2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge

The Volvo XC90 Recharge is no longer new, having debuted alongside the current-generation XC90 in the USA for the 2016 model year on Volvo's then-new SPA scalable platform. It was improved over the years and now provides up to 33 miles of all-electric range, a far cry from the original's 14 miles. In fact, such a good job has Volvo done keeping its three-row XC90 current that it still warrants consideration against very able competitors such as the Genesis GV80 and Audi Q7. But the Recharge is a PHEV and premium three-row plug-in hybrid rivals are rare, so these and even the BMW X5 Hybrid, a five-seater don't qualify as true rivals. The Lincoln Aviator Hybrid does, though, and it outguns the 455-horsepower XC90 Recharge by nearly 50 hp. Still, we aren't sure if this is enough to displace the rejigged 2023 XC90 Recharge lineup as the default three-row plug-in hybrid.

With a $71,900 MSRP, the price of the 2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge Core is considerably more than last year's sub-$65k price tag for the old base model. The Plus retails for $73,600 and the Ultimate for $79,400. The Plus and Ultimate can both be had with either the Dark or Bright exterior theme at no additional cost. These prices don't include Volvo's commendably low destination fee of $1,095.

The punchy 455-hp powertrain is very much in command of the XC90's considerable mass and propels the car to 60 mph in a scant five seconds, remaining smooth and refined all the way, the eight-speed automatic transmission shuffling quickly and unobtrusively between gears. It's no sports car, but the XC90 handles neatly enough, with the inevitable lean typical of tall-bodied SUVs, but pleasant and balanced weighting to the steering, which is very accurate. Rolling refinement is very good on the optional air suspension (available on the Ultimate only), but the underpinnings can be a bit noisy on broken terrain. Conversely, the standard steel suspension is a little firm and can transmit abrupt surface changes, though it stops short of being harsh. In review, the Volvo XC90 Recharge is quiet and refined, hardly betraying its age.

If you remove the requirements for seven seats and a plug-in hybrid powertrain, excellent (and newer) competitors such as the BMW X5 and Genesis GV80 arguably do a better job, but the Volvo XC90 Recharge remains the go-to three-row plug-in hybrid in the mid-size SUV market. By comparison, the Lincoln Aviator's PHEV system is not as refined or efficient, and it can only go 21 miles on electricity alone. The Volvo's premium feel, spacious and stylish cabin, decent driving manners, and excellent safety record count for a lot and make it our recommendation as the best PHEV mid-size seven-seater currently on sale, even in its twilight years.

For just $1,700 more than the Core, the Plus is the best buy in the 2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge line. For that amount, you get the heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, and upgraded ambient lighting, but the most important additions are the side parking sensors and surround-view camera, which makes the big SUV so much easier to park. In addition, you get access to the no-cost Dark exterior theme, whose stealthy appearance we like more than the Core's Bright theme. It's a big jump of nearly $6k to the Ultimate, and we can live without the fancier leather, head-up display, crystal shift knob, and upgraded audio system. Anyway, it gets the 21-inch wheels, which firms up the ride unnecessarily. We'd rather stick with the Plus. You can always add that 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system to it for only $800 if you want.