THREE-ROW SUV OFFERS FAMILIES AN ELECTRIC RIDE
The three-row, plug-in SUV is a rare combination, especially in luxury form, but Volvo is one of the few automakers putting such a recipe together. While the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV hits the important elements of being an electrified SUV with three rows of seats, it misses the mark in some other significant areas.
Let's start with the good news first. For now, the XC90 Recharge is one of the few threerow vehicles with a plug-in and internal combustion engine.
The Swedish automaker jams a 312 horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood along with a 143hp electric motor. That combo delivers 455 combined hp and 523 pound-feet of torque.
All that juice is directed to all four wheels through an eightspeed automatic transmission, while the electric motor is motivated by an 18.8 kwh battery. Operate the Volvo in its hybrid mode with a non-depleted battery, and it gets the equivalent of 3.8 L/100 km. However, when the battery dies, it is good for 8.9 L/100 km.
You can drive the vehicle in its pure electric mode for about 53 km of range.
Recharging the XC90 Recharge takes patience as the 18.8 kwh battery (only 14.9 kwh is usable) requires over 12 hours when plugged into a household socket. A level 2 charger will cut this down considerably; the automaker estimates it would take about five hours. There is no DC fast charging support, which isn't a surprise, but more and more PHEVS offer the CCS plug.
The efficiency of this Volvo is excellent. I routinely saw around 50 km of all-electric range and wasn't disappointed with the gas-only fuel economy, though it is tempting to put your foot down and experience the 455 ponies on tap while on the highway. Restraining myself and switching between drive modes helped to optimize my experience with the luxury SUV. The gearbox swaps cogs without shift shock and the engine shuts down often to let the electric motor take over.
The ride quality of the Volvo three-row is also good. Its chassis isn't as sharp as a BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne, but this is a family-oriented vehicle, so it doesn't have to be stiff. Rather, the ride is comfortable without being too soft. That's important to know: with 455 hp, the vehicle doesn't sway or tilt when you mash the accelerator. Furthering the positive driving impression, it also helps that the steering response is well-weighted.
While the powertrain and driving experience are excellent, the cabin experience is mixed. The interior is cleanly designed with a clutter-free dashboard. However, functionality is hindered by the relatively small nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system. HVAC settings, media controls and vehicle settings are accessed through the touchscreen, which can often feel clunky and simplistic. That contrasts the large 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which looks sharp and provides easy-to-read information.
The light-tanned leather seats have a comfortable and luxurious feeling, and the vehicle is a fine place to spend extended periods of time, so long as you're avoiding the third row of seats. In fact, jumping into the third row of this vehicle was a cumbersome affair, requiring flexibility that is uncommon for adults. Once you're in the third row, there's no reward for folding yourself back there, with limited leg- and headroom.
Behind that nearly useless third row, you'll find just 447 L of storage space, which is adequate, but not overwhelming. Fold the third row down to find 1,183 L of cargo, but the real gem is when you fold the second row down too, presenting you with 2,426 L of total cargo space.
The cabin is bolstered by the sheer amount of features available. Our tester featured four-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, window shades, a panoramic sunroof, and a delicious-sounding Harman Kardon audio system.
The generous cargo space is obviously a byproduct of the vehicle's boxy proportions, but the SUV looks sharp and modern despite the primary shapes. The exterior design is eye-catching, even though it is about nine years old. However you view it, the XC90 is not only stylish but safe, having earned a Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The starting price of the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge is $86,939. Don't act shocked, since this is a PHEV, it's about $12,000 more expensive than the gas model. That price kicks it out of contention for federal rebates, which also doesn't help with the sticker shock. Our fully loaded model rang in at $97,939.
At almost $100,000, this should be a perfect SUV and there are some definite areas for improvement. Not only is accessing the third row difficult, but the rearmost seats are almost useless. Furthermore, the infotainment feels dated and is cumbersome to use. However, it does feature an impressive drivetrain, looks great and rides well. While it is currently one of the only threerow plug-ins on the market, shoppers who don't need that third row may want to check out the BMW X5 edrive50 instead.