How Far Can a 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid Go on Electricity Alone?
We awarded the Volvo XC90 our Best of 2016 Award, but even now it holds its own as a comfortable, stylish, luxurious SUV loaded with technology. It’s a refreshingly different take on luxury than you’ll find in one of the ubiquitous German or Japanese brands, and we like it for that reason. But the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid version hasn’t generally been one of our favorites because of drivability and refinement issues in the past. So when the updated 2020 XC90 T8 Inscription showed up in my driveway, I figured it was time to give it another shot. I wanted to see just how far one of these plug-in hybrid XC90s can go on pure electric power before the engine kicks in to supplement the hybrid battery.
Related: 2020 Volvo XC90 Review: An Aging Icon Learns New Tricks
- ${price_badge()}
- ${battery_badge()}${ev_report_link()}
- ${hot_car_badge()}
- ${award_badge()}
- ${cpo_badge()}
${price_badge_description}
The EV Battery Rating is based on this vehicle's current expected range relative to the vehicles expected range when new. ${battery_badge_text}
Certified cars are manufacturer warrantied and typically go through a rigorous multi-point inspection.
This car is likely to sell soon based on the price, features, and condition.
${award_blurb}
${award_two_blurb}
Shop the 2020 Volvo XC90 near you
Beating the EPA Range Estimates
So one chilly February morning I made sure the six-passenger XC90 had a full tank of gas and a fully charged battery pack, checked the tire pressures and headed off on my special electric vehicle testing loop that I use specifically for plug-in hybrid vehicles to see how far they can go. On these loops, driving efficiency is the key, but I’m not hypermiling it; I do, however, eliminate unnecessary drains on the battery to maximize efficiency. I kept the climate control off (nothing kills range for an EV like generating heat) and kept speeds to within 5 mph of the posted limit, otherwise driving normally and calmly.
The result: When the XC90 was placed in Pure eco drive mode, which keeps it in EV operation as long as you’re not too heavy on the accelerator, it kept going for 20 miles until the battery ran down to the point that the gas engine was required. This is 2 miles farther than the EPA rates the XC90; the government says that the XC90 T8 should be able to achieve 18 miles on full EV operation. Once the battery is drained, the onboard 2.0-liter turbo-and-supercharged four-cylinder engine cranks to life, allowing an anticipated 520 miles before needing to fill up on premium gasoline.
How the XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid Works
The Volvo XC90 T8 E-AWD is a plug-in hybrid, meaning it can run off of pure electricity, gasoline engine power or a combination of both. The system’s 313-horsepower gas engine is supplemented by an 87-hp electric motor for a total system rating of 400 hp and 472 pounds-feet of torque, according to Volvo. The 2020’s battery is now an 11.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion pack (over the 2019’s 10.4 kwh) and needs about three to four hours to completely recharge from a 240-volt Level 2 charger, depending on the output of that charger.
There are several modes to choose from in the XC90 T8 E-AWD, but the one you’d want for maximizing electric range is Pure eco drive mode. It replaces the tachometer in the digital gauge cluster with a little meter that helps you to keep the SUV in electric mode. Ask too much of it in terms of acceleration, and the needle slides over the EV mode into the gasoline mode, and the engine will kick on. But it’s actually not hard to keep it in the electric operation range, as it still feels plenty quick in electric mode. But with all that available power on tap, for instances where you’re requiring a little more entertainment in your commute, Power sport mode turns the XC90 E-AWD into a rocketship. Volvo reports a 5.3-second dash from 0-60 mph, an eye-opening experience in an SUV this big and heavy. Of course, if you’re doing that regularly, you’re certainly not going to get anywhere near 18 or 20 miles of electric range, but you’ll be enjoying the experience for sure.
I found the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid to be really quite the best of both worlds — quiet, quick and efficient, providing silent operation when required and snorty boosts of copious speed when requested. My only issue with the vehicle is that it still exhibits some funky drivability issues, most notably in coast-down with your foot off the accelerator in Hybrid mode. The automatic regenerative braking can come on too suddenly, feeling as though the vehicle has suddenly downshifted, upsetting the chassis and causing a wobble in the vehicle as you’re slowing that makes you go, “What the heck was that?” Aside from that regular sensation, the XC90 was a treat to drive.
What’s the Point?
The XC90 T8 also has a Hold and Charge function that allows you to sustain the battery’s level up until a certain point, say in an urban center, and then switch over to electric operation. This technology doesn’t come cheap with the XC90 T8’s starting price of $67,995 (including destination fees) for a T8 Momentum plug-in hybrid, and stretching up to more than $86,000 for a loaded T8 Inscription. So you’re not buying one because it’s an economical choice. But if you’re already set on a luxury SUV and want a bit of gasoline-free operation in your daily drive, the XC90 T8 E-AWD is a solid choice.
More From Cars.com:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
