Volvo S90 Facelift 2026 : Volvo’s 2026 S90 facelift arrives as a sharply refreshed luxury sedan, but with one big catch for American buyers: it will not be sold in the United States.
Built in China and aimed squarely at Asian and select overseas markets, the updated S90 leans into Volvo’s latest design language and digital cockpit while quietly exiting North America’s showrooms.
Why the 2026 S90 Won’t Hit U.S. Showrooms
Volvo has confirmed there are no plans to bring the 2026 S90 to the U.S., effectively sealing the sedan’s fate in the American market.
Low sales of the China‑built S90, combined with heavy import tariffs and Volvo’s pivot toward SUVs and EVs, make a return economically unattractive.
Instead, Volvo is focusing the refreshed S90 on China, where demand for large executive sedans remains strong, with “selected other markets” receiving the car later—still excluding the U.S. and most of Europe.
For American buyers, the message is clear: if you want the latest S90, you’ll have to track it through overseas listings or wait for Volvo’s upcoming electric ES90 sedan.
Exterior: Sharper, More Modern Scandinavian Elegance
Exterior changes give the 2026 S90 a noticeably crisper face without straying from Volvo’s minimalist DNA.
The front end borrows cues from the latest XC90, with a redesigned grille featuring diagonal slats that echo the Volvo badge’s arrow motif and a more chiseled hood.
Matrix LED “Thor’s Hammer” headlights are now slimmer and better integrated into the grille, while the front bumper and fenders are subtly reshaped for a cleaner, more contemporary profile.
At the rear, the taillights adopt a fresh T‑shaped LED graphic, and a reworked bumper plus a small boot‑lip spoiler sharpen the sedan’s silhouette.
New wheel designs and two fresh paint options—Aurora Silver and Mulberry Red—add a touch of personality without sacrificing the S90’s reserved, executive character.
Overall, the facelift keeps the S90’s long‑bonnet, short‑deck proportions but makes it look more modern and planted on the road.
Interior: Bigger Screen, Quieter Cabin
Inside, the biggest change is the new 11.2‑inch vertical touchscreen that replaces the previous 9‑inch unit.
The larger display runs Volvo’s latest Google‑based infotainment software, with quicker response times, richer graphics, and over‑the‑air updates to keep the system fresh.
The rest of the dashboard remains largely familiar, preserving the S90’s clean, Scandinavian layout with soft‑touch materials, brushed metal trim, and optional open‑pore wood inserts.
Volvo has added more sound insulation and tuned the adaptive suspension to further dial down road and wind noise, making the cabin one of the quietest in its class.
Higher‑spec trims can still be optioned with a Bowers & Wilkins audio system and advanced ambient lighting, turning the S90 into a rolling lounge for long‑distance comfort rather than sporty thrills.
Powertrains: Plug‑In Hybrids and Mild‑Hybrid Efficiency
The 2026 S90 continues with Volvo’s familiar electrified powertrain strategy, offering both plug‑in hybrid and mild‑hybrid gasoline options.
The plug‑in hybrid setup, likely an evolution of the T8‑derived system, is said to deliver around 80 km (roughly 50 miles) of electric‑only range on the WLTP cycle, with EPA‑equivalent figures expected in the low‑40‑mile range.
A turbocharged four‑cylinder with mild‑hybrid assistance remains available for buyers who prioritize efficiency over maximum electric range, typically paired with front‑wheel drive and an 8‑speed automatic transmission.
Diesel variants have been dropped entirely, aligning with Volvo’s broader move away from combustion‑only engines and toward electrified powertrains.
Across the lineup, the S90 focuses on smooth, relaxed performance rather than outright sportiness, with suspension tuning tuned for comfort and stability on highways and rough city streets.
Tech and Safety: Pilot Assist and Beyond
Technology in the 2026 S90 centers on connectivity and driver assistance rather than raw performance.
Pilot Assist remains a key feature, combining adaptive cruise control with gentle steering assistance to keep the car centered in its lane on both multi‑lane highways and simpler roads.
Additional safety tech includes blind‑spot monitoring, lane‑keeping support, traffic‑sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, and a 360‑degree camera system, all part of Volvo’s long‑standing emphasis on occupant protection.
Over‑the‑air updates mean that software‑based features can be refined or expanded over time, extending the car’s relevance beyond its initial purchase.
Volvo S90 Facelift 2026 What This Means for Volvo’s Sedan Lineup
For Volvo, the 2026 S90 facelift feels like both a final bow for the combustion‑engine luxury sedan and a bridge to the upcoming fully electric ES90.
By concentrating the updated S90 in China and a few other markets, Volvo can keep the sedan alive where demand still exists while shifting global focus to SUVs and battery‑electric models.
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American buyers looking for S90‑like comfort and tech will likely have to wait for the ES90 or settle for a used S90, since the 2026 model will remain a distant headline rather than a showroom reality in the U.S.
In that sense, the 2026 S90 facelift is less of a global launch and more of a carefully targeted farewell to one of Volvo’s most elegant sedans.