Sunday Drive: 2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge AWD elevates the driving experience
Over the past few years, we have had the opportunity to test drive several different hybrid-type vehicles running the gamut from a mild hybrid system to completely hybrid all-electric vehicles. We have become very enamored with the plug-in hybrid vehicles (PEHV) like the Volvo XC90 Recharge.
Volvo has made the commitment to move its entire vehicle line to fully electric by the year 2030, quite an ambitious timeline indeed. In fact, they have begun by building a charging network between Denver and Seattle at various Starbucks locations along the way to help those vehicle owners to charge their all-electric models of any manufacturer.
That being said, the SC90 and XC40 SUVs will now all come complete with a mild plug-in hybrid system as a standard. The reason that we really love this type of hybrid system instead of a fully electric vehicle here in the Mountain West is that it gives us the best of both worlds.
When charged, the new XC90 will go up to 40 miles on pure electrical energy and will stick to using only electricity unless there is more input from the accelerator pedal than the batteries can provide on their own, depending on charge level and other comfort levels that have been set in the vehicle.
Our week with the Volvo came in mid-September, giving us cooler nights and warm days, really the perfect driving conditions for any electric vehicle, which may have contributed to the great results that we encountered over our test drive week.
We would charge the XC90 each night on our home Level 2 charger, which would charge it to full from completely empty in about 3.5 hours. We have charged long-range completely electric vehicles overnight on the same charger with no problem even if they were down in the 10% to 20% charge range.
We took turns on taking the XC90 to work and on our daily routines of driving and found that on normal days we would never run out of electric energy as the 40-mile range proved extremely adequate, with the XC90 recharging going down hills and when we were stopping. This also helped to supply us with more energy.
At the end of our seven-day test, we had used very little actual gasoline as the XC90 was showing that we were averaging 106.7 miles per gallon and had driven 250 miles, using just over 2 gallons of fuel for the entire week.
Doing all the math, assuming a 12-cent-per-kilowatt-hour charge at our home for electricity and a $4-per-gallon charge for fuel at the time, we covered 250 miles of everyday driving for $15.56, or 6 cents per mile. Had that been on gasoline alone in a large SUV like the XC90, we would have gotten right around 22 miles per gallon for a cost of 18 cents per mile or a total of $45.
This type of PEHV made total sense for us as we would rarely have to add fuel to the tank, which holds 18.8 gallons. That would have taken us close to six weeks to use up in normal everyday driving if we charged each night at home. However, if we chose to take a longer road trip, there would have been no range anxiety or thought to where we would charge along the way, just us getting out on the open road and having an excellent driving experience.
After the electric infusion, the 2023 XC90 Recharge is a vision of modern Scandinavian design. It retains Volvo’s signature bold grille, accented by the iconic “Thor’s hammer” LED headlights, which not only look stunning but also provided excellent illumination for our test drive.
The clean lines, uncluttered surfaces and sculpted sides showcased a sense of understated luxury that is uniquely Volvo. The vehicle’s distinctive rear design, with vertical LED taillights, left a lasting impression. In terms of aesthetics, the XC90 Recharge was a head-turner.
Inside the XC90 Recharge, we immediately noticed the cabin’s premium quality and attention to detail. The interior was adorned with high-quality materials like tailored wool seating surfaces, genuine wood trim and metal accents. The comfortable and supportive seats, both in the front and rear, provide ample space for passengers to relax during long journeys.
The added child booster seat in the middle of the second-row seating also made for a unique experience when we had our 4-year-old granddaughter Hayden along for a ride. She loved the extra height and being in the middle to better communicate with Grandma and Grandpa, and not having to add the booster seat was a real bonus for us.
Volvo is also renowned for its safety innovations, and the XC90 Recharge was no exception. It came equipped with a plethora of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and automated emergency braking. The intuitive infotainment system boasted a large touch screen with crisp graphics, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system for an immersive audio experience.
We found that the XC90 offered a comfortable and composed ride, soaking up bumps and imperfections in the road with ease. The suspension stuck a balance between comfort and sportiness, providing a smooth journey for both city driving and highway cruising. Steering was precise and easy, and the SUV maintained a planted feel, instilling confidence within us whenever we went out in the larger SUV.
The 2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge embodied the brand’s commitment to sustainability, safety and Scandinavian luxury. It offered a refined and comfortable interior, a user-friendly infotainment system and a potent yet efficient powertrain. With the ability to drive on pure electric power for everyday use, it stands as an excellent choice for those who want to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on style and performance.
Base price: $79,400
Destination charge: $1,095
Price as driven: $85,495
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- Deanne with the Volvo XC90 Recharge in our driveway after a fantastic week of over-the-top gas mileage. We have to love any vehicle that we can get to return 106 miles per gallon.
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- The New Volvo XC90 Recharge.
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- The New Volvo XC90 Recharge.
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- The New Volvo XC90 Recharge.
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- The New Volvo XC90 Recharge’s interior.
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- The New Volvo XC90 Recharge’s interior.
