2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge provides polish to Swedish plug-in hybrid

Simply earlier than Volvo continues its all-electric shift with the XC90-sized EX90 EV, it’s smoothed out its fashionable plug-in hybrid powertrain within the XC90.

With extra electrical vary, extra energy, and extra refinement all baked into the already interesting Swedish package deal, the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge is now almost ideally suited for households

That stated, Volvo’s transfer to Android Automotive OS and its tight third row imply the XC90 gained’t match each household or tech need.

Listed below are the professionals and cons of the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge after spending every week shuttling the youngsters round city, after which taking it north to Lusten, Minnesota for a protracted ski weekend with my son and buddy.

Professional: Volvo XC90 Recharge will get extra electrical vary, extra energy, and smoother transitions

Because of a brand new battery pack with 14.8 kwh usable, up from the beforehand usable 9.1 kwh, the Volvo XC90 will increase its EPA electric-only vary from a scant 18 miles to 33 miles. With temps within the teenagers and mid-20s cabin warmth sucked a number of miles of vary off the highest with me witnessing a strong 27 to 29 miles of electrical vary. A extra highly effective 142-hp electrical motor changed the outdated 87-hp unit. When paired with the two.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged inline-4, the powertrain makes a mixed 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. Whereas all the facility by no means delivers a wallop, it’s greater than fast sufficient for a three-row crossover carrying the Volvo badge. Remapped conduct with the 8-speed automated transmission, plus the extra highly effective electrical motor, imply energy transitions are smoother and extra within the background than earlier than.

Con: Volvo XC90 Recharge can’t lock absolutely into electric-only mode—or one-pedal drive

Placing the powertrain into Pure mode is meant to lock the powertrain into electric-only mode so long as there’s sufficient cost. It doesn’t. There’s a detent behind the accelerator pedal, and it’s not only one for foot-to-the-floor energy. If the pedal is pushed to the three-quarter mark the detent will have interaction and the fuel engine will kick on for full system energy. 

The newest plug-in hybrid powertrain within the XC90 includes a ‘B’ mode for braking, which Volvo calls “one-pedal drive,” because it does with its electrical vehicles. Solely right here it’s not the identical factor. The regenerative braking power is noticeably stronger in B mode, however the car gained’t come to a full cease and the power isn’t sturdy sufficient to gradual the car shortly sufficient in site visitors conditions. 

Hit: Volvo XC90 Recharge adopts tighter Apple CarPlay integration

Regardless of dropping Volvo’s in-house Sensus infotainment system and gauge cluster interface for Google’s Android Automotive OS, the automaker’s given the XC90 deeper Apple CarPlay integration. Apple CarPlay requires a wired USB-C connection (the XC90 doesn’t have wi-fi smartphone charging) and it initiatives as one expects on the 9.0-inch portrait-style touchscreen on the middle of the dashboard. However it now additionally integrates Apple Maps’ turn-by-turn navigation instructions immediately into the 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster. That’s slick, and makes Volvo one of many few automakers to characteristic such tight integration.

Miss: Volvo XC90 Recharge infotainment backtracks

The shift in infotainment working techniques really removes key performance from the 9.0-inch touchscreen. The flexibility to multitask on the homescreen with CarPlay and different apps is gone. The flexibility to swipe left or proper to entry fast shortcuts for key car performance is gone. A few of that performance merely disappeared whereas different controls have been wrapped into the multi-layer menu system. Altering driving modes for the powertrain requires three faucets, two to get into the menu system alone the place different car settings stay. The interface itself lacks any design effort. That is one step under GM’s effort at slapping a pores and skin on Google’s OS, although it’s in some way extra nice and simpler to make use of. A minimum of Volvo doesn’t appear fascinated with eradicating CarPlay like GM is.

Hit: Volvo XC90 Recharge delivers understated class

In a method that one may argue solely the Swedes can do, the XC90 carries class and class in an analogous method a Vary Rover does. There’s simply the correct quantity of tasteful chrome bits, it’s not flashy, the dashboard is straightforward and unadorned, and all the things is low key. Your complete package deal feels rock strong and doesn’t scream, “have a look at me,” regardless of my loaded tester’s $87,495 sticker value. The seats may simply be one of the best within the enterprise, and my tester featured a therapeutic massage operate that actually got here in useful after a protracted day on the slopes. These are the definition of road-trip-worthy with a 4.5-hour street journey leaving my physique unfazed.

Miss: Volvo XC90 Recharge third-row stays the child zone

The Volvo XC90 Recharge is without doubt one of the few three-row plug-in hybrids, however the third row is certainly not adult-friendly. That’s solely a con for those who want the third row for greater than youngsters, however for people who do it’s vital to notice the house constraints. At 5-foot-10 I can match again there, however the second-row passenger goes to horse-trade me for room. And whereas I’ve been caught again there for an hour-and-a-half street journey earlier than, it wasn’t ideally suited. It’s a child zone or for brief journeys if an grownup is headed again there. The Lexus TX plug-in hybrid includes a extra adult-friendly third-row for these in want.

The electrical Volvo EX90 will substitute the XC90 within the subsequent few years, however within the interim for these searching for a stopgap plug-in hybrid the latest updates to the XC90 Recharge lastly make it actually compelling.

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2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge

Base value: $57,195, together with $1,195 vacation spot

Value as examined: $87,495

Powertrain: 455-hp plug-in hybrid, 8-speed automated transmission, all-wheel drive

EPA gas economic system: 33 miles of electrical vary, 27 mpg mixed

The professionals: Smoother powertrain with extra electrical vary, expanded Apple CarPlay integration, attractive and comfy

The cons: Lacks one-pedal driving, can’t stay in electric-only mode, Google Android Auto OS, tight third row