Our Rides: Elegance and Sustainability in a Volvo

It is worth repeating that Volvo is transforming into an electrified automaker.

This year should see the arrival of the all-electric EX30 and EX90 into Volvo showrooms. Both vehicles will add more towards the Swedish automaker’s push towards a gasoline-free future.

In the meantime, the current Volvo lineup has been transformed to offer electrified drivelines only, some of which will be plug-in hybrids, known as Recharge models. Others will be mild hybrids.

One such example is the 2024 S90 flagship sedan. You can get either driveline; however, the more desirable models will be the plug-in hybrid versions including the example we had a chance to work with recently.

A few years ago, we drove the S90 with a combined turbocharged and supercharged engine. Sounded like a great idea, but there was some feedback towards some enhancing of the driveline. A plug-in hybrid version of the same engine arrived a year or so after our tester that also created some strong feedback that Volvo listened to.

The good news was that Volvo took what they learned and simplified the plug-in hybrid driveline. It only has a turbocharger with a more robust electric drive system.

We tried this driveline in the smaller S60 over a year ago, and we liked it a lot. To get this in Volvo’s most luxurious sedan made us think “does this make the S90 a more complete package?”

The T8 Recharge engine on our S90 Ultimate Bright Theme sedan comprises of the aforementioned plug-in hybrid system and the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This combined driveline’s output comes to 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. Volvo states that you could drive up 38 miles on battery-only power.

One thing we noticed from the last S90 we reviewed was its longer length. Sometime after its introduction, a long-wheelbase version was introduced for the Chinese market. It provided extra legroom in the back seat, perfect for those who rather be driven than drive themselves – a sign of power in China. It was decided that we might like the longer wheelbase model, so it is now the sole version available in the U.S.A.

The result is fantastic rear leg room. Headroom might be a challenge for taller persons, when the S90 is equipped with the panoramic roof. Front seat space is perfect for taller people, even with the multi-adjustable seats.

It is the S90’s cockpit that attracts drivers to its charms. The 12-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display is much better with clearer graphics and readouts. I wished some controls were clearer to get the information I need, such as cumulative trip mileage and fuel economy. The Orrefors crystal gear lever is a nice touch. If you have never driven a modern Volvo or any vehicle with a shift-by-wire transmission, then you are missing out on a logical system that truly works. 

Volvo’s infotainment systems are driven by Google. You can still mirror your iPhone to this system, but don’t forget to bring a USB-C cord. The tester’s Bowers & Wilkins 19-speaker audio upgrade is well worth the $3,200. To enhance the sound inside the cabin, you have a series of pre-set audio “room modes” where you can simulate a jazz club, a concert hall, a studio, or a stage from a screen.

Trunk space is measured at 13.5 cubic feet with a bit of a step-down from the bumper. However, it seems larger and deeper than its specification will let you believe. 

To describe the overall the driving experience in the S90, one word pops out: Smooth. Power delivery is exactly that, by combining the electric motor and the turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with its eight-speed automatic transmission. All four wheels benefit from this mass of smooth power. Lane changes and on-ramp maneuvers are all done with absolute ease. 

As a result of this smoothness, I did average of 26.0 MPG for fuel consumption with a high mark of 31.7 MPG.

The same smoothness is found on the S90’s ride quality. This is due to the Active Chassis with Rear Air Suspension set-up. There was absolutely no feedback from rougher roads. There was also no lean or roll when tested through the turns or taking on evasive situations. This S90 is just an absolute joy to drive in.

The smoothness continues with its steering rack. The S90 shows off a good turning radius – even for a longer sedan. On-center feel is fine, assisted by the sedan’s Lane Keeping Aid to ensure it rides within the lines. Braking is solid with a bit of a light touch from the pedal. Stop were equally solid in normal, panic, and winter conditions.

Its long exterior silhouette is augmented by an array of details that adds to its elegant cache. The 19-inch Diamond Cut alloy wheels is a detail that makes this blue S90 pop out even more. This Ultimate trim level tester adds what is called the Bright Theme, which adds a tasteful level of chrome to give it an extra sense of style and bling.

You can choose between two trim levels for the 2024 Volvo S90 – Plus and Ultimate. Mild Hybrid models start $58,300, whereas Recharge models start at $65,530. Our Recharge Ultimate tester with the Bright Theme came with a sticker price of $78,195. 

For this long-time champion of the LGBTQ+ community, Volvo Cars still makes vehicles that are desirable, elegant, efficient, and safe. You can also add sustainable, thanks to its continuous push towards complete electrification of its lineup by the end of this decade or sooner.

It is true that you can have it all. The S90 is proof that you can.