Volvo has been steadily making use of its Scandinavian minimalist ethos to its EV lineup, because the all-new EX90 SUV is ready to launch within the US. However the model additionally needed to considerably spruce up the EX90’s older sibling, the XC90 – the model’s hottest automobile since its debut and the de facto household automobile for hordes of People and Europeans. This month, Volvo invited Electrek to test-drive the revised XC90 on its residence turf and expertise its new and improved “electrified” performance. Right here’s the way it went.
Launched in 2003, the XC90 was the model’s first foray into the SUV market. It has been modified lately as a hybrid and plug-in, nevertheless it’s nonetheless the corporate’s prime vendor, regardless of virtually a decade since its final full redesign. For 2025, the XC90 is available in three variants: two gentle hybrids, the B5 and B6, and a T8 PHEV – which the corporate says is likely one of the few plug-ins with a seven-seat possibility, giving drivers house to haul children or gear on quick every day journeys with its restricted 33 miles of electrical vary.
In fact, restyling the XC90 itself in spite of everything of this time sidesteps the model’s authentic objective of 100% electrical vehicles by 2030. That’s not the case, as Volvo has backtracked, as has Mercedes, with a brand new goal of 90% electrified autos by the identical date. Clearly, that’s not the identical factor.
First-drive impressions – protected, snug, and really Volvo-esque
Mid-November, Volvo flew journalists out from the US, with me flying over from France to Copenhagen for 4 days of high quality time with the brand new variants and meet-and-greets with designers, propulsion specialists, and inside specialists. From Copenhagen, we paired up in twos for a full day and a half of driving from Denmark throughout the famed Oresund Bridge on the border between Sweden and Denmark (followers of the Swedish sequence The Bridge will understand it nicely) to cruise across the mellow Swedish countryside, stopping by fishing villages, a chocolate manufacturing unit, and into Malmö on a dark afternoon, because the solar began to set at 3:30 p.m.
The T8 plug-in – which we drove together with the B5 hybrid – is the model’s strongest and environment friendly of the XC90s, providing 310 horsepower with 295 pound-feet of torque and a 0-to-60 mph time of 5 seconds. It has an inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electrical motor and 400-volt three-layer lithium ion 18.8 kWh battery with 14.7 kWh of usable vitality. The truth that drivers can do most of their quick every day drives on pure electrical energy is a plus, after all, however it is advisable put within the time to recharge it. Its 6.4 kW onboard charger takes 5 hours to go from empty to 100% charged (or 10 hours on an odd 120-volt outlet).
As for the check drive, rural southern Sweden is picturesque, however the course itself was flat, unvaried, and sparsely populated aside from our roving caravan of some 20 beige SUVs. However we had loads of time to tinker with the infotainment and the superior driver help techniques – together with a great deal of state-of-the-art bonuses like clever velocity help, pilot help, parking help, and a really unbelievable head-up show. It additionally comes with 5 drive modes, together with off-road, however this automobile is about quiet luxurious, not thrill rides.
In fact, testing the electrical vary was a short-lived expertise, so after these 33 or so miles, we spent the remainder of the day gas-guzzling by way of a high-performance four-cylinder petrol engine with superior e-boost and turbo know-how. Truthfully, it was exhausting to really feel the distinction, and the transition from electrical to gasoline was fast and unnoticeable regardless of attempting out some quick acceleration (clean as butter) and maneuvering. Plus the inside of the automobile appears like a cocoon – it’s so quiet. The refresh contains enhanced sound insulation and suspension, so it’s such as you’re touring in a protected, protecting Scandi-bubble. And that’s Volvo’s objective.
Exterior refresh – plenty of tweaks, new wheels, new coloration
Wanting on the outdoors of the automobile, the brand new XC90’s exterior adjustments provide a recent new tackle the model’s “Thor’s Hammer” T-shaped headlights, flanking a brand new uneven grille, layered with the Volvo trademark. The brand new entrance sheet metallic has seen just a few tweakments, with an general cleaner, brisker look, whereas the remainder of the profile seems comparatively unchanged. In fact, a correct refresh comes with a brand new coloration and a few new wheels, and there are new designs in 20-, 21-, and 22-inch sizes, together with a brand new pink paint possibility referred to as 739 Mulberry Purple. Whereas we examined the “Brilliant Nightfall” T8, the deep Mulberry Purple model was on view at a mid-drive occasion, and it was a pleasant shock from the grays and beiges.
The driving expertise – clean, protected, and so very quiet
Essentially the most vital improve to the XC90 is to the inside, which has been revamped to accommodate an 11.2-inch infotainment display full with built-in Google apps. Volvo says it has the next pixel density and quicker response time than earlier variations. Each the EX90 and the XC90 get the most recent model of Volvo’s Google-based infotainment system with a ton of up to date menu objects that, in principle, mean you can achieve entry to generally used features with fewer steps. However do individuals solely need entry to opening the glove field by way of the infotainment system? I assume that’s all a part of the minimalism. Whereas Volvo says it’s as intuitive as a smartphone, there’s a small studying curve if you happen to’re not already aware of it.
Getting into the automobile, consolation is clearly the main focus, with Volvo touting it as an “upgraded Scandinavian front room.” It leans right into a premium really feel with none garish touches, counting on a wealthy, tasteful, unfettered design. It feels good. New to the XC90 are the tailor-made dashboard in grained charcoal vinyl and recycled textile decors. Two new beautiful “responsibly produced” upholsteries are added, in new bio-attributed leather-free Nordico and recycled-textile Herringbone Weave. And similar to the EX90, this automobile will get the brand new Bowers & Wilkins speaker mesh for the instrument panel and door panels, and the sound high quality of the system is wealthy and crisp.
T8 Automobile specs
- Seating capability: six or seven
- Upgraded powertrain (T8): turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder PHEV
- Horsepower (T8): 455
- Peak torque (T8): 523ft. lb.
- Pure electrical vary (T8): 33 miles
- Transmission: eight-speed automated
- Drivetrain: all-wheel drive
- Gas economic system, EPA: 58 MPGe
- Co2 emission, mixed: 30 g/km (WLTP)
- Acceleration 0-60 mph: 5 seconds
- General size: 195 inches
- Wheelbase: 117.5 inches
- Top: 69.6–69.7 inches
- Width (not together with mirrors): 84.3 inches
- Curb weight, PHEV 7 seater: 1,565 lb.
- Most towing capability: as much as 5,000 kilos when correctly geared up
- Gas tank capability: 18.8 US gallons
- AC charging time 0–100%: 5 hours (240v, 16a)/10 hours (120v, 16a
- On-sale date: finish of 2024
Closing ideas on the XC90
The brand new facelift is just about that, a great deal of superficial adjustments to the inside and exterior, in addition to a brand new consumer expertise and a bigger, quicker touchscreen. Just like the EX90, the main focus is on a protected, snug, luxurious automobile to haul children and a great deal of gear round, with just a few eco-Scandi touches that give it particular enchantment.
The XC90 competes in a crowded three-row midsize luxurious SUV market in opposition to the Audi Q7, Lincoln Aviator, and Genesis GV80, amongst so many others. However saying that, plug-in hybrids just like the XC90 T8 within the class are a uncommon breed, providing you with the choice to take your every day drives on pure electrical earlier than switching to gas. However with a spread of 33 miles, you after all gained’t get very far. Plus whereas Volvo is pushing the seven-seat possibility, it appeared a bit tight to me, and solely non-obligatory for youths or very fast journeys, not large highway journeys.
Set to go on sale subsequent month, costs for the B5 gentle hybrids begin at $58,450, with the XC90 T8 AWD plug-in seven-seater beginning at $73,000. Owned by China’s Geely, Volvo tells me that every one of its US-bound XC90s might be made in Sweden.
Volvo is focusing on the US marketplace for the XC90, adopted by China, and thirdly, Europe. Dimension-wise, I assume it’s good for loading up your automobile at IKEA. In Sweden, we definitely handed many IKEAs, and it was tempting. With a pure electrical vary of 33 miles, I suppose you possibly can make not less than a part of the journey earlier than having to change over to gasoline energy. The entire idea is a little bit of a conundrum, however Volvo says it’s giving the individuals what they need – a plug-in hybrid SUV that may go the gap – and it’s betting this automobile might be a giant winner for years to return.
Pictures: courtesy Volvo
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