DecodedCars2020 Volvo S90
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- 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
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 30 combined · 28 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 200.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,878–4,588 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Volvo S90 is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,057 lb (4dr Sedan T5 AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (28 city / 31 highway), 9% better than the 2020 midsize car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,750 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 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the forward collision avoidance.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 S90 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 S90 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan T5 AWD | 200.4 in | 74.4 in | 56.7 in | 120.5 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 4,057 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Sedan T5 FWD | 200.4 in | 74.4 in | 56.7 in | 120.5 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 3,878 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Sedan T6 AWD | 200.4 in | 74.4 in | 56.7 in | 120.5 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 4,145 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Sedan T8 Eawd PHEV | 200.4 in | 74.4 in | 56.7 in | 120.5 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 4,588 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S90 AWD PHEV Plug-in Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 / 31 / 30 | +9% | $2,750 | 163 |
| S90 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | -9% | $3,300 | 357 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2020 Volvo S90.
Similar 2020 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Volvo S90 (this car) | 30 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2020 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Audi A6 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 9 |
| 2020 Lexus LS | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2020 Lincoln Continental | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | 402 mi | Not rated | 11 |
| 2020 Lexus ES | 44 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (4)
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Mar 24, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V179000 · 7,483 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
- Risk
- A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Oct 23, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V788000 · 291 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020 S60, V60, S90I, XC60 and XC90 hybrid vehicles. The pushrod screw joint, connecting to the brake pedal to the hydraulic brake unit, may be loose.
- Risk
- A loose brake pedal can result in a loss of braking function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will tighten the brake pedal pushrod screw joint, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10289.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jun 2, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V414000 · 85,550 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
- Risk
- Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking · Mar 12, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V144000 · 121,605 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
- Risk
- If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
Not every 2020 Volvo S90 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Volvo S90 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Service Brakes — 1 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Wheels — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Volvo S90. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S90 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →