The verdict: The 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge combines design minimalism with technology maximalism, and it works: The plug-in hybrid sedan impresses with its low-key luxury vibe, fuel efficiency and (mostly) successful Google-based infotainment system.
Versus the competition: The S90 Recharge plug-in hybrid has very few rivals, but one key one is BMW’s 530e plug-in hybrid. And while the Volvo is more expensive than the BMW, it bests that car in electric-only range, cargo space and cabin refinement.
While some automakers are skipping or ditching plug-in hybrids, Volvo is all in: Most of its conventionally powered models are available in PHEV form. For 2024, the S90 sedan comes with either a turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine with a mild-hybrid system, or as the S90 Recharge plug-in. A wagon version of the S90 is sold as the V90 Cross Country.
This review covers the plug-in S90 Recharge sedan. Its closest competitor is the 2023 BMW 530e PHEV; see the two compared. The 5 Series has been redesigned for 2024, and a new version of the 530e will join the lineup later in the model year.
Related: Volvo Announces Prices for Complete 2024 Lineup
Elegance and Comfort
Behind the wheel of an S90 Recharge is a lovely place to be. The cabin strikes an inviting, upscale vibe thanks to its elegant design and high-quality materials, with available perforated Nappa leather or wool-blend seats, an available crystal gear selector, muted gray wood paneling and chrome trim.
There’s no skimping in back, either, where the luxury theme continues with an available Lounge Package. To the already roomy and comfortable backseat, it adds a cushy, multifunction rear armrest with storage and cupholders, along with rear-seat ventilation and a massage function for the front seats.
I tested a top Ultimate trim level with very light-colored wool-blend seats that were too precious for my sticky-fingered kids, but in other ways, the S90 is family-friendly. The sunshades are great for nap time, and in our Car Seat Check, the sedan earned high grades thanks to easy-access lower anchors and ample legroom.
The trunk is roomy enough, with a bit of underfloor storage to help corral smaller items. Volvo says there’s 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, which is slightly more than you’ll get with the BMW 530e’s 10-cubic-foot trunk. The S90’s wide-opening trunk and low liftover height make loading and unloading easy, as does the standard hands-free power trunk lid. Volvo shoppers looking for a bit more cargo room should check out the V60 Recharge wagon, which has 18 cubic feet of space.
An Overachiever in Efficiency and Performance
The S90 Recharge’s elegance carries over to the driving experience. There’s a lot going on with this powertrain, which pairs a 312-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and an electric motor good for 143 hp. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard along with all-wheel drive. The setup results in a total combined output of 455 hp, which is a lot, but the drivetrain operates in different ways depending on what mode (Pure, Hybrid or Power) you’ve selected.
In Pure mode, the sedan operates on electric power alone with a few exceptions, including hill climbs, very low temperatures (which affect the battery) and vehicle speeds greater than 87 mph. Pure mode also limits the climate functions you can use, as well as delaying AWD engagement to save energy. The sedan is quick enough in Pure mode but more sluggish than in its other modes.
I spent most of my time in the car’s default Hybrid mode, which favors electric operation but uses the gas engine when the electric range has been depleted, when briskly accelerating or during heavy climate-control use. In this mode, the sedan launches from a stop with a lively sprightliness. Power delivery remains consistent as speeds increase, and the transmission shifts smoothly and quickly.
Power mode unlocks the combined output of the electric motor and engine for maximum performance and responsiveness — it’s quick, spirited and adds a sporty quality that’s unexpected in a vehicle this size. Transitions between the electric motor and gas engine were seamless — at times imperceptible — but physically switching between modes can be cumbersome for the driver because the menu to select them is buried in the infotainment screen (more on that below).
Another pleasant surprise was the sedan’s all-electric range, which was greater than its EPA estimate during my test. On a full charge, the EPA rates the S90 Recharge’s all-electric range at 38 miles, which is more than the BMW 530e’s EPA-estimated 21 miles of range. After gaining a full charge on my Level 2 home charger, the car displayed 45 miles of range, but I traveled 49 miles (according to the gauge cluster) before running out. Admittedly, I was in Hybrid mode, but the engine came on sparingly during my drive. I didn’t exceed 87 mph and the weather was in the mid-50s, so my climate control usage was minimal. My total trip was 70 miles of mostly flat highway driving, and the car said I averaged 78.2 mpg, including the all-electric portion of the trip.
Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman had a similar experience in his real-world electric-range test of a 2021 S90 Recharge, which has a smaller battery than the 2024 model. The 2021 version has 21 miles of EPA-estimated electric range, but Bragman saw 23 miles of range after a full charge and drove 27.8 miles before the gas engine kicked in.
Other aspects of the driving experience also impressed. My test car was equipped with an optional adaptive suspension with rear load-leveling, and the ride was well damped, comfortable and controlled. The sedan’s nicely weighted, reactive steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and its regenerative brakes had a linear, natural feel. You can also pop the gear selector into B mode for one-pedal driving, which both saves energy and adds convenience.
Google Built-In
In another bold move, Volvo has added Google’s Built-In infotainment system to its entire lineup. The system will probably take some getting used to for some people, but I thought it worked well — mostly.
Technology sometimes makes things more complicated than they need to be, but in this case, it made things better once I got it set up. Because this was my first time using the system, I was prepared for complications, but as a habitual Google user, it was pretty easy.
The large 9-inch infotainment touchscreen is powered by the Google Built-In system, and it features Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps as the native navigation system and the Google Play store for acquiring additional apps. The system can also receive over-the-air updates.
To get started, scan the QR code that pops up on the screen with your phone and sign into your Google account. After that, you’re in; the car will be connected to all of your apps once you download them to the system. For example, I was able to log in to my Google account and access my Google Podcasts, Amazon music playlists and favorite places in my Google Maps account. It’s similar to using Android Auto, but there’s no phone connection required after the initial QR code setup. What’s more, you can say “Hey Google” for hands-free help getting directions, navigating to charging stations, adjusting climate functions or switching playlists.
I was comfortable with the system because it’s so similar to Android Auto, but those who aren’t regular Google users might have a steeper learning curve with the interface. Apple iPhone users can access CarPlay via a wired connection.
That said, even if you’re an avid Android user, there are some downsides to Google Built-In. First, while the large infotainment screen is responsive and clear, it integrates a lot of climate-system controls, and some functions require a couple of clicks into the screen instead of just a press of a button. Thankfully, Volvo did leave a large volume knob and tuning buttons under the screen.
Second, the giant screen is sometimes a waste of space. When using the backup camera, the display takes up a small percentage of the screen while the rest of the display is blacked out. The same goes for satellite radio information, which can’t be displayed simultaneously with Google Maps info. What’s nice, however, is that Google Maps info can be displayed on the large digital instrument panel ahead of the driver, freeing the center touchscreen to display other info, such as music.
Lastly, how much the system will cost to operate in the long run is a bit murky. A four-year data plan for the Google services is included, but after that, you’ll have to subscribe to extend connectivity. When I asked a Volvo representative how much the subscription renewal will cost, she said Volvo hasn’t released that information yet.
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Safety and Pricing
Standard driver-assist features include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane departure steering assist, lane-centering steering, lane follow assist, traffic-sign recognition, blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, a 360-degree camera system, parking sensors, adaptive headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers. In addition to that robust list of standard safety and driver-assistance features, the S90 also earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Where it loses points is pricing, though that might not be a deal breaker for those shopping the luxury class. The 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge starts at $66,945 (including destination) for an entry Plus trim. It’s $72,495 for the Ultimate trim, which adds more premium features, such as a Harman Kardon premium sound system and ventilated front seats. A selection of options, including a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, raised my test car’s as-tested price to $78,195. That’s a lot more than the regular S90, which starts at $58,995. It’s also more than the 2023 530e’s $58,595 starting price.
The 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge is for well-heeled, EV-curious shoppers who want to dip a (likely well-manicured) toe into the electric-car market. To that end, it delivers premium levels of comfort, performance and efficiency while keeping the dreaded range anxiety at bay.
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