2021 Volvo S90 Recharge Review: Plugged Into The Good Life

When the bellicose performance and commanding, perhaps overly-styled, aesthetics of the very popular German sports and luxury sedans just don't tickle your fancy, you can rest assured that the Swedes will have a more sophisticated and urbane alternative you may appreciate. So, if you're in the market for a premium plug-in hybrid sedan from the midsize classification, but the BMW 5 Series and Audi A7 hybrids don't cut it for you, the 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge is your next best bet. Though not nearly as enthralling or engaging as the Germans, the Volvo provides a driving experience focused more on repose, comfort, and luxury. Nevertheless, the S90 Recharge PHEV is powered by a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that's augmented by two electric motors. With an impressive 400 horsepower at hand, the S90 Recharge sedan can launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. It's in the top speeds and handling dynamics where the competitors exhibit their prowess, though. The 2021 S90 Recharge is a suave and sophisticated 4-door cruiser that offers a genuinely premium experience all-round, but how long will it be until you crave a little entertainment or you feel that a PHEV simply isn't as efficient as a pure EV might be?

S90 Recharge Exterior

Dimensions

S90 Recharge Performance

Engine and Transmission

Powering the 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge is a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-4 gas engine that's been augmented by two electric motors for 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Power is modulated by an 8-speed automatic transmission and sent to the sedan's all-wheel drivetrain. Acceleration responses from the S90 Recharge PHEV are quite brisk but also pleasant and smooth. When driven prudently, the S90 Recharge should offer you 21 miles of all-electric driving range and fuel economy returns of up to 60 MPGe combined. Charging the S90 Recharge's 11.6-kWh battery will take around 6.5 hours on a regular 12-V plug.

S90 Recharge Interior

S90 Recharge Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge A Good sedan?

Volvo's suave and sophisticated design ethos is a significant attribute of its cars as well as an accurate depiction of the performance and premium levels of luxury it aims to deliver. This is very much the case for the S90 Recharge PHEV, despite the fact that is more than a full second quicker than the BMW 530e from off the line. From there, the 530e is likely to quickly catch up and steamroll the S90. It is also far more capable around the corners, but going fast and cornering isn't what the S90 Recharge was designed for. It's a luxurious and pragmatic cruiser first and foremost. Its brisk acceleration only complements its pleasant drivability, with the Scandanavian sedan remaining compliant and smooth at all times. It offers a 21-mile all-electric driving range, which is decent. Unfortunately, its fuel economy returns aren't quite the best. Nevertheless, the S90 Recharge is perhaps one of the most exquisite means of family transportation with its modern, plush, and spacious cabin. It's really safe, too, despite neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS having subjected the 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge to review. The sheer number of driver-assist and safety features is more than enough to put the most nervous drivers at ease. Volvo's reliability standards are fairly high, too, so if you're looking for a luxurious, comfortable, safe, and dependable sedan to move your family about in, the S90 Recharge may be the perfect fit.

What Volvo S90 Recharge Model Should I Buy?

The Swedes put forward both the R-Design and the Inscription versions of the 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge with a price of $60,050 in the USA, which is $3,150 lower than what they were presented at last year. The R-Design bears sporty exterior and interior styling cues while the Inscription augments the inherent premium look and feel. We feel the Inscription is the more auspicious option, being that the S90 Recharge is more of a luxury sedan than a sporty one. It comes with fanciful chrome exterior accents, Gray Ash Wood cabin inlays, an Orrefors Crystal gear lever, and ventilated front seats with additional padding and bolsters.