Choose your power source with Volvo XC90 T8

An imposing 7-seater SUV weighing 2350 kilograms does not conform to the classic mould for a hybrid powertrain. As a range the Volvo XC90 is expected to cover long distances or perhaps do a spot of towing – neither of which are a hybrid’s forte.

XC90 T8 R Design tested in SA

Yet until the Volvo S90 arrives in South Africa in January 2017, this is the only hybrid model offered by the Swedish carmaker and because the XC90 was such a revelation for the brand, by a degree of happenstance it becomes the poster vehicle for this ground-breaking technology.

Volvo is taking hybrid powertrains almost as seriously as autonomous driving; a field that has seen it already deploy several phases of autonomous integration into public motorways. Therefore, the XC90 was designed to incorporate its Twin Engined heart from the very beginning. This gives the giant SUV an enormous edge over competitors like the BMW X5 40e – but more on that later.

Our test model was the XC90 T8 Twin Engine AWD R Design. The very summit of the price list, some R300 000 more than the XC90 D4 Geartronic FWD – a terrific car in its own right. From any angle the XC90 is as beguiling as it was when launched more than twelve months ago…later adding its name to the South African Car of the Year Trophy.

Muscular, squat, purposeful and unique. A bit retro cool. Once you start bolting the R Design accessories to it, like the optional 22-inch wheels, XC90 conveys an ominous warning to those dour German designs.

On-board the cabin’s sportier R Design message comes through clearly. Heavily contoured seats manage to hug the R Design steering wheel, gear lever and pedals

Standard equipment includes luxuries like Active Bending LEDs, 12.3-inch instrument display, power tailgate, Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

As part of the options listed in R Design Pack (R64 000) our model came fitted with the 19-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system, heated seats, heads-up display, carbon fibre door decals, air suspension with active chassis control and enough cameras to make parking a cinch.

These gel effortlessly inside a cabin that appears not to have compromised on the small details. Take the Orrefors crystal gear selector…Volvo could have so easily made it from cheaper metal but as a frequent touch point the sensation of quality instantly diffuses through the cabin. And the interplay between XC90’s ornate design and fast-paced electronics is beautifully judged.

Roll out the bright yellow charging cable, give the battery a full charge for the next day’s runabout and Volvo claims it will do 2.1l/100km. This is achievable. Just like 9l/100km is also achievable. It depends on the state of charge, the distance and one’s driving habits. It’s a grey area especially in a high-end consumer market unperturbed by monthly fuel spend.

Understand the foibles of PHEV cars before you buy one – in most instances a diesel will return better averages.

This doesn’t detract one iota from the XC90 T8 Twin Engine which at this point still leads the competition. Personally, a hybrid needs to offer choice as well as the information to correctly base that choice on. This serves both ends satisfyingly well through its 12.3-inch touchscreen. Swipe into the menus and you can do many things like instruct the 2.0-litre Drive-E engine to Charge the batteries, or Hold charge until a preferred time. The instrument cluster adapts to the Drive Selector Mode so that every decision is reinforced by the necessary graphs and information. Not only is it interactive but it’s a heap of fun too.

Add up all the systems and XC90 T8 Twin Engine produces 300kW and 640Nm for a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds and top speed of 230km/h. Just like efficiency these stats are a slippery topic, dependent on battery power and mode but XC90 is still reasonably brisk but not quite Audi Q7 sublime at speed or BMW planted in the corners. Overall the feedback and involvement is a little anesthetised.

Volvo’s Pilot Assist system is an on-going evolution but in the current form handles Lane Keeping Aid with Driver Alert, Autobrake at Intersections for oncoming traffic, Large Animal Detection, Front Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Road Sign Information.

The model is our winner among the growing number of SUV PHEVs but not our pick within the XC90 family. That would probably go to the D5 AWD model. Yet as a halo model underpinned by some of the best green technology on our roads, we are confident of Volvo’s new direction – an intuition that’s likely to gather clarity at the launch of the upcoming Volvo S90.