R-Design trim level is only available with Recharge powertrain
The Recharge Extended Range powertrain replaced the Recharge partway through the model year; it adds a more powerful electric motor and more range
Part of the second XC90 generation introduced for 2016
What is the XC90?
The XC90 is the largest, most expensive and most capable vehicle in Volvo's lineup. We looked at this three-row SUV in a new light after substantial improvements for the 2020 model year. The plug-in hybrid version, in particular, changed from a hard pass to must-have, seemingly overnight. With top-notch interior materials, a pleasant ride and intriguing selection of powertrains, the Volvo XC90 should make the to-consider list of anyone looking at a midsize three-row luxury SUV.
However, the rumor mill points to a next-generation XC90 debuting in the near future. Rumblings also suggest that the new XC90 will sport advanced hardware that enables full self-driving capability. While the Volvo XC90 will satisfy the needs of shoppers in the market right now, those looking for the next groundbreaking SUV might want to put off purchasing plans a little while longer.
Edmunds says
The Volvo XC90 belongs on the short list of anyone looking for a three-row luxury SUV. But a next-generation XC90 is looming on the horizon. Shoppers who want the latest and greatest tech might want to put off their purchase a little while longer.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Two months in of which one month in the shop for repairs. A faulty "module" that's responsible for switching between electric and fuel. Basically the car arrived with a faulty module, was not tested by the dealer, leased to me and promptly returned by me. It took two more modules to finally get a good one. So far that is. Because after owning 12 Volvos during my life so far, this should … have been the crown jewel. Instead I hear myself saying; don't get this one. Me? I was born in a Volvo. Yet, here we go. The car is definitely unreliable. It sputters. And when it works it really does. Should a nearly $80K car give you that feeling?
I am a car guy (engineer) working in the auto industry (do not work for Volvo) but I do work for a key Volvo supplier. Never owned a Volvo before my 2021 (S60) and I was so impressed that I also purchased an XC90 T5 for my wife. (In 30 years we have owned Nissan, Infiniti, Honda, VW, BMW, Cadillac and do not have any complaints about any of those brands. They were all trouble-free.) … Knowing the history of the engines, I chose the T5 trim for both our S60 and XC90. Those that mention premature rebuild of engines due to excessive oil burning, yes, that has happened, especially with the early T5 engines from 2015-2018. Those issues were addressed with new piston rings so the new T5/T6 engines are usually flawless, except the supercharger on the T6 has had some premature failures. I prefer the T5 (2023 mild hybrid and called B5) because it is a much simpler engine design that has been in production for about 10 years now. Neither of our Volvos consume any appreciable amount of oil between oil changes. The T5 feels peppy enough as long as you're not driving a loaded car all the time. Due to the numerous issues with the Recharge (T8), I recommend to avoid it.
The ride in the XC90 is great with no appreciable wind noise. It is solid and definitely the most solid car we have ever owned. The S60 is very much a tank just like the XC90. There are a ton of engineering safety features (real tangible things, not gimmicks) in the car that I would not spend time explaining here that are very unique and advantages that Volvo has over every other brand. For that reason alone, I bought my first Volvo. We usually keep cars for many years and so far it looks like this one will be like it. No issues at all from either of our Volvos. Just oil changes. Again, the trim level matters. The Recharge is a very complex car with new technology that works well but is not reliable. This applies to any other premium plug-in hybrid. Just be ready to deal with those issues and do not expect a vehicle so complex with tons of software and electronics to be as reliable as a pure gas car.
Finally, I would like to say that the build quality is amazing. If you're into cars and work on them, you will notice that of Volvos immediately. Look under the car and it is a work of art. The organization of the components and quality of the build is second to none. The extensive use of aluminum is another indication that this car is definitely a premium vehicle.
I have now had (3) XC-90's. Two T-6's and now the 2022 T-8 Inscription Recharge. Interior wise they are all essentially the same except the T-8 has a crystal shift knob. Sound systems are all the same and excellent. I had a loaner with the upgraded sound system in it and its not worth the extra $$$ IMO. So let's talk about the recharge hybrid functions that you likely won't understand … just taking a test drive. I've got 20K on mine so I have a lot of drive time with it. The charging cable can be plugged in to a regular 110v outlet in your garage with the adapter that comes with the cable, it takes about 7 hours or so to fully charge. If you have a 220v connection installed you can use the other adapter it comes with and it charges in about 3 hours. A single charge is good for 20 miles. That's it! In my opinion 30-40 miles would be ideal. The hybrid mode varies the engine in between electric (under 70 mph) and gas when you have charge left, otherwise it's all gas all the time. There is substantial lag when you want/need to accelerate quickly in hybrid mode from a standing stop. I mean noticeably a lot, like 1/2 a second a lot. I should point out that the T-8 is NOT AWD all the time like the T-6 (and even that isn't really AWD all the time either) but I digress, you have to go into the menu and select AWD otherwise the car is front wheel drive. The vehicle apparently reserves some of the charge for AWD as the rear engine (rear wheel drive) is electric. To date I have never needed AWD even in the snow. Where is the 400 HP you may be wondering? Well if you change the drive mode from hybrid to sport now you get the full brunt of the 400 HP engine all the time, otherwise, meh, not really all that noticeable in hybrid mode. But, and here's the bad part of that, if you really stomp on it in sport mode, the car takes off like a shot, however, with borderline dangerous torque steer! So hang on to that steering wheel! The actual shifting into gear has 2 modes "D" for drive and "B" for battery. If you use "B" as you should, it charges the battery using your braking and the engine braking a little bit, but its something. The vehicle, for me, gets about 29 MPG average. I drive 24 miles each way to work and I don't have access to a charging station at work or I would be getting way more than that. The best way to drive/manage the vehicle's performance (not gas mileage) in my opinion, is run the vehicle in hybrid mode on local roads, it won't take much to run out the battery. I drive a big portion of my daily drive on the highway where the 400 HP is more of a necessity. So I switch to sport mode entering the highway and switch back to hybrid when I'm back to local. Sounds like a pain, and you don't have to do that, I'm saying how I do it. The XC-90 has a bunch of other features like reserve charge, etc, way too much to go into here.
To summarize the XC-90 Recharge is a very nice vehicle. Period, full stop. But the hybrid functionality could use some work. The torque steer is a real issue if you drive aggressively, even occasionally, and the battery life needs improvement. Would I get another one? Given the current fuel prices probably yes.
In the positive column, I would say that I love the spaciousness and the comfort of the ride. The handling for a big car is very good and the acceleration is far better than expected.
However, none of this matters if the car spends more time in the shop than with you at the wheel. A few months into ownership, the all electric miles per full charge decreased. Less than a year in the … fuel cells had to be replaced twice. Now, the too soon for market hybrid engine bit the dust. The vehicle has been in the shop with the latest event for over a month!
This is my second (and last) Volvo. As much as I wanted to like it and to overlook the functionality of the touch screen in favor of the smooth ride, there is no way to get around having a car that breaks down all the time. Two thumbs down on this Volvo hybrid!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Volvo XC90, so we've included reviews for other years of the XC90 since its last redesign.
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