We are with Volvo S90.
S90 is Volvo’s rival model to Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E Class.
i.e. we can say that it struggles against very challenging German rivals.
This car replaced S80 very assertively and there are lots of things to tell about it.
Therefore I start to analyze it immediately. Come on...
As always, we start with the design and dimensions first.
Design language of S90 is very sticking and grand.
We are familiar to this design language from XC90 and it looks as if we will see it in other current Volvo models too.
Frankly, it is impossible not to like this tank like ostentatious face.
There are headlamps called Thor’s hammer with new daylights and grill with its very big chromium frame.
Volvo logo with its of all times large form is located in S90’s grill.
From the side you can see that S90 is longer, wider and lower than its rivals in its class.
There are 20 inch wheel rims in this car and it is attune with the wide body.
Naturally, you can select different design wheel rims according to your taste.
The equipment level of this car is İnscription.
i.e. very rich equipment level, which you can see from the chromium bar under the doors.
Let us look at the rear of S90 now.
Frankly, there is no accounting for taste but even though I said everyone would like the front I cannot say the same for the rear.
The rear is a bit plainer, more mature and looks a bit old.
You can leave your own views under the video.
C form taillights grab attention here but they are in a very large form.
In here there are inscriptions to indicate that the engine is D5 and it has 4-wheel drive system
and enormous Volvo insigne that almost cover the large part of the boot.
Even though S90 is a somber model it has one spoiler and exhaust outlets at both side of the bumper that gives clues about the car’s power.
Let’s see what kind of loading capacity is offered under the boot lid of S90.
This place normally has 500 liters volume.
Its layout looks very decent but loading bay is 10-15 cm higher than the floor and to load big articles may cause bother.
The width of the loading bay increases S90’s functionality.
It is time to go to the rear seats and talk about its living space. Come on.
I have mentioned that the car’s dimensions are bigger than its rivals.
This clearly reveals itself in the kneeroom.
There is a hand span distance here.
This seat is adjusted to my ideal driving position and I am 1.78 cm tall.
As you can see, person sitting behind me will be able to travel in comfort.
The headroom is quite good too; even though I sit very straight my head do not touch the ceiling.
There is a curtain here to isolate you from the outside world.
Furthermore there are for you special air vents offered here to adjust which ensures you business class comfort.
Having two cup-holders and extra space for your small items in the armrest is very impressive.
Passenger to sit in the middle has to pass the transmission hump but since the two seats in both side leave quite a wide space to put its feet he will be alright.
This place is the bridge of S90.
As soon as you enter the cockpit of S90 you encounter exceedingly high quality materials.
Top is covered with leather.
In fact there are pieces made from real wood here, even sliding lidded cubicle is made of real wood.
It looks very elegant.
Furthermore, metal plating and black shiny pieces ensure the cockpit to appear extremely selective.
You remember this touchscreen from the previous XC90 test.
The sensitivity of the touchscreen is really very good. You can direct it as you use an ipad.
After a very short adaptation you can use very easily and it deserves praise that even though it is touchscreen you can manage it even on the move.
Under the lidded small item cubicles there are large spaces where you can put you change coins.
There are two cup-holders and extra area.
Further, there is one armrest but it is a small one.
Glove compartment is quite large and has cooling specialty but on cold winter days like this I don’t think any one would like to chill anything.
Seats upholstery and comfort is very good and succeeds to hold the driver very well.
I liked it very much but the best feature I liked in this car is the Bowers and Wilkins sound system.
It has unbelievable sound quality and output.
To tell the truth, I don’t understand much about it but you live music banquet in the car as if listening a real concert.
Naturally, you pay huge sums but if you are buying S90 or XC90 the music system is a must.
I can mention the rest of the thing about the interior during the drive and I don’t think many are left.
We can start to the driving part now. Let’s start.
As soon as we start driving S90, I felt tranquility, comfort and security.
Firstly this place is very quiet i.e. you drive isolated from outside world.
This is one of the most important features that should be expected from a top class car and S90 offers this to its driver very well.
i.e. it is whole and complete in insulation.
Alright what does it offer you in comfort? Let me briefly mention that.
The suspension settings have been done very well.
When you advance on asphalt with S90 you don’t feel slightest discomfort,
but apart from that even on keystones and over speed bumps the shock absorbers absorbs the impacts and do not pass it on into the interior.
This is also one of the criteria that should be in this class and S90 fulfills it very well.
I have not driven new 5 Series
but S90’s suspension comfort is definitely better than the current 5 Series and E Class.
S90 almost iron out the rough road surfaces and it is achieved despite low profile tires and 20 inches wheel rims on the test car.
Behind the steering wheel of S90 you feel extremely secure.
Besides, when security is mentioned, Volvo is one of the first brands that come to mind and S90 increases this security level to a very high place.
All of the security equipment we know from other Volvo models are offered in S90 and in addition to those there is a driving feature called half autonomy is offered.
The system called Pilot Assist is an addition to adaptive cruise control and on a road with decent lines intervene the steering for you to leave the car by it.
This system ensures S90 to move as half autonomous.
If you are on a road with decent lines as now, look the system is on and the car drives at 60 km/h entirely alone
and even if the road bends to right or left it succeeds to bring it back to its line by interfering with the steering.
But of course this system does not entirely work alone, the sound you heard just a while ago, reminded me to put my hands on the steering wheel.
Ultimately, I do not steer but the system realizes that the driver is here and concentrates on the road.
i.e. it does not advance alone, it drives the car with the driver as half autonomous.
Look at the moment we are turning towards left and by intervening the steering it succeeds to advance S90.
Adaptive cruise control ultimately acts on top level, as on Suzuki Vitara that I have recently tested it does not only follow the car in front, it stops when the car in front stops.
When the car in front moves it also moves but if your stoppage exceeds certain time the system goes to sleep mode and you are able to move the car again with a single button.
During the S90 test I have used the adaptive cruise control and the Pilot Assist very much,
it works very successfully and really make life easier.
Let us consider engine and driving features of S90.
Under the bonnet of the car 2.0 liter twin turbocharged diesel engine called D5 is functioning.
This engine develops exactly 235 HP and 480 Nm of torque.
You feel the power and torque under your foot all the time.
Look I have step on it at 80 km/h and reach 120 km/h as I talk,
now 130, 140 and 150.
S90 accelerates breathlessly.
Due to this twin turbo the engine is very responsive. You do not encounter any turbo lag.
The reason that the power is transferred to the ground dissipation less is the 4-wheel drive system.
This engine is used in S90 with 8-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter.
If you wish, you can intervene the gearbox from the gear lever for manual use.
Unfortunately, there are no pedals behind the steering wheel to intervene from here for manual use.
But you do not need for manual use any way as the gearbox does its selections very well.
If you want performance and on tight bends when you need to down shift or up shift then you feel deficiency.
Even though the diameter of the steering wheel as in all Volvo models looks a bit big, it guides S90 very easily.
Even though the driving dynamism of S90 not as good as its comfort it absolutely answers the expectations successfully, you are able to drive it with pleasure.
You can select from three of the driving modes according to your mood at the time and drive.
There are three modes as Eco, Comfort and Dynamic offered.
I have generally driven at Comfort mode but when you select Dynamic mode the car really becomes a bit more attack and a bit more willing.
The throttle responses and gear changes are a bit sharper and you are able to drive more dynamically.
Let us now consider fuel consumption. I have been driving this car for a week and have covered 335 km.
At the moment, trip computer indicates 11.4 liters fuel consumption averages.
I am aware; this value is very high therefore I feel I should make a statement.
During my test I have tried to enjoy the powerful engine and step on it whenever possible and driven with performance,
under normal circumstances S90 will not be this extravagant.
You can take this value as maximum, I have covered 110 km since morning and the average indicated is 7.7 liters.
I have of course driven calmly and we altogether have observed that it has frugal potential depending on your way of driving.
Under normal conditions, you can drive this car 100 km with 8,5 - 9,0 liters averages easily.
Let’s see in how many seconds S90 reaches 100 km from 0?
Not bad at all, to keep accelerating with the same pace after 100 km shows you what this twin turbo D5 engine can do.
Volvo S90 reveals very good value in the matter of comfort, quality, safety and performance.
We can say that S90 is an excellent car by these four parameters but then there is a subject of price.
Especially, as German rivals have lower volume engines and as S90 is only sold with 2,0 liter engine, it will never be very appealing option.
This car you see next to me has a starting price of 360.000 TL and with extra equipment as in the test car it reaches 460.000 TL.
In other words, the car is excellent but to attain it is not that easy.
See you...