Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid Review
Car Tested: Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid Excellence; Road Test No. 1121; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1,60,17,437/-
With a hybrid powertrain and one of the most comfortable interiors, the Volvo XC90 is the perfect chauffeur-driven SUV
Volvo’s flagship SUV, the XC90, showcases a repertoire of abilities. Spacious, practical, luxurious, brilliantly engineered and extremely safe, the XC90 is one of those no non-sense SUVs that does what it promises very well. This is a crowded segment but the XC90 has always attracted a decent audience. But it had that image of being slightly over-practical and boring. Most of that perception went away with the new generation model which had serious tech and cool looks. But Volvo wasn’t satisfied. With growing competition in the ultra-luxury segment with cars like Range Rover and even the Bentley Bentayaga, Volvo decided to launch the ‘Excellence’ variant. This variant promises over-the-top luxury experience in the backseat and a cutting edge T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain. Can this Swedish take on luxury make the XC90 the car of choice for the prospective buyers? We drive and be driven in to find out.
Motor Quest: Volvo is a brand that has long had a reputation of making boxy, practical, comfortable and safe automobiles. The first-gen XC90, launched in 2002, was based on these very values. The model lasted for an impressive 12 years before receiving a complete makeover. The longstanding presence of a single generation is a testimony of the car’s immense popularity. With so many rivals coming in that period, the XC90 stood its ground very well. The second generation was unveiled in 2015 with great strides taken in exterior, interior and performance departments. This model was a runaway success for Volvo and found a lot of takers in India too. The XC90 also served as a pioneer for a host of new, more tech-savvy Volvos which have changed the brand’s perception considerably.
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The XC90 gets the signature Volvo styling elements
Exteriors – The XC90 has a traditional SUV silhouette. But the boxy design does not translate into boring. The SUV looks quite cool with sharp headlights and tastefully done tail light design. In fact, the fuss-free design makes the XC90 look really classy and the plain exterior may actually make it stand out in a parking lot full of SUVs trying to look sporty.
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21-inch alloy wheels give this Volvo a macho stance
XC90’s understated and minimalist design gives it a classy & elegant look
The Excellence trim adds a more elegant alloy wheel design, more chrome along the side and of course, the T8 badging. Yes, you may have expected more changes but subtlety seems to be the Volvo way. No doubt, the design lacks the sheer glamour of the Range Rover but there are many people who prefer it this way.
