Volvo XC90's Hybrid Version Bags Best Electrified Seven-Seater Award

It's Volvo XC90 SUV's plug-in, hybrid version, but don't make the mistake in thinking it's just one of those engines. This multi-awarded SUV has recently been awarded by DrivingElectric Awards as Best Electrified Seven-Seater--and really, it's just getting started.

The XC90 T8 Twin Engine is also exceptionally efficient: it only gives out CO2 emissions from just 52g/km (NEDC correlated figures), with a combined fuel economy cycle of up to 113.0mpg (WLTP data).

“The Volvo XC90 has long been the king of the large family SUVs, and in T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid form it makes transporting seven people in comfort very cost effective indeed. Recent updates have freshened up its looks and improved its electric technology, ensuring it stays at the front of the class.” says Vicky Parrott, DrivingElectric's Associate Editor.

Upgraded for Better Performance

The Volvo XC90 has long been the king of the large family SUVs, and its T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid form makes transporting seven people cost-effective. Recent updates have freshened up its looks and improved its electric technology, ensuring it stays at the front of the class.”

Some of the improvements made were the increase in capacity of the T8 Twin Engine's high voltage lithium-ion battery from 10.4 to 11.6 kilowatt hours. This adjustment has made a significant increase of more than 30 percent in the car's pure-electric driving range. Now, it can go from 21.7 to a maximum of 28.6 miles.

The T8 Twin Engine powertrain is available in R-Design, R-Design Pro, Inscription and Inscription Pro grades. Its standard features include: all-wheel drive (via a rear-axle electric motor), power-operated tailgate, rear parking camera, LED headlights, leather upholstery (leather with Nubuck on R-Design and R-Design Pro versions), heated front seats with power adjustment, Sensus Connect connectivity system with nine-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, voice-activated control, access to the Volvo On Call connected services platform and a SIM card which provides up to 100GB of data, along with Volvo’s City Safety comprehensive package of active safety systems.

The T8 Twin Engine models offer these other features: four-zone electronic climate control with a cooled glovebox, air-conditioning for the third row of seats, a 4.5-metre charging cable and a dedicated cable storage bag.

Multi-Awarded Engine

This isn't the first time that Volvo has won an award. Recently, it won the 2019 What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards: Best Used Hybrid. Its T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid was praised for its "efficiency and performance".

As the judges remarked: “It’s the XC90 T8’s breadth of abilities that really impressed us. It’s a classy and spacious SUV that’s great value for money when bought used, and it can run for up to 25 miles on electric power alone.

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