Recent changes have found their way into Volvo's current range adding some real mojo, including a mid-sized luxury sedan ready to mix things up with the German Big Three.
While Sweden has never had a serious competitor to break the stranglehold on the mid-sized luxury market dominated by the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, with the arrival of the Volvo S90, it has.
First impressions
Honest, straightforward, thoughtful and practical, of course. Sturdy, stalwart, rugged and safe, you bet. Oh yes, especially safe. But beautiful, or if that's a bit too gushy for you, handsome? Well, you probably haven't heard those last descriptors used in conjunction with a Volvo in like... ever, until now.
The 2017 Volvo S90 sedan puts a handsome face on practicality.
Where the previous S80 was, frankly, dullsville, the longer, lower, wider S90 has considerable pizazz. For the brand's new flagship four-door luxury sedan, Volvo has applied some of the same design magic used on the highly successful XC90 seven-seater crossover sport utility vehicle.
The S90 boasts the new elegant waterfall grill with its concave slates - inspired by the classic P1800 coupe - paired with the distinctive 'Thor's Hammer' LED lights. Together, they make for a fascia that's both suitably imposing for a luxury car but without some of the outright aggression others have in the segment chase.
However, the Volvo does not possess the effortless superiority of the Mercedes, nor the brutalism of a BMW 'ultimate driving machine'.
But this isn't something the Swedish carmaker is concerned about as it intends to carve out a niche of buyers who like luxury and solitude provided by German cars, but don't care for certain aspects of ownership, such as the complex controls or the less-than-flattering perceptions of their owners.
Volvo has done what any smart niche player would do - they've created something different.
In impressive fashion
The opulence doesn't stop at the exterior. The cabin shows restraint in its presentation, with the spotlight being centred on the large 9.0-inch touchscreen Sensus Connect central display that replaces switches, buttons and infotainment knobs that would otherwise clutter up the place. One tablet now serves as the control hub for the car's main features. Using swiping gestures as you would with your smartphone, you can adjust your car's climate control, car audio, navigation, et cetera.
About the only interior oddity is the start-stop button, which is a knob located on the console you twist to fire up the engine.
The S90 boasts all-wheel drive and an economical two-litre, four-cylinder engine delivering a healthy 320 horses at 5,700rpm and 400Nm of peak torque from 2,200rpm to 5,400rpm, which makes the car very punchy; punchier than say the BMW 535i or the new Mercedes-Benz E300.
Different strokes for different folks
The all new Volvo S90 comes in two petrol engine options. The first is a T6 engine with a supercharger and a turbocharger, which you see here. It produces 66 more horses and 40Nm more torque than the T5 engine, which is expected to be launched here in December.
There are four different drive mode settings. We did most of our driving in Comfort and Dynamic - which adjust steering, transmission and other factors. They also adjust the feel from the optional air suspension system, which this car came with.
There's also Eco mode that prioritises fuel economy and Individual mode in which you can cherry-pick your favourite settings for each criteria. Even in Dynamic mode and travelling at 90km/h on the highway, the S90's air suspension soaks up bumps in the road and imperfections in the asphalt without complaint.
A better future
Volvo is planning for fully automated driving by 2020 and part of that technology includes Volvo's City Safety system, which comes standard in the S90.
It has the ability to recognise and react to multiple objects, such as large animals, pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles and will activate emergency braking and collision avoidance if it deems the driver is not taking necessary action to avoid an accident.
Other impressive standard safety technologies include adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist.
The all new Volvo S90 comes in two petrol engine options. The first is a T6 engine with a supercharger and a turbocharger, which you see here. It produces 66 more horses and 40Nm more torque than the T5 engine, which is expected to be launched here in December.
There are four different drive mode settings. We did most of our driving in Comfort and Dynamic - which adjust steering, transmission and other factors. They also adjust the feel from the optional air suspension system, which this car came with.
There's also Eco mode that prioritises fuel economy and Individual mode in which you can cherry-pick your favourite settings for each criteria. Even in Dynamic mode and travelling at 90km/h on the highway, the S90's air suspension soaks up bumps in the road and imperfections in the asphalt without complaint.
A better future
Volvo is planning for fully automated driving by 2020 and part of that technology includes Volvo's City Safety system, which comes standard in the S90.
It has the ability to recognise and react to multiple objects, such as large animals, pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles and will activate emergency braking and collision avoidance if it deems the driver is not taking necessary action to avoid an accident.
Other impressive standard safety technologies include adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist.
Set the adaptive cruise control speed and then hit a button on the two-toned steering wheel, and a wheel icon pops up in the 12.3-inch driver information display. When that turns green, you know Pilot Assist is helping with the steering: it'll do its best to keep you in the centre of the lane.
You can take your hands away for up to 15 seconds before the S90 complains. Ignore the warning and after 30 seconds, the system disengages altogether. Once you've learnt to trust the system, this semi-autonomous feature comes in handy, particularly during peak hour traffic.
An enduring trait
Measuring in at 4,963mm x 1,895mm x 1,443mm (L x W x H), the S90 is by no means a small car. In China - one of Volvo's biggest markets - car buyers demand longer cars.
For its passengers, this means rear legroom is incredibly vast, with ample headroom for a six-footer. The boot at the back is deep and wide enough to easily swallow two full-sized suitcases, with space above and in front to spare.
While a bigger car reflects prestige, wealth and social status, as believed by the Chinese, it also makes parking in land-scarce Singapore a bit of a hassle. Perhaps this is why the S90 is equipped with an optional 360-degree camera that gives you a bird's eye view of the car's surroundings.
Moving on from the XC90, and the S90 seems good enough to keep the momentum going, as Volvo continues its crusade to redefine people's perceptions of the Swedish brand.
