Interest in the Volvo XC90 will probably drop when the new all-electric EX90 appears in shop windows. Although it is impressive to see how popular the XC90 still is. After all, we are talking about a hybrid car that costs over a million kroner.
Brief model history
Volvo is by no means finished with the XC90. Earlier this year, quite large improvements were made to the T8 drivetrain. The battery pack has been given an extra layer of cells that increases both battery capacity and range. The electric motor at the rear has more power to push with. With increased downforce from the electric motor, Volvo has chosen to remove the Supercharger from the petrol engine. The upgraded 2-litre turbo engine has nevertheless received a small power increase. Total boost effect in power mode has been increased from 407 HP to 455 and the range has been increased from 46 to 68 km – on paper.
"Our" car is an early 2022 model based on the previous upgrade from May/June 2019. Also then, the battery pack received a long-awaited increase in capacity and a small facelift. From what I can see, all 2022 models now have hidden tailpipes. It also appears that the 2023 model will be produced without any exterior changes from the 2022 models.
When the first generation XC90 arrived in 2002, I was amazed that many of those who found the car appealing had never previously shown any interest in cars – many of them women. Large, solid, safe and family-friendly Volvo still ticks several boxes for many. The new Volvo XC90 with the T8 hybrid drive is truly more appealing than ever.
Petrol guzzler?
"Good car!", said my son. He knows the XC90 quite well. "I always drive in power mode, - otherwise it will die". The XC90 may not be the first choice for "keen drivers". But I understand my son. If you put the car in "power", it reacts spontaneously to the gas in the same way as a vigorous electric car. When I checked the car's trip computer on "our" XC90, I found the fuel consumption from previous driver(s). The average consumption was a whopping 1,3 litres/10 km! If you drive actively, the XC90 can probably be experienced as a gas guzzler. In standard "hybrid" mode, the car is experienced as a completely normal hybrid car. It suited me well as I ventured out into the traffic in central Oslo.
Big car
A large car in the city is fine if you live on Snarøya and work in an office building with its own parking. I noted that several of the parking spaces at Oslo City would simply be too narrow for "my" XC90. You get good help from the camera, which shows the car's location in a bird's-eye view. Then you don't have to open the door to see if you are within the markings. Out in city traffic, I also noticed that I had good visibility in all directions. Volvo's blind spot warning systems are still good to have, as they also warn of soft road users. If you are going to park along the street in narrow city streets, you may sometimes wish for a smaller car.
Daytrippers
I charged the batteries to a decent 75% before we left. The calculated range was a measly 25 km without it really playing a role. We were on our way to Skien and drove in hybrid mode, where the car automatically distributes the power. The miles on the motorway down to Grelland went like clockwork. Pleasantly low noise level dominated by the sound of 22 inch monster wheels and P5 hits on a premium music system. We continued towards Hvittingfoss and down Lågendalen. No stress. The car switched seamlessly between petrol engine, electric motor and freewheel without us noticing anything.
From Steinsholt, the traffic takes off towards Siljan. Here the road begins with bends and hills. I noticed that the car changed character. A nice hum from the engine and quick gear changes. The monster tires gave great grip in the turns. The car's chassis is a bit stiff but still comfortable as it picks up the bumps nicely. It's amazing that a two and a quarter ton car can move so easily!
We were on our way to Borgund church to tend a family grave for the autumn cold. When my wife was a child, her family drove the same way to visit grandparents in Skien. At the time, it was gravel, and things went at breakneck speed when they were left behind heavy cars in crab gears.
Comfort
We chatted about what we like about the XC90. We focused on comfort. It's not every day that we drive cars that cost one and a quarter million. We attempt to benchmark it with another car, a BMW 530d M sport we had during a visit to Essex a few years ago. Then we were awarded the most beautiful rental car in the whole airport! Also the one with a fantastic and expensive undercarriage. My wife thought the BMW had more comfortable seats, softer leather and softer padding that enveloped you. In terms of comfort, it was 1-0 to BMW. "But YOU probably like these seats better", she parried. Quite correct! For me, the driver's seat in Nubuck leather and Alcantara is like an individually ergometrically adapted director's office chair.
On old roads
After lunch in Eidanger, we took the long way home via the old road to Larvik, the one that goes over the old Langangen. As is known, Langangen got a brand new bridge in 1979. Before that, the E18 ran underneath the center of Langangen with steep sections on both sides. On one side is the "corkscrew" - a section of road that is shaped like a loop so as not to be too steep. This section of road was actually built as early as 1858 – 1861. Today's concrete bridge was built by the Germans during the war because they could not get their material under the old stone bridge. And the facility was in use right up until 1979. Think how much "fun" it must have been here in the winter!
0,85 per mile
The trip to Borgestad of 130 km gave an average consumption of 0,75 litres/10 km. Together with the trip back, we ended up with 280 km and an average consumption of 0,85 litres/10 km. When we started, we had 25 km on the battery. Had we peaked up to 30 km before the journey home, we could have reduced the total average consumption to 0,75 litres/10 km. But that is only theoretical. Since the car only accepts 3,6 Kw, it is not appropriate to charge along the road. The point is that if you can charge at home, it pays to start the long trip with full batteries.
35 km range
"Our" car is an early 2022 model with a battery capacity of 11,6 kwh gross and 9,1 kwh net. Stated range is 46 km. After fully charging after the long trip, the estimated range ended up being 35 km. The next day I drove "to work" in "pure" mode. Once there, after 12 km of city driving, the estimated range was reduced accordingly. It is good. Then the stated range agreed with reality. 35 km is not much, but would have covered min travel both ways. And by the way, the car worked fine on electricity.
Cars delivered from January 2022 received a higher battery capacity, 18,7 kWh gross and 14,8 net. The stated range is 68 km, but real consumption is probably correspondingly lower.
Unwanted engine noise
I would be a little worried that the real range on electricity is only 35 km. If you drive further, you have saved petrol for 35 km anyway. What annoys me most about the drivetrain is that when I start up in hybrid mode inside a communal garage, the petrol engine starts running after a short time - and it runs at a monotonously high idle speed - like a cheap generator from Biltema - despite the fact that it actually er current on the battery. The same can also happen when I arrive. When maneuvering a million dollar hybrid car - at walking speed, I expect it to be intelligent enough to use the remaining power without starting the petrol engine. It is actually one of the reasons why you choose a hybrid car - and perhaps put in a few extra kroner.
Place
With 5 seats in use, the boot holds 640 liters plus a small space underneath for charging cables and the like. It is on a par with competitors Audi and BMW. As a 7-seater, there is only room for 262 litres. The two rear seats are preferably for children and fit well when driving them to football matches. The interior space is easily converted into a flat floor and it is easy to create flexible solutions, for example combining the transport of long or irregular objects together with passengers.
Security
The Volvo XC90 was tested by Euro NCAP in 2015 with a D5 diesel engine without a battery pack. It then scored 5/5 stars, got 97% for adult dolls and 87% for children. In a side impact test with a pillar, it was discovered that the rear part of the crash curtain did not unfold as it should. It could be unfortunate for the passengers in the 3rd row of seats. According to Euro NCAP, Volvo has stated that they have fixed the fault and informed owners of 7-seaters to have their cars fixed.
Read the report from Euro NCAP here
Conclusion
I would not advise anyone to 'run out and buy' a new Volvo XC90 even though it is a fantastic vehicle. Plug-in hybrid cars will probably lose market share to pure electric cars – not least Volvo's new large electric SUV. This can result in a high loss of value. Rather, I recommend that you find an XC90 on the used market. As Volvo has probably made ongoing improvements to the drivetrain - and from May/June 2019 increased battery capacity and range, this is a series I recommend. That's a lot of car in a 3-year-old XC90.
Facts Volvo XC90 Recharge
Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 495 x 193 x 177 cm
Wheelbase: 289 cm
Net weight: 2252 kg (without driver)
Payload: 653 kg
Number of seats: 7
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 2400 kg
– without brakes: 750 kg
Roof load: 100 kg
Drivetrain "our" car (early 2022 model)
Type: T8, B4204T34
Three engines. A 2,0-litre inline-four petrol engine with both a front-mounted turbo and supercharger drives the front wheels. An electric motor in the rear that drives the rear wheels. A third motor - also an electric motor - sits between the petrol engine and the gearbox and ensures that the power from the petrol engine is delivered evenly - i.e. without gaps under throttle. In addition, it provides a boost effect
Power: 303 HP from the main engine, 87 HP from the rear electric motor and 71 HP from the auxiliary motor, which together give 390 HP and a boost effect of 407 HP.
Gearbox: 8-speed Geartronic automatic (Aisin AW TG-81SD)
Electronically controlled four-wheel drive.
Drivetrain new cars (from late 2022 model)
Type: T8, B4204T56
Same concept as before with three engines. Still a 2,0-litre inline-four turbo petrol engine, now without a supercharger, but has still received a small power increase. The electric motor at the back has received a solid power increase.
Power: 310 HP from the main engine, 145 HP from the rear electric motor and 71 HP from the auxiliary engine. Together, they can provide a boost effect of 455 HP.
Gearbox: 8-speed Geartronic automatic (Aisin AW TG-81SD)
Electronically controlled four-wheel drive.
Battery pack "our" car (early 2022 model)
Type: Li-ion
Location: Centrally located longitudinally in the tunnel.
Capacity (total): 11 Kwh
Capacity (usable): 9,1 Kwh
Range WLTP: 50 km
Measured range: 35 km
Charging time via Type2 cable: approx. 3 hours
Battery pack new car (from late 2022 model)
Type: Li-ion
Location: Centrally located along the tunnel.
Capacity (total): 18,8 Kwh
Capacity (usable): 14,9 Kwh
Range WLTP: 73 – 64 km
Charging time via Type2 cable: approx. 5 hours
Gasoline consumption
Measured long-distance consumption: 0,85 litres/10 km
Luggage compartment
As a seven-seater: 262 litres
As a five-seater: 640 litres
+ Small space under the cover: 31 litres
Tires
Size: 275/35R22 104Y
Type: Summer tire
Brand: Pirelli P Zero
Prices 2023 model
Plus: NOK 1
Ultimate: NOK 1
Towbar: NOK 11
About the car
Place of production: Torslanda, Sweden
Colour: Thunder Grey
Equipment grade: R-design/Dark
Leased by Rent
Owner: Europcar Norway
Model: 2022
Mileage: 31780
Km driven: 306
Sources: vegvesen.no, www.media.volvocars.com, Notices along the road with the corkscrew
