Volvo XC90 T8

First update: The Volvo XC90 T8 joins our fleet for six months

We're switching from an EV to a PHEV. But with the added bonus of seven seats as we get the keys to the Volvo XC90 T8 which replaces the Audi A6 Avant e-tron.

Date: 22 September 2025 | Current mileage: 2435 | Claimed economy: 201.8mpg | Actual economy: 68.3mpg

Amazingly it's been 10 years since this generation of the Volvo XC90 was first introduced. And yet the big Volvo shows no signs of slowing down. While Volvo may have recently launched its electric equivalent, the Volvo EX90, the XC90 continues to sell well having recently been updated.

Perhaps this should come as no surprise though. The previous generation Volvo XC90 had a similarly long life, selling consistently well for 13 years. And with many manufacturers holding off replacing their big SUVs - the Audi Q7 has also been on sale since 2015 and won't be replaced until 2026 - there would appear to be a few good years left in the Volvo XC90 yet.

Indeed, in September last year Volvo revised the XC90 with a new front end, a larger central touchscreen and tweaks to the interior. It has slimmed down the range too so now there are no diesels available, just the B5 petrol mild hybrid or the T8 plug-in hybrid which we've gone for.

Our Volvo XC90 T8 is in top spec Ultra trim so we've not had to add an options aside from £795 for Onyx Black metallic paint. We've stuck with the standard 21-inch alloy wheels and went for the Dark theme which replaces all the usual chrome trim with gloss black. In total the list price is £85,055. 

 

Of course, soon after our car arrived, Volvo introduced the Volvo XC90 Black Edition, which we would have chosen given the chance as it adds black badging, all black wheels and an all black grille. Confusingly you can also get the Black Edition in blue and grey.

This isn't the first time we've run a Volvo plug-in hybrid. A few years we go we ran a Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered but where as that was more about performance, the Volvo XC90's forte is really practicality. Despite being a bigger car, the 42-mile EV range of the XC90 is a considerable step up from the 28 miles in the V60. So far we've not had to dip into the petrol tank thanks to lots of short local journeys, so it's been running on electric only.

It will be interesting to see how much that range drops in cold weather. It's been enjoyable mild of late, meaning prime conditions for EV batteries. We will see whether that 42-mile range remains when temperatures are close to freezing. Still, it does have a heated steering wheel, so that's a bonus.

With three children and a dog, the seven seats of the Volvo XC90 is already proving a godsend. It means our eldest will sit right at the back and keep the dog company while also stopping the three children from arguing in the back of the car on every journey that's more than 10 minutes. Fun as that is. Here's to the next six months of peaceful journeys...