Car Review: Volvo S90 T8 Recharge

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Reinventing any company is something that needs to be done very carefully. In Volvo’s case it was needed because it was badly broken. The changes have been wholesale and are now paying big dividends. At one time, the joke was Volvo kept the box and threw the toy away! That was then; this is now.

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The current batch of product is classy, smart and the electric push is well underway. There’s a full range of plug-in hybrids along with the recently-released, all-electric XC40 Recharge and the C40 Recharge, another all-electric being readied for launch.

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Car Review: Volvo S90 T8 Recharge Back to video

The S90 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid demonstrates why adding an electric extension makes so much sense. In 2015, the S80 T6 with all-wheel-drive (AWD) had a posted average fuel economy of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres. Fast forward to today and the flagship S90 T8 Recharge with AWD has an official rating of 7.9 L/100 km. That’s a massive improvement that speaks to the plug-in side of the T8’s personality. It is also significant because the powertrain produces an extra 100 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque at the same time.

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Up front, the S90 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine that pushes 313 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic and the front wheels. At the back, the rear electric motor adds another 87 hp, 177 lb-ft of torque and an all-wheel-drive extension. The combination produces some healthy net numbers.

With both sides giving their all, the S90 has 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. This gives the large sedan serious pop off the line and on through the mid-range, especially when the Polestar Engineered driving mode is selected. Testing pegged the run to 100 kilometres an hour at 5.1 seconds — this turn of speed and the clean, mildly conservative exterior style combine to make the S90 somewhat of a sleeper!

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This, however, only tells half the story. The other side is found in the good things the electrics do for economy. The motor gets its juice from an 11.6 kilowatt/hour lithium-ion battery that gives the S90 an electric-only driving range of 34-kilometres.

For the most part, the S90’s best driving mode is Hybrid. It does a stellar job of eking the very best out of the powertrain. There are also Pure (electric-only), Individual and Constant AWD modes. Frankly, they proved to be surplus to need, such is the balance offered by the Hybrid mode and the fun to be found when the Polestar Engineered is engaged.

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A 792-km test produced an overall average of 8.9 L/100 km, which for a large, luxurious ride is very good. However, with a full charge in the battery, a 27-km trip on urban roads and a section of highway used virtually no gasoline whatsoever — virtually because it was showing a fuel consumption rate 0.8 L/100 km after the engine kicked in once during a faster pull-away. Even when the battery was nearly depleted the effects of regenerative braking saw the S90 run at highway speeds using just the electric motor. Yes, it was for shorter periods each time, but every little helps!

The manner in which the S90 handles both the highway and a twisty road is almost as polished as the hybrid powertrain. The optional Four-C Active Chassis setup with adaptive damping and rear air springs does a good job of delivering comfort without allowing the body to roll into a corner. The steering is, likewise, balanced. The driving characteristics do change according to the drive mode selected — when Polestar Engineered is engaged the steering is faster and the suspension is firmer. If wanted, Individual allows the driver to tailor the different facets accordingly. The end result is a blend that’s both comfortable and remarkably sporty given the S90’s size and 2,100-kilogram mass.

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There are a couple of minor quibbles. The brake pedal feels a little mushy because of the regenerative braking. In fairness, when brake (B) mode is selected through the shifter, it becomes more of a one-pedal drive, so there’s less required of the brake pedal. Second, the need to double-pump the shifter lever to move between gears is both confounding and annoying.

The Inspiration’s appointments and attention to detail is as good as you’ll find in any luxury car. The fit and finish is superb, the materials are both classy and understated at the same time, and the front seats rank as two of the very best in the business. The nit is one expects a heated steering wheel to be standard — it is part of the S90’s $1,000 Climate package.

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The attention to detail is found in the knurled drive mode selector wheel, the exquisite crystal shifter knob crafted by Orrefors and a symphonic Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The latter is optional and, at $3,750, pricey, but the sound is pitch-perfect.

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Ahead of the driver, the 12.3-inch instrumentation is reconfigurable and includes the ability to put the map or media information between the two main dials. To the right is the infotainment system — if you can use a smartphone, you can operate this system without having to consult the owner’s manual. The main page has tiles for navigation, media and phone with the climate and seat heater functions sitting at the bottom of the page. Swiping left or right opens the pages for the safety systems and apps. It’s both simple and effective with the “home” button correcting an errant input quickly.

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Slide rearward and the back seat has the space needed to accommodate NBA-sized riders in the outboard spots — there is 1,004-mm of head- and 1,026-mm of legroom. In the tester’s case, the riders enjoyed heated and cooled seats along with the ability to adjust their own climate settings. Behind that is a large 500-litre trunk.

As for safety, the S90 still ranks as one of the best with likes low- and high-speed collision mitigation with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, lane departure warning with keep assist, and blind spot monitoring all being standard. The Pilot Assist function then gives the driver access to a semi-autonomous drive.

The temptation might be to dismiss the Volvo S90 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid as just another large European luxury sedan. That, however, would be a mistake. The Inscription tested delivers performance and fuel economy, it blends ride comfort with cornering ability, and it is opulent without being over the top.