2021 Volvo S90 Recharge T8 eAWD Inscription: The Brand's Flagship Plug-In Sedan

Highlights: The brand’s flagship sedan is fueled by, no pun intended, both gasoline and electricity. Recharge is the name Volvo uses to classify all of its electrified vehicles.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $70,640 (Base model: $61,045)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; blind spot information system; run off road mitigation system; lane departure warning system; all-wheel drive; rear view camera and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment: 19-inch wheels; a plug-in hybrid; a keyless ignition starter system; Nappa leather seats; panoramic roof with power sunshade; retractable side view mirrors; headlight high pressure cleaning system; power front seats with driver’s side mirror; power cushion extender; smartphone charging system; a two-zone automatic ventilation system; heated front seats; all doors keyless entry system; power folding rear seat; and a navigation system

Other Trims:

R-Design

Optional Features On Test Vehicle: backrest front massage seats; luxury rear armrest; ventilated rear seats; heated windshield wiper blades; heated rear seats; heated steering wheel; a handsfree trunk lid; a heads-up display system; a 360 degree camera; metallic paint; Bowers and Wilkins sound system; an adaptive air suspension system; and 20-inch wheels

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a xx-speaker AM/FM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes

USB Connectivity: Yes
                                                                                                        
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo/400-hp

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage:
60-MPGe/30- MPG

What’s New: For the 2021 model year, the front grille and taillights have been updated.

Why: 

A powerful 400-hp engine

Premium interior with crystal-like knobs

Ventilated front seat/heated seat

A plug-in hybrid

A gas and electric capability

Large vehicle

Roomy rear legroom

19-inch wheel tires

Nappa leather

Harman Kardon premium audio interior

Autonomous driving features

All wheel-drive

The advance infotainment center operates like an Ipad or an app with its swipe left feature

Co-pilot assist autonomous driving feature

A radar activated cruise control system

An advance and comprehensive system of safety driving features

490-mile driving range, which is significantly more than the BMW plug-in, according to fueleconomy.gov

But: 

A manually operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel -- where is the power???

Limited electric driving range capabilities

Takes too long to recharge, when using standard charger

Vehicle is light weight, when compared to Japanese and German competitors

Requires additional training with the vehicle to master the infotainment center

Verdict: While many of the luxury automakers have yet to embrace the electrification movement with their midsize cars, both Volvo and BMW have pushed forward with this fuel alternative.

The stylish and well-equipped plug-in S90 is also outfitted with a co-pilot assist steering system. The roomy sedan, with its mix of modern-like, but sophisticated influenced interior theme, is a standout in the luxury car segment. Its one of best we’ve seen to date.

Moreover, according to fueleconomy.gov, the BMW 530 offers a 19-mile electric range in comparison to the Volvo’s 21-mile range. And when combining the gasoline engine, the Volvo outbests the BMW by 170 miles, with is 490 mile driving range.

Furthermore, the Volvo pushes out 400-horsepower in comparison to the BMW’s 288-horsepower. While Tesla and Mercedes-Benz have tapped into the all-electric with their flagship sedans, Volvo seems to be in a lane by itself for now with the plug-in luxury sedan segment in terms of features, driving range, performance and price.

Competition: 2021 BMW 530e XDrive PHEV Sedan