Competing in the premium segment, Volvo offers what no other manufacturer can, Scandinavian design that combines luxury with function. Latino Traffic Report recently took the 2018 S90 T6 Inscription on a road trip from Austin to Burnet, Texas. The redesigned 2018 S90 full-size sedan showcased the manufacturer’s best assets—design, technology, and safety.
Curb appeal for Volvo’s flagship sedan begins with distinctive design cues, specifically, all new taillights and the t-shape in the headlamps referred to as “Thor’s Hammer.” The luxury sedan also comes with leather seating, a power sunroof, a thirteen-inch digital instrument panel, and chunky real wood accents. In this segment, roominess has its advantages, particularly in the back. Rear legroom in the S90 reaches 35.9 inches.
Innovative technology on the inside includes the tablet-shaped nine-inch touchscreen that interfaces with the Sensus infotainment and navigation systems. To select a function, the driver can slide a finger to the left, right, up, and down. A cleaning cloth to remove fingerprints is included.
Despite its size, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder super and turbocharged engine produces a whopping 316 horsepower and 295 lb.–ft. of torque; it doesn’t sound like a four-cylinder either. Also equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the S90 T6 Inscription test model had an EPA estimated fuel economy of 22 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. On the test-drive, it averaged 26.9 mpg.
Volvo has committed to zero fatalities or serious injuries occurring in one of its vehicles by 2020. To do this requires new benchmarks for safety technology. With the S90, Volvo focused on avoiding large animal collisions, a serious driving concern in the Texas Hill Country. Included on the S90, Volvo’s latest technology, the Large Animal Detection system, uses radar to spot animals and trigger automatic braking.
Standard semi-autonomous technology on the S90 includes Pilot Assist. Akin to adaptive cruise control, it allows the vehicle to accelerate, decelerate, and come to a complete stop to maintain a safe distance from the car in front at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour.
Pricing for the 2018 Volvo S90 starts at $47,945. The as-tested pricing for the S90 T6 Inscription came to $69,140.
Sí: Beautiful inside and out, the S90 leaves no doubt of its flagship status.
No: Despite its innovation and beauty there are a couple anomalies, like the telescopic steering wheel that requires manual rather than automatic function to adjust.
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