Mark, Author at Maynards Garage

2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR Review

by Mark | Aug 12, 2021 | 0 comments

All claws, fangs, and growl in a velvet coat, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR is the 550-hp black cat of the brand’s SUV family

Everything about the 550-hp, Jaguar F-Pace SVR has been pumped up or widened. The tester was $89,900. (Photography by Mark Maynard)

In the right place at the right time, the versatile 2019 Jaguar F-Pace is rich in the brand’s “beautiful” design directive. But three years ago, Jaguar had no SUV in its lineup. Today, however, the British manufacturer of road-going beauty is making tea while the pot is hot. It now has three SUV crossovers, including the electric iPace. The lineup has evolved the face and perception of the brand, the company says.

The driver area is functional with a variety of small storage areas.

Jaguar F-Pace Overview

It might surprise that the F-Pace is not a clone from the SUV stable of corporate partner Land Rover. The closest it gets is the architecture of the carlike Range Rover Velar, which just doesn’t have the visceral appeal of the F-Pace.

The five-seat Jaguar F-Pace SUV is sold in a dozen, all-wheel-drive trim levels with five powertrain choices: two turbocharged four-cylinders, a turbocharged diesel four-cylinder, a supercharged V-6 and the SVR-exclusive 550-hp supercharged V-8.

Today’s tester, the F-Pace SVR, is a new model for 2019. On a scale of one to 10, the SVR is an 11, without going over the top, said Rob Filipovic, Jaguar’s director of customer experience, who was interviewed on a recent media drive.

Filipovic called the SVR the “ultimate Jaguar experience, and it’s probably going to be better than you think it will be.”

There are several F-Pace competitors, including the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Cadillac XT5, Infiniti QX60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. But there are few to compare with the F-Pace SVR. Among them are the Porsche Macan S (348-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6; $60,000), BMW X4 M40i (355-hp, inline 6-cylinder; $62,000) and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 (496-hp or 503-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8; $71,000).

Filipovic, 39, isn’t just blowing tire smoke at his admiration for the SVR. After spending almost 1,000 miles in highway and city driving (but no track time), I found it to be a bi-modal sports car. It has the attitude of the Jaguar F-Type SVR coupe but with added back seat room and luggage space.

Despite all the advanced tech, the F-Pace SVR is a hands-on experience.

Jaguar F-Pace Pricing

Pricing for the 2019 F-Pace lineup starts at $46,225 for the entry 25t and ranges to $80,925 for the high-performance F-Pace SVR, today’s tester; pricing includes the $1,025 freight charge from Solihull, England.

At $89,900 as tested, the F-Pace SVR pricing is competitive with the others in the segment. And there is the added owner perk of improved warranty coverage: five years or 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper protection with 24-hour roadside assistance and free scheduled maintenance.

Look here for current F-Pace pricing and incentives.

The SVR Package

Because the F-Pace does not have to be a superior off-roading SUV, its drivability is balanced: A nonenthusiast can drive it without getting into trouble. And a car enthusiast can drive it hard and, with common sense, not get into trouble. The SVR is one of the few performance SUVs with an ideal 50/50 weight balance.

Everything about it has been pumped up or widened, from the brake-cooling vents in the front fenders to the 15.6-inch vented Brembo disc brakes all around. The forged wheels are lightweight and the sport seats front and rear are track-ready.

Slimline front sport seats in the F-Pace

The slimline seats look racing-harness ready, but they are actually quite livable.

Jaguar F-Pace SVR Upgrades

Aerodynamic body kit with unique front and rear bumpers. The wide-mouth grille, lower body sides and a rear spoiler enhance cooling, reduce lift and drag and add to high-speed stability.
SVR-tuned chassis with upgraded shocks front and rear spring rates increased by 30 percent and 10 percent.
Lightweight wheels. 21- or optional 22-inch forged wheels with staggered widths front to rear. The forged wheels saved 5 pounds at the front and 3 pounds rear.
Rear electronic active differential, to balance power delivery
Specially tuned variable valve active exhaust for a more vocal soundtrack. But the system is also 14.5 pounds lighter and reduces back pressure for more airflow exiting the engine.
Slimline performance seats in the front and rear feature Jaguar signature “lozenge” quilting and embossed SVR logo. The seats saved 5 pounds each.
SportShift Gear Selector (from the F-Type) replaces the rotary gear selector.
SVR steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters.

The 550-hp, supercharged and direct-injection 5.0-liter V-8 with 8-speed automatic is capable of 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds, Jaguar says.

Jaguar F-Pace Powertrain

The second showpiece of this SVR package is the 550-hp, supercharged and direct-injection 5.0-liter V-8 (the basic architecture is still built by Ford) and an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

Hit the red ignition button and the engine fires with a deep growl and then settles into a nasty purrr. There are several performance modes to sharpen acceleration and suspension, but the standard setting brings raucous pleasure without having the ride quality of a buckboard paint-shaker.

Fuel-economy ratings are challenged at 16 mpg city, 21 highway and 18 mpg combined, on the recommended premium fuel. I worked up to 23.4 mpg combined in seven hours of highway driving. In addition, the 21.7-gallon tank of premium fuel went the 440 miles with 74 remaining when I pulled into my driveway.

The high-performance tires on the F-Pace SVR

22-inch wheels have room for big Brembo brakes.

Jaguar F-Pace Ride and Handling

The Jaguar F-Pace SVR has such easy drivability. There is eager pull from the engine and the transmission was always ready to keep the power in the rpm band. With such catlike finesse, the 16 mpg will be forgiven.

Some sport-tuned SUVs can have a tortuous ride quality, with suspensions more intended for racing than street driving. But the F-Pace SVR is masterfully engineered for compliance without disruption. The 113.1-inch wheelbase and steel-spring suspension — double-wishbone front and integral link rear — work to settle the F-Pace SVR’s 4,395-pound curb weight.

The cabin is very well sound-proofed and the 38-foot turning circle seemed smaller and is no-stress when negotiating the parking garage.

Among the tester’s options was the Driver Assist package, $3,600, which adds Adaptive Cruise Control. Activating the semi-autonomous system requires at least one hand on the wheel for the system to steer, brake and maintain speed. And it works well in stop-and-go commuting traffic.

I valued the system’s attentiveness when going through highway work zones with five lanes crammed into four. Commercial trucks and passenger cars are seemingly just inches away. In those close quarters, all it takes is a sneeze or a long glance at a roadside caution and the driver could be making new friends while exchanging insurance information. But not on this trip.

A look into the front passenger side of the F-Pace

Standard features include “lozenge” quilted Windsor leather seat upholstery.

Jaguar F-Pace Interior

The slimline seats look racing-harness ready, but they are actually quite livable. The seats will feel quite firm (hard) on initial seating — so much so that I almost removed my wallet from the back pocket. But after 7.5 hours on the road, I stepped out with no stiffness. However, the lumbar inflation bladder must have had a leak because I had to refill it every hour or two. Even the seat-cushion bolsters are low enough to not give an annoying wedgie on entry or exit.

The back-seat console with temp controls

Back-seat hookups.

The cabin is immaculately detailed with much leather and white stitching. It is a masculine space with handsome charcoal black microfiber headliner, enhanced by the (optional) aluminum-weave carbon-fiber trim.

Front headroom of 38.5 inches will fit most, and two inches more than in the F-Type coupe. However, a 6-foot-4 auto journalist on the drive commented that the tall seatback with head restraint pushed his head farther forward than he normally preferred. To compensate, he had to recline the seatback a little farther.

The driver area is functional with a variety of small-storage areas and two charging USBs in the center armrest box and a convenient place to lay a phone on the shifter console.

Cornering views are slightly compromised at the large side mirrors, but not so much that an owner will not adapt. And the 360-degree camera gives wide views for narrow parking.

Back seat legroom is adult class at 37.2 inches.

F-Pace Back Seat and Cargo

The rear slimline seats are also quite firm with integrated head restraints, but legroom has adult comfort at 37.2 inches. There is no seatback recline, but the window seats are heated and passengers have access to two 5-amp charging USBs and a 12-volt plug. The center position is kid class.

Accommodations include a wide pull-down center armrest with can-cup holders, bottle storage in the doors, reading lights and grab handles with coat hooks.

Running boards are not needed to reach the roof to secure a bike or board. And fold the back seats for about six feet of length through the cargo area. The 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat is wide but with a tall liftover (30 inches).

The 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat is wide but with a tall liftover.

Why buy the Jaguar F-Pace SVR?

Jaguar’s engineering of the F-Pace SVR is all claws, fangs and growl in a velvet coat. It will almost drive itself and it will park itself, but it is still a hands-on experience that transcends technology.

The SVR’s aerodynamic body kit adds unique front and rear bumpers, lower body sides, and a rear spoiler

Jaguar F-Pace Specifications

Body style: 5-seat, midsize AWD SUV crossover

Engine: 550-hp, supercharged and direct-injection V-8 engine; 502 lb.-ft. torque from 2,500-5,000 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters

Fuel economy: 16/21/18 mpg city/hwy/combined; premium fuel

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 21.7 gal.

Cargo space: 33.5 cu. ft. *behind second row

Front head/leg room: 38.5/40.3 in.

Rear head/leg room: 37.5/37.2 in.

Length/wheelbase: 186.5/113.1 in.

Curb weight: 4,395 lbs.

Turning circle: 38 ft.

0-60 mph: 4.1 seconds

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: smart key locking and push-button ignition, multiview rearview camera, “lozenge” quilted Windsor leather seat upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, heated and leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, 10-inch touch screen with navigation, 380-watt Meridian sound system, electronic multi-mode gauge display, 360 parking aid, adaptive LED headlights, power tailgate, panoramic roof with opening front section, heated and power-folding side mirrors (auto-dimming),

Safety features include: 6 air bags, dynamic stability and traction controls, emergency braking, brake assist, lane-keep assist, driver-condition (drowsiness) alert, traffic-sign recognition

PRICING

Base price: $80,925, including $1,025 freight charge; price as tested $89,900

Options on test vehicle: Driver-assist package, $3,600, includes blind-spot assist, 360-degree surround camera, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, high-speed emergency braking, park assist, rear traffic monitor; 22-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels $1,530; aluminum weave carbon fiber trim finisher $1,300; head-up display $1,010; 17-speaker Meridian surround-sound 825-watt audio system $450; Activity key $410; heated windshield $385; cargo area back-seat release levers $200

Where assembled: Solihull, England

Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper with 24-hour roadside assistance and free scheduled maintenance

Industry News

Redesigned 2022 Nissan Frontier Starts at $29,015; on sale in September

by Mark | Aug 11, 2021 | 0 comments

The redesigned midsize Nissan Frontier pickup is sold in King Cab and Crew Cab body styles, 5- or 6-foot-long beds and a V-6 powertrain

The redesigined 2022 Nissan Frontier pickup

Nissan calls the 2022 Frontier a “Right-sized” pickup for a workweek in the city or a weekend off-road. (Nissan)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Nissan announced yesterday, Aug.10, that its redesigned and re-engineered 2022 Frontier pickup will arrive at dealerships in September. Pricing will start at $29,015.

The midsize Nissan Frontier is available in King Cab and Crew Cab body styles in short- or long-wheelbase configurations. King Cabs have a 6-foot bed. Standard Crew Cab models have a 5-foot bed except for a 6-foot bed for the top-line SV LWB.

King Cab starting prices range from $29,015 for the base S with rear-drive to $34,915 for the top-line SV 4WD. Crew Cab pricing ranges from $30,515 to $38,415 for the PRO-4X Crew Cab 4×4. All MSRP pricing includes the $1,175 freight charge from Canton, Miss.

Find Nissan USA pricing here.

Nissan Frontier powertrain

All models of Frontier have a standard 310-horsepower 3.8-liter direct-injection V-6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission.

The EPA-rated fuel economy for rear-drive Frontier models is 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 mpg combined. 4WD models have mileage ratings of 17/22/19 mpg city/highway/combined. 87 octane fuel is recommended.

Towing capacity for the new Nissan Frontier is rated at up to 6,720 pounds with the tow package. Trailer Sway Control is a new standard feature. The control enhancement can detect sway and automatically apply the brakes to bring control.

Four-wheel-disc brakes have 11.7-inch rotors with two-piston calipers. The rear discs are 11.3 inches with a single-piston caliper.

Standard Nissan Frontier features

9-inch color touch-screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto;
7-inch configurable gauge array;
Zero Gravity Front seats;
Two front USB ports (Type-A and Type-C), two front 12-volt outlets, and Siri Eyes Free;
Safety features include eight air bags and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning.

Option packages

Three option packages are offered:

Premium (SV, PRO) at $2,790;
Convenience (SV, PRO) at $1,990 ;
Technology (S, SV, PRO) at $990.

“The all-new 2022 Frontier builds on Nissan’s six-plus decades of midsize truck leadership with a bold new exterior, adventure-oriented interior and the latest driver assistance and connectivity technologies,” Mike Colleran, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. Marketing and Sales, said in a statement.

Read my overview of the new Frontier here.

Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 Review

by Mark | Aug 10, 2021 | 0 comments

There are roomier 3-row SUVS, but $4 a gallon gasoline will keep the Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid a sustainable choice

An exterior view of Volvo's XC90 plug-in hybrid

The Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge eAWD has starting prices of $64,545 to $71,345. (Volvo)

There is something special about tooling along in a 5,300-pound Volvo XC90 SUV on battery power. Of course, it would be more special if the driving range was farther than just 17 to 21 miles, but that still leaves a lot of daily driving that can be done without gasoline or exhaust. The energy assets of the plug-in Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 will be even more relevant as the price of gas in California crests $4 a gallon.

Volvo packs a lot into this large-midsize SUV. The two-box body has three rows of seats for six or seven occupants. The vehicle feels solid, and the tester had no squeaks or itchy vibration noises.

The refined interior of the Inscription trim level.

The Swedish design ethos is upscale and manicured. (Volvo)

Volvo XC90 Overview

The second-generation Volvo XC90 was introduced in 2016 and had a major refresh in 2020. The update restyled the front and rear fascias and added a new waterfall grille design. The six-seat configuration was also added, along with a slightly larger hybrid battery and other tech updates.

The body shell seems fairly generic “SUV” (like a Ford Explorer), but with well-applied Volvo features. Luxury competitors include the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, Range Rover P400e, BMW X5 xDrive45e.

Volvo's 9-inch Sensus Connect touch screen

The 9-inch Sensus Connect touch screen. (Mark Maynard)

2021 XC90 updates

Volvo added minor updates for 2021, including two USB-C ports in the back seat, wireless phone charging on the shift console, and front parking assist. And the Digital Care Key was added, which can be used to set a speed limit, such as for young drivers in the family.

Updates for 2021 included the addition of wireless phone charging on the shift console. (Mark Maynard)

Future Volvo

Volvo is on the threshold of delivering a wave of emissions-free models. The company hopes to have battery-powered vehicles account for half of its global sales by 2025.

In the second half of this year, Volvo has plans to launch a small coupe-style crossover. In addition, Automotive News reports that the XC90 will be redesigned sometime in 2022 for the 2023 model year. And other industry rumors talk of a longer XC100 SUV on the way.

Volvo XC90 Pricing

The XC90 is available in many trim levels with seats for six or seven, in front- or all-wheel-drive models. The powertrains for gasoline or gas-electric plug-in hybrid models are “charged” direct-injected, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines. Depending on the model, the engines are either turbocharged or turbocharged and supercharged. All powertrains are paired with an eight-speed Geartronic transmission.

The entry XC90 T5, with a 250-horsepower turbocharged engine, has starting prices that range from $50,095 to $52,595. All MSRP pricing includes the $1,095 freight charge from Gothenburg, Sweden.

The midrange XC90 T6 AWD has a 316-hp turbocharged and supercharged engine and a starting price of $58,045.

And the XC90 T8 Recharge eAWD plug-in models have a 400-hp turbo and supercharged engine with an 87-hp electric motor. Starting prices range from $64,545 to $71,345.

Today’s tester, an XC90 Recharge T8 Inscription, had a starting price of $70,845 and was $79,560, as tested.

Check on current XC90 pricing here.

The front headroom is tall with the panoramic roof. (Mark Maynard)

Volvo XC90 Safety Features

Volvo has long been a safety innovator. It is well known for inventing the three-point seat belt in 1959. The carmaker also was among the first to add rear-facing child seats and side-impact air bags. Today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has designated every Volvo model a Top Safety Pick Plus.

The XC90’s safety features and advanced technologies are extensive. Among them:

Volvo’s City Safety System focuses cameras and sensors on accident avoidance or mitigation. The system integrates intersection autobrake, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert with autobrake, and cyclist and large animal detection with automatic braking.

Forward Collision Warning. Drivers are alerted by a pulse of the brakes, an audible tone, and an illuminated warning in the driver display and head-up display.

See the Specifications chart below for more features.

A hood-up view of Volvo's T8 hybrid powertrain

The T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid powertrain. (Mark Maynard)

Volvo XC 90 Recharge Performance

The Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 applies a sophisticated handoff of supercharging and turbocharging. The supercharger engages first for immediate off-the-line power and then shuts down as the engine revs increase. Then the turbo takes over for power in the higher rpm range. There is some engine noise on hard acceleration, but the force feels brisk and the gear changes are fluid.

Total system power defies the concept of a four-cylinder with power ratings of 400-hp and 427 foot-pounds of torque for near-instant pulling

The Inscription tester came with 21-inch Pirelli Scorpion Verde all-season tires and alloy wheels. (Mark Maynard)

power.

The powertrain integrates an 87-hp electric motor at the rear axle (for all-wheel drive) and a smallish 11.6 kWh battery pack. Packaging of the hybrid battery does not compromise interior space, Volvo says. And cargo cubic footage is the same as other XC90s.

Volvo XC 90 Recharge Fuel Economy

Fuel economy ratings on premium fuel — with all-wheel drive — are 27 mpg combined city and highway driving; premium fuel is recommended. Those ratings translate to a combined 55 mpg-e with electric and engine power.

The 18.5-gallon take should provide nearly 600 miles of range. My driving returned 25-26 mpg around town and up to 30.8 with highway driving, which might have gone higher on longer commutes.

A hold-and-charge function allows the driver to bank the current battery charge for later use. The charge function uses the gas engine to charge the battery to a certain level.

This is a spacious five-seat SUV, but there is a crunch of space when trying to put passengers in the second and third rows. (Mark Maynard)

Volvo XC 90 Flex Charging

Volvo works with ChargePoint to offer the Home Flex charging system. The 240-volt Level 2 home charger can provide up to 50 amps of power, depending on the capacity of the home’s electrical panel. Pricing for the unit starts at about $700, not including installation or other electrical work.

Volvo includes a Level 2 120- or 240-volt cable (22.9 feet long) for charging at home.
Plugging into a 110-volt household connection will take 6 to 8 hours.;
Using the 3.6kW AC fast charger (240-volt) will take 3 to 4 hours;
Plugging into a public DC fast charger (50-150kW) will take about 40 minutes to 2 hours.

Volvo XC 90 Recharge Ride and Handling

The ride is carpet-quiet around town, but there was more ambient noise on the highway than I expected. The air suspension provided a comfortable ride around town, but it felt less confident and a little busy at 70 mph and in sporty maneuvers.

The all-wheel-drive system launches with traction to all four tires and then adjusts to mostly front-drive until more pull is needed.

Shift points from the eight-speed Geartronic transmission are well-timed for power on demand. There are drive modes of Comfort, Dynamic, Eco, Individual and Off-Road, but the power was strong enough that I drove in Comfort most of the time.

According to Volvo, the 5,100-pound XC90 Recharge T8 can hustle to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.

Braking has refined stopping force and is free of an on-off action when engaging the brake pedal; that gap in grip is a common side effect of some regenerative brake systems. The disc brakes are up to the 5,000-pound towing task and above-average stopping distance. With the XC90’s 14.4-inch discs front and 13.4 inches rear, Volvo cites a stopping distance from 62 mph to zero in 36 meters or 118.1 feet. According to a recent Consumer Reports analysis, that distance puts it well below the average of 134 feet for comparable midsize luxury SUVs.

The third-row seats fold flat into the cargo floor. (Mark Maynard)

Volvo XC 90 Recharge Hybrid Modes

There are layers of usability to the hybrid system. I like that when the battery runs out, there is no difference in the driving attitude as the system switches to the gas engine. It functions as a standard gasoline-electric powertrain.

In the default Hybrid mode, the system uses the electric motor and gas engine individually or in parallel, depending on the need for power.

The Pure mode maximizes driving on the hybrid battery and is functional to 78 mph. But performance is reduced and the air conditioning is partly disengaged, though it can be activated manually.

In Power mode, the gas engine and electric motor work together to drive the front and rear wheels. Steering and braking are set to Dynamic performance, and the gauge display changes to a red Sport mode.

The off-Road mode can be used at speeds below 12 mph and not above 25 mph. The split of power front to rear is locked at 50/50.

Volvo XC 90 Pilot Assist System

Pilot Assist is a hands-on-the-wheel driving assistance system to assist with steering, acceleration, and braking. It is designed for use on highways and at speeds up to 80 mph. I find the system is most helpful in stop-and-go commuter traffic.

It is a trustworthy system that has been improved since I first tested it in 2016. Pilot Assist will keep the vehicle centered in the lane and, in my experience, did not let it drift across the white highway lines or Botts dots.

But do not become complacent. A variety of situations can cause random but brief shutdowns. For example, I experienced system shutoff in such conditions as direct sunlight into the sensors, faded and light-colored or faded concrete highways, and white semi-trucks and trailers alongside the XC90 in traffic.

Volvo XC90 Recharge Interior

There is a Swedish design ethos to the interior that is upscale and manicured. But it is not too precious for children to scuff up. The cabin is broad enough to provide a range of storage areas and logical placement of controls and switches, what few of them there are.

There are many technologies layered into the electronics, but I struggled with the 9-inch touch screen. Volvo uses a vertical screen for less scrolling, but it still takes eyes from the road. Also, finding the touchpoints takes time to master, and the camera screen is narrower than a horizontal format.

Touch screens might be sexy to designers — and to product planners for their reduced hardware costs. But a few more buttons would be helpful to make simple adjustments without having to reach over and tap twice to make one change.

The front headroom is tall at 38.9 inches with the panoramic roof (standard on the Recharge). Driver sightlines are completely open across the hood, over the shoulder, and out the rear glass. The steering weight is light for tooling the mall parking lot or it can be adjusted to be made firmer. The turning circle of 38.7 feet is tighter than some midsize sedans.

The seats are power-adjustable with lumbar and thigh extension of the cushion. In addition, the XC90 Recharge T8 offers an attractive wool blend upholstery as a no-cost option to Nappa leather.

Volvo does excellent leather — it’s the full leather treatment, not “leather-trimmed.” But the fabric upholstery is a refreshing choice and seems somewhat “sustainable” for those who care. Fabric is not sweaty in hot weather or chilling in the cold; however, front-seat ventilation is not available with cloth. The T8 Inscription includes heated front seats, and the Climate package, $750, adds heated wiper blades, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel.

Room to Improve

The sun visors give inadequate coverage at the windshield pillars and do not slide or have extension panels, but they have covered and lighted mirrors.

The shift console is crowded with the crystal gearshift handle, ignition stub, brake release, cup holders, and the newly added wireless charging pad. There also is a 12-volt plug for a cigarette lighter and a nearby tiny ashtray.

Back Seat and Cargo

The XC90 is a spacious five-seat SUV. Three rows with seven seats is the standard configuration, but for $500, it can be configured as a six-seater. Add an integrated center seat booster cushion for $300.

By the numbers, second-row legroom is generous at 37 inches, but there is a crunch of legroom with passengers in the second and third rows, no matter their sizes. Scooting the second-row forward to accommodate those in the third row (with a short 31.9 inches of legroom) feels claustrophobic with the seat is so close to the front seatbacks.

But the space has good foot room and the seatbacks recline a few inches, but the bench is short for adult thigh support.

Folding the tip-and-slide second row to gain access to the way-back takes manual muscle that will not be easy for some.

Cargo space is wide at 46 inches and tall at 32 inches. With the optional four-corner air suspension ($1,800), the loading height can be lowered several inches to a comfortable 29 ½ inches.

The second row folds and drops the head restraints in one easy maneuver, but there is no power folding option, nor is there a strap or leverage device to raise the third-row seats from the cargo area.

The XC90 was completely refreshed for the 2020 model year when a six-seater variant was added. (Volvo)

Why buy the Volvo XC90 Recharge?

Volvo expects and extracts much from its plug-in XC90. It has compelling luxury features and engaging Swedish influences, but there isn’t much that hasn’t already been applied to most evolved SUVs.

Young, upward evolving families will value its safety reputation and the many around-town trips in complete electric mode.

Volvo has evolved this generation XC90 Recharge T8 as far as possible, and a redesign will be welcome. But the ever-rising price of gasoline will keep this plug-in a sustainable choice.