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2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 Inscription - Review by Mark Fulmer


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A Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUV with Power to Spare

By Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel


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The Volvo XC90 Recharge's impressive 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged powerplant has two strong engines. First, a four-cylinder gas engine that gives 313 hp, and secondly an 87-hp electric motor, which lifts the combined power to 400 hp and 472 pounds-feet of torque. Add to that an all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. There are numerous driving modes: Hybrid, AWD, Electric, and Power. In addition, there is air suspension, which assists off-road mode as well as lowering the rear end to help load items. As you might think, the driving experience is simply premium at all speeds and in all modes.


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With all seats up, there is room for four large adults, one thin adult in the middle second row, and two young ones in the third.


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Fold down row 2 and 3 and achieve highly usable space for all your equipment sports and/or infant equipment and supplies.


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The interior is downright lavish with top-quality materials. A 9-inch vertically oriented screen in the center has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Because of its portrait orientation, when you look at the info on the bottom of the screen your eyes lose periphical vision of the road which could be a case for horizontal orientation being safer. In any case, the key to digital instrumentation use is both customizing, setting presets, and using voice commands. The 12.3-inch digital driver display, USB ports, inductive smartphone charging, premium sound system, heated steering wheel, and a laminated panoramic moonroof with power sunshade are all top of the line and enjoyed by all.


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The driving experience is both refined and versatile. The steady well centered steering and the tight responive handling is terrific considering the length and height of the vehicle. The hybrid mode shifts seamlessly and the acceleration is there when you need it at all (legal) speeds. The visibility is so good that you feel a nice sense of calm at the overall view of both the road and the environment you are cruising through. For all those in-town errands you have the option of going all electric with a range of about 20 miles.

My family members from kids to teens to adults all gave the XC90 a big thumbs up and I suspect yours will too.


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