Volvo charts its own course with a larger, more luxurious sedan

Volvo isn’t on everyone’s shopping list when it comes to premium automobiles, but with vehicles such as the new S90 entering production, the tide is beginning to change.

Since leaving the fold of the Ford Motor Co. in 2010 to be absorbed by Geely Automobile of China, the Sweden-based automaker has been steadily improving and upgrading its product range. The result is an expanding lineup that flouts styling and engineering convention while focusing on numerous safety innovations, which is an attribute that put Volvo on the map in the first place.

The S90 sedan joins the XC90 tall wagon and soon-to-arrive V90 wagon atop Volvo’s pecking order. The S90 also replaces the S80 that dates back to the late 1990s. Compared to that model, the S90 is more than 4 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider, and gains more than 4 inches between the front and rear wheels.

Despite greater use of lighter-weight materials, the S90 is about 300 pounds heavier than the S80.

Along with a slightly lower roofline, the sedan’s platform — shared with the XC90 — gives it a hunkered-down stance.

The S90’s sleek and shapely body panels put to rest any semblance of boxiness that had long been a Volvo tradition. Still, a few quirky touches, such as a concave grille, “Thor’s Hammer” LED running lights and jagged taillights provide a measure of nonconformity.

More of that go-your-own-way attitude is on display inside the well-appointed cabin, which has plenty of attractive, very- Swedish-modern birch wood trim on the dashboard, door panels and floor console. The 8.0- and available 12.3-inch touch-screens that run the climate control, communications, audio and navigation systems are well-positioned and will find favor with people who aren’t keen on pop-up-style screens found in other luxury cars.

Comfortable seating is a Volvo specialty, and the buckets and rear bench are well-padded and well-bolstered, and available in creamy leather coverings.

The S90 can be ordered in front- or all-wheel drive with a standard 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. A supercharged and turbocharged version of the 2.0 puts out 316 horsepower. The supercharger works at lower engine revs to improve throttle response, while the turbocharger provides boost at higher revs.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is common to both powerplants. The shifts can be varied between normal, eco and sport, with the latter providing higher shift points for the best performance. To maximize fuel economy, officially rated at 22 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway for the base 2.0, the eco setting is the way to go.

The base front-wheel-drive S90 T5 Momentum that rings in at $48,000, including destination charges, doesn’t scrimp on content. You get dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory settings, power sunroof, front and rear Park Assist cameras, and an impressive array of active safety to prevent crashes.

Move up to the FWD T5 Inscription, and the list grows to include leather-covered seats that are heated and ventilated in front, premium walnut wood trim, quad-zone climate control and 19-inch wheels (18-inchers are standard).

Both Momentum and Inscription models can be upgraded with the turbocharged and supercharged engine — called the T6 — which also gets you all-wheel drive.

Sometime in 2017, Volvo will add a plug-in hybrid S90 that will have an expected 400 horsepower. Until then, the big sedan should do well with its unique good looks, sumptuous cabin, plenty of safety gear, and a level of content that should make prospective purchasers and luxo-class rivals sit up and take notice.