MODEL ON TEST: ULTRA T8 PLUG-IN HYBRID AWD AUTOMATIC
It’s been described as ‘almost perfect’, ‘sophisticated’, ‘highly practical’, ‘luxurious’, ‘refined’, even ‘calm’ by reviewers. But what is the Volvo XC90 – the firm’s joint flagship with its all-electric EX90 – really like? We did a ‘key swap’ with our outgoing V90 T6 estate, with which it bears many brand similarities, albeit in high-riding SUV form, and two extra seats in the back.
The XC90 range received a refresh last year, getting a smarter, more contemporary exterior; a smoother grille, resculpted bonnet and bumper, together with slimmer Thor’s Hammer headlights using matrix LED technology. The rear tail lights were darkened, while there were new wheel designs, a bigger, 11.2-inch infotainment touchscreen running a Google-based operating system, a sleeker dashboard, revised centre console with cupholders and redesigned phone-charging pad and upmarket new cabin materials. Cabin quietness was improved,as was the air suspension system, for a smoother ride. ‘Ours’ – the T8 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Ultra – looks very imposing indeed; perfect for that shot directors now routinely insert into dramas to convey power and might: ‘important’ people swishing along in a commanding convoy of (invariably black) SUVs, driving so closely that you wonder what would happen if the lead vehicle suddenly braked.
If they were all XC90s, that might not be a problem; all models have a full safety suite including autonomous emergency braking, along with that 11.2-inch central touchscreen with voice-activated control, Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, keyless entry, rear parking camera, powered tailgate with handsfree opening and closing, electrically adjustable and heated front seats and – luxury of luxuries – a heated steering wheel. Extra Ultra goodies include an uprated 18-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system, front massage seats, a head-up display, rear privacy glass with laminated glass, headlight cleaning and active air suspension.
The big-sell on the XC90 is that seven-seater layout; arrive at that party to pick up your child and five others also want a lift? No problem. It’s a tiny bit of a faff having to slide the central- row forwards, tidy up oddments in the boot and manually erect the rearmost two chairs, but it only takes a minute. Accessing them won’t appeal to older passengers, but they’re primarily aimed at younger ones. While the seats are roomy, squeezing past the central row requires agility. The other big seller is
the boot. With three rows up, there’s a respectable 244 litres. With rear seats folded down there’s a gargantuan 640 litres in the Plug-in model, even bigger, for comparison, than the V90’s 560 litres. Again, for comparison, the XC90 is about eight millimetres longer and 121 wider.
At the heart of this big, plush, enjoyable-to-drive SUV is its hybrid system, comprising a 1,969cc four-cylinder petrol engine producing 306bhp and 143bhp from the electric motor, offering 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and a top speed that is limited to 112mph. Electric range is claimed to be up to 42.9 miles depending on conditions. In icy weather in London after a full charge, we managed 20.1 miles after selecting ‘Pure’ (electric only) for multiple stop-start trips. It was unfair as we gobbled watts with the heated, massaging seats and steering wheel running at full blast, while also de-icing the windscreen. The range will no doubt improve with better weather and more care.The maximum charging rate is 6.4kWh, offering a claimed 0 to 100% charge in around four hours.And the cost? £10.62 at a local council lamp post charger.
It’s too easy lapsing into hyperbole to describe the driving experience, but it’s a bit of a dream.The air suspension eases the XC90 over even large road humps beautifully (especially at the front) and performance is stellar, even if the engine doesn’t sound as refined as some when it’s revved hard. It does feel long, in The Smoke, for three-point turns but that’s the price you pay for all that seating and storage, and the steering is light (you can switch between ‘light’ and ‘firm’) while the bird’s eye-view cameras, for manoeuvring, are superb, as is vision out, and Apple CarPlay maximising home comforts by connecting seamlessly with my iPhone 15 Pro, albeit with a cable rather than wirelessly.
We’re looking forward to clocking up more miles. Don’t try to peer in though; there’s rear ‘privacy’ glass, hiding those important passengers (usually Fergal, our miniature Schnauzer).
DAVID WILLIAMS
WHAT’S HOT: The boot height-adjustment button for lowering the car is great for easier loading.
WHAT’S NOT: As with the V90, the auto-dipping door mirrors are great for reversing; but glacially slow to return to ‘upright’ when you want to go forwards
STANDARD EQUIPMENT: 3rd row air conditioning, 12.3-inch digital instruments, 21-inch alloy wheels with Continental Premium Contact 6 275/40 R21 tyres and tyre repair kit, 40/20/40 split/fold second row seats 50/50 split/fold third row seats, 360-degree camera system, Adaptive cruise control, Adaptive dampers with air suspension, Adjustable steering, Air purifier, Alarm system, Ambient lighting, Anti-lock
brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, Auto-dimming rear-view
and exterior mirrors, Automatic headlights, Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection and front collision warning, Blind spot detection with steer assist, Crystal gear knob, DAB radio with 11.2- inch touchscreen, navigation, with 18-speaker Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system with Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound, USB-C sockets, voice control, Google Assistant and steering wheel controls, Drive mode selector, Driver drowsiness detection, Driver, passenger, side, head and driver’s knee airbags with passenger side de-activation, Electric and heated mirrors with power folding and memory, Electric front seats with memory functionality, massage functionality and cushion extensions, Electric panoramic sunroof, Electric park brake with auto hold, Electric tailgate with hands free functionality, Electric windows front and rear, Electronic stability programme with traction control, Emergency e-call system, Head-up display, Headlight washers, Heated front and second row outer seats ,Heated front windscreen, Heated steering wheel, Hill descent control, Hill start assist, Integrated child seat for second row centre seat, ISOFIX child seat, safety fasteners for second row outer seats, Keyless entry and start, Laminated side and rear windows, Lane keeping assist, Leather upholstery, LED daytime running lights, LED Matrix headlights with active high beam assist, LED rear lights, Off-road drive mode, Parking sensors front and rear, Puddle lights, Quad-zone climate control, Rain sensing windscreen wipers, Rear collision warning and mitigation Rear cross traffic alert, Rear privacy glass, Roof rails, Sunblinds integrated into rear doors, Traffic sign recognition, Tyre pressure monitors, Wired Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and wireless Bluetooth smartphone compatibility and Wireless smartphone charging
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT: Onyx Black metallic paint (£795)
FACTS & FIGURES
Our cars: Volvo XC90 Report 2
MODEL ON TEST: ULTRA T8 PLUG-IN HYBRID AWD AUTOMATIC – MILEAGE – 1,472
XC90s appear to be breeding round our way in London.There are three others in our short road and several others in adjoining streets. It’s not hard to see why they are becoming the default family transport choice for those who can afford them. Here are just two examples of how the sleek, imposing Volvo has slotted seamlessly into our lives since delivery a few weeks ago. First there was the funeral of a greatly missed friend, when I was able to support the family by driving guests to the crematorium, but also – safe in the knowledge that this is a seven-seater with room to spare – offer to ferry additional guests needing transport on to the memorial service, two miles away. They travelled in some style.
Secondly, in a bid to combat the effects of gravity (whereby redundant household objects somehow end up in the cellar) I instituted a massive clear- out. With once-treasured oddments duly transferred to a/charity shops and b/ the tip, I ordered five large plastic sets of drawers to store power tools, socket sets, decorating equipment, motorcycle parts and so on, but didn’t want to wait days for delivery. It seemed touch-and-go as
I paid at the DIY supermarket and lined the drawers up in the car park; would they actually fit in? Of course they did, with tons of room to spare. I should have ordered more.
Mind you, it’s a very luxurious removal truck, especially now that I’ve adjusted various settings, melding driving characteristics to my own tastes.The biggest transformation is clicking the ‘creep’ button so that – like a traditional automatic – the Volvo edges forward in traffic or during manoeuvres, when the
footbrake is released. It makes for far smoother,more pleasant driving.I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t choose it.
I’ve also clicked ‘Easy Entry Exit’ to harness the power of the air suspension. Now it visibly rises and sinks on its haunches, bringing it slightly closer to the ground, making getting in and out – and loading the boot – easier.
I’ve repeatedly set and stored my seating position, finessing it so that it’s more comfortable than the Emirates business class seat that someone once treated me to on a work trip. I’ve set height, lumbar support, under-thigh extension, side support and of course rake – along with the door mirrors – so that everything is perfect.
Frustratingly, ongoing hospital appointments – mine and others’ – have come between me and many long- distance trips, so most miles have been clocked up in London where, initially, I thought that the XC90 would feel overly- large. It doesn’t (as those neighbours must have found) and is easy to drive
in heavy traffic, not least thanks to the commanding view over other vehicles, especially at junctions.
Other big ‘likes’ include the all- pervading air of luxurious sophistication, quick response to the throttle, the beautiful ride quality (even fully laden with passengers) and the sparkling 11.2- inch centre screen, supplemented by the 12.3-inch driver’s info display. And a funny quirk; this particular shade of black tends not to show the dirt as quickly as the V90’s Denim Blue did.
The extra size, however, comes at a cost. When I did roll up to the local hand car wash (well I was too busy to do it
myself, I was clearing out the cellar), the bill for the 15-minute job jumped from £20 for the V90 to an exorbitant £30.
I shall now have to designate one of those new plastic drawers to a sponge, brush, car shampoo and chamois. How fitting that this is the car cleaning and valeting issue for hints and tips!
DAVID WILLIAMS
WHAT’S HOT: Simple but effective, the flip-up bag holder is great for preventing small amounts of shopping rolling around.
WHAT’S NOT: The boot load cover is effective but – unlike the V90 – doesn’t automatically retract and close with the tailgate.
FACTS & FIGURES
Our cars: Volvo XC90 Report 3
MODEL ON TEST: ULTRA T8 PLUG-IN HYBRID AWD AUTOMATIC – MILEAGE – 2,245
It’s an eerie experience driving in dense fog, especially if, like me, you live in London where (unlike in the 1950s) we rarely get a proper pea-souper. Driving in Cornwall, however, we were engulfed by the stuff for two full days, marvelling at how cut off we felt, how the landscape vanished entirely as we ventured onto Bodmin Moor. I clicked on the fog light switches, happy that we were visible to other motorists, minimising the chance of being rear-ended.
Some miles on, I remembered with a lurch that in a previous car I’d done exactly this, realising too late that as the headlights were on ‘auto’ and hadn’t activated in the fog, the ‘foggies’ hadn’t come on either. For them to work, the headlights had to be fully on. So I dived into a field gateway and jumped out to check. Sure enough, despite being in ‘auto’, the rear fog light was on. Nothing at the front though, despite having pressed the corresponding button. Consulting google, I read that due to the placement of battery cooling components in the front bumper area, the T8 variant lacks these lights. Having been impressed with the powerful front foggies of other cars on the moor (mostly pickups), I was disappointed but there were compensations. The first was that as I drove into the field, I selected permanent 4WD on the centre screen. So no embarrassing walk to the nearest pub to request a tow out of the bog for me, looking silly.
Secondly, I realised that while I was reduced to just 20mph, straining every sense to spot hazards in the road ahead (sheep get everywhere on Bodmin), even if I did miss something in the fog, there was a good chance that the impressive array of detectors on the front of this Volvo would probably spot it anyway and keep me out of harm’s way. Every XC90, let alone the swish T8 Ultra, comes with a full suite of safety aids including City Safety with Steering Support, with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and front collision warning (great for those sheep) with full automatic emergency braking. It feels like a very safe car indeed.
Extremely comfortable too on the long slog down the A303 from London and back along the M5/M4, giving me plenty of time to evaluate other aspects of this luxurious flagship Volvo. I really surprised my 91-year-old mother during our visit, by demonstrating the front massage seats. Not just any old massage either, but four different modes. She loved the combination of ‘wave motion’ and, of course in that chilly fog, the heated seat. The massage eased the tedium of the M4 on our return too.
Other likes on my first, proper, long trip? The hush on motorways, the ride quality from the air suspension, the enormous boot (I always over pack), the sheer handsome look of the car, the punchy audio system with numerous different listening options (studio or stage?? are just for starters, there’s also a full graphic equaliser), and some of the most comfortable seating going.
Having clocked up most of our miles in the city to date, I’m still getting the hang of how to turn off steering assist when it’s in Adaptive Cruise Control mode; I don’t like ‘fighting’ with the wheel. Fumbling, and failing, with the controls, I assumed that the gods of safety had deemed an ‘off’ setting to be surplus to requirements, but Volvo tell me it is possible so I shall try again.When I next have time to leave The Big Smoke.
DAVID WILLIAMS
WHAT’S HOT: Massaging seats sound like a frippery. Try them, though, and you’ll be hooked.
WHAT’S NOT: No front fog lights – not necessary, maybe, but they do add to the sense of occasion.
FACTS & FIGURES
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