2024 Volvo S90 Recharge

In 1927, Volvo of Sweden began its journey building vehicles for the masses as the company’s landmark 100th anniversary creeps ever closer. The U.S. footprint dates back 70 years. It’s not Europe’s largest luxury car maker but one built upon a solid safety-first reputation during its long story line.

It’s also one of a handful of automakers still committed to the four-door sedan.  Stateside automakers including General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis all have retired the four-door body style to devote production capacity to five-door crossovers.

In the 2024 model year Volvo offers two sedans within its U.S. lineup.  In addition to the flagship S90, Volvo offers a mid-size S60 sedan. Both arrive offering a plug-in hybrid electric version (marketed as ‘Recharge Extended Range’) and gasoline versions benefitting from ‘mild hybrid’ underpinnings (referred to simply as S90 and S60).

Both S90 versions share identical dimensions and styling, with unique engineering out of sight including the Recharge Extended Range’s long lithium-ion battery pack running underfloor the length of the lower spine between axles.  All 2024 Volvo S90 and 60s regardless of propulsion choice recommend premium-grade fuel.

Volvo’s all-wheel drive S90 sedan’s current platform came online in 2017 and continues forward in 2024.  It’s aged gracefully with its minimalistic luxurious interior and streamlined exterior. The key difference between the 2023 and 2024 S90 model year?  A new ‘Plus’ trim within the Recharge Extended Range lineup.

 In ‘Volvo-speak,’ the S prefix signifies a sedan body style. Volvo also rates as one of the few automakers promoting the once mighty station wagon, the V90 Cross Country with the ‘V’ prefix signaling ‘Versatile.’

For those new to EVing, many new terminologies come into play.  A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) such as the S90 Recharge Extended Range straddles the Electric Vehicle EV (sometimes referred to as BEV or Battery Electric Vehicle, not to be confused with a HEV or hydrogen electric vehicle) world and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) universe by combining the two motive technologies together.
   
A PHEV lands as a great choice for those curious about an electrified future without going full EV first.  The onboard internal combustion engine calms ‘range anxiety’ issues, a term coined highlighting the uncomfortable fear of running low or out of electric battery power with no apparent charging opportunity at hand when traveling the open highway or interstate.
 
Then there are the conventional ‘hybrid’ self-charging gas-electrics (no nightly plug-in needed) promoting two flavors, mild and full hybrids, two distinct technologies that too often get lumped together.  Full hybrids travel independently in pure electric mode for short distances at low speeds with no assistance from the gas engine.  This design sometimes refers to FHEV with the F representing ‘Full’.  Lower priced mild gas-electric hybrids (MHEVs) only assist the engine without directly powering vehicle. Order up the S90 gas engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid package comes standard perking up miles per gallon and fully embracing the benefits of regenerative braking.

The S90 Recharge PHEV offers an estimated 38 miles of all-electric range before seamlessly switching over to the gas-electric hybrid combo highlighted by a 2.4-liter internal combustion engine.  The 38 miles of estimated electric range bests many of its closest luxury-appointed PHEV rivals, of which there are few (BMW’s 530e plug-in hybrid classifies as the nearest PHEV competitor). Drivers may also switch between three drive modes (Pure, Hybrid and Power) as the ‘Pure’ EV mode provides greater benefits during slower stop-and-go travel while Hybrid’ and ‘Power’ deliver superior mileage at constant highway speeds.
 
However, switching between modes involves too much tutorial hunting and pecking through the center multi-function touch screen by first selecting the ‘settings’ icon near the lower right corner and then finding and highlighting the ‘driving’ option.

Also on board: an electric traction motor motivated by an18.8-kilowatt hour lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack measuring and weighing considerably less than one powering a fully electric vehicle.  For example, a recently tested 2024 Kia EV9 all-electric crossover contained a bigger pack boasting 99.8-kilowatt hours.

Combined horsepower reaches an impressive 455 with 312 horses compliments of the 2.0-liter turbo/supercharged engine and 143 via the electric motor. Combined range reaches a healthy 500 miles of travel. On the road, the subtle ride tilts towards luxury rather than sporty with a firm tilt.

The Ultimate includes nuances not part of the ‘Plus’ trim including heads-up front windshield display, vented Nappa leather upholstery, power front side seat bolsters, front seat ventilation, a driver’s seat power cushion extension for knee comfort and 20-inch multi-spoke black diamond cut alloy wheels.  

The 2024 S90 Recharge does not qualify for any portion of the Federal Government’s $7,500 tax credit for electrified vehicle purchase largely due to its assembly outside the U.S.  The Illinois’ Electric Vehicle Rebate Program’s $4,000 incentive only applies to pure EVs; PHEVs such as the S90 Recharge are not eligible.

As with its gas counterpart, the S90 Recharge’s rectangular grille includes concaved, vertical slates with Volvo’s historic logo front and center. The circular logo with an arrowhead pointing up and to the right at approximately 2 o’clock, represents the ancient symbol for iron. Flanking the grille; a ‘Thor’s Hammer’ light design in the shape of a side-resting letter ‘T’, a nod to the Nordic God of thunder.  Headlight projections rotate slightly as the steering wheel turns, providing a wider illumination array after the sun sets.  One of the few external identifiers separating the S90 Recharge  Extended Range from the S90, a circular front driver’s side fender door which swings open revealing the plug port.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel includes a central panel with a secondary view of the map/navigation system.  A subtle difference between Recharge and conventional S90’s: the Recharge’s lower level listings across the right lower bottom of remaining gas miles and electric miles in both digital and bar-type formats.

The eight-speed electronic automatic transmission shifter locates between the supportive front buckets. Ultimate trims promote a crystal-like bejeweled wedge-like stubby ornament that commands reverse when nudged forward and drive with a downswing maneuver. Park gets summoned via a push of a ‘P’ plate to the left. The electronic start/stop twist knob rests below the shifter, a more convenient local then on the dashboard where the steering wheel could interfere with the process.

The transmission shifter also helps summon a stiffer regenerative brake levels when locked in EV (Pure) mode.  Regenerative braking, a side benefit of EVs, PHEVs, and gas-electric hybrids, captures kinetic energy created during the normal braking process and sends this energy back into the battery for later reuse, extending electric range and/or fuel economy.  The D or drive option includes a secondary B choice (B standing for braking, I guess) visible only in the right-side instrument panel window.   

When shifted into B in Pure mode, one pedal driving comes into play. Lift the right foot off the accelerator pedal, and increased friction works to slow the S90 faster. When in hybrid or performance mode, the B position performs as a manumatic transmission option, allowing drivers to manually move the eight-speed transmission shift points up or down with a twitch of the wedge-like ornate shifter.

All Volvo 2024 PHEVs include a long, black, 22-foot, dual voltage charging cable with J1772 connector at one end, working with both common household outlets, 110 and 220 volts. Connecting to a 110-volt outlet’s three prong outlet with a ground (widely used in households for toasters, TVs and hair dryers), the time needed to charge up the 38 miles of pure electric travel takes about 13 hours according to Volvo, easily accomplished overnight. In the EV world, these ‘Level 1’ outlets (also known as ‘trickle chargers) supply between 3 and 5 miles of electric travel per hour, workable for a PHEV supplying 38 miles or so of electric range, but time consuming with a pure electric vehicle delivering 300 miles or so of range.

During our week of testing, the S90 took about 14 hours of plug time to reach a 43-mile all-electric range during one overnight charge. The next night, 46 miles of range registered after 14 hours. The third night reached a personal-best 48 miles of range. For those seeking to reduce charge times, investment in a Level 2 wall-mounted (EVSE or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) unit fills the need, connecting up with higher amperage 220-volt circuit to recharge the vehicle within five hours.

The Volvo S90 Recharge does not connect up or work with commercially available DC Fast Chargers, which bypass the vehicles 3.7-kilowatt on-board charger (an OBC converts alternating current from the wall socket into direct current) delivering power directly to the direct current lithium-ion battery pack, benefitting conventional EVs more so than PHEVs.

Optimal temperatures during our week of testing provided overachieving electric ranges.  Electrified vehicles, like humans, enjoy mid 70-degree temperatures rather than frigid 20 degrees below zero or sweltering 100 degrees above.  The 38 estimated miles of electric range is just that, an estimate.  The 18.8-kilowatt hour battery gets is revenge during winter months when electric ranges may dip to the low 30s during below zero times.

Volvo S90 Recharge models prior to the 2022 model year featured a smaller 11.6-kilowatt hour battery pack reducing the estimated range of pure electric driving to 21 miles.

The interior continues with a fresh, clean mix of off-white, gray ash wood accents and black tri tones with chrome-like trim accents; visually striking and comforting. The portrait-like, nine-inch multi-function touch screen gets bookended by tall, narrow vertical air vents with brushed aluminum accents inside.  Square-shaped vents adorn far edges of the dashboard.

The busy touch screen includes a small rectangular home button at the bottom, handy when a mental or visual reset is necessary.  A sizeable tactile dial resides below the screen controlling volume/on/off functions.  It’s flanked by a handful of push buttons including front/rear defrosters and the red hazard light selection.  Other temperature functions monitor through the screen itself with the lowest screen portion always listing dual front zone temperatures.  Finger press this region and a full-screen list of touch-sensitive HVAC functions appears.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interplay comes standard as does Google-based navigation and maps. One caveat; the sound system includes FM and Satellite radio feeds, but no traditional AM.  Volvo’s not the first import automaker to snub the once ubiquitous AM dial, but frustrating to those who find peace with talk radio and occasional lame-yet-loved AM-720  ‘Speed Jokes’. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto charge ups are not available.  To power up, grab the old-school cable and plug away.

Volvo’s past safety efforts deserve a shout out for popularizing the ubiquitous seat belt thanks to the work of company engineer Nils Bohlin who in 1959 patented the three-point seat belt (rather than the single-focus lap design). In a nod to open-source development, Volvo offered up the patent to rivals worldwide, allowing any and all automakers to latch onto this superior design to the betterment of humankind.  

Volvo also gets credit for advancements within the mundane workings of the headrest and improved whiplash protection. Volvo’s early adaptation of seat air bags and side curtain airbags just bolsters the long safety narrative.

In June of 2024, Volvo began shipping its first all-electric vehicle built at complex Northwest of Charleston, South Carolina, its first ever assembly facility in the U.S.  Back in 2015, Volvo made noise announcing this plant’s grand plans. The all-electric 2025 model year EX90 EV crossover offers three rows of comfort and measures in as its largest lineup offering.  It joins the mid-size S60 sedan as the two current tenants at the Ridgeville, S.C. campus.

While Scandinavian heritage permeates all Volvo products, the company finds itself worldly interconnected.  Once a subset of the Ford Motor Company (1999-2010), Volvo’s been a unit of Geely Holding Group, an auto conglomerate based in China, since 2010.

Price as tested:  $78,195
Gas Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo/supercharged
Engine horsepower: 312
Electric motor horsepower: 143
Combined horsepower: 455
Battery Pack: 18.8 KWH Lithium-ion
All-electric range: 38 miles
Wheelbase:   120.5 inches
Total Length:  200.4 inches
Total Height: 56.9 inches
Total Width: 79.5 inches
Miles per gallon: 28 city/31 highway
Lithium Battery Warranty: Eight years/100,000 miles
Assembly:  China