New 2024 Volvo XC90 Hybrid, Release Date, Specs – The Volvo XC90 was an omen of great things to come. It was the first car from the brand to be developed on the Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA). Still, it was also the first vehicle from the company to make a significant investment in the brand’s Drive-E engine selection. Five years after introducing the second-generation midsize SUV in the United States, the 2024 Volvo XC90 continues to serve as a flagship vehicle for the company, fighting against the likes of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and Audi Q7, among others. The Volvo XC90 is a big, elegant crossover that can accommodate up to seven passengers across three rows of seating. It places a strong emphasis on safety and comfort above sportiness.
Among the three available powertrains is an FWD T5 equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and a hybrid T8 fitted with a twin-charged engine and an electric motor that produces 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque in combination with the gasoline engine. Due to Volvo’s commitment to electrification, the Swedish automaker requested that we test a Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design for a week to assess how well the combustion engine stands up against its more modern competitors.
Redesign
In addition to full-LED active headlights, a speed-limiting “Care Key,” and two rear USB ports now standard on all Volvo models for the 2017 model year, the company has also updated its interior technology. Safety warnings such as a “Slippery Road Alert” and a “Hazard Light Alert” have been included in the system under the “Connected Safety” name to allow drivers to communicate with one another in real-time.
In addition, starting in 2024, all Volvo cars will be equipped with a maximum speed limitation capable of reaching 112 mph. The XC90 also benefits from features like wireless charging, front park assist, and new wheel styles available in a 19-inch wheel size, among others. This is the penultimate alteration to the lineup, and it impacts the hybrid T8 model, with Volvo rebranding all hybrid versions in the United States as “Recharge” vehicles.
Interior
With either a 6-seater or a 7-seater with three rows, there is enough room for everyone except those in the rear, and comfort comes first. The XC90’s cabin is distinguished by its plush leather upholstery, warm color choices, and straightforward design that feels relaxing and uncluttered. The cottage is organized around digital instrumentation and a portrait-oriented infotainment screen that houses almost all of the vehicle’s functions. Volvo’s XC90 is exceptionally comfortable, even at its most basic trim level, thanks to features such as standard four-zone climate control, rear sun blinds, a panoramic sunroof, and heated and power-adjustable seats. However, the R-Design chairs in the eponymous trim are a tight fit for those with a larger frame.
Unlike the six-seater Volvo XC90 (which is only available with non-R-Design and T6 engines), the seven-passenger version includes three separate seats in the second row that can all be folded, reclined, or slid individually to optimize rear-seat capacity. However, there isn’t much room for people in the third row, and even Volvo acknowledges that passengers in the third row must be at least five feet five inches tall. Fortunately, occupants in the first and second seats have plenty of space, with 40.9 and 37 inches of legroom fore and aft, respectively, and up to 38.5 inches of headroom in the first row.
Engine
The Drive-E engine range in the XC90 is comprised of three different configurations, with the XC90 Hybrid badge designating a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 designation uses the same engine as the T5, but adds a supercharger, increasing outputs to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 powertrain, which has been rebadged as the Recharge for the new year, is the apex of the portfolio and adds an electric motor to the T6 for a combined 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Regardless of the powerplant used, an eight-speed automatic transmission distributes power to the appropriate axle. We were given the T6 engine, which delivers more than enough get-up-and-go in all situations but isn’t the most refined powertrain available in this price range.
The eight-speed automatic transmission has also been improved, but it still isn’t as responsive as other cars. With either a 6-seater or a 7-seater with three rows, there is enough room for everyone except those in the rear, and comfort comes first above all else. The XC90’s cabin is distinguished by its plush leather upholstery, warm color choices, and straightforward design that feels relaxing and uncluttered. The cottage is organized around digital instrumentation and a portrait-oriented infotainment screen that houses almost all the vehicle’s functions. Volvo’s XC90 is exceptionally comfortable, even at its most basic trim level, thanks to standard four-zone climate control, rear sun blinds, a panoramic sunroof, and heated and power-adjustable seats. However, the R-Design chairs in the eponymous trim are a tight fit for those with a larger frame.
Release Date and Price
Momentum with XC90 Hybrid technology starts at $49,000, with the XC90 Hybrid R-Design starting at $55,600. Both vehicles may be modified to all-wheel drive for $2,500. The base price of a Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum is $56,950 for the seven-seater and $57,450 for the six-seater, with the T6 R-Design starting at $62,650. The T6 R-Design starts at $62,650. The T6 Inscription is priced at $63,250 for the seven-seater and an additional $500 for the six-seater version of the vehicle. The plug-in hybrid Recharge is available in three trim levels: the Recharge Expression, which starts at $63,450; the R-Design, which starts at $69,150; and the Inscription, which starts at $71,250. The six-seater adds $500 to the price. A $995 destination fee is also added to the hybrid costs, but they don’t include any incentives or tax breaks that may be available in some states.