This is a Volvo, and this is a Volvo. But this, is also a Volvo. The new S90.
A big saloon which is meant to compete with cars like the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
And well, it's not really something we expected from the Swedish. Normally, they build modest cars, but this is quite the statement.
It really is a car which can make heads turn. But still, it's not very show-off like. Nice job from Volvo. Let's see if the rest of
car is just as good.
Of course, it's quite a difficult segment where the new Volvo has entered the market. There are some strong competitors...
Because these cars cost a substantial amount of money, there are some demands which the car has to fulfill. Let's start with interior.
It looks very good, a lot of features from the XC90 like the big touchscreen. A lot of leather and wood. It's very classy.
It might be not as swanky as the new E-Class, but it really is a nice place to be. Very good seats as well.
Also, it's incredibly quiet. If you're driving down the highway you can still whisper. Almost no sounds coming from the wind, quiet engine,
the tires are very quiet as well, it's really well done. It's very comfortable. When it comes to comfort, let's talk about the suspension.
We're driving the "Inscription"-version, with air-suspension. That means it's as lovely as can be. Not a lot of feeling in the steering
that gives you the feeling there's a lot of space between you and your surroundings. That's nice, because it really feels like a big car and it puts your mind at ease.
On the other hand, you constantly notice it's heavy and big. So if you want a car which is fun to drive in the mountains as well, this isn't for you.
It rolls, it heaves, but that isn't actually bad because it's a choice you have to make in comfort. You should know however, because
if you want to play racecar with this Volvo, you'll be sick within 5 minutes. It's not really meant for the dynamic driver, but it's very comfortable.
And comfort is one of the key aspects needed in this segment, which the Volvo aces.
Then, the drivetrain. Volvo keeps it simple. All engines are 4-cylinder, 2,0-litre engines. Also 2 diesels, which I'll pick up later on
because tomorrow we're driving the V90, estate version WITH a diesel engine, so for now I'm staying on the petrol-versions.
Firstly, a T5, with 254 hp, and the car we're driving right now, the top-op-the-line-model: the T6. A 2,0-litre, 4-cylinder with 320 hp.
It also has a supercharger and a exhaustfume-turbo. It's quite a nice engine to be honest. A little bit gooey because of the supercharger,
the 8-speed automatic gearbox shifts smoothly, so there isn't anything to worry about. Except the fact that when you're
in this segment, and you have more than 300hp at your disposal, most of the time it's a 6-cylinder. Think of the BMW 535i, Audi A6 3.0 TFSI,
even Mercedes will get the E400 eventually. But this is a 4-cylinder. It's not really bad because it's performance is decent, but
when you start to use the power, the 4-cylinder sounds different and reacts different. It really does feel like a little engine which has to pull a big car.
Again, the performance is just fine, but the refined drive and the feeling of power which you get in a 6-cylinder is absent. That's one of the few flaws.
Another little flaw is the headroom in this, let's be honest, big car. I'm 1m80, which is average for Dutch people, and I was almost touching the roof.
But the rest of the car is excellent. It's just a very good car. It's a typical Volvo; safe and comfortable. Just look at the safety-menu.
It contains more options than the menu at your local snackbar. I'm not even kidding, it just doesn't stop.
You name it and it's got it. Also, something new: the car now recognizes big wild animals, like deer and such.
particularly handy when you're living in Sweden, but if you live on the Veluwe, the car will brake automatically when it sees a crossing deer.
The new S90 also comes with autopilot, we already know that from the new E-Class. A system which keeps track of the road and the surroundings
and if needed, steers for you. When you turn it on, it'll follow the car in front and you can lay back. It also doesn't work permanently
so after some time it'll ask you to put your hands on the wheel. It isn't as refined as the Mercedes-Benz, but then again, this
is Volvo's first time with this system. When you take that in consideration, it's pretty good. It's comfortable, safe and modest. Yep, it's a Volvo.