S90

Make
Volvo
Segment
Sedan

The current generation Volvo S90 sedan debuted back in 2016 but it still looks fresh. Volvo doesn't have to do much to keep the S90 up-to-date, which is why the company's upcoming midcycle facelift doesn't look major. Our spy photographers recently spotted the facelifted S90 out testing, looking broadly similar to the current car.

The front end sports some minor changes and the rear lights are camouflaged to hide any new details. Underneath the camo, the taillights will have a deeper design, looking more three-dimensional. But it isn't on the exterior where the S90 will sport its most significant changes. Most of the differences will be under the skin.

For the 2020 model year, Volvo introduced a significant update for its XC90 SUV. It added a B badge on its T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid model, rolling in a new brake-by-wire Kinetic energy recovery system. Volvo says the system was inspired by Formula 1 technology and can recapture energy from the brakes to put back into the battery. The T8 drivetrain will still mate a 2.0-liter twin-charged four-cylinder with an electric motor for a total of 400 horsepower.

We expect the facelifted S90 to also benefit from this new technology, as Volvo said all of its 60 and 90 Series cars will have B-branded variants. Volvo has also been spotted testing a mid-cycle refresh for the V90 wagon, which should receive a B-badged T8 variant of its own.

This facelifted S90 should also benefit from Volvo's new Android-powered infotainment system, which just debuted on the all-electric XC40 Recharge. This Android system will be highly user-friendly and offer new ways to track your electric driving. We expect the S90 and V90 facelifts to arrive sometime in 2020, keeping both models fresh for a few more model years before the next generation arrives.