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Price Range: Less Than
$29,070
$194,645
mpg/MPGe Range: More Than
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134
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Introduction:

To help members understand the latest automotive technology so they can purchase vehicles that best suit their needs, the Automobile Club of Southern California's Automotive Research Center (ARC) began testing and reviewing vehicles over a decade ago

For the 2025 edition, we include testing and ranking cars and light trucks with the latest technology, including having at least one advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) feature. In addition to vehicle evaluation, the guide covers a number of pertinent automotive topics in detail—for example, the latest advanced safety features, how to properly maintain your vehicle, and new vehicles coming to market in the next few years.

2024 Volvo S90 Recharge Ultimate Bright Theme

Vehicle Type: Large Plug-In Hybrid
102
 overall score
Category Ranking: 3

Vehicle Price

Base Price: $71,200
Price as Tested: $78,195

Fuel Information

Fuel Type: Electricity/premium
Fuel Capacity (gal): 15.9
120V Charge Time: 3 miles per hour
240V Charge Time: 7.6 miles per hour
EPA City mpg28
EPA Highway mpg31
EPA Combined mpg: 29
EPA Combined MPGe: 66
EPA-Est. Electric Range (mi): 38

Advanced Safety Features

  • Adaptive Cruise Control [S]
  • Advanced Headlights [S]
  • Automatic Emergency Braking [S]
  • Blind-Spot Warning [S]
  • Driver Monitoring [S]
  • Forward-Collision Warning [S]
  • Lane-Departure Warning [S]
  • Lane-Keeping Assistance [S]
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Warning [S]
  • Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking [S]
  • [S] Standard, [O] Optional

Overall Observations

When people think "Volvo," they usually think "safety," but the automaker is also all in on electrification. Many of its current (pun intended) models are either pure electric or have plug-in hybrid variants—for example, its handsome flagship S90 luxury sedan, which has had a plug-in option since 2018. We tested the high-end Ultimate trim. The S90’s powerful turbocharged drivetrain (455 hp) delivers both quick acceleration and good gas mileage (29 mpg combined) Handling in daily driving is decent, and the adaptive air suspension soaks up bumps well, providing a comfortable (albeit firm) ride. The S90’s 18.8-kWh battery provides an estimated 38 miles of all-electric driving. The S90’s minimalist Scandinavian interior is clean and understated, with premium materials and excellent fit and finish. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom for all passengers. Both the front and rear seats are heated, and the front seats have a massage function. A complete list of advanced safety features is standard on all S90s, and the optional Bowers and Wilkins stereo provides audiophile sound quality. Negatives are minimal. The rearview camera has a small screen and lacks sharpness; the high rear deck and rear headrests impede rear visibility; and the infotainment system is nonintuitive and difficult to navigate. Finally, the trunk and center console have limited storage space.

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Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Powerful drivetrain, quick acceleration
  • Good EV-only range (up to 38 miles)
  • Spacious cabin; lots of headroom and legroom
  • Excellent fit and finish inside and out

Cons

  • High rear deck and rear head restraints restrict visibility
  • Limited interior storage space
  • Nonintuitive, touch-screen-based infotainment controls
  • Poor backup camera quality

Vehicle Specifications

Model year tested: 2024
Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4670.0
Exterior L / W / H (in): 200.4 / 74.6 / 57.2
Wheelbase (in): 120.5
Number of air bags: 8
Warranty (months/miles): 48/ 50,000
Tire manufacturer and model: Continental ProContact
Front and rear tire size: 255/40 R19
Max towing capacity (lbs): 1,650
Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Drivetrain type: All wheel
Engine/motor: 2.0L I4 turbo PHEV
Engine horsepower @ RPM: 312
Electric motor horsepower: 143
Combined system horsepower: 455

Test Data

Test Vehicle Scores

Advanced Safety Features:

10.00

Fuel Efficiency:

6.89

EPA Emissions Score:

7.00

Acceleration:

7.78

Braking:

6.15
Performance Handling: 7.46
Everyday Drivability: 8.19
Infotainment Usability: 5.75
Quality and Drivability: 8.12

Ride Quality:

8.18

Interior Size:

4.97

Easy of Entry and Exit:

7.23

Visibility:

7.63

Interior Noise:

6.48

Cargo Capacity:

.81
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