2023 Volvo S90 Recharge

The luxury mid-size sedan market may be waning in favor of SUVs and crossovers, but the revamped 2023 Volvo S90 Recharge brings new features, a realigned range, and a powerful extended-range powertrain as Volvo buckles down on its stylish plug-in hybrid sedan. Other automakers try to redefine what a hybrid sedan should be to appeal to a broader audience, the high-riding new Toyota Crown being a case in point, but the $70k price of the new Volvo S90 Recharge puts it in more expensive premium-PHEV company. It costs more than the 288-hp BMW 5 Series Hybrid and 215-hp Lexus ES Hybrid, but with 455 horsepower on tap thanks to the combination of its supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor, it's also a lot more powerful and quicker than these cars. A redesigned 5 Series arrives next year, and the Audi A7 Hybrid has been discontinued, so with the Lexus outclassed, it does seem as if the Swede has the upper hand. Expensive it may be, but the newly refreshed S90 Recharge looks set to retain its status at the front of the luxury-hybrid sedan segment.

The 2023 S90 Recharge range gains a host of changes for the new year, most notably a realignment of trim levels for all new models in the USA, resulting in just one trim - Ultimate. Last year's optional extended-range plug-in hybrid setup is now the only powertrain available, so both S90 Recharge trims have the same specs and an 18.8-kWh battery pack. At the same time, reprogramming the regenerative braking system has resulted in the PHEV powertrain offering true one-pedal driving this year.

As the Google-based Android Automotive infotainment operating system is rolled out to all Volvos, the one in the S90 Recharge gets a few additional connectivity features this year. There are a few updated paint colors and new wheel designs, while a feature or two are deleted from the specification list, including, strangely, wireless device charging, presumably due to ongoing component shortages.

The base price of the 2023 Volvo S90 Recharge Ultimate is $70,500. This is the MSRP and excludes Volvo's destination charge, which will cost you an additional $1,095.

The S90 Recharge is already quite an expensive car, so we won't add many extras. It's very well-equipped with perforated Nappa leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a digital gauge cluster, a fully featured infotainment system with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a host of driver aids. It rides too firmly on the 20-inch wheels, so we'd either spec the optional 19s (at no cost) or the extra-cost air suspension - or both.

There's no mistaking the S90 Recharge for anything other than a Volvo once you're inside. The interior exudes class and understated, minimalist Swedish elegance. The dashboard is solid and made of premium, upscale materials, with open-pore wood trim and perforated Nappa leather on the seats. The stitched leatherette dashtop and upper doors add another layer of sophistication to what is a premium, luxurious space in which to spend time. Rear-seat passengers are well catered for and benefit from plenty of space, two separate climate-control zones, and heated seats.

Interior space is a strong point, and the S90's second row is roomier than those of its main rivals, the spacious Lexus ES included, mainly thanks to a long 120.5-inch wheelbase. Full-size adults will fit, and although there isn't an abundance of rear headroom, this is typical for a normal sedan, and what there is, is enough for adults.

One thing that's noticeable in a world of SUVs is that the low 5.9-inch ground clearance has you climbing down into the car instead of just sliding across as you would to get into a crossover, but this would bother some people more than others. Despite a few over-the-shoulder blind spots due to the narrow rear window, parking shouldn't induce much anxiety, thanks to the standard inclusion of all-around parking sensors, a backup camera, and a surround-view monitor.

The hybrid setup and battery pack don't diminish the S90 Recharge's trunk space as it does in some PHEVs, but this is a moot point, as the Volvo has less trunk volume to start with. The 13.5 cu-ft on offer behind the rear seats is barely acceptable for a car of this size, and both its hybrid rivals offer more. At least the space is of a uniform and usable shape, and it can be expanded by electrically folding down the 60/40-split rear seatbacks.

Cabin storage is also excellent, and while there are four roomy door pockets, a glovebox, and an under-elbow console storage bin, the space in the center console is limited. Four cupholders are provided, the rear ones in the fold-down center armrest that also contains shallow covered and uncovered storage.

There are four available interior colors for the Ultimate's perforated Nappa leather interior, and they include Charcoal upholstery with a Charcoal interior, Blond/Charcoal, and Slate/Charcoal. In all three cases, the trim is rendered in Grey Ash wood, and the steering wheel is leather-trimmed as well. The fourth choice is an Amber/Charcoal interior, but it comes with Pitched Oak wood. None of these options cost any extra money. The gear knob is an Orrefors crystal item, which epitomizes the unique class of the automaker's cabins: you get something special and out of the ordinary, and loads of value.

The front pews are 14-way power-adjustable, but there are a few surprising feature omissions; for example, the steering column features manual rake/reach adjustment, whereas electric adjustment would be expected at this price level, and wireless device charging is not available at all. Other than that, equipment levels are generous, with keyless entry and start, heating for the steering wheel, heating for front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, power rear sunshades for the doors and rear glass, three auto-dimming mirrors, and a HomeLink transceiver. The optional Lounge package fits front-seat massaging and power rear seats with ventilation and a luxury center armrest.

The infotainment system is cloud-connected and Google-based and comes with all the Google Services, including Maps, Play Store, and Assistant, as well as the Volvo Cars app with remote functions, both with a four-year subscription included. Other features include SiriusXM, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, which can be upgraded to a 19-speaker premium Bowers & Wilkins audio system for $3,200.

The Volvo S90 Recharge's gas engine is a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder with 310 hp driving the front wheels. It's supplemented by a 145-hp electric motor on the rear axle, providing what Volvo calls eAWD all-wheel drive. Total system output is 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque, and with such impressive figures, performance is strong, endowing the Volvo S90 Recharge with a 0-60 sprint time of just 4.6 seconds. In common with other modern Volvos, top speed is limited to 112 mph. You'll have to go for the XC90 SUV if trailering is required, as Volvo provides neither a towing capacity nor a factory tow hitch for the S90 Recharge.

The S90 Recharge emphasizes comfort over speed, so it doesn't come as a surprise that the steering isn't very sharp and that it feels its weight around corners. What does surprise is that the suspension is not as soft as might be expected and can be rather firm at times, transmitting a few too many vibrations to the cabin. It's better on the optional 19-inch alloys and more noticeable on the standard 20s, so we suggest fitting the optional air suspension to calm the ride. Even then, it's never pillowy soft. The upside is decent body control and secure handling, but we'd have happily traded that for a bit more compliance. One-pedal driving is on the cards, and the S90 bowls along competently enough on electric power alone. The gas side of the setup isn't always as pleasing, though, with the somewhat coarse four-cylinder transmitting a few tremors through the steering wheel when it fires up and the eight-speed automatic - which is otherwise wonderfully smooth - sometimes reluctant to hook a lower gear.

Gas mileage is what it's all about in a PHEV, and the Volvo S90 Recharge's mpg figures don't disappoint. It handily beats the comparable BMW 530e xDrive with a combined 66 MPGe to the Bimmers 62 MPGe, 30 mpg on gas power when the battery is depleted to the German's 25 mpg, and a range of 38 miles on battery power alone - the BMW 530e only manages 19 miles.

The 18.8-kWh battery has a usable capacity of 14.9 kWh and can be charged from empty to full in about five hours on a 240V outlet. A 3.6-kW onboard charger is supplied. Thanks to a 15.9-gallon fuel capacity, a maximum combined range of 520 miles is possible.

There is no NHTSA safety review of the Volvo S90 Recharge, but the IIHS tested the 2023 model and gave it its highest accolade - a Top Safety Pick+ award. Naturally, it's fitted with the usual ABS, stability control, tire-pressure monitoring, and a backup camera, while seven airbags are fitted, including a driver's knee airbag.

Standard safety assists are numerous and include adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist stop & go, hill-start assist, three auto-dimming rearview mirrors, automatic LED headlights with auto high beams, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision warning, front, side, and rear parking sensors, a surround-view monitor, lane-keep assist, oncoming lane mitigation, road-sign information, and post-collision braking.

JD Power doesn't have enough data to provide a rating for the Volvo S90 Recharge's reliability, but the car's recall history is encouraging. So far, the last three models years have each only been recalled once - in 2021 for a separating rotor shaft that may disable the brakes' ABS function, and both the 2022 and 2023 models for a PHEV software error that may prevent the combustion engine from starting when the battery is depleted, resulting in a loss of drive power.

Both the limited and the powertrain warranty of the 2023 Volvo S90 Recharge are valid for four years/50,000 miles, which is just average, but complimentary scheduled maintenance is included for a full three years/36,000 miles, which is an unexpected bonus. Hybrid components get eight years/100,000 miles of coverage.

The S90 Recharge's distinctive design incorporates typical Volvo styling cues such as the Thor's Hammer (LED) headlights, C-shaped taillights, and clean, uncluttered lines. The concave, chrome-adorned grille has vertical slats and a large Volvo emblem, and there are pronounced lower body moldings and a brightwork surround for the glasshouse. The sedan looks demure and professional, even if it doesn't stand out.

A power panoramic sunroof is standard fare, and the PHEV model can be recognized by its charging port on the left fender, aft of the front wheel. The car runs on eight multi-spoke two-color 20-inch alloy wheels, but you can trade down to eight-spoke two-color 19-inch alloys at no additional charge.

Right now, the Volvo S90 Recharge is probably the best mid-size PHEV sedan you can buy. Yes, it's more expensive than the BMW 530e, but it is far more powerful, significantly more spacious inside, and offers double the electric range. With nothing to challenge it until a next 530e becomes available, we think it's money well spent. The Lexus ES is totally outclassed in terms of power, performance, and sophistication, and it's not even a proper PHEV but a normal hybrid, so the only thing that counts in its favor is its price. With the Audi A7 Hybrid now gone, the S90 Recharge goes unchallenged in its market segment at the moment.