Is the 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge a Good Car? 5 Pros, 3 Cons

Volvo is going all in with plug-in hybrid powertrains, to the point where most of the Sweden-based carmaker’s lineup is now available in PHEV form. That includes the S90, Volvo’s range-topping sedan and one of the very few luxury models available as a PHEV.

Related: 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge Review: Minimalist Luxury, Electrified

The S90 Recharge plug-in offers an EPA-estimated 38 miles of driving on electric power alone, besting that of its nearest competitor, the BMW 530e. You also get impressive fuel economy, an understated yet luxurious interior, and lots of tech and safety features. For 2024, a new, more affordable Plus trim joins the lineup, reducing the cost of entry by several thousand dollars.

For those who prefer their vehicles without a power cord, the S90 is also available with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a mild-hybrid system. The V90 Cross Country wagon is also available. All variants come with standard all-wheel drive.

After thoroughly getting to know an S90 Recharge in the top Ultimate trim, Cars.com News Editor Jennifer Geiger found quite a bit to like, but not all is perfect, as you’ll find by clicking the link above. In the meantime, here are five things we like about the 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge and three things we don’t.

Things We Like

1. Inviting Interior

Elegant and upscale yet with a clean and modern look, the S90 Recharge’s cabin is a very pleasant place to be. Materials quality is top notch, and available upholstery choices include perforated Nappa leather or wool-blend seats. There’s plenty of front and rear passenger room, and an available Lounge Package adds a multifunction rear armrest, ventilated seats and a massage function for front-seat occupants.

2. Room for Stuff

Trunk room is more than adequate at 13.5 cubic feet, per Volvo’s measurements, easily edging out the 530e with its 10 cubic feet of space. There’s also a small compartment under the floor, which is handy for keeping smaller items contained. A wide trunk opening and low liftover height make it easier to load bulky items, as does a hands-free power trunk lid. For buyers needing even more room, the V60 Recharge wagon has 18 cubic feet of cargo space.

3. Pick Your Propulsion

Power comes from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and eight-speed automatic transmission; it’s good for a total of 455 horsepower. There are three drive modes: Pure is used for all-electric operation in most conditions, while the default Hybrid mode favors electric operation but adds the gas engine for more power and response. Power mode delivers performance and response from both the electric motor and gas engine, adding a sporty feel not always found in a luxury sedan.

4. High Efficiency

An EPA-estimated 38 miles of electric-only range gives the S90 Recharge another leg up on the 530e’s 21 miles of electric range. Better still, the Volvo far exceeded that in our testing, delivering 49 miles of mostly electric motoring before switching to gas. In 70 miles of primarily flat highway driving, we saw an impressive 78.2 mpg average, including the portion driven under electric power. Switching to B mode allows for one-pedal driving to maximize energy savings.

5. Balanced Ride and Handling

Equipped with an optional adaptive suspension, our test car delivered an agreeable balance of ride comfort and control, and rear load-leveling keeps things on an even keel, even with a loaded trunk. Nicely weighted, responsive steering further enhances the driving experience and makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The regenerative braking system works better than some others, providing secure stops and a natural, linear feel.

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• Research the Volvo S90 Recharge

Things We Don’t Like

1. Mode Missteps

The electric motor and gas engine generally play well together, with seamless and sometimes imperceptible transitions between the two. But if you choose to switch between modes yourself, doing so is more cumbersome and requires diving into submenus buried in the infotainment screen.

2. Google Concerns

Volvo is now using Google Built-In to power its infotainment system, which may take some getting used to. The 9-inch screen incorporates Google for voice controls, navigation and more, but some frequently used functions require a couple of clicks to get to. And while the screen is large, bright and responsive, some of its real estate isn’t used with certain functions and leaves a dark border around what could be a larger image for things like the backup camera. A final caution is that a four-year subscription for the Google services is included, but Volvo has not announced what the cost will be after that.

3. Price of Entry

A base 2024 S90 with a conventional powertrain starts at $58,995 (all prices include destination), which is about the same as a BMW 530e PHEV. Stepping up to the comparable S90 Recharge plug-in brings a starting price of $66,945, and in the top Ultimate trim, our test car came to $78,195.

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