Makes›Volvo›S90›2017

2017 Volvo S90

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Volvo S90
Pictured: 2018 Volvo S90 T5 Momentum front 4.6.18. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan T5 AWD, 4dr Sedan T5 FWD, 4dr Sedan T6 AWD, 4dr Sedan T8 Eawd PHEV
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
27 combined · 23 city / 34 hwy
Length
195.3 in
Curb weight
3,878–4,588 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints8 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 26 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 Volvo S90 is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 195 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,057 lb (4dr Sedan T5 AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (23 city / 34 highway), 0% better than the 2017 midsize car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan T5 AWD195.3 in74.4 in56.7 in115.7 in64.2 / 64.2 in4,057 lb56/44
4dr Sedan T5 FWD195.3 in74.4 in56.7 in115.7 in64.2 / 64.2 in3,878 lb56/44
4dr Sedan T6 AWD195.3 in74.4 in56.7 in115.7 in64.2 / 64.2 in4,145 lb56/44
4dr Sedan T8 Eawd PHEV195.3 in74.4 in56.7 in115.7 in64.2 / 64.2 in4,588 lb56/44

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S90 FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 34 / 270%$3,050328
S90 AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25-7%$3,300353
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.9 MPG2017 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Volvo S90.

Similar 2017 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Volvo S90 (this car)27 MPGNot rated4
2017 Audi A431 MPGNot rated6
2017 Tesla Model 3310 miNot rated16
2017 Audi A628 MPGNot rated3
2017 Lincoln Continental21 MPGNot rated4
2017 Tesla Model S335 miNot rated9
2017 Lexus ES40 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (4)

Electrical System › Software · Nov 13, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V800000 · 17,548 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Risk
If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Feb 16, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V104000 · 10,476 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The bolts that secure the Inflatable Curtain (IC) air bags in place may break, possibly resulting in the IC air bag deploying improperly in the event of a crash. As, such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk
If the IC air bags do not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 1, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89714.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly · Nov 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V798000 · 74,027 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk
If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner · Sep 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V690000 · 43,766 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.
Risk
Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Volvo S90 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

8Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
14,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other4
Power Train1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Structure › Body1
Suspension1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/05: 117/10: 117/12: 121/02: 122/01: 122/04: 122/10: 123/01: 117/0517/1017/1221/0222/0122/0422/1023/01max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 Volvo S90 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 1 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 1 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 14,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Volvo S90. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other S90 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 S9028–Not rated00
2025 S9029200.4 inNot rated40
2024 S9025200.4 inNot rated23
2023 S9030200.4 inNot rated33
2022 S9030200.4 inNot rated32
2021 S9030200.4 inNot rated20
2020 S9030200.4 inNot rated43
2019 S9029200.4 inNot rated43
2018 S9029200.4 inNot rated216

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →