Volvo XC90 Recharge – A PHEV Caught Amidst a Wave of Change

The march toward sustainable transportation in the automotive sector is progressing at a pace that is no longer in danger of coming to a stop. Just about every automaker has made firm commitments to either switch their entire model line up to battery electric or will offer a combination of better alternatives that include hybrid, plug-in hybrid, full electric and even hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles.

Volvo is among the most aggressive automakers in terms of their zero-emission strategy as they have committed to sell nothing but full battery electric vehicles by 2030. They have already introduced their first full electric, with the XC40 Recharge and will have a coupe version the C40 Recharge available next year. But in the interim they continue to offer plug-in hybrid electric variants of each model in their line up.

XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid R-Design, in Thunder Grey

The largest model in their line up is the mid-sized, 3-row XC90 SUV, and it too comes in a plug-in hybrid. To keep aligned with the new branding nomenclature, any plug-in hybrid variant of a Volvo model will now be identified as a “Recharge” trim instead of the former T8 identifier. There isn’t a Recharge PHEV differentiator being used per se, so it may wind up only confusing customers as they continue to roll out additional full EVs under the Recharge banner.

As a 3 row PHEV, the Volvo XC90 Recharge occupies a segment with not a lot of direct competitors. The Lincoln Aviator GT would offer 3 rows in a luxury trim, and you could also throw the Chrysler Pacifica e-Hybrid into the mix as well. Although truth be told, it’s unclear as to whether someone would see a Scandinavian luxury SUV and a Windsor-built minivan as direct competitors.

Volvo Cars XC90 Recharged

It’s been about 6 years since the current iteration of the XC90 debuted and about 5 years since the T8 PHEV was introduced. The big seller at the time for the extra price was that the PHEV was not only more fuel efficient, but it was also more powerful. That still holds true today as the 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine which powers the front axle is matched up with an 87-horsepower electric motor that’s mounted to the rear. Together they provide a total peak system output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, which is the most powerful variant of the XC90 available.

The environmental benefit of a plug-in hybrid is that the pairing of gas engine with electric motor includes a battery large enough that it can run for prolonged periods on electric only; so much so that it needs to actually be plugged in. The XC90 Recharge is said to offer up to 29 kms of electric only driving, which is becoming a bit of a liability. Newer PHEV models are seeing EV only ranges double what the XC90 can do and even more. I wouldn’t think that an upgrade to the XC90’s hybrid battery is in order given that it will either fall off as a model offering or become a fully electric model only by the end of the decade.

The drive of the XC90 Recharge which I first had the opportunity to get behind when it debuted is still spirited with great driving dynamics. For a larger vehicle you still get the sense that it has the ability to provide some excitement with a push down of the accelerator, and the benefit of extra power coming from the electric motor helps with better acceleration and more torque.

In an effort to continue designing vehicles with a more sustainable approach, Volvo offers a wool blend seat fabric instead of the Nappa Leather which usually adorns the Inscription trim I drove. What’s odd to me though is that on the price sheet the wool becomes a $250 premium – something I don’t think will lead more people away from the softer and more traditionally-lux defined feel of soft Nappa cowhide under your bum.

XC90 Inscription, Tailored Wool Blend Midnight Zinc with Charcoal interior

The high-end Bowers and Wilkins stereo system has always been a favorite, but it oddly comes with one less listening option that what I would like. All Volvo PHEV and full EV models will not be equipped with AM radio as a listening option. And for those who would roll their eyes and say, “who cares”, there are still a number of important listening options that are found on the AM dial. From all-news channels to sports stations that broadcast live play-by-play to talk radio and even many multi-cultural programs are found on the AM dial here in Canada. Without the option, it may force some buyers to look elsewhere when they would have preferred to buy a Volvo, and that to me is unnecessary as other PHEVs come with AM radio, so this should too.

Volvo is not alone in doing away with radio however, but it tends to be a trend with European brands more than North American or Asian ones. AM radio has little presence in Europe anymore so perhaps that bias has crept into the design studios across the continent.

As a 3-row vehicle the XC90 fails where many others do as well in that the 3^rd row really is meant for children or small adults only. With limited leg room and only a half drop given its position over the rear axle, the back row is not a place where adults would want to spend a lot of time.

It will be interesting to see how Volvo will carry out the next few years as they move to an all EV future. To this point they have only shown us EVs on the smaller scale, but North Americans love their bigger rides so either the XC90 will need to ditch the gas and make way for a full battery design, or it will need to make way for a suitably sized replacement that is designed that way from the start.