2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge Review
2022 Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge
Base Price: $64,800
455 HP / 523 TQ
0-60: 4.5 Seconds (est)
MPG: all of them.
—
Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi
This XC90, in it’s current iteration, has been with us for 7 years. In a world where most manufacturers update their vehicles every 2.5 years, the fact the XC90 has remained (relatively) the same, shows the strength of the original design and engineering behind it.
For 2022, the major changes lay underneath the skin. The drivetrain in the Recharge variant gets upped with a larger battery pack and reworked electric motors.
Does the new enhancements broaden the appeal on the 7 year old XC90?
Let’s find out!
The Great
Powah!
Packaging
Interior
Powah!
Having the same setup as the quick as crap XC60 Recharge, this XC90 makes the same 455 HP and 523 TQ. Which scoots this huge sucker to 60 in an estimated 4.5 seconds! That’s not quick folks…that is borderline fast!
This XC90 also has another trick up it’s sleeve…the actual ability to cruise in EV mode for 41 miles. I say ‘actual’ because I was able to drive majority of my time using EV mode only. That is on city roads, merging on the highway, overtaking the highway, sitting in traffic…all on those sweet electrons. All without using a single drop of gas.
Freaking fantastic!
Yes, I know it’s not a ‘new’ thing but the problem with most hybrid vehicles is that the electric motors are as weak as a Senator’s backbone. So giving a hybrid vehicle anything more than .00002 % throttle input and/or going above 25 mph will cause the gas engine to kick in, which completely negates having an electric motor to begin with!
With this XC90, that’s not the case. Feel free to punch it, roll with it, bop with it…as long as you have enough ‘juice’, it will stay in EV mode with plenty of scoot!
Packaging
Harking back to the boxy goodness of Volvos of yesteryear…this XC90 proves that the ‘box’ works! This XC90 has plenty of space in all rows of seating, along with plenty of space with the third row up.
Add that with a higher roofline than most of it’s competitors, the XC90 feels airy, large and brilliantly sized.
Interior
Whoever designed the interior of this XC90 needs to win an award or 3. It’s 7 years old and yet feels as fresh as a concept vehicle on the inside. The cabin’s is full of beautiful wood, lovely aluminium and tremendous seats. Add that with a (conversation starting) crystal shifter…you have an interior that feels more like an European spa rather than a plain ole crossover interior.
The Good
Visibiity
Visibility
This may seem like a suprise but truly, the visibility of the XC90 is one of the best on the road today. Tribute goes to the aforementioned ‘boxy’ shape because the large, tall and upright windows that are paired with a low slung dash with excellent seating position, give the XC90 clear views of any and all angles.
The Bad
Steering
Steering
All of the horsepower and torque, you would be forgiven in assuming that the XC90 has sportscar levels of steering right? Well…no
Unfortunately the XC90’s steering, while being weighted quite well, has vague and uncertain steering. It isn’t an issue in around town driving but dial up the wicker past 5/10ths and it’s weakness becomes apparent.
The Ugly
…nothing
Nada
insert cricket noises here
Overall:
If you’re in the market for a 3 row crossover, do not be swayed by all the new glitsy crossovers on the market. This XC90 has everything a modern 3 row crossover shopper is looking for:
- Safety (duh, it’s a Volvo)
- Efficiency
- Power
- Style
- Roominess
- Comfort
- Luxury
What more can you ask for?
