Volvo V90

As expected, the overall cabin of the V90 is a complete lift-off from the S90, save for the fact that the upholstery options on both the cars are different. The dual tone ivory white and black cabin of the S90 is replaced here by a sportier looking full black with silver inserts on the dashboard and door panels.

The three-spoke steering wheel along with the fully digital instrument console are straight lift-offs from the S90, and so is the unique looking center console with a vertical touch screen infotainment system with vertical AC vents beside it. The Volvo V90 gets the same set of comfort and convenience features as those on the S90, with the added advantage of a bigger panoramic sunroof at the top.

The space levels on the inside are the same as that on the S90, with which it shares its wheelbase. However, the added boot space at the rear due to additional overhang at the rear enhances its versatility while carrying the additional weekend luggage.

As the V90 is based on the S90, it is pretty evident that the former shares a lot with the sedan in terms of design. However, unlike the understated S90, the V90 comes with slightly more road presence, owing to its distinctive body design and a sharper looking rear end.

The front fascia of the V90 completely resembles that of its sedan counterpart, the S90, as the former comes with the same longitudinal full LED headlamps with hammer-shaped daytime running LED as well as rounded rectangular full chrome grille with vertical chrome slats.

It is the side profile where the differences between both the vehicles become very much apparent. While the boring looking alloy wheels, chrome garnish around windows, door mounted rear view mirrors and design till the B-pillar are the same as those on the S90, the extended estate profile with bigger side windows and rear overhang gives the V90 a more prominent road presence.

It is the rear profile of the V90 which is the most striking to look at. The V90 borrows a leaf from the book of its SUV siblings from Volvo, and comes with boomerang shaped vertical tail lamps at the edges and a large rear windscreen.

Like the S90, the V90 too is blessed with Volvo’s 4C active chassis, which provides a choice of three different driving modes – Comfort, Sport or Advanced. These driving modes alter the four Monroe-Öhlins shock absorbers and communicate with the DSTC system, engine, brakes, and steering, via a high-tech electronic management system.

The Volvo V90 has been blessed with only one engine option under its hood, which is the range starting petrol engine available in the S90. The1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which is offered with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and front wheel drive as standard, delivers 180 PS of maximum power output and 240 Nm of peak torque output.

The Volvo V90 shares its complete list of active and passive safety features with the S90, which is a very long list for the starters. The list of safety features comprises of front, side and curtain airbags, Lane Departure Warning, Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (at all speeds), Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Driver Alert Control (DAC), Lane Keeping Aid (LKA), Active High Beam (AHB), Road Sign Information (RSI), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Cross Traffic Alert (CTA), Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) with Advanced Stability Control (ASC), Corner Traction Control (CTC), Engine Drag Control (EDC) and Sport Mode, Anti-locking brakes with Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) and Ready Alert Brakes (RAB), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Active Bending Lights (ABL) with Dual Xenon Technology.

The Volvo V90 eradicates the simplicity of the S90, on which it is based, with an added sense of distinctiveness in its exterior design and a sportier looking interior, which makes it feel much more attractive than the vehicle on which it is based. At the same time, it retains all the positive attributes of the S90, which makes it one of the most practical and sensible options in the estate segment.