2021 Volvo S90 facelift: First impression

Having been introduced to the world back in February 2020, the revamped S90 executive sedan now made its way to Malaysia. Volvo’s local arm teased the model’s arrival on its Facebook page last week and today it launched the all-new facelifted S90 in the country, Just like the recently launched XC40 Recharge T5, the S90 plug-in hybrid now also goes with the ‘Recharge’ suffix. 

Thus, the two-variant S90 lineup has T5 Momentum as the base trim and Recharge T8 Inscription Plus as the full bells and whistles model. The automaker has not yet announced the T5 Momentum price but does confirm the tag of the range-topping S90, i.e. RM 339,314 (on the road, without insurance and SST). Let’s find out more about this new luxury car in town in our first impression.

2021 Volvo S90 Exterior

Arguably one of the prettiest sedans available in the market, the S90 facelift gets subtle changes on the exterior for a fresh look. Upfront, you will see a restyled bumper with new air inlets and a full-width chrome bar. Thor Hammer’ LED headlights and vertical chrome grille continue to be the same, however, the fog lights are now smaller. At the back, the sedan gets the same horizontal bar on the revamped bumper as seen on the front. Also new are the 3D-effect, full-LED tail lights with C-shaped graphics, sequential turn indicators, and an integrated ducktail spoiler.

Differentiating the two variants is the wheels’ design. The Recharge T8 runs on 19-inch 10-spoke black diamond-cut alloy wheels, however, the Momentum T5 is equipped with 19-inch five-double-spoke matte graphite alloys. The former also has some extra chrome detailing on the sides and the front grille that has thick vertical slats, however, there are black-painted items and thinner bars on the latter.

The T5 Momentum has LED Illumination headlamps with Active High Beam, while there is an Active Bending Lights function available on the electrified S90.

2021 Volvo S90 Colours

You can get a brand-new S90 in Bright Silver, Crystal White Pearl, Onyx Black, Platinum Grey, or Thunder Grey

2021 Volvo S90 Interior

Just like the exterior, Volvo also kept the interior changes modest. Paired with the same dashboard layout, instrument cluster and centre display is a redesigned Orrefors crystal gear knob. To spice up the neatly laid stuff, customers can choose between the Pitch Oak or Grey Ash interior inlay. Added to the changes are an improved Bowers & Wilkins sound system and 2 USB-C charging points in place of the 12V socket given for the rear passenger. Volvo says that the latest sound system provides a real high-end immersive listening experience to the passengers.

In terms of equipment, both variants have

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display
• 9.0-inch Sensus Connect touchscreen infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support
• Three-spoke leather steering wheel with Unideco inlay
• Two-zone climate control with B-pillar rear vents and Clean Zone
• Leather upholstery
• Powered front comfort seats with driver’s side memory function
• Keyless entry and start

However, the Recharge T8 interior kit also includes a head-up display, Nappa leather upholstery, memory function, and additional adjustments for the front seats, a 360-degree camera, and the above-mentioned gear knob and sound system. 

2021 Volvo S90 Engine

The two S90 variants get different powertrains under the bonnet, check out their detailed specifications in the below table: 

Specifications	T5 Momentum	Recharge T8 Inscription Plus
Engine	Drive-E 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol	Drive-E, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo supercharged petrol + electric motor
Max Power	254 PS at 5,500 rpm	407 PS at 5700 rpm
Max Torque	350 Nm from 1,500 to 4,800 rpm	640 Nm from 1200 to 5400 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic transmission	8-speed automatic gearbox with Geartronic
Acceleration (0-100 kmph)	6.8 seconds	4.9 seconds
Top speed	180 kmph	180 kmph
Fuel consumption	7 litres per 100 km	2.1 litres per 100 km

Underneath the sheet metal, the S90 Recharge also equips a lithium-ion battery powering the electric motor; the battery now has a larger capacity at 11.6-kWh over the previous model fitted with the 10.4-kWh pack. If charging the battery with a 3.7 kW Type 2 connector, the full charge will take three hours, which can be converted into 58 km of all-electric driving.

2021 Volvo S90 Safety

The Volvo S90 ticks off the right amount of boxes when it comes to safety. Some of its key safety features are

• Driver Alert Control
• Blind Spot Information System with Steer Assist 
• Front and rear autonomous emergency braking
• Lane keep assist
• Run-off road mitigation with road edge detection
• Cross Traffic Alert with auto brake
• Adaptive cruise control
• Pilot Assist 
• Park Assist

The 2021 Volvo S90 is now available at all authorized Volvo showrooms in the country for viewing and test drives. With the purchase, the automaker is providing a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. Also available is an 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty with the Recharge T8. 

Also read: 2021 Volvo XC90: Is it worth the price?