2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid Review
Today is an exciting day for a car tour! Although I try to remain fairly impartial on vehicles, I’m going to be walking you through one of my absolute favorites on the market. The 2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid is an incredibly luxury option for families. I can’t wait to show you why!
By the end of this post, you’ll understand all the features on the interior and exterior of the 2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid to see how it ranks with other mid-size SUVs in the luxury category.
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Volvo XC90 Recharge Exterior
Starting off with the front grill, I think it’s a great representation of how well-made the XC90 is. Although it’s fairly simple and smaller than a lot of grills, the sleek chrome look makes it feel really luxurious. The rest of the front is that classic sport feel, which I’ve been seeing more and more these days in SUVs. Personally, I love it!
Looking at the back end, it comes with their signature tail lights that just look so unique and fresh. Nothing on the road looks like them. Overall, the exterior is a stunning model you’ll love for years to come.
Volvo XC90 Recharge Fuel-Efficiency Options
There are three fuel-efficiency modes available:
Hybrid: the traditional eco combination of gas and electric
Pure: prioritizes using the electric battery up to 35 miles in range
Power: prioritizes the performance of the vehicle
The new 2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid model, which allows for a lot of flexibility when it comes to saving gas. What’s really cool about the Volvo XC90 is because the battery isn’t super large, it’s actually okay to plug into your normal house outlet. With a 1-10 volt, you’re looking at about 25 hours to get the car fully charged.
Volvo XC90 Recharge First Row Details
The 2023 XC model I toured is the fully-loaded version with all the bells and whistles included. Although it doesn’t come with a lot of storage options, the high-end materials used throughout makes a beautiful first row. With an MSRP of $85,000 let’s take a further look at what the interior of this car gets you.
Driver Seat Door Panel
This is an excellent indicator of the really cool materials present throughout the entire interior of the vehicle. My favorite part is the wool material that’s also present on the seats- not something you ever see in a vehicle. Is that easy for kids? No. Is it absolutely stunning? Yes.
The car is equipped with the Bowers & Wilkins sound system which is one a top of the line speaker set up. Personally, I love that the buttons on the door are made in a gloss-like finish. Just an extra detail that makes the vehicle feel worth the price tag.
Infotainment System
Moving on over to look at the tech up front, the infotainment system includes the level of features I expect in a luxury vehicle like this. First to note, it comes with a Heads Up display and moves directly down into a digital dash.
One of the most common tech features I see in modern vehicles is the seat belt indicator. For moms (especially those with kids in boosters) this is such an incredible visual reminder to ensure safety during your daily routines.
As for the infotainment system itself, I do wish it was a little bigger. Although it’s my own personal preference, almost all the control buttons are within the screen. It makes the look of the interior great, but functionality on the road can be difficult.
Another fun tech feature I wanted to mention, the Volvo XC90 is fully-integrated with Google tech. Although it works smoothly with Apple CarPlay, Google users will love all the features available
Volvo XC90 Second Row Details
The 2023 Volvo XC90 comes with both bench seating and captain’s chairs. Not sure what’s the best option for your family? Check out my post breaking down the pros and cons here!
For this car specifically, I would highly recommend the bench seating. It’s versatile, wide, comfortable, and has a high likelihood of fitting three across based on your car seat combination. What makes it most unique is the seats aren’t broken up into certain percentages of the overall bench, but designed as their own individual chairs. I love when cars have this!
One of the best features throughout the entire vehicle is the integrated booster seats in the second row. Why all cars don’t have this, I’ll never understand. With a click up and a push down, you’re good to have your child buckle up safely.
What I don’t love in the middle row is the clearance available for rear-facing car seats. This is often a common point of struggle for mid-size SUVs, but it can be tricky when fitting three across. Another minor complaint is the lack of ceiling vents. Again, this makes rear-facing car seats difficult to get proper air flow.
Volvo XC90 LATCH Diagram:
Volvo XC90 Third Row Details
As for the third row, it has two seats and is nothing to write home about. No lower or tether anchors, which is honestly quite disappointing. There’s also no way to access the third row with car seats installed in the second row. For an occasional ride, it’s comfortable enough. To me, this is a really solid 5-passenger SUV option, with the occasional use of the third row.
All that being said, the second row is truly incredible for car seat versatility and makes it a contender for families to think about.
Volvo XC90 Trunk Details
Trunk space (with the third row up) is still able to fit the Zoey double-twin stroller. This is impressive! So many mid-size and full-size SUVs do not have this kind of capacity available.
When it comes to that extra space with putting down the third row, it’s incredibly easy. Getting it back up is a completely different story. There is no tabby, pull, or button, but instead you have to crawl in and yank the seats back up. Although this sounds like a small complaint, in a time crunch with kids it’s super frustrating.
2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid - Kelly’s Final Thoughts!
Overall, the 2023 Volvo XC 90 is a really solid option in the luxury midsize SUV category. With three different modes to drive (hybrid, pure, and power) it allows for a lot of flexibility and efficiency when it comes to mileage. The second row is really what puts this vehicle on the map for flexibility, especially when choosing the bench seating with car seats. Although the third row is nothing to write home about and the storage in the first row is minimal, I think this is a great option to research and test drive.
To watch the complete walk through of the 2023 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid, click here.
Do you have a favorite midsize SUV? Please let me know in the comments? And to check out the latest vehicles in the SUV category to hit the market, here are my latest car tours:
