Volvo S90 2021 Review

In the Malaysian executive sedan market, consumers value the stable image brought by the brand and have high requirements for safety features and riding comfort — after all, business commuting and family outings often overlap. As a model in this segment that focuses on safety, the 2021 Volvo S90 T5 Momentum is the subject of our test drive, where we focus on its practicality in daily use, performance, and whether it meets both business and family needs.

From the exterior, the S90 T5 Momentum continues Volvo's family-style minimalist design, with smooth and steady overall lines. The front features a vertical waterfall-style grille paired with “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights, which are highly recognizable; the car's side profile avoids overly complicated lines, with a clean and clear waistline extending from the fender to the rear, complemented by 19-inch wheels, maintaining the dignity of an executive vehicle without seeming dull. The rear “Viking Axe” LED taillights are equally eye-catching when lit, aligning with the design of the front, creating an overall style that caters to business users' preference for understated sophistication.

Stepping inside, the Nordic minimalist design of the interior is immediately apparent: The center console is centered on a 9-inch touchscreen with reduced physical buttons and a clear layout. In terms of materials, soft-touch surfaces combined with metal accents give a solid yet unpretentious sense of quality. Regarding configuration, the fully digital dashboard clearly displays information such as speed, fuel consumption, and navigation; the front seats allow for electric adjustment, and the driver’s seat has a memory function for added convenience during daily use. Notably, the rear seats — the outer two seats are integrated with two-level child safety seat cushions. For families with children, there’s no need for additional child seat installation, significantly enhancing practicality. The dual-zone automatic air conditioning, coupled with rear independent air conditioning, caters to the temperature needs of passengers in both the front and rear rows. The 10-speaker Sound Plus audio system provides sound quality that ranks above average among vehicles of the same class, making it sufficient for everyday music needs.

In terms of space, the S90 T5 Momentum has a wheelbase of 2941mm, offering generous rear legroom — a passenger with a height of 175cm can sit in the rear with over two fists of space between their knees and the front seat, ensuring ample comfort even during long journeys. The trunk capacity is 500L, capable of holding two 28-inch suitcases and a carry-on suitcase without issue, enough for business trips or short family getaways. As for storage space, the front and rear door pockets can hold two water bottles each, and the central armrest storage compartment has moderate depth, capable of storing small daily items with ease.

In terms of performance, the S90 T5 Momentum is powered by a 2.0T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power output of 254PS and a peak torque range of 1500-4800rpm, paired with an AT gearbox. In actual driving, the power response in the initial acceleration stage is very linear, without any noticeable turbo lag; during mid-range acceleration (80-120km/h), pressing the accelerator pedal firmly delivers a significant sense of thrust, making overtaking very easy. For daily commuting, the normal mode is sufficient, offering smooth power delivery; when switched to sport mode, the transmission delays shifting, keeps the engine RPM higher, and the power becomes more aggressive, which is suitable for occasional spirited driving scenarios.

In terms of handling and chassis, the combination of front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned for comfort. When passing speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most of the minor vibrations, and the body shows no significant jolting; during high-speed cornering, body roll is well-controlled, and the car's posture remains stable, providing plenty of confidence. The steering wheel has moderate resistance and precise directional control. Although it is an executive car, the handling is not cumbersome, making urban lane changes and parking very agile.

As for fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 7L/100km. During this test drive, which included both congested urban roads and highways, the measured fuel consumption was approximately 7.5L/100km. Considering the 2.0T engine and the car's size, this performance is within the normal range for its class. Regarding noise control, wind noise and tire noise are relatively low during high-speed driving, ensuring that in-car conversation remains unaffected. The engine, even at high RPMs, sounds steady and does not appear noisy.

Comparing with vehicles of the same class, the core advantages of the S90 T5 Momentum are evident: firstly, safety features are fully loaded—it comes standard with lane change assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and other active safety systems, along with six airbags and rear head airbags. Additionally, the rear seats are integrated with child safety seat cushions, directly addressing safety concerns of family users. Secondly, it balances space and practicality, providing spacious rear seating and ample trunk capacity, suitable for both business and family use. However, compared to similar fuel-powered models from BBA brands, its sense of brand premium might be slightly weaker, but it is more practical in terms of features.

Overall, the 2021 Volvo S90 T5 Momentum is a "balanced player" that meets the needs of business users for a steady image and comfortable ride, while also addressing the safety and practicality requirements of family users. If you are a 30-45-year-old business professional or a family user with children, and you're not overly focused on brand prestige but place more importance on safety, space, and practicality, then this car is worth considering—it has no significant shortcomings and is a reliable choice for daily commuting and family travel.