First Look Review: The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge is automotive fine wine!

Volvo Cars’ long-standing second-gen XC90 is available in mild-hybrid and ‘Recharge’ plug-in hybrid electrified variants in the U.S. It was the brand’s best-selling model in our market in 2023, contributing 39,920 units to its sales. Recently, I saw a Denim Blue unit on display and had the chance to experience the design, space, comfort, and features that it has to offer. Here are my views about the Swedish plug-in hybrid luxury SUV:

Design

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge carries the same character first seen in August 2014. Volvo Cars gave the second-gen XC90 a facelift in February 2019 but kept the overall look similar. This design no longer looks fresh, but for some reason, I still think it’s attractive, and stands its ground in the midst of updated SUV launches from European, Asian, and American rivals.

I think the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge has an authentic SUV character, and it expresses elegance with elements like the Thor’s Hammer headlights, the waterfall grille, and the tattoo-like rear lights. The 21-inch wheels pair well with the XC90, yet having seen how impressive this model looks with the 22-inch wheels in Europe, I find myself wishing those were an option in the U.S. as well.

Volvo Cars assembles the 2024 XC90 Recharge at its Torslanda plant in Sweden. After spending some time closely looking at its exterior, I noticed that its panel gaps were aligned well, and the paint quality was also of the highest level.

Interior

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge has a sumptuous interior with rich color schemes, premium materials like wood trim, wool blend upholstery, and Orrefors crystal gear selector knob, and high-end features like massage seats and a 1,410-watt, 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Its voluminous dashboard and vertical AC vents give it a proper SUV look.

Volvo Cars equips the 2024 XC90 Recharge with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as standard, and when I used it, I found that I could view information on it in two modes: Calm and Navi. I think I’d primarily rely on the available head-up display to view the driving speed and navigation directions, though.

A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system is also standard, and I found it convenient that it included the Google Maps app. I was disappointed to learn that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto don’t work wirelessly, though.

Another negative thing that I noticed was that the column of the steering wheel wasn’t electrically adjustable. In my opinion, manual tilt and telescopic adjustment doesn’t suit a vehicle of this class and price. On the plus side, the steering wheel felt nice and confidence-inspiring to grip.

I’m six feet tall, and given the straight roofline of the 2024 XC90 Recharge, I didn’t expect ingress/egress issues. What I found out was that it was easy to hop in and hop out, and the driver’s seat was placed in just the right position.

I first checked for all-around visibility, which was great, except for the thick base of the A-pillar. My head was well clear of the headliner and the glass roof assembly. The lumbar support was quite good, while under-thigh support felt more than adequate. It is commendable that Volvo Cars puts a lot of time and resources into getting the seat design right for all body types.

In the second row, sitting right behind the driver’s seat that was adjusted for a six-foot-tall person, I had ample legroom and knee room. I felt the default angle of the backrest was a bit too straight for me. A recline function was available, and with a little adjustment, I was more comfortable. However, I felt that the under-thigh support was a little lacking in this car. I had adequate headroom, with the panoramic sunroof letting in plenty of natural light.

The third row of the 2024 XC90 Recharge, as Volvo Cars says, is suitable for children and adults with an average height (up to 170 cm or 5 ft. 7 in.). The company equips the plug-in hybrid luxury SUV with a hands-free power tailgate, opening which reveals a cargo area with a maximum capacity of 85.7 cu. ft.

Specifications

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge pairs a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor, and this combination gives it 455 hp and 523 lb.-ft. of torque. The electric motor, which gets its juice from an 18.8 kWh battery pack, powers the rear wheels. A 0-60 mph sprint takes just five seconds. The top speed is 112 mph, but when driving solely on electric power, it’s limited to 87 mph. Speaking of EV mode, the EPA-estimated all-electric range of this PHEV is 32 miles.

Price

The prices of the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge start at USD 71,900 and go up to USD 79,600. These MSRPs exclude a USD 1,295 destination fee.

Also Read: First Look Review: The 2024 Volvo XC60 Hybrid is quintessentially Scandinavian

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge is the oldest model in its class, but it still looks stylish and offers a great level of luxury for a vehicle of its price. Plus, it provides space for two extra passengers in the back and the option for more comfort with captain’s chairs in the second row. Even in 2024, I think the Scandinavian SUV is great value for money and is a strong competitor to the 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e and the 2024 Lexus RX 450h+.

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