Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine (Hybrid) – Test Drive Review

Volvo XC90 Twin Engine Hybrid Review

Almost 5 metres long, over 1.77 metres high and 2.14 metres wide. These are the exterior dimensions of the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine. A name that is almost as big as the car itself. The long name extension to the Volvo XC90 is useful and also important, because Twin Engine means that the car has two engines under the bonnet. A petrol in-line four-cylinder as well as an ERAD rear axle electric drive. Together the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine achieves a theoretical consumption of 2.1 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres. On an 80 km trip, mostly on country roads in Bavaria, I managed a consumption of 6.3 litres of petrol. For such a big car, with an unladen weight of 2.3 tonnes, this is quite a respectable performance. What else makes the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine so special, read it here.

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Review: my Test Drive with a Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Hybrid

Exterior – Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine

From the front and the side the Volvo XC90 looks one thing, massive. Massiveness, of course, also makes it safe for the occupants.

Interior – Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine

In the interior the XC90 convinces with noble Scandi-chic. Straight lines, you find everything where you expect it, not too many buttons and controls. Beautifully minimalist, mixed with high-quality materials, simply beautiful. Volvo definitely is known for their beautiful interiors.

Steering Wheel Interior Volvo XC90 Twin Engine Hybrid
Steering Wheel / Interior of a Volvo XC90 Twin Engine Hybrid

Under the bonnet – Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine

Under the bonnet the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine has two engines. An internal combustion engine, which is regularly housed in the front, and an electric rear-wheel drive. The combustion engine drives the front wheels, the electric drive only the rear wheels. If the car is driven in all-wheel drive mode, which can be switched on as an option, both motors drive the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine. If the battery is empty, the electric motor is also powered by the combustion engine.

I like – Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine (Hybrid)

The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine was my first close encounter with a Volvo, and I was more than pleasantly surprised.

I don’t like – Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine (Hybrid)

The only thing I don’t like about the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine is the size. But that’s only because I personally have no need for a car with up to 7 seats. The first moment of the first drive was very unusual for me because it was difficult to estimate the size of the car at all. But as you drive, you get used to it very well.
I found the gear lever in the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine a bit slow and time-consuming. This glass handle is responsible for changing gears. If you want to change from P to D or to R you have to use it more than once, but to make sure where you are you have to check the display. Not, as in the past, simply pull through from P to D and drive, no, you first stop in R and then change to D. I found this very impractical for a turning manoeuvre involving several forward and reverse manoeuvres.

Volvo XC90 luggage compartment as seen from inside the car
Volvo XC90 luggage compartment as seen from inside the car

Test conclusion of my test drive with the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine

The Volvo XC90 is a stunner in many respects. I especially like the fact that the fuel consumption of the over 2 tonne car can still be kept low, if driven in the right way. In combination with electric driving, of course. But even with a combustion engine, the XC90 accelerates quickly and agilely. No other car manufacturer offers 7 seats in a hybrid vehicle of this class, Volvo is the only one to do so. The same goes for the workmanship of the interior and the beautiful, clean Swedish design.

This blogpost was first published in German on my German Autoblog Hyyperlic, in 2016, under the name: Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine (Hybrid) in Dunkelblau – Probefahrt

About

Outdoor Lifestyle Blogger Lisa JoyDellaVita

Lisa is a Blogger for more than a decade now, sharing her adventures exploring the world on JoyDellaVita, as well as excursions into the culinary world, sustainable choices, how to live a healthy active lifestyle but overall, how to enjoy a life full of joys.