Compare the2021 Lexus ES SeriesVS 2021 Volvo S90

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES Series offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S90 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the ES Series and the S90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES Series its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 35 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The S90 last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Pick” in 2017.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES Series 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the S90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the ES Series’ reliability 51 points higher than the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus 12th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 98 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in reliability. Volvo is ranked 24th.

As tested in Consumer Reports the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the S90 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the ES Series AWD AWD 4 cyl. gets better fuel mileage than the S90 T6 4 cyl. (25 city/34 hwy vs. 21 city/32 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES Series uses regular unleaded gasoline. The S90 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The ES 300h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The S90 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The ES Series stops shorter than the S90:

The front and rear suspension of the ES Series uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better maneuverability, the ES Series’ turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the S90 18” wheels’ (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The ES Series w/18-19” wheels’ turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the S90 19” wheels’ (38.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The ES Series is 4.2 inches shorter than the S90, making the ES Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Lexus ES Series amounts to more than styling. The ES Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .26 to .29 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the S90 (.28 to .33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the ES Series get better fuel mileage.

The ES Series F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The S90 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ES Series has a larger trunk than the S90 (13.9 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the ES Series to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, air filter replacement, tire rotation, radiator flush, brake pad replacement and transmission fluid replacement, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 41% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 14th.

The ES Series’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The ES Series’ headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the S90’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the ES Series has standard extendable sun visors. The S90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The ES Series is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the ES Series owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the ES Series will cost $2485 less than the S90 over a five-year period.

The ES Series will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the ES Series will retain 45.88% to 46.4% of its original price after five years, while the S90 only retains 34.68% to 35.58%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus ES Series will be $16858 to $20460 less than for the Volvo S90.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus ES Series, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S90 isn't recommended.

The Lexus ES Series outsold the Volvo 90 Series by almost 13 to one during 2019.