Volvo XC90 - Engines, performance and drive

With Volvo turning its back on diesel (which is a shame in cars such as the XC90, where it was so well suited) and a fully electric powertrain reserved for the manufacturer’s Volvo EX90, buyers are left with the choice of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid propulsion.

What is the Volvo XC90 like to drive?

When it comes to driving, comfort is the quality that matters most for a large people-moving SUV such as this, and the good news for XC90 buyers is that this is an area where the Volvo scores highly.

In town

The XC90’s ride is at its best when fitted with the air-suspension system of range-topping models. With this, it can soak up all manner of road imperfections, and only the occasional pothole introduces a touch of crashiness into the cabin. 

However, on the standard suspension set-up, which uses traditional coil springs up front and composite leaf springs at the back, it still remains comfortable. Even then, the sound of suspension knocks (and road noise in general) is well isolated from the occupants. The steering is very light, which brings benefits when parking, at which point the surround-view cameras come in handy while piloting almost five metres of SUV.

On A- and B-roads

The light steering feels less positive as the speed increases, because it becomes a little too imprecise for a car of this size, which adds to an already floaty sensation created by the air springs. While this can be mitigated slightly by opting for a more sporty steering mode, it doesn’t really improve things enough to encourage sporty driving, and neither does the high centre of gravity and nose-heavy attitude. It’s best to just take a much more relaxed approach.

On the motorway

That ride comfort is shown in its best light on a motorway, where the XC90 is a very relaxing place for seven people (and their belongings) to while away the miles. 

Aside from a small rustle from the door mirrors, wind noise is well contained, and the engine note is considerably calmer than it is when under load. Once again, a little more precision from the steering would make the Volvo feel more planted, but that’s only a minor criticism when at a cruise.

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0-62mph acceleration and top speed

It’s the least powerful B5 mild-hybrid petrol we’d go for; a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that’s backed up by a modest electric boost that recovers some waste energy when slowing down. This can then be deployed under acceleration to remove some load (and therefore fuel usage) from the four-cylinder unit. With 247bhp and 360Nm of torque sent to all four wheels, it delivers strong acceleration, with the 0-62mph sprint dispatched in 7.7 seconds. 

While the 296bhp B6 is a second quicker from 0-62mph than the B5 (taking 6.7 seconds), it doesn’t provide the performance advantage you’d expect for the extra expense and fuel economy penalty.

Those in more of a hurry can turn to the T8 PHEV. This gets a 306bhp version of the same petrol engine, plus an electric motor with 143bhp and 309Nm: enough for a total system output of 448bhp. That slashes the 0-62mph time to 5.4 seconds, but as with every new Volvo, the top speed is limited to 112mph.

Progress is fairly smooth in each car, but the petrol engine can sound a little noisy when it’s worked hard, and the unit cuts in a bit abruptly in the PHEV model when asking for full power.