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2021 Volvo S90: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 Volvo S90’s biggest change is a mid-cycle exterior refresh that updates the sedan’s front and rear. This is a meaningful update rather than a full redesign.
About the 2021 Volvo S90
2nd-generation modern S90 (introduced for 2017), mid-cycle refresh year.
Volvo positions the S90 as its flagship four-door luxury sedan: a roomy, safety-focused alternative to the usual German midsize luxury sedans. The big draw is not aggressive handling, but calm Scandinavian design, excellent seat comfort, a long-wheelbase cabin with generous rear legroom, and strong standard driver-assistance technology. In 2021, that formula also includes an electrified plug-in hybrid option for shoppers who want quiet EV commuting with luxury-sedan space and power.
The 2021 S90 range spans the well-equipped Momentum, darker sport-styled R-Design, and richer, comfort-focused Inscription. Gas T6 models pair a 316-hp engine with AWD, while T8 Recharge plug-in hybrids make 400 hp and provide about 21 miles of estimated electric-only range. Depending on trim, standout features include a 9-inch touchscreen with navigation and smartphone integration, ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon audio, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system.
What changed, by category
Styling
Volvo revised the front end and grille, reshaped the trunk lid, and refreshed the rear styling and taillights.
Safety
The US lineup gained more standard safety equipment and broader driver-assistance coverage.
Tech
Wireless phone charging became standard equipment as part of the broader convenience update.
Lineup naming
The T8 Inscription and T8 R-Design plug-in hybrids adopted the Recharge Plug-In Hybrid name. Their plug-in hybrid powertrain carried over.
2021 Volvo S90 specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Drive-E, Turbo, Supercharged, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Drive-E, Turbo, Supercharged, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Drive-E, Turbo, Supercharged, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Drive-E, Turbo, Supercharged, Hybrid, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Drive-E, Turbo, Supercharged, Hybrid, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd Geartronic | Automatic, 8-Spd Geartronic | Automatic, 8-Spd Geartronic | Automatic, 8-Spd Geartronic | Automatic, 8-Spd Geartronic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid | Plug-In Hybrid |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | ||
| MPG Highway | 32 mpg | 32 mpg | 32 mpg | ||
| Horsepower | 316 hp | 316 hp | 316 hp | 400 hp | 400 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 40.4 in | 40.4 in | 40.4 in | 40.4 in | 40.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 21 | 21 | |||
| MPGe Combined | 60 | 60 | |||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Park Assist | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Head-Up Display | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Massage Front Seat | |||||
| Memory Front Seats | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
| Wood Interior Trim | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2021 Volvo S90 fully redesigned?
No. The 2021 Volvo S90 received a mid-cycle update, not a full redesign. It remains part of the second-generation S90 introduced for 2017, but it has revised front and rear styling and additional standard equipment.
What is the main difference between the 2020 and 2021 Volvo S90?
The main difference is the 2021 model’s exterior refresh. Volvo revised the front end, trunk lid, rear styling, and taillights, while also adding standard convenience and safety equipment in the US.
Did the 2021 Volvo S90 get more standard safety technology?
Yes. The 2021 S90 gained more standard safety equipment and broader driver-assistance coverage across the US lineup. Pilot Assist with adaptive cruise control is among the model’s notable driver-assistance features.
What does Recharge mean on a 2021 Volvo S90?
Recharge identifies the 2021 S90’s T8 plug-in hybrid models. The T8 Inscription and T8 R-Design continued under Recharge Plug-In Hybrid names, with a 400-hp AWD powertrain and about 21 miles of estimated electric-only range.
Is the 2021 Volvo S90 a better choice than the 2020 model?
The 2021 S90 is the stronger fit if you value fresher exterior styling, wireless phone charging, and broader standard driver-assistance coverage. The update is worthwhile for those features, but it is not a new generation.
2021 Volvo S90 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Volvo S90.
4.1
2021 Volvo S90
(17 reviews)
“If you want a safe, comfortable vehicle with lots of passenger space, and all the technology now available, this is it.”