VOLVO XC90 RECHARGE PLUG-IN HYBRID T8 HONOURED IN INAUGURAL WHAT CAR? ELECTRIC CAR AWARDS.
The honours keep coming for Volvo's flagship model, with the announcement today that the XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T8 has won the Hybrid Seven-Seater of the Year award in the first What Car? Electric Car Awards.
The accolade further emphasizes the large luxury SUV's status: it also received 'best plug-in hybrid' honours in the general What Car? Awards in both 2019 and 2020, plus the 2019 'best used hybrid' title. This time the focus is on electrification, where Volvo has taken a market lead in introducing a plug-in hybrid version of every model in its UK line-up.
What Car? describes the XC90 Recharge T8 as an "outstanding plug-in hybrid package" that is "luxurious, spacious and quick". Although it is a large vehicle, its pure-electric driving range (officially up to 30 miles) is considered "plenty to electrify most commutes or school runs", while its powertrain also offers "great performance". Summing up, What Car? reports: "All in all, its practicality and performance make the XC90 one of the most versatile PHEVs going."
The plug-in hybrid system combines a 303hp 2.0-litre petrol engine with an 87hp electric motor in what is the most potent powertrain in the XC90 range. Not only does this enable acceleration from rest to 62mph in just 5.8 seconds, its superb efficiency means CO2 emissions from just 63g/km (WLTP) and fuel economy of up to 100.9mpg (WLTP Combined cycle). Thanks to the low CO2 figures, the XC90 Recharge T8 earns an exceptionally low benefit-in-kind rating for company car taxation of just 15 or 16%, depending on the car's equipment grade. This means monthly car tax bills for a 40% taxpayer from just £338.
The XC90 Recharge T8 is available in two main grades, R-Design and Inscription, and in higher-specification 'Pro' versions of both. Standard features include a four-zone climate control system, all-wheel drive (via a rear-axle electric motor), power-operated tailgate, LED headlights, heated, power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery (plus Nubuck on the R-Design/R-Design Pro versions) and a rear parking camera.
Sensus connectivity provides a nine-inch touchscreen to co-ordinate the car's navigation and multimedia functions, voice control, access to the Volvo On Call connected services platform and a SIM card with up to 100GB of data. The Volvo City Safety package of active safety systems is also provided as standard on all versions.
The comfortable and fully flexible interior provides seven individual seats in three rows, together with generous load space that can be easily extended when extra cargo capacity is needed.