2022 Volvo S90 Facelift Review - A Classy Makeover

When we talk about Volvo cars, three words come to our minds - Safety, Comfort and Design. And one model that has always been amongst the best at offering these three things is the Volvo S90. So, naturally, when the Scandinavian brand decided to introduce the S90 facelift in India last year, we were curious to see what all has changed. Now, globally the S90 facelift was introduced in 2020, however, due to challenges caused by COVID-19, the India launch was delayed by nearly 2 years, but as they say, it's better late than never! We recently got a chance to get behind the wheel of the Volvo S90 facelift and know everything about it.

Design

Now, we have always loved the way the S90 looks, and with this facelifted model the feeling remains unchanged. While the basic silhouette remains similar, the designers at Volvo have made the car looks sharper now. You have a more prominent chrome grille up front, which is flanked by a set of sleeker LED headlamps, and cannot call it a Volvo if it doesn't have the 'Thor's Hammer LED daytime running lights, can you? The front bumper has also changed and now features more muscular lines and revised intakes. Essentially, everything has been toned down to give the car a much sharper look.

Walk towards the sides and you'll see the new 18-inch dual-tone multi-spoke alloys, which look quite classy in our opinion. The rest of the profile remains quite similar. However, the rear section of the S90 too has have updated and looks much sleeker now, courtesy of the refreshed LED taillights with the C-shaped light signature, giving the car that distinctive look. However, the most noticeable change is the addition of the new rear bumper. Unlike the pre-facelift model which used to come with chrome-tipped horizontal dual exhaust ports, this updated S90's tailpipe has been nicely tucked behind the rear bumper, giving the car a neat, exhaust-less look. Certainly, an impressive design addition in our books.

Also Read: Volvo XC40 Recharge Review: Taking Charge

Cabin and Features

Like the exterior, the cabin too comes with its fair share of updates. The S90 gets a new interior layout, which has a darker theme compared to the lighter interior of the previous model. In fact, now you can get the S90 in two interior trim options - Amber and Maroon Brown, both draped in Nappa leather. The car we had, came with the former option. The dashboard has also been updated and comes with a soft-touch dash top with contrast white stitching, while the front section features premium wooden panels and a chrome insert that runs across the entire length of the dash. However, the biggest attraction inside is the new crystal shifter lever that takes premiumness to the next level.

Also Read: Volvo XC40 Recharge To Be Locally Assembled; Launch In July

In terms of features, the S90 comes with ventilated front seats, which is certainly a welcome addition given the current weather, along with 4-zone automatic climate control. Plus, you also get a wireless smartphone charger, multiple USB ports, a new multi-functional steering wheel, a beautiful surround sound system from Bowers & Wilkins, and of course, a panoramic sunroof. The rear seat comfort of the S90 is also quite good, offering a good amount of legroom and headroom, however, it's largely suited for two people at the back. There are additional air vents on each b-pillar, privacy blinds on the windows, headrests for all three passengers, and a foldable central armrest with retracting cup holders.

Infotainment and Tech

The S90 also comes with a host of tech and connectivity features, which can be accessed using the central infotainment system. The 9-inch touchscreen display is now powered by Google and comes with a host of Built-in Google apps and services, the Play Store, and even a voice-activated Google Assistant. So, just by saying the words "Ok Google..." you can command the system to perform various in-car controls like - making a call, texting someone, and even controlling the temperature inside the cabin. The S90 also comes with a virtual instrument cluster that offers you a tonne of information like Tyre Pressure, vehicle health and more.

Safety

When it comes to Volvo cars, safety has always been a benchmark and the S90 is no different. The pre-facelift version of the car has received a 5-star safety rating from Euro New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), and the same rating continues to apply to this updated model as well. In addition to that, the car also comes with a host of active and passive safety features like - seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), a 360-degree view camera, along with some advanced driver support technology like lane departure warning, automatic braking and more. The S90 also comes with 3-point seat belts for all 5 occupants, and ISOFIX child seat mounts among other features.

Engine & Driving Dynamics

Now the biggest change with the Volvo S90 has been made under the hood. Unlike the pre-facelift model, which used to come both in petrol and diesel options, the car is now offered with only a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a mild-hybrid system. The 1,969 cc in-line four-cylinder motor is smooth and peppy, and it is tuned to churn out about 247 bhp, which is offered from 5400 rpm to 5700 rpm. The motor also makes about 350 Nm of peak torque, which is available from as low as 1800 rpm and is sustained until 4800 rpm.

The motor comes paired with a 48-volt electric unit which occasionally offers a boost of 10 kW or 13 bhp. What this does is makes up for the initial turbo lag, making the initial acceleration of the car quite spirited. However, as you move up the rev band, you'll notice that the power delivery becomes a lot more gradual, and the car picks up speed in a lazier manner and with a lot less enthusiasm. The entire system comes mated to a new 8-speed automatic torque converter unit that is much nicer than the older unit. The shifts are smooth and precise, which makes the drive a lot more engaging.

However, when it comes to the ride quality, the S90 feels absolutely on point. The suspension is set a bit on the softer side, which allows the sedan to handle most of the undulations on the road with grace and offers you a supple and sure-footed ride. In fact, despite its low 152 mm ground clearance, the car offers enough confidence even on bad roads, and that's certainly saying something. The cabin too is well insulated, offering good NVH levels. Coming to the handling department, the S90 is quite good, however, we won't call it a sporty car because it is tuned for comfort driving and not for attacking the apex.

Pricing and Verdict

The Volvo S90 Facelift is offered in only one top-spec variant - B5 Mild Hybrid, which is priced at ₹ 65.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India). At that price, the S9 is about ₹ 30,000 more expensive than the top-end Lexus ES 300h and about ₹ 1.40 lakh costlier than the petrol version of the BMW 5 series. On the other hand, it's also about ₹ 9,000 cheaper than the top-end Audi A6, and a massive ₹ 2.10 lakh less expensive than even the entry-level Mercedes-Benz E-Class petrol.

So, if you want the most luxurious car in this segment, then then we would say spend that extra premium and go for the E-Class or even the A6. And in case you want performance along with luxury then the 5-Series might be a good bet, plus it's cheaper as well. However, both the E-Class and the 5-series also get diesel variants which offer better features and performance. If you are looking for something a bit more sustainable, then the ES 300h Hybrid might just work for you. It's a strong hybrid and offers better fuel efficiency than all other cars in this space, however, it also looks quite dated compared to all its rivals.

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But, if you are looking for a premium executive petrol sedan, and do not want to go for German-made cars, then the S90 might be a good option. It performs well, offers great ride and comfort, and it looks damn pretty!

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