2024 Volvo S90 vs. Competitors
2024 Volvo S90 vs. Competitors
While automakers and buyers are paying the most attention to utility vehicles – SUVs and crossovers – there’s still a robust market for luxury midsized European sedans. One player that should not be overlooked under any circumstances is the Volvo S90. This Swedish-designed flagship is compelling against these popular German-built options: the Audi A6, BMW 530i, and Mercedes-Benz E 350. Let’s explore how these four sedans compare as we examine each vehicle's base 2024 model year trims.
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Price
With starting prices around $58,000, the S90, A6, and 530i appear evenly matched, but that’s not quite the case. The Audi A6 and BMW 530i don’t have as much standard equipment as the Volvo S90 (these differences are discussed in detail in the sections that follow). With a base price of $62,000, the Mercedes E 350 costs substantially more than its German and Swedish competitors.
Powertrain
All four of these European luxury-vehicle manufacturers rely on turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines to power their respective sedans. These powerplants are ubiquitous, as their engineers have hit upon a pleasing balance of efficiency and performance. However, Volvo upgrades the S90’s engine with a supercharger. The result is 295 horsepower compared to 255 for the BMW and Mercedes and 261 for the Audi. The S90 also has more torque at 310 lb.-ft. Standard all-wheel-drive systems put the S90, A6, and E 350 on equal drivetrain footing, but this isn’t the case with the 530i: buyers must pay an additional $2,300 to add BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drivetrain.
Standard Features
Volvo's value shines once the standard equipment of all of these luxury-car base trims is compared. To start with, the S90 has leather-trimmed seating surfaces, which is an added-cost option on both the BMW and the Mercedes. The convenience and increased safety factor of adaptive cruise control is included with the S90, while this access to this technology will require a package upgrade with its three German competitors. BMW also charges for heated front seats rather than including them among the default equipment.
Cabin Space
The Volvo S90's increased length, particularly against the Mercedes E 350 and the Audi A6, translates into a roomier cabin, adding comfort for every passenger. Front-seat occupants will find the Volvo's 42.2 inches of front leg room to be more welcoming by a minimum of half an inch. In addition, the S90 leads in the rear legroom department, with 40.4 inches (this beats the Mercedes’ backseat leg space by more than 4 inches). Rear legroom measurements for the Audi (37.4 inches) and the BMW (37.0 inches) also come up short.
Cost of Ownership
Edmunds regularly looks at projected ownership costs over a 5-year period in its comparisons of vehicles. Although the E 350 wasn’t part of this available analysis, the S90, A6, and 530i were. Most notably, the average five-year maintenance costs total $4,992 for the S90, while A6 and 530i owners can expect to pay $6,623 and $7,029, respectively. The average individual repair invoice came to $1,724 for the Volvo, against $2,316 for the Audi and $2,417 for the BMW. Edmunds even projects that insuring the S90 will cost less at $5,759 over the five years versus $6,055 for the BMW and $6,569 for the Audi in that same period. Owners looking to save even more can skip premium gas in the S90, whereas this fuel type is a requirement in the A6, 530i, and E 350 (it’s merely recommended for the S90).
Recalls
Build quality is a minimum expectation with any new car, especially with premium European brands. As of this writing, the 2024 Volvo S90 has not undergone any manufacturer recalls. In contrast, the BMW 530i and Mercedes E 350 are each subject to two official recalls.
