We get reacquainted with the award-winning Volvo XC90 PHEV. Given that its rivals have either been updated or are about to be replaced, can the ageing Swedish contender still hold its own in the premium SUV space?
We like: Great balance of performance and economy, excellent fit and finish, a genuine 7-seater, impressive infotainment system.
We don’t like: Brittle ride quality, PHEV system requires familiarisation, depreciation.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge AWD Ultra Dark
- Price: R1 808 000 (August 2024)
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged petrol with electric motor
- Power/Torque: 340 kW/709 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 5.3 sec (claimed)
- Claimed fuel consumption: 1.8 L/100 km
- Luggage capacity: 262-640-1005-1816 litres (approx. utility space)
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Where does the Volvo XC90 PHEV facelift fit in?
The Volvo XC90 PHEV is not a new vehicle by any means. When it debuted in South Africa in 2015, the 2nd-gen XC90 was at the forefront of a revitalised Volvo model line-up. With high-tech safety, striking designs and cabins that oozed Scandi charm, it boldly blazed a trail for the Gothenburg-based brand.
Volvo XC90 derivatives dominated the Premium SUV category of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards for the first 3 years of the programme. Variants of the XC90 T8 Twin Engine (as the T8 Recharge was then known), famously bagged category wins in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 iterations of the #CarsAwards.
Nine years after its global launch, the XC90 has received some incremental updates, but there’s been no major facelift. Talk about confidence in one’s product – it evokes the adage: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The Volvo XC90 PHEV is rivalled by a trio of German offerings, consisting of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Audi Q7. While BMW and Mercedes-Benz recently applied facelifts to the X5 and GLE respectively, an updated Q7 is earmarked for local introduction before the end of 2024.
Compare the XC90 to the X5, GLE and Q7 using our Comparison Tool
Oh, and don’t forget about the recently launched Lexus LX! The Land Rover Discovery and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado also play in this price bracket, but they’re more off-road biased than the Volvo.
Compare the XC90 to the Discovery and Prado
How the Volvo XC90 fares in terms of…
Performance and Efficiency
The Volvo XC90 PHEV is powered by a turbo- and supercharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, which is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with assistance from an electric motor. The powertrain drives all 4 wheels, with the electric motor pushing the rear axle. The petrol motor alone makes 233 kW and 400 Nm, with the electric system contributing to combined total outputs of 340 kW and 709 Nm.
To experience the full effect of those lofty outputs, we set up our test equipment and engaged the Volvo’s most aggressive drive mode (Power); the test unit subsequently galloped from a standstill to 100 kph in 5.48 sec, which was not significantly slower than the Swedish manufacturer’s claim of 5.3 sec.
Interestingly, the XC90 will run to a limited top speed of 180 kph. This limit was created by Volvo Car because it felt that going any faster wouldn’t be in the best interests of road safety, which is laudable.
To get the best out of the T8 Recharge on the daily commute, it’s best to keep the Volvo’s hybrid battery topped up. You can do this either by recharging at a normal electrical outlet (or wall box) at your home, or using the internal combustion engine to top up the charge – at the expense of fuel economy, mind you.
The claimed fuel economy figure of 1.8 L/100 km is, well, ambitious. The Volvo’s frugal all right, but it’s not that good! Our tests yielded fuel consumption figures of between 3.8 L/100 km and 4.2 L/100 km, but some testers said they “broke into the 2s” by driving considerately – and leaning on the hybrid system.
The key to achieving these phenomenal figures is to make use of the battery as much as you can and, to do that, you will have to plug in the T8 Recharge overnight. Unlike its JLR rivals, the XC90 PHEV does not support DC fast charging, but that’s okay considering an overnight AC charge is adequate to top up the 18.8-kWh battery. Avoid using the petrol engine to top up the battery; it ruins the fuel consumption.
With all the tech in its armoury, the Volvo will only prove as fuel-efficient as your driving style allows, but the package is undoubtedly tailor-made for making the best of congested urban traffic conditions (where you can utilise all of a fully-charged T8 Recharge’s pure-electric range). Conversely, if intend to travel considerable distances on the national highway often, a B5 (turbodiesel) variant may be a better option.
The author lives 26 km from work and completed his daily commute on battery power alone. Because he utilised the GridCars charging station at the office, the test unit rarely consumed petrol during that cycle.
Design, Features and Practicality
Vehicle design is subjective. One person’s style icon is another’s brickbat – it’s virtually impossible to pass an objective judgement on the merits of a vehicle’s exterior design. Nonetheless, the consensus of our test team was that the XC90 has managed to remain visually fresh and appealing despite its age.
Perhaps the test unit’s tasteful choice of metallic exterior finish and handsomely styled alloy wheels play a role, but we’re standing our ground – this car has cleaner (or less fussy) lines than its German premium SUV rivals and the less said about the awkward proportions of the Land Rover Discovery, well, the better.
The minimalism is carried through to the luxurious, but restrained cabin, where the Sensus infotainment system has bowed out. In its place is an all-new operating system from Google, but don’t confuse it with Android Auto, which mirrors your smartphone – this infotainment system utilises the Google ecosystem.
This means Google Maps is standard and you get access to all the Google services, as well as several apps, including Spotify, YouTube music and so much more. The Apple acolytes are not short-changed, however: Apple CarPlay is included and everything is laid out in a simple, straightforward interface.
Unsurprisingly, the Volvo XC90 is fitted with virtually all the luxury features you expect at this price point, including heated front seats with massage and memory functions, a heated steering wheel, a superb 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, a wireless charging pad, a head-up display, a digital instrument cluster, surround view cameras, an air-quality sensor and all the advanced safety tech Volvo is known for.
If the XC90 detects that a collision is imminent, it will automatically apply the brakes (if the driver doesn’t react in time to visual and audible alerts) and stay within its lane by applying steering corrections.
There’s also adaptive cruise control, which enables the Volvo to keep pace with the traffic ahead of it (with automatic resume). Making use of the assisted driving systems while the seat’s massage function is on and your favourite songs are playing on the audio system is a great way to reduce traffic-jam stress!
In terms of fit and finish, the XC90 cabin is a class act. But it doesn’t only look premium, it feels that way too: all the common touchpoints are plush. We loved the opulent Orrefors crystal transmission lever!
Expensive touches aside, we can only laud the Volvo’s clean, uncomplicated fascia layout, but we fear for the future, as the Swedish brand’s latest models’ ergonomics are, um, less resolved. Exhibit A: The EX30.
In terms of space utilisation, the 2nd-gen XC90 doesn’t show its age. If you want to seat a large family in comfort and luxury, the XC90 is one of the few Premium SUVs that offer genuine 7-seater capability.
With a 2-3-2 configuration, there’s ample space for most occupants, but the 3rd row is only suited for the small children. The 2 seats in the rear can fold flat into the load-bay floor for additional cargo space; in that department, the Volvo is said to offer 262-1 005-1 816 litres, which is about par for the segment.
For what it’s worth, the BMW X5 PHEV musters 500-1 720 litres, while the Audi Q7 leads the class with 740-2 050 litres with the 7-seater option ticked. As is customary for Volvo, clever storage and practical solutions abound – one of our favourites has to be the deployable shopping bag holder in the load bay.
Ride and Handling
The Volvo XC90 PHEV is equipped with an adaptive air suspension, which obviously benefits the T8 Recharge’s ride quality, but if you do choose to drive off-road, it can also be raised to clear obstacles.
In its Off-road setting, the SUV’s ground clearance can be hiked to 252 mm, which should be enough to avoid rocks damaging the underbelly. In its standard drive modes, the XC90’s ride height is 212 mm.
In general, the ride quality is on the softer side. The Volvo sails over most bumps, but we suspect the oversized wheels contribute to some slight crashing/jiggling over small undulations (such as tree roots).
While the 21-inch alloys are aesthetically pleasing, we’d advise going for a smaller rim and a plumper tyre to improve the ride quality. Also, thicker tyre sidewalls offer better resistance to pothole-impact damage.
To sum up, the Volvo XC90 PHEV’s driving experience is cossetting, relaxing, and confidence-inspiring. Suffice it to say, this SUV makes you feel grand when you’re behind its tiller. The light steering setup, raised driving position and excellent outward visibility make piloting the sizeable Volvo, well, fuss-free.
You can make the T8 Recharge hustle around bends – it will cope better than you expect – but it’s not nearly as poised as the equivalent BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne, but then, few – if any – 7-seaters are.
Price and After-sales support
The Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge (PHEV) AWD Ultra Dark retails for R1 808 000 (August 2024) and comes standard with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
See also: Volvo XC90 specifications and pricing
Verdict
Despite its age, the Volvo XC90 is as graceful and elegant as ever, plus a substantial dose of state-of-the-art onboard technology helps it stay relevant alongside strong competition from its (mostly German) rivals. We understand that Volvo Cars will announce a further update to this model around September 2024, which will coincide with the global media launch event of the XC90’s all-electric EX90 sibling.
Should you buy one? There’s a reason why the Volvo XC90 has won a flurry of awards globally, as well as a hat trick of Cars.co.za Consumer Awards category wins. While the T8 Recharge AWD Ultra Dark’s price may feel steep, mainly due to the additional taxes levied on plug-in hybrids and electric cars, a low-mileage, year-old demo unit looks to be a lot of luxury car for not a crazy amount of money. If you don’t need that 3rd row of seats, this fantastic powertrain is also available in the Volvo XC60 executive SUV.
