Model Volvo XC90 2021: R-Design T8 PHEV

The last time I reviewed a Volvo plug-in hybrid, I pretty much received death threats. Okay, not exactly, but my review and video of the XC60 R Design T8 made some readers and viewers very angry and they even called me names, all because I never charged the battery. Well, this time I won't have to run to safety, because not only was I charging the XC90 R-Design T8 Recharge that I'm reviewing here, but I'm driving most of the time it's on. Happy now?

I say almost all the time because during our three week test of this XC 90 plug-in hybrid we took it away on a family vacation and had no access to power, and as an owner you will most likely run into this situation too.

So, what was the fuel economy of this large seven-seat PHEV SUV over hundreds of miles when used as a family workhorse? The result amazed me and I can understand why people were so furious with me in the first place.

90 Volvo XC2021: T6 R-Design (all-wheel drive)
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0L
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	8.5l / 100km
Landing	7 Places
Price from	$82,300

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10

The XC90 Recharge (Volvo calls it that, so let's do that too for the sake of simplicity) is an all-wheel-drive SUV with a 2.0-liter supercharged, turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 246kW and 440Nm, plus an electric motor that adds 65kW and 240Nm .

Gear shifting is carried out by an eight-speed automatic, and acceleration to 5.5 km / h occurs in 0 seconds.

The XC90 Recharge is powered by a supercharged, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

All XC90 models have a towing capacity of 2400 kg with brakes.

The 11.6kWh lithium-ion battery is located under the floor in a tunnel that runs down the center of the car, covered by the center console and a bulge in the second row footwell.

If you don't understand, this is the type of hybrid that you need to connect to a power source to charge the batteries. The socket is fine, but the wall unit is faster. If you do not connect it, the battery will receive only a small charge from regenerative braking, and this will not be enough to reduce fuel consumption a little.

How much fuel does it consume? 9/10

Volvo says that after a combination of urban and open roads, the XC 90 Recharge should consume 2.1 l/100 km. This is incredible - we are talking about a five-meter seven-seater SUV weighing 2.2 tons.

In my testing, fuel economy varied greatly depending on how and where I drove the XC90.

There was a week when I only drove 15 km a day, climbing to kindergarten, shopping, dropping by to work in the central business district, but all within 10 km of my home. With 35km on electric, I found that I only needed to charge the XC90 once every two days to keep it fully charged, and according to the onboard computer, after 55km I used 1.9L/100km.

I charged the battery from an outdoor outlet in my driveway, and using this method, it took just under five hours to fully charge the battery from a dead state. A wall box or fast charger will charge the battery much faster.

The charging cable is over 3m long and the cover on the XC90 is located on the front left wheel cover.

If you don't have the ability to charge your XC90 regularly, fuel consumption will obviously go up.

This happened when our family was vacationing on the coast and the holiday home we were staying at didn't have an outlet nearby. So while we regularly charged the car for a week before a few long motorway trips, I didn't plug it in at all during the four days we were away.

After driving 598.4 km, I again filled it up at the gas station with 46.13 liters of premium unleaded gasoline. That goes up to 7.7L/100km, which is still a big fuel economy considering the last 200km would have been on a single charge.

The lesson is that the XC90 Recharge is the most economical on short commuter and city trips with a daily or bi-day charge.  

A larger battery will increase range and make this plug-in hybrid SUV more suitable for people who live farther from the city and drive more highway miles.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

The XC90 Recharge is priced at $114,990, making it the most expensive variety in the 90 lineup.

However, the value is excellent given the number of features that come standard.

Standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 19-inch vertical center display for media and climate control, plus sat nav, Bowers and Wilkins stereo system with XNUMX speakers, wireless phone charging, four-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, touchless key with automatic tailgate and LED headlights.

My test car was equipped with perforated and ventilated seats in Charcoal Nappa leather.

My test car was equipped with options such as perforated and ventilated Charcoal Nappa Leather seats ($2950), a Climate package that adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel ($600), power folding rear headrests ($275). USA) and Thunder Gray metallic paint ($1900).

Even at $120,715 total (before travel expenses), I think it's still a good value.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

Cars are like dogs in the sense that a year ages them more than it does us. So, the current generation XC90, released in 2015, is getting old. However, the XC90 is a design lesson on how to defy the aging process because the styling even now looks modern and beautiful. It's also big, rugged and upmarket looking, just the way a premium brand's flagship SUV should be.

The Thunder Gray paint my test car wore (see images) is an additional tint and it matched the battleship size and XC90 personality. Huge 22-inch five-spoke Black Diamond Cut alloy wheels were standard and filled those gigantic arches nicely.

Huge 22-inch five-spoke Black Diamond Cut alloy wheels fill those gigantic arches beautifully.

Maybe it's the minimalist styling that makes the XC90 look cutting edge, because even the interior looks like a very expensive psychiatrist's office with those leather seats and brushed aluminum trim.

The interior looks like the salon of a very expensive psychiatric office with these leather seats and polished aluminum trim.

The vertical display is still impressive even in 2021, and while fully digital instrument clusters are everywhere these days, the XC90 has an upmarket look and matches the rest of the cabin in colors and fonts.

In terms of dimensions, the XC90 is 4953mm long, 2008mm wide with mirrors folded, and 1776mm high to the top of the shark fin antenna.

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How practical is the interior space? 9/10

Clever interior layout means the XC90 Recharge is more practical than many large SUVs. Flashes of utilitarian brilliance are seen everywhere, from the booster child seat that slides out of the center of the second row (see images) to the way the XC90 can squat like an elephant to make it easier to load things into the trunk.

Clever interior layout means the XC90 Recharge is more practical than many large SUVs.

The XC90 Recharge is a seven-seater, and like all third-row SUVs, those seats at the very rear only provide enough room for kids. The second row is roomy even for me at 191 cm tall, with plenty of legroom and headroom. Up front, as you'd expect, there's plenty of room for the head, elbows, and shoulders.

There's ample storage space in the cabin, with two cupholders in each row (the third one also has bins under the armrests), large door pockets, a decent-sized center console, and a mesh pocket in the front passenger's footwell.

Trunk volume with all seats used is 291 liters, and with the third row folded down, you will have 651 liters of luggage space.

Charging cable storage could be better. The cable comes in a stylish canvas bag that sits in the trunk, but other plug-in hybrids I've ridden do a better job of providing a cable storage box that doesn't get in the way of your regular cargo.  

The gesture-controlled tailgate works with your foot under the back of the car, and the proximity key means you can lock and unlock the car by touching the door handle.

The luggage compartment is filled with bag hooks and a lift divider to keep items in place.

Charging cable storage could be better.

Four-zone climate control, four USB ports (two up front and two on the second row), dark tinted rear windows and sunshades complete what is a very practical family SUV.

My family is small - there are only three of us - so the XC90 was more than what we needed. However, we found a way to fill it up with holiday gear, shopping, and even a mini trampoline.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10

Volvo has been a safety pioneer for decades, to the point where people have ridiculed the brand for being overly cautious. Well, take it from this helicopter parent: there is no such thing as over-caution! Plus, these days, all car brands are looking to offer the advanced safety systems that the XC90 has had for years. Yes, security is good now. What makes Kanye's Volvo among car brands.

The XC90 Recharge comes standard with AEB, which slows down pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and even large animals at city speeds.

There's also lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, cross-traffic alert with braking (front and rear).

Steering support assists with evasive maneuvers at speeds between 50 and 100 km/h.

The curtain airbags span all three rows, and child seats have two ISOFIX anchorages and three top cable attachment points in the second row. Please note that there are no child seat anchorages or points in the third row.

The spare wheel is located under the trunk floor to save space.

The XC90 received the highest five-star ANCAP rating when tested in 2015.  

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

The XC90 is backed by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Two service plans are offered: three years for $1500 and five years for $2500.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

We covered over 700km on the XC90 Recharge watch in the three weeks it spent with my family, covering many miles on motorways, country roads and urban use.

Now, not to sound like one of the haters who hated me the last time I tested a Volvo hybrid, you'll need to keep the XC90 Recharge constantly charged if you want to get not only better fuel economy, but better performance from an SUV too.

You will need to charge the XC90 Recharge all the time if you want more than just better fuel economy.

There's extra power from the motor when you have enough charge in the 'tank', as well as the serene and smooth driving pleasure of electric mode on town and city trips.

This relaxed electric driving experience feels a bit incompatible with a large SUV at first, but now that I've tested several large family plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, I can tell you it's more enjoyable.

Not only is the ride smooth, but the electric grunt gives a sense of control with instant response, which I found reassuring in traffic and junctions.

The transition from an electric motor to a gasoline engine is almost imperceptible. Volvo and Toyota are just some of the few brands that seem to have managed to achieve this.

The XC90 is big and that presented a problem when I tried to pilot it in my narrow driveway and parking lots, but the light, precise steering and excellent visibility with large windows and cameras galore helped.

The automatic parking function works well even on the confusing streets of my area.

Completing the easy driving experience is the air suspension, which provides a soft and relaxed ride, as well as great body control when wearing 22-inch wheels and low-profile rubber.

Verdict

The XC90 Recharge is very handy for a family with a couple of kids who live and spend most of their time in and around the city.

You'll need access to a charging outlet and you'll need to do so regularly to get the most out of this SUV, but in return you'll get the easy, efficient driving and the practicality and prestige that comes with any XC90.