls are integrated into the nine-inch portrait touchscreen. Yes, including the air conditioning. There is a physical home button, and hard-keys for the heated screens and hazards, but we’d prefer more knobs and switches. 

Still, the S90’s touchscreen is easy enough to use, but Volvo has been using this same system since 2015, so it is starting to feel its age in places. Good news, then, that new S and V90s get the Android-based operating system as fitted to the Polestar 2 and all-electric Volvo XC40 P8. It’s much better.