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Simply earlier than Volvo continues its all-electric shift with the XC90-sized EX90 EV, it’s smoothed out its fashionable plug-in hybrid powertrain within the XC90.
With extra electrical vary, extra energy, and extra refinement all baked into the already interesting Swedish bundle, the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge is now practically excellent for households
That mentioned, Volvo’s transfer to Android Automotive OS and its tight third row imply the XC90 received’t match each household or tech want.
Listed here are the professionals and cons of the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge after spending every week shuttling the youngsters round city, after which taking it north to Lusten, Minnesota for an extended ski weekend with my son and good friend.
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
Professional: Volvo XC90 Recharge will get extra electrical vary, extra energy, and smoother transitions
Due to a brand new battery pack with 14.8 kwh usable, up from the beforehand usable 9.1 kwh, the Volvo XC90 will increase its EPA electric-only vary from a scant 18 miles to 33 miles. With temps within the teenagers and mid-20s cabin warmth sucked a couple of miles of vary off the highest with me witnessing a stable 27 to 29 miles of electrical vary. A extra highly effective 142-hp electrical motor changed the outdated 87-hp unit. When paired with the two.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged inline-4, the powertrain makes a mixed 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. Whereas all the ability by no means delivers a wallop, it’s greater than fast sufficient for a three-row crossover carrying the Volvo badge. Remapped conduct with the 8-speed computerized transmission, plus the extra highly effective electrical motor, imply energy transitions are smoother and extra within the background than earlier than.
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
Con: Volvo XC90 Recharge can’t lock totally into electric-only mode—or one-pedal drive
Placing the powertrain into Pure mode is meant to lock the powertrain into electric-only mode so long as there’s sufficient cost. It doesn’t. There’s a detent behind the accelerator pedal, and it’s not only one for foot-to-the-floor energy. If the pedal is pushed to the three-quarter mark the detent will have interaction and the fuel engine will kick on for full system energy.
The newest plug-in hybrid powertrain within the XC90 includes a ‘B’ mode for braking, which Volvo calls “one-pedal drive,” because it does with its electrical automobiles. Solely right here it’s not the identical factor. The regenerative braking power is noticeably stronger in B mode, however the car received’t come to a full cease and the power isn’t sturdy sufficient to sluggish the car rapidly sufficient in visitors conditions.
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
Hit: Volvo XC90 Recharge adopts tighter Apple CarPlay integration
Regardless of dropping Volvo’s in-house Sensus infotainment system and gauge cluster interface for Google’s Android Automotive OS, the automaker’s given the XC90 deeper Apple CarPlay integration. Apple CarPlay requires a wired USB-C connection (the XC90 doesn’t have wi-fi smartphone charging) and it tasks as one expects on the 9.0-inch portrait-style touchscreen on the middle of the dashboard. But it surely now additionally integrates Apple Maps’ turn-by-turn navigation instructions straight into the 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster. That’s slick, and makes Volvo one of many few automakers to function such tight integration.
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
Miss: Volvo XC90 Recharge infotainment backtracks
The shift in infotainment working programs really removes key performance from the 9.0-inch touchscreen. The flexibility to multitask on the homescreen with CarPlay and different apps is gone. The flexibility to swipe left or proper to entry fast shortcuts for key car performance is gone. A few of that performance merely disappeared whereas different controls have been wrapped into the multi-layer menu system. Altering driving modes for the powertrain requires three faucets, two to get into the menu system alone the place different car settings reside. The interface itself lacks any design effort. That is one step under GM’s effort at slapping a pores and skin on Google’s OS, although it’s one way or the other extra nice and simpler to make use of. At the least Volvo doesn’t appear desirous about eradicating CarPlay like GM is.
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
Hit: Volvo XC90 Recharge delivers understated class
In a approach that one would possibly argue solely the Swedes can do, the XC90 carries class and magnificence in the same approach a Vary Rover does. There’s simply the correct amount of tasteful chrome bits, it’s not flashy, the dashboard is easy and unadorned, and all the things is low key. All the bundle feels rock stable and doesn’t scream, “take a look at me,” regardless of my loaded tester’s $87,495 sticker worth. The seats would possibly simply be the perfect within the enterprise, and my tester featured a therapeutic massage perform that basically got here in helpful after an extended day on the slopes. These are the definition of road-trip-worthy with a 4.5-hour highway journey leaving my physique unfazed.
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
Miss: Volvo XC90 Recharge third-row stays the child zone
The Volvo XC90 Recharge is likely one of the few three-row plug-in hybrids, however the third row is on no account adult-friendly. That’s solely a con should you want the third row for greater than children, however for those who do it’s essential to notice the area constraints. At 5-foot-10 I can match again there, however the second-row passenger goes to horse-trade me for room. And whereas I’ve been caught again there for an hour-and-a-half highway journey earlier than, it wasn’t excellent. It’s a child zone or for brief journeys if an grownup is headed again there. The Lexus TX plug-in hybrid includes a extra adult-friendly third-row for these in want.
The electrical Volvo EX90 will exchange the XC90 within the subsequent few years, however within the interim for these on the lookout for a stopgap plug-in hybrid the latest updates to the XC90 Recharge lastly make it actually compelling.
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2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
Base worth: $57,195, together with $1,195 vacation spot
Worth as examined: $87,495
Powertrain: 455-hp plug-in hybrid, 8-speed computerized transmission, all-wheel drive
EPA gasoline economic system: 33 miles of electrical vary, 27 mpg mixed
The professionals: Smoother powertrain with extra electrical vary, expanded Apple CarPlay integration, attractive and comfy
The cons: Lacks one-pedal driving, can’t stay in electric-only mode, Google Android Auto OS, tight third row
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