EV-aided combustion roll-out continues as Volvo debuts facelift S90

With updates having already been rolled-out on the XC60 and XC90, Volvo has taken the wraps off of the refreshed S90 as part of its renewed focus on combustion engines.

New outside

Supposed to have been replaced by the all-electric ES90 that premiered last month, the first update to the now nine-year old S90 since the initial in 2020 comes after the Chinese-owned Swedish brand announced in February that it had opted for a dual powertrain future comprising hybrid and full electric propulsion.

As such, the now hybrid exclusive S90 carries on as an alternative to the EV-only ES90 – both being the sole non-SUVs in Volvo’s product portfolio

ALSO READ: Volvo upgrades S90 and V90 with the smallest of facelifts

Part of the brand’s 10-model roll-out over the next 18 to 24 months, the S90’s exterior rework mirrors that of the XC90 by comprising the slimmer Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, restyled grille with diagonal slats separated by the Volvo logo bar, a new front bumper, new fenders and a completely new bonnet.

At the rear, the LED taillight clusters have been changed to a new T-shaped pattern surrounded by a black outer appearance.

The S90 badge meanwhile moves to directly on the left-hand cluster as opposed to being located on the lower section of the bootlid.

New alloy wheel designs and a choice of two new colours, Aurora Silver and the depicted Mulberry Red, complete the exterior.

Refreshed interior

Inside, the interior refresh again mimics the XC90 in that the dashboard has been redesigned to accommodate the new 11.2-inch infotainment system with Google’s latest operating system.

More sound-deadening materials, new air vents and the same restyled centre console as its SUV siblings complete the S90’s interior.

Hybrid or plug-in hybrid

Power-wise, the S90 will seemingly offer the same engine options as the XC90, despite Volvo not revealing exact details.

If, however so, expect all three to be once again modelled on the long-serving 2.0-litre Drive-E turbo-petrol as the similarly sized turbodiesel departed when production stopped in 2024.

For the B5, the unit has 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance and produces 184kW/350N, while the inclusion of a supercharger in the B6 sees power and torque increase to 228kW/420Nm.

As before, the flagship T8 combines the Drive-E with an 18.8-kWh battery pack producing 107kW/309Nm on its own.

Combined, the setup outputs 340kW/709Nm and results in an electric-only range of 80 km.

The only transmission option is the eight-speed Geartronic. Depending on the market, the S90 will again be offered with front-wheel-drive or optional all-wheel-drive.

Unlikely return

On-sale later this year, the S90 has reportedly been ruled out for Europe and North America, and is unlikely to return to South Africa anytime soon after being quietly dropped some two years ago.

ALSO READ: Volvo unwraps ES90 as dramatic new first-ever EV sedan