Video: 2017 Volvo S90 Review

By 2020, the automaker claims no one will be killed or seriously injured while riding in a new Volvo. At the same time, Volvo is pushing further into the luxury market with cars like this new S90 sedan. Here are three highlights. All of them can be found inside, starting with this beautiful cabin. We tested the top-of-the-line Inscription trim level and we're impressed. The real wood trim looks great. There's a real leather dashboard, along with Nappa leather upholstery. And there are a lot of unique controls, like the ignition switch right on the console. The next thing that really impressed was this brand new nine inch touchscreen entertainment system. There are just a handful of buttons on the dashboard, because most systems are controlled by the screen. I liked it because it's quick to respond, and it has smartly designed menus, and it supports smartphone style interaction, like pinch to zoom. Finally, the S90's standard Pilot Assist system shows just how close self-driving technology is to reality. When there are clear lane markings on the road, the system will steer, accelerate, and brake the car at speeds up to 80 miles per hour. In keeping with Volvo's safety tradition, there are a whole host of other features, such as city safety, low speed collision avoidance, lane departure prevention, blind spot warning, and a 360 degree camera system. While the S90 has the look, quality, and technology of a top shelf luxury sedan, there's still room for improvement. For one thing, the driving experience just isn't there yet. The supercharged and turbocharged four cylinder in the T6 model offers great power and response, but its gravelly engine sound is out of place in a flagship luxury car. Also, the steel suspension ride quality is busy and lacks refinement. And though I liked the dashboard touchscreen overall, after driving the S90 for a few days, I started to wish for independent temperature controls that weren't tied to the screen, because, as it is now, they take your eyes off the road longer than they should. When the Chinese company, Geely, bought Volvo in 2010, there were questions about what would happen to the famed Swedish brand, but with new models, like the XC90 SUV and the S90, we now know what Volvo wants to be, and that's a true luxury brand, rooted in keeping people safe. While safety remains strong, Volvo needs to step up its luxury comfort game.