The Slumber Car You Desire

Volvo competes head-to-head with BMW and Mercedes while avoiding the notion that a premium or executive sedan must be a high-performance vehicle or that luxury equates to large screens and disco lighting. The brand simply avoids extravagant displays.

Consequently, the Volvo S90 always delivers a breath of fresh air. In its T8-powered Recharge plug-in-hybrid guise, it offers the deepest lungful available. As we’ve highlighted with most other Volvo offerings, it exudes a high-end Swedish coffee shop ambiance with its use of natural materials, while the powertrain seamlessly delivers 455 horsepower with the convenience of one-pedal driving.

While all that sounds appealing, does it match the driving pleasure of BMW’s 5 Series or rival the smooth ride of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class? With no plans from Volvo to discontinue the S90, what lies ahead for this model? We took some time with the 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge to determine if buyers could be swayed from the typical mid-size sedans towards this elegant Swedish choice.

Exterior: Embracing the Timeless

The S90’s design exudes the traditional sedan style, but it’s all about the details. Our test model, the S90 Recharge Ultimate, represents the top-tier trim in the lineup. It sports 20-inch multi-spoke black diamond-cut wheels with all-season tires, although you have the option to select the more practical 19-inch wheels at no extra charge. Regardless, the S90 Recharge showcases a high-gloss black grille with a chrome outline, aluminum accents around the windows, electrically operated rear and passenger window shades, and a panoramic sunroof. The hands-free power-operated trunk performs smoothly, although there’s no spare tire—just a “temporary mobility kit.”

Interior: Maintaining the Special Atmosphere

This is the space where Volvo emphasizes its Swedish heritage the most, commencing with the intricately patterned textile floor mats. With the Ultimate edition, you can select Charcoal, Slate, Amber, or Blond Nappa leather for the seats and steering wheel, coordinating with the headliner. Opting for the Blond hue, as our test model did, further distances from a sporty aesthetic and contributes to the sense of openness.

To amplify the theme of luxury and sophistication, the Ultimate model introduces Volvo’s premium crystal glass gear selector designed by Orrefors. Additionally, it includes front seat ventilation, four-way lumbar support compared to the standard two-way setting, and power-adjustable side bolsters. The interior features high-quality materials for the dashboard and door panels, with accentuating trim available in Gray Ash or Pitched Oak wood inserts, enhancing the refined yet aristocratic ambiance.

Standard features across the lineup include a four-zone climate control system, an air purification system, a heated steering wheel, and heated front and rear seats, ensuring comfort almost equal in the rear as in the front — the only missing elements in the back are adjustable seat positions and lumbar support. Nevertheless, there is sufficient space for taller individuals in the rear, despite the S90’s dimensions positioning it between a mid-size and full-size sedan.

• Volvo S90 Recharge

  Front Seat Headroom

  37.8 in

  Rear Seat Headroom

  37.8 in

  Front Seat Leg Room

  42.2 in

  Rear Seat Leg Room

  40.4 in

  Front Seat Shoulder Room

  57.5 in

  Rear Seat Shoulder Room

  55.4 in

  Expand

• BMW 5 Series 550e xDrive

  Front Seat Headroom

  39.1 inches

  Rear Seat Headroom

  TBC

  Front Seat Leg Room

  41.3 inches

  Rear Seat Leg Room

  36.5 inches

  Front Seat Shoulder Room

  59.2 inches

  Rear Seat Shoulder Room

  56.9 inches

  Expand

The headroom in the latest plug-in hybrid model of the BMW 5 Series, the 550e xDrive, may be a bit more restricted compared to the S90 Recharge, but the latter offers significantly more legroom for all occupants, especially in the rear seats, providing a particularly pleasant experience. For an added $1,500, you have the option to equip the Lounge Package to your S90, enhancing it with a luxurious rear-seat armrest, front seat massage feature, and ventilated rear seats. Opting for the Ultimate trim brings notable comfort and convenience upgrades beyond the base Plus version:

Infotainment: Maintaining the Volvo Tradition

Volvo has maintained the nine-inch vertical display for quite some time, but the interface now leans more towards Google-centric users. The integration of Google services is splendid, with Google Maps as the default navigation tool, which, along with Apple Maps, surpasses most manufacturer systems, as exemplified in an open letter to automakers. If you’re invested in the Google ecosystem with your mobile device, the system works seamlessly without the need to physically connect your phone; just log in with your account. However, for Apple enthusiasts, who constitute a significant portion in the US, a wired connection is necessary for CarPlay functionality. On the flip side, the Google platform offers compatibility with services like Spotify for users with an account.

Volvo’s decision to incorporate climate controls on the screen remains intact, offering one of the better implementations available, without being a dealbreaker. Additionally, the vehicle provides a choice between a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system or the impressive 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins setup. However, the former requires an additional upgrade fee on the base trim, while the latter is exclusive to the Ultimate trim, costing an extra $3,200. Opting for the premium Bowers & Wilkinson system over the Harman Kardon system is a pricier choice but undoubtedly worth it for enhanced audio quality.

Maintaining Power Under the Hood

The potent T8 powertrain of the S90 Recharge provides 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, ensuring effortless acceleration and overtaking maneuvers. Clocking a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, it’s slightly slower compared to the upcoming 5 Series plug-in hybrid, which claims 4.1 seconds due to its higher horsepower output. Some specifications of the Bimmer are still undisclosed, making it challenging to determine if it’s also more fuel-efficient.

The S90 Recharge achieves 29 mpg combined using only the combustion engine, and 66 MPGe when utilizing both gasoline and electric power. This efficiency is remarkable for a vehicle with such substantial power, especially considering the turbocharged nature of its gas-powered section. Apart from being a sleeper car at traffic lights, the S90 Recharge’s standout feature is its 38-mile electric-only range. With a charging time of around five hours, this benefit is significant if your daily commute is within 38 miles round trip or if your workplace has charging stations available.

Ensuring Comfort on the Road

Despite the impressive powertrain figures, the S90 Recharge doesn’t provide a particularly swift driving experience. Nonetheless, even with a full load of passengers and baggage alongside a battery pack and an engine, it accelerates smoothly. While its ride quality doesn’t match the luxurious comfort of Mercedes’s E-Class, it excels in handling rough road surfaces. Essentially, being a front-wheel-drive vehicle with electric motors boosting the rear wheels, it lacks the sharp, sporty feel of a BMW 5 Series.

Opting out of the sporty ambiance enables the S90 Recharge to feature light, yet not overly light, steering and a variety of driving modes. Upon entering, one can enjoy a pleasant journey from point A to B, with or without companions, and arrive as revitalized as when setting off. Whether you wish to accelerate swiftly past slow traffic or seamlessly merge onto a busy highway from an entry ramp, there is no commotion, no hassle, just effortless – though not forceful – acceleration.

Conclusion: Staying Committed to Excellence

Volvo consistently delivers remarkable experiences across its car lineup. Choose a model, and you’ll receive a vehicle that exudes sophistication without any hint of arrogance, providing a delightful journey for passengers and driver alike.

The S90 Recharge amplifies this with easily accessible power complemented by decent fuel efficiency and a practical electric-only range. Its extensive list of amenities and indulgences, all while avoiding an overload of technology, is a notable advantage.

Can it compete at the highest level against offerings from BMW and Mercedes? That would depend on your expectations from a luxury sedan. Volvo, in conjunction with Genesis, has effectively provided an alternative to the top-tier luxury stalwarts. Just like the S90, the Genesis G80 takes on BMW and Mercedes head-on – but at a notably lower starting price.

Pricing-wise, the S90 Recharge hits the market at $65,850 for the base Plus model – excluding a $1,195 destination charge and any extras. The Ultimate variant demands $71,400 – $1,300 less than BMW’s upcoming plug-in model. Genesis offers only the G80 as an internal combustion engine or a fully electric model, with the latter directly rivaling the BMW i5. Volvo, however, is not halting its progress as the S90 is also set to go electric in the near future. Unlike the smaller S60, this does not mark the end for the S90. With the new E-Class lacking plug-in advantages, it’s now down to the S90 Recharge and BMW 550e in the ring – temporarily at least. In terms of value for money, the S90 Recharge hits the mark.

Sources:
FuelEconomy.gov
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Volvo
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BMW
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Genesis
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