Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volvo S90 saloon - Engines, drive & performance (2016-2023)

T8 plug-in hybrid engine gives the Volvo S90 almost unbelievable straight-line speed

Carbuyer Rating

3.4 out of 5

Owners Rating

5.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Engines, drive & performance Rating

3.0 out of 5

Let’s get one thing out of the way immediately: the Volvo S90 isn’t an executive saloon in the mould of the BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF. Both of those cars are good fun to drive and manage to provide an impressively comfortable ride despite their firm suspension. Instead, the S90 borrows its ride and handling ethos from the latest Mercedes E-Class saloon (although it's not quite as comfortable and refined as the Merc).

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Volvo has been designed to provide comfortable and relaxing progress, rather than being an exciting thing to drive. That’s not to say that it’s hopeless in corners – far from it – it’s just not quite as planted as the Jaguar and BMW in this regard. When cruising, however, it’s excellent, with a very comfortable ride (as long as you avoid the larger optional wheels) and an impressive lack of wind or tyre noise. We’ve driven the car on 18-inch wheels in the UK and in the most part it was very good, not quite as cosseting as you’ll find in the Mercedes E-Class (although to be fair to the Volvo, very little this side of a luxury saloon is). Combine this with the clever semi-autonomous driving systems and the S90 is a very relaxing car to drive indeed.

Volvo S90 plug-in hybrid engine

The Volvo S90 Recharge T8 is powerful. On its own, the 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 306bhp and an electric motor tops that up to 449bhp; the combination of the two power sources allows a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds. The straight-line speed doesn’t turn the S90 into a sports car, however, and less power and a lower price might actually make more sense.

Petrol engines

The Volvo S90 has been available with a 190bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine. It brings 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. However, the equivalent diesel model is quicker and cheaper to run. With 250bhp, the more powerful T5 gets the car from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds, making it slightly faster than with the D5 diesel.

Diesel engines

Performance from either of the 2.0-litre diesel engines previously offered isn’t mind-blowing, but neither will the car feel slow. Even the less powerful 190bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel will manage 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds and top out at 140mph.

The more powerful 235bhp version uses 'PowerPulse' technology improve the response of its turbocharger. Highly compressed bursts of air are shot into the engine to get it spinning quickly and reduce ‘turbo lag’ – the wait between pressing the accelerator and the turbocharger delivering the power you’ve asked for. This version, which has four-wheel drive as standard, will do 0-62mph in just 7.3 seconds and keep going until 145mph. Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The less powerful D4 engine performs well throughout the rev range and is reasonably refined – especially at higher speeds. While the eight-speed automatic gearbox changes smoothly, it takes too long to respond to requests from the driver. There’s a slight hesitancy when pulling away, as if it can’t quite make up its mind, while it takes a while to change down when you want to accelerate, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

All-new Dacia Bigster: flagship SUV arrives with 4x4, hybrid power and off-road kit
Dacia Bigster front quarter
News
9 Oct 2024

All-new Dacia Bigster: flagship SUV arrives with 4x4, hybrid power and off-road kit

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024