Compare the2023 Lexus LSVS 2023 Volvo S90

The Lexus LS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The S90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the LS 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LS 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 LS’ reliability 16 points higher than the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 99 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 18th.

The LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 59 more horsepower (354 vs. 295) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 310) than the S90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the LS 500h 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid is faster than the S90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

The LS’ standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 (21.7 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 6.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 (22.2 vs. 15.9 gallons).

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S90.

The LS 500h 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.

For better stopping power the LS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the S90:

The LS stops shorter than the S90:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the LS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S90 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The LS F-Sport offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The S90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the LS 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.

The LS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The LS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The S90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the S90 (123 inches vs. 120.5 inches).

The LS 500 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S90 (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the S90’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The LS 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 LS has 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the S90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LS’ available rear seats recline. The S90’s rear seats don’t recline.

The LS has a much larger trunk than the S90 (17 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The engine in the LS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the LS to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement, tire rotation, radiator flush, brake pad replacement and transmission fluid replacement 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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 43% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

The LS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the LS’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the S90’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

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

Both the LS and the S90 offer available massaging front seats. The LS also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the S90.

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

The Lexus LS outsold the Volvo 90 Series by 37% during the 2022 model year.