2024 Volvo S90 Recharge | Frustrating Lessons

Summary

The video script discusses the evolution of the Volvo S90 C, highlighting its timeless design, impressive interior, and the brand's shift towards electrification. The reviewer praises the car's luxury features, such as the Bowers and Wilkins audio system and massage seats, but criticizes the outdated technology and high price point. They note the improvements in the car's hybrid system and drivetrain calibration, but express concern about the car's future as Volvo moves towards fully electric vehicles. The reviewer suggests that while the S90 is a good lease option, its longevity and relevance in the market are questionable due to the rapid changes in automotive technology.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The Volvo S90 C has a timeless and conservative design that has aged well.
• 🔋 The car's evolution includes improvements in hybridization and electric vehicle technology.
• 💰 The fully loaded S90 is priced at around $73,000, which may not be competitive in the current market.
• 🔧 The interior design and material choices are impressive, maintaining a modern and luxurious feel.
• 📱 The technology, particularly the screen quality and Android Automotive system, is outdated and not up to par with the car's luxury status.
• 🔌 The car's plug-in hybrid system has seen significant improvements, including a larger electric motor and battery pack.
• 🔄 The transition between gasoline engine and electric motor has been refined for a smoother driving experience.
• 🔋 The updated S90 has an estimated electric range of about 38 miles, enhancing its usability.
• 🔧 The car's suspension calibration has been improved for a quieter and more refined ride.
• 📉 Volvo is moving towards full electrification, which may affect the long-term value and support for the S90 C.
• 🚫 The reviewer suggests leasing rather than purchasing the S90 C due to its age and the brand's shift towards electric vehicles.

Q & A

What significant changes did Volvo make to their cars in 2015?

In 2015, Volvo launched their new cars with groundbreaking work, rebranding their products as 'recharge' and making major improvements to the drivetrain, engine tuning, and overall performance.

How has the Volvo S90 evolved since its launch?

The Volvo S90 has evolved with changes such as an inverted Grill on the front and some bumper modifications. The interior remains timeless, but the technology has been updated to Android Automotive. Mechanically, the car has seen improvements in engine calibration and electric motor power.

What are the main differences between the first and updated versions of the Volvo S90?

The first version had a supercharged turbocharged engine and a smaller electric motor, while the updated version has a turbocharged engine only, a larger electric motor, and a bigger battery pack, resulting in improved performance and range.

Why does the narrator have reservations about recommending first-generation plug-in hybrids or EVs?

The narrator is concerned about the long-term ownership issues, such as calibration problems and electrical issues that were prevalent in the first generation, leading to frequent visits to the dealership for updates and check engine lights.

What is the narrator's opinion on the Volvo S90's interior design?

The narrator praises the interior design as a remarkable feat, with excellent material choice, layout, and physicality, maintaining a modern and upscale feel despite the outdated technology.

How does the narrator feel about the Volvo S90's price and value?

The narrator believes the S90 is not worth the high price of around $73,000, given the competition and the sedan market. However, they acknowledge the car's improvements and consider it a good option if leased.

What is the narrator's stance on the future of the Volvo S90?

The narrator suggests that the S90 is likely to be replaced by fully electric vehicles, making it a less attractive option for long-term ownership.

How has the manufacturing location of the Volvo S90 changed?

The S90 is now made in China, which may be a concern for some buyers, but the narrator notes that the quality is not noticeably different from the Swedish-made version.

What are the narrator's final thoughts on the Volvo S90?

The narrator appreciates the improvements made to the S90 but ultimately feels that it's an outdated vehicle, especially with the advent of newer electric vehicles. They recommend not being stuck with it for more than three years.

What other cars does the narrator consider as alternatives to the Volvo S90?

The narrator suggests the BMW 5 series and the Genesis G80, including its EV version, as alternatives that are more relevant and competitive in the current market.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Volvo S90 Review Introduction

The script begins with the narrator's return to a Volvo S90, reflecting on the brand's journey and the evolution of its cars. The narrator discusses the car's conservative design, the subtle changes made over its life cycle, and the brand's focus on hybridization and electrification. The interior is praised for its timeless design and material choice, while the technology is criticized for being outdated. The narrator also touches on Volvo's shift towards full electrification and the challenges faced by early adopters of plug-in hybrids.

05:00

🔋 Electric and Hybrid Evolution

The narrator delves into the improvements made to the Volvo S90's plug-in hybrid system, highlighting the increased battery capacity and the enhanced electric motor's power. The changes in engine calibration and the removal of the supercharger-turbocharger setup are discussed, emphasizing the smoother transition between gasoline and electric power. The narrator also mentions the car's increased range and the refinements in the all-wheel-drive system, as well as the car's suspension calibration and the decision to manufacture it in China.

10:00

🏁 Final Thoughts on the S90

In the final paragraph, the narrator wraps up the review by discussing the Volvo S90's performance, particularly in full power mode, and the improvements in drivetrain calibration. The car's refinement, quietness, and power output are praised, but the narrator also acknowledges the car's age and the brand's move towards all-electric vehicles. The narrator advises potential buyers to consider leasing rather than purchasing the S90, given its impending obsolescence, and suggests alternative luxury cars as more viable options.

Keywords

💡Volvo S90

The Volvo S90 is a luxury sedan model discussed in the video. It is highlighted for its evolution over time, including design and mechanical improvements. The car's understated and timeless design is contrasted with its technological advancements, particularly in the area of hybridization and electrification.

💡Hybridization

Hybridization in the context of the video refers to the integration of both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor in a vehicle, allowing for a combination of fuel efficiency and electric power. The video discusses Volvo's approach to hybridization and the evolution of their plug-in hybrid vehicles.

💡Electrification

Electrification refers to the process of converting vehicles to run on electric power, which is a key trend in the automotive industry as part of efforts to reduce emissions and improve sustainability. The video mentions Volvo's commitment to electrification and their shift away from traditional hybrid models.

💡Interior Design

The interior design of the Volvo S90 is praised for its material choice, layout, and the overall look and feel of the cabin. It is described as a remarkable design feat that contributes to the car's luxury and modern appeal.

💡Technology

Technology in the context of the car refers to the infotainment system and other electronic features. The video criticizes the S90's technology, specifically the Android Automotive system and screen quality, as not being up to par with the rest of the vehicle's premium features.

💡Leasing

Leasing is a financial arrangement that allows consumers to use a vehicle for a set period of time without purchasing it. The video suggests that leasing the Volvo S90 could be a beneficial option for consumers, given the car's high cost and the company's shift towards electrification.

💡Suspension Calibration

Suspension calibration refers to the tuning of a vehicle's suspension system to improve its handling, comfort, and overall performance. The video discusses changes in the S90's suspension calibration, which have made the car quieter and more refined.

💡Made in China

This phrase indicates that the vehicle is manufactured in China, which can have implications for quality perception and consumer preference. The video touches on the fact that the S90 is now made in China, which may be a concern for some buyers but is not necessarily reflected in the driving experience.

💡Full Electrification

Full electrification refers to vehicles that are powered entirely by electric motors, without any internal combustion engine. This is a trend in the automotive industry as companies aim to reduce emissions and comply with environmental regulations. The video suggests that Volvo is moving towards full electrification, away from hybrid models.

💡Drivetrain

The drivetrain of a vehicle includes the components that generate power and deliver it to the wheels. In the context of the video, the drivetrain is specifically referring to the S90's hybrid system, which has been improved over time for better performance and efficiency.

💡Luxury Car

A luxury car is defined by its high-quality materials, advanced features, and superior comfort and performance. The video positions the Volvo S90 as a luxury car, discussing its upscale interior and the improvements made to enhance its luxury appeal.

Highlights

The Volvo S90 C is a testament to the brand's evolution and the car's timeless design.

Volvo's groundbreaking work in 2015 with the launch of their new cars has aged well.

The S90 C's exterior changes are minimal, with the most notable being the inverted Grill and bumper changes.

The interior space of the S90 C is a remarkable design feat, showcasing high-quality materials and layout.

Volvo's technology has not aged well, with the screen quality being a notable issue.

Volvo is now focusing on pure electrification, moving away from hybrid models.

The S90 C's price point of nearly $73,000 makes it a hard sell in the current sedan market.

The Bowers and Wilkins audio system in the S90 C is a benchmark for luxury cars and EVs.

The S90 C's interior features include cooled and ventilated rear seats with adjustable vents.

The S90 C's front seats have massage functions, enhancing the luxury experience.

Volvo's first-generation plug-in hybrids and EVs have faced challenges with long-term ownership.

Volvo has made significant improvements in engine tuning and setup for their Recharge models.

The electric motor in the S90 C's Recharge models now produces 160 horsepower, a substantial increase.

The S90 C's battery pack has increased from 11 to 18 kilowatt-hours, improving range and power.

The S90 C's all-wheel-drive system has been improved for a more natural driving experience.

Volvo has addressed previous calibration and electrical issues in the updated models.

The S90 C is now made in China, which may be a concern for some buyers.

The S90 C's lease value and warranty make it an attractive option for short-term ownership.

The S90 C's improvements in drivetrain calibration and power output make it a more enjoyable vehicle to drive.

Despite its advancements, the S90 C is becoming obsolete as Volvo shifts focus to all-electric vehicles.

Transcripts

[Music]

this is my first time back in a Volvo

S90 C it feels like 10 years ago and I

wanted to cover what this brand is going

through and how this cars evolved and

how many of their cars have evolved and

why I have the philosophy I do about

hybridization and some of the electric

cars now Volvo really did some

groundbreaking work back in 2015 with

the launch of their new cars and you can

tell on this vehicle despite it looking

very conservative and lacking

personality how timeless it is as a

sedan and their SUVs carry that same

method the only changes they've really

made throughout the life cycle of this

car is the inverted Grill on the front

and some changes to Bumpers but most

people are never going to notice that

I'm going to be honest so when you look

at this car as a whole it really does

not help that they are so like boxed in

with being understated because so so

much is lost in the fact that almost

every single color they have is 20

Shades of Gray so it slips under the

radar almost to a fault the Interior

Space however is a truly remarkable

design feat because it shows what you

can do if you do it right from the start

in terms of material Choice layout the

physicality the the look and feel of the

textures and it's basically feels like a

new car even after all of this time with

the exception of the technology and I

yeah this is what I always say in every

video I feel like a broken record I'm

like that's the one thing that dates

this car despite them updating to

Android automotive it's just not good

the screen quality is bad they you can

tell they just did not put any more

money in these cars once they had it

done aside from the mechanical part

which I'll talk about um and they're

putting all their money now into pure

electrification going forward this is

the executive the full like blown fully

loaded version of the S90 which means

it's almost

$73,000 which I'm just going to say up

front nobody's buying this car for that

amount of money with given the

competition given the sedan Market it's

just definitely not worth that after all

of this time but what you do get is the

Bowers and wilin system which is a

benchmark it literally is every brand

that's going to be doing EVS going

forward or quiet cars should look at how

they did the audio system in this car

for a sedan and mirror it it is that

impressive and obviously the SUVs are

better because they're bigger they have

more space but highlight you should

option that the back seats with the

extra package that this comes with also

has cooled seats in the back you have

ventilation in the back that you can

control and vents so it is a very good

place to be along with moving the front

passenger seat forward if you're the

right rear passenger so there's a lot of

thought to designing this to be more of

a a luxury car other than that the front

seat has massage the front seats have

massage which work great and the overall

look and feel of this cabin is very very

upscale it feels very modern again with

the exception of the tech but now it's

time to go in the the shop I'm going to

talk about the changes of this car and

what's happened to the brand and why I

feel the way I feel about

it okay this is probably the last time

I'm going to be under an S90 of this

generation before Volvo goes to full

electrification and I'm just going to

kind of go over the sticking points of

how this car has evolved and why I have

the philosophy of the way that I do when

I first saw this car was in 2017 with

Scott and we looked at it it's still a

drive shaft to a mechanical differential

in the back it had a supercharger a

Turbocharger and it wasn't all that

great so we fast forward to the updated

version of all of the Volvo products

which they've rebranded as recharge and

there's been some major improvements now

the sad part is and why I have a really

difficult time recommending any of these

first generation plug-in hybrids or

tanabe EVS is because if you bought this

car five years ago and you were stuck

with the pre- refresh version nobody's

going to want that car nobody's going to

want to be stuck or saddled with the

last generation which isn't really a

last generation of the smaller battery

pack the smaller electric motor the

engine that's over complicated so what

they've tried to do in the course of 5

years not only Rebrand but it makes some

major improvements one engine tuning and

engine setup Volvo wanted one 4cylinder

a 2 L for all their cars and SUVs Noble

idea because it cuts down cost

complication all you have to do is kind

of recalibrate the car but they made the

mistake of having a supercharger

turbocharger and than an electric motor

it's like the worst possible scenario

for long-term ownership so they stri

that out now you have a turbocharged

engine only that they can re-calibrate

change boost levels change tuning based

on the car and you have an electric

motor as the Hybrid part of it and the

electric motor in the back of these cars

are much bigger they now make 160

horsepower which is a massive amount

more than the previous generation and

that's thanks to having a much larger

battery pack at 18 kilowatt hours or

thereabouts up from about 11 before so

not only do you have the power of the

pack to to supply the power to the

electric motor you have a longer range

so when you plug this thing in which

doesn't take a long time to charge it

you get about 38 mes range on this guy

and that makes it a far more usable

vehicle one because they've improved the

tuning of the engine and the

transmission it feels far more natural

and the electric motor in the back

because of its size they have a lot more

room to play with how the all-wheel

drive system behaves it's no longer kind

of feeling like two different cars like

the old ones did it doesn't feel as

broken as it did before and there's

going to be far less calibration issues

and electrical issues that they had in

the previous cars where they were always

in the shop for check engine lights they

were constantly being reflashed and

updated at the dealership so this is

kind of where they're at now of fully

realizing their original Vision only the

previous owners are stuck with something

that wasn't fully sorted out and that

goes back to my philosophy of why I

don't really recommend a lot of these

cars despite this being very good for

what it is it's going to be replaced

Volvo's dumping this in favor of all

electric cars so what are you going to

be stuck with this Middle Ground vehicle

clearly you don't want to own it you're

going to lease it and I think Volvo

knows that and there are some benefits

the leasing these cars as well the other

thing they've changed is suspension

calibration has changed quite a bit uh

these are quieter cars than when they

started they're more refined I think

they've figured out some more of that

the air ride option on this car is like

$1,200 don't get it it's only in the

back it's mostly for load leveling it

also helps with dive and squat because

it can kind of control the back of the

car under harder Maneuvers or braking

Maneuvers but really it's there for

loading up the back with passengers it

kind of levels it out that $1,200

doesn't seem like a lot but it's going

to it's going to be a lot more when you

go to replace it when the minimum cost

is like $3,000 to fix it so buy in's

cheap but the longterm sucks and

honestly the coil spring stuff in the

back you're not going to notice that

much of a difference in terms of

drivability if you're really interested

in this and then the major change from

the one we drove originally to now is

this is made in China uh and that's

going to be a problem for some people

the people that probably know about cars

but for a majority of the public I I can

promise you one thing with the amount of

people that are on Tik Tok that are on a

Chinese platform the amount of new

Chinese electric cars when they're

flashed with the idea having a cheap

electric car that's all good on the

interior with good tech people are not

going to care where it's made so if

you're one of those people that has no

concept of you know do you want a

Chinese Volvo uh this probably won't

even bother you and frankly at least in

just surface level driving you can't

tell the difference between this old

Swedish made one and this one so I'm

going to take this R drive and I'm going

to talk you through the pros and cons of

the

[Music]

car

here we go S90 recharge full power mode

my Donuts are in the

back this thing is moving holy crap it

even uh even kind of chirped the tires

in second gear so you know I talked

about in the the shop obviously there's

some pretty serious changes that went

into this car drivetrain wise and it

it's pretty obvious right off the bat

that um calibrating this car to to make

the transition between gasoline engine

and electric and the transmission

programming is the biggest change and

the way that it reacts when you drive is

far more natural that transition from

power that electric boost that comes in

it feels a lot more Sprite

it feels quicker to respond and you know

obviously when you have more electric

power to work with more torque the the

electric motor in the back is is way

bigger than it used to be so there's

that thrust that you didn't have before

but the thing is with the older engine

you felt the the calibration of the

engine itself that handoff between

supercharger to turbocharger was always

like this mess and it always felt like

it was pulling timing or the power

output was changing with the turbo

engine it's just really smooth and the

the torque fill from the electric motor

just keeps pushing you forward and

forward and you know like I argued this

before with some of the older Volvo

products you know why would you spend 70

plus thousand on a luxury product with a

with a 2 L with a four-cylinder

essentially right and that's become more

Norm I'm not going to say that it

completely um it completely replaces a

V6 experience or a V8 experience uh but

what it does do in large part is because

it is so quick now it's much less of an

issue and because the the programming is

so much better that you don't think

about it like before when you were

driving it like oh I'm in a four shitty

four-cylinder car and that's just not

the way it is it is it it makes up for

it in

refinement and in quietness and of

course the power output of the engine

it's it's just so great um and combined

with the fact that you know you don't

have to use the gasoline engine

honestly

you can just drive in pure electric mode

so what this car is now is how it should

have been when it launched and and and

that's that's just it that's the solid

answer is it's where it should have been

all along and now that you're you're

experiencing the full realization of

what they tried to do I have a lot more

appreciation for it would I buy this

over you know the the BMW with a pure

luxury competition or Genesis especially

the G80 is such a great car um I would

say no because this is so old this feels

so old now despite it being good in so

many ways I know this is the end of the

road for this brand with this type of

technology and that's the the Killer

part you know if you're talking about

this as a used proposition clearly um

and you know you can get this thing cped

with a long ass warranty over the course

of you know 5 years and you're paying 50

or $440,000 for a sedan or even another

Volvo with this drivetrain setup like

this um I would say it's totally worth

it they've done such a good job here now

of course I'm not talking about

longevity I you know there's still

there's still issues with these things

not as much as it used to be but um I

certainly would have a hard time keeping

this out of warranty for sure but you

know I think it's time now that I'm

pounding this thing around like nobody

else would to send this into the final

thoughts

[Music]

final thoughts on the Volvo

S90 and I covered a lot of how I felt

about the interior and of course the

mechanical part of this car and this is

a very old vehicle at this point and I

know Volvo has no intention to sell a

ton of these anymore so it's a good look

get how the car started as being revered

as really Innovative the interior some

of the exterior design yes when you look

at this spec it's like worst case

scenario it has almost zero personality

the color palette is like

monochromatic but it goes to show you

how amazing it was when it came out to

have aged this well and the mechanical

improvements their dedication to

improving the overall car in terms of

drivetrain calibration learning their

mistakes of trying to be Innovative in

terms of

hybridization it's finally in a good

place and it's at the place where

they're going to kill it off so it just

it's a lesson in kind of being reserved

in terms of a buyer to understand that

we're not where we need to be that these

companies are figuring things out that

our world is trying to understand where

we're moving to next in terms of

transportation and don't just bite on

the first thing that you see because at

the end of the day while everybody's

trying to figure out what to do and how

to allocate money and energy resources

you're stuck with a giant hunk that

they're going to abandon and that's the

way I feel about this car as nice as it

is there's other options right the BMW 5

series a really good car still solid you

have the Genesis G80 and even the EV

version of the G80 that is an amazing

car from the Koreans makes this pretty

much Irrelevant in every single way

despite some of the good things that it

does so again you know if you're really

in love with this car I think they did a

great job with it if you're going to

lease it don't be stuck with it for more

than 3 years I'm going to leave it at

that thanks for watching I'll see you

next

[Music]

video