Volvo XC90 T8 review: hybrid SUV blends luxury with practicality but shows its age on the road
First up, there was the announcement that it would be an EV-only company from 2030, which had to be scrapped when market forces dictated that hybrid-engined cars would be produced by them for longer than expected.
And then, there was the surprise revelation earlier this year that CEO Jim Rowan was standing down and being replaced by Hakan Samuelsson, himself a former incumbent in the role. On top of that, there was news that falling profits and restructuring would see the company shed 3,000 jobs.
There was also something of a surprise when Volvo announced it was walking away from the Polestar project it had been so actively involved with, along with its Chinese owners, to focus instead on its core business.
So, it has not exactly been a quiet time for the Swedish outfit and while its best-laid plans have not exactly come to fruition, it still knows how to make cars — good cars — that appeal to a broad cross-section of the populace who can afford premium level equipment.
The XC90 is a good example, having been with us since 2002; like many accomplished past Volvos, it is probably something worth noting (for those who notice such things) how many older XC90s are still on the go on our roads. It was originally made with diesel and petrol engine options and, it seems, most of them are still happily purring around.
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The original was something of a blocky thing, but it did have an air about it that suggested both sophistication and premium-grade build quality. It was also practically bombproof and the fact there are still so many of them running contentedly is an indication of how well built they were and how robust the engines were too.
When Volvo announced some time back that the new XC90 would be electric-only, there were undoubtedly many disappointed punters left out there wondering why their manufacturer of choice had deserted them.
Volvo XC90 spacious interior
But relief was at hand; the EV-only version, the EX90 was unveiled in 2022 and residual diesel/petrol fans were left a little nonplussed. By 2024, however, when Volvo launched the second facelift of the second generation XC90 (which was first seen in 2015 — sorry, I know, it gets a bit confusing), it had changed tack and petrol was back, albeit in hybrid form.
In the zeitgeist of that moment, when EV popularity was plummeting Europe-wide, there was little other choice Volvo could have made, but it was still very welcome for a core of followers who were probably never going to be electric adoptees.
So, here we have it — the new XC90, but there is still a slight quirk about what's on offer. Although the B5 and B6 mild hybrids are offered in other markets, we will only get this week's tester (apart from the EV version), which is the XC90 T8 PHEV.
The main downside of that means this is not going to be a cheap car — the tester, in Ultra specification, costs over 110 big ones — and that may limit appeal somewhat, even though the pricing is in league with the car's primary opponents from BMW, Range Rover, and Mercedes.
Given the popularity of the car, it is understandable that Volvo didn't want to trick around too much with the winning formula and so, there has only really been a few minor tweaks to the exterior look, while the interior has come in for something of a major overhaul, which is in line with the car's originally intended raison d'etre as an EV only car.
One trick that the Volvo has up its sleeve is that it's a seven-seater and therefore something of a rarity. That said, the only real exterior changes are to the grille and the headlights. The new grille is an attractive design with opposing diagonal lines in its right and left halves.
The 'Thor's Hammer' front running lights have been a staple of the XC90 since the off and have now been updated to mirror everything else Volvo is making. The combination of the two new elements freshens up the look of the car overall.
On the inside, everything seemed vaguely familiar to these eyes but freshened to the point where you begin to wonder about the veracity of what your eyes are telling you. It is all very plush and there is also a new portrait touchscreen for the excellent infotainment system. Other than that, it seems that all the materials utilised have been burnished and/or upgraded.
All new Volvo XC90
You do get a curious mix of timbers, leathers and brushed aluminium throughout, but the contrasts they provide are upmarket and great to look at and touch. There's a real feel-good factor at hand here.
The seats are great too; fabulously comfortable and beautifully upholstered they continue a long-standing Volvo tradition in this area. Even the rearmost seats are comfortable for other than small people and they are easily accessed too.
All of that — the look of the car from the outside and the quality of the interior — mark this XC90 down as being close to best in class. Indeed the quality of the interior alone puts the Volvo ahead of anything else in a comparable price bracket.
Where it is not quite up to the standards of this premium segment is on the road. Sure there's 448 bhp on tap and the 0-100 km/h dash takes just 5.4 seconds, but top speed is limited to 180 km/h, which appears fine.
But to achieve those figures you have to thrash that four-cylinder engine and, to be honest, it doesn't like being thrashed. Sure the thing is effortless in many respects, but the age of the engine makes things seem a touch creaky.
Also, the claimed consumption rate of 1.2 l/100 km (235 mpg) is preposterous — as are the figures for most PHEVs — but realistically you'll be lucky if you get 9.8 l/100 km (30 mpg), especially if you're any way heavy-footed. The electric-only range too is rubbish — tops 70 km — which is only just close to useful.
It rides and handles well, though, boosted considerably by the air suspension and the 4WD system on offer here. For a big car, these factors, play a big part in making it as good as it is on the road.
Without doubt this is a massively attractive proposition, in terms of looks, specification and driving pleasure, but it is the latter that sees a gap opening between the XC90 and its principal rivals. For aficionados that will matter little, but for purists it makes all the difference.
This is a car which has aged well in many regards, but the fact that it has aged at all is probably down to the fact that Volvo was not really expecting to be making it still.
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Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
EU braces for wave of Chinese imports as Trump tariffs redirect Shein and Temu sales
With US president Donald Trump pushing to reshape global trade with the imposition of tariffs on foreign products, firms around the world are looking to diversify into different markets while moving away from the US — which cannot be relied upon as a trusted trading partner. For China, the US has been its largest trading partner and as a result, has been the focus of Mr Trump's ire ever since he was sworn back into office. In recent years, the US has become a huge market for low cost products from the likes of online retailers Shein and Temu — who may be seeking alternative destinations for their products given difficult trading conditions with the US. However, both of these companies have been heavily criticised for numerous issues ranging from poor treatment of workers at factories, to producing low quality and environmentally damaging products, as well as products which are unsafe. Alacoque McAlpine, Irish Research Council Government of Ireland scholar at Sutherland School of Law in University College Dublin, who has for years lectured in sustainable supply chain management, said companies like Shein would be considered 'ultra fast fashion' — as they are on another level compared to retailers here such as Penneys, Zara, and H&M to name a few. 'They're not as good quality either. So they're not durable, they don't last, and they're essentially going to landfill,' she said. While the tensions between China and the US may have reduced in recent months, Chinese goods are still subject to a 30% tariff when they arrive in the US. The US is also set to end the de minimis exemption on August 29, which allowed goods valued at $800 (€682) or less to enter the country without any tariffs. Given all these trade barriers with the US, Chinese exporters may turn their eyes towards the EU — where trade relations are less volatile. China is the EU's second largest trading partner for goods after the US. During 2024, the EU imported €519bn worth of goods from China, the vast majority of which were manufactured goods. In a recent analysis, the European Central Bank (ECB) said the trade barriers now in place between the US and China may result in Chinese exports being redirected to the eurozone. It said in 2018, following Mr Trump's imposition of tariffs on China during his first term, this redirection of goods to Europe was 'significant' with the eurozone 'absorbing the trade displaced by US tariffs'. 'Between 2018 and 2019, eurozone imports from China increased by around 2 to 3%,' the analysis said. The ECB said there were several factors that suggest the eurozone could experience a larger redirection of Chinese exports. 'The composition of Chinese exports to the United States and to the eurozone is similar, making the eurozone a natural alternative,' the ECB said. 'Established supply chain links, which have expanded since the last China-US trade war, and ongoing industrial upgrades in China, facilitate the redirection of trade flows. Many euro area firms already rely on Chinese imports, making it easier to absorb redirected goods.' It also pointed out that Chinese businesses have already laid the groundwork for faster market entry into the EU, having 'almost tripled their presence with investments in European sales and distribution networks since 2017'. 'In addition, Chinese authorities have pledged targeted support to help affected exporters redirect sales to domestic or third markets, which could allow for further price cuts,' the ECB said. A crane picks a container from a truck at the Manila North Harbour Port in Manila, Philippines on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) The bank added that increasing exports from China to the eurozone has the potential to exert downward pressure on eurozone inflation through lower import prices. In its upper estimates, the ECB suggests these tariffs could increase imports from China by 10%. While most products that make it to the EU are just made in China by large international companies, the growth of Chinese brands beyond the country's borders is becoming more common. Companies like Shein and Temu are getting a stronger foothold in the EU. Getting an idea of Shein's growing popularity can be difficult as it is a privately-owned company. According to Bloomberg News, during the first quarter of this year, the overall Shein Group reportedly generated global revenue of $10bn, with net income rising to over $400m. This was before Mr Trump implemented tariffs on Chinese imports. The Bloomberg report cited unnamed sources from the company but Shein disputed these figures without elaborating. The clothing retailer, founded in mainland China but headquartered in Singapore, does not disclose its financial figures so it is unclear how Shein fared in the second quarter after tariffs were implemented. Financial documents from Shein's Irish arm Infinite Styles Ecommerce, which handles the company's operations across the EU, show it is having considerable success in the EU. In 2023, the company reported revenue of €7.68bn — up from €4.58bn the year prior. This resulted in profit of just under €100m — up from €45.8m the year before. Also, Shein's sales in Britain, while not being in the EU, has also grown significantly — with the company reporting a 32.3% increase in revenue during its most recent financial year to £2.05bn (€2.374bn). The growth of Shein is being seen as a concern as their low cost products and business practices have been heavily criticised in the past. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to meet with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Ms McAlpine said all the 'slick marketing' from companies like Shein has made 'consumers think that they need to buy the products more frequently, and they kind of treat them as disposable'. 'There is rapid turnover of new products again on a weekly basis. It's mainly polyester based, so there's a huge environmental impact there,' she said. 'Fast fashion has always had a very negative impact on the environment. In the last 20 years, global fibre production has doubled, and it's expected to grow if things continue the way they are. The fashion industry is the second biggest consumer of water industry-wide, it's responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions.' Ms McAlpine said all these textiles are going to the dump because they cannot be recycled, due to being plastic based or mixed fibres. She said: 'Shein is selling a lot of products, and they're selling it very cheaply. How do they do this? Well, they do it by putting a lot of pressure on their suppliers at the end of the supply chain, and then those suppliers put pressure on their workers.' She also said that the growing prevalence of Shein also means that retailers here will also try to stay competitive and as prices fall, it will ultimately hurt the worker who makes the product. 'Prices keep falling, and then the garment factories have to respond to the price pressure, and they will cut the most flexible cost, which is wages,' she said. Ms McAlpine said she doesn't blame the consumer, this is an 'extremely profitable industry' and these companies encourage people to be buying and disposing of their clothes on a regular basis. She said: 'I just don't believe consumers woke up in the morning and decided to spend all our money on this. I believe it's the marketing by the companies that have convinced us. They kind of changed our perception of fashion, and they're really good at making us feel bad about ourselves so we buy more.' Ms McAlpine said there are no international standards in regards to regulating these supply chains and there are no health and safety regulations these firms have to follow when sourcing their products. 'I think regulation is important. All the companies went overseas to take advantage of low-cost wages and lax environmental standards and with no commensurate regulation,' she said, adding that these companies eventually got in trouble for issues such as child labour, not paying workers, and environmental issues. She said some companies tried to impose codes of conduct but this hasn't worked: 'I think we cannot leave it up to the companies. Unfortunately, we need legislation, and the EU has been putting in place legislation, but unfortunately, since the Draghi report last September, they're all about cutting the red tape, and they're deregulating everything.' In a statement, Shein said they operate a 'customer-driven, on-demand business model' that allows the company to meet demand 'while reducing overproduction and waste and maintaining affordability at the same time'. In regards to its supply chain conditions, it said it is committed to 'fostering a safe and fair work environment for all of our suppliers' employees'. The company added that it invests time and money into ensuring workers in its supply chain are 'treated fairly', while working with third-party agencies to monitor compliance with local laws and international standards. Temu, on the other hand, has its own problems. Its owner, PDD Holdings, reported a 47% drop in profit during its first quarter of the year amid local competition and global trade uncertainty. Whaleco Technology Limited is the Irish arm of PDD Holdings for the purpose of doing business in the EU. In its latest available financial documents, from 2023, it generated just under €758m in revenue from its operations, resulting in a profit of €38m. Last month, EU justice commissioner Michael McGrath said he was shocked at the toxicity and dangers of some goods being sold to Temu and Shein amid a crackdown on the retail platforms. Among the worst examples cited by Mr McGrath include baby soothers with beads that fall off easily, which pose a choking hazard because they did not have the regulation size hole to enable a baby who did swallow one accidentally to continue to get air. Other goods cited by MEPs include children's raincoats with toxic chemicals, sunglasses with no UV filter, and kids shorts with draw strings longer than regulation length that cause a trip hazard. There were also concerns about certain banned chemicals in cosmetics. EU figures show 12m low-value items coming into the bloc a day, amounting to 4.6bn during 2024 valued at under €150 — double that of 2023 and three times as many as 2022. In an attempt to combat these low value products surging into the bloc, the EU is considering whether to close its own de minimis exemption, set at €150. They're good at making us feel bad about ourselves so we buy more
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Trump-Putin summit yields no deal on ending war in Ukraine
A highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin yielded no agreement to resolve or pause Moscow's war in Ukraine, despite both leaders describing the talks in Alaska as productive. During a brief appearance before the media following the nearly three-hour talks, the two leaders said they had made progress on unspecified issues. But they offered no details and took no questions, with the normally loquacious Mr Trump ignoring shouted questions from reporters. "There were many, many points that we agreed on. I would say a couple of big ones that we haven't quite got there, but we've made some headway," Mr Trump said, standing in front of a backdrop that read, "Pursuing Peace". "There's no deal until there's a deal," he added. The talks did not initially appear to have produced meaningful steps toward a ceasefire in the deadliest conflict in Europe in 80 years - or toward a subsequent meeting between Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, both goals Mr Trump had set ahead of the summit. Mr Putin said he expected Ukraine and its European allies to accept the results of the US-Russia negotiation constructively and not try to "disrupt the emerging progress". "I expect that today's agreements will become a reference point, not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also launch the restoration of business-like, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States," Mr Putin said. But Mr Putin also repeated Moscow's long-held position that what Russia claims to be the "root causes" of the conflict must be eliminated to reach a long-term peace, a sign he remains resistant to a ceasefire. Following the summit, Mr Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity that he would hold off on imposing tariffs on China for buying Russian oil after making progress with Mr Putin. He did not mention India, another major buyer of Russian crude, which has been slapped with a total 50% tariff on US imports that includes a 25% penalty for the imports from Russia. "Because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that now," Mr Trump said of Chinese tariffs. "I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now." Mr Trump has threatened sanctions on Moscow as well, but has thus far not followed through, even after Mr Putin ignored a Trump-imposed ceasefire deadline earlier this month. In the Fox News interview, Mr Trump also suggested a meeting would now be set up between Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he might also attend. He gave no further details on who was organising the meeting or when it might be. There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv to the summit, the first meeting between Mr Putin and a US president since the war began. 'Gotta make a deal' Mr Trump signalled that he discussed potential land swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine with Mr Putin, telling Mr Hannity: "I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on." "I think we're pretty close to a deal," he said, adding: "Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no." When asked by Mr Hannity what he would advise Mr Zelensky, Mr Trump said, "Gotta make a deal". "Look, Russia is a very big power, and they're not," Mr Trump added. The war has killed or injured well over a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts. As the two leaders were talking, the war raged on, with most eastern Ukrainian regions under air raid alerts. Governors of Russia's Rostov and Bryansk regions reported that some of their territories were under Ukrainian drone attacks. Mr Zelensky has ruled out formally handing Moscow any territory and is also seeking a security guarantee backed by the United States. Mr Trump said he would call Mr Zelensky and NATO leaders to update them on the Alaska talks. Ukraine's opposition lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said on the Telegram messaging app, "It seems Putin has bought himself more time. No ceasefire or de-escalation has been agreed upon." Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said in a statement that he welcomed Mr Trump's efforts but doubted Mr Putin's interest in a deal. "If Putin were serious about negotiating peace, he would not have been attacking Ukraine all day today," he said. The anticlimactic end to the closely watched summit was in stark contrast to the pomp and circumstance with which it began. When Mr Putin arrived at an Air Force base in Alaska, a red carpet awaited him, where Mr Trump greeted Mr Putin warmly as US military aircraft flew overhead. For Mr Putin, the summit - the first between him and a US president since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022- was already a big win, regardless of its outcome. He can portray the meeting as evidence that years of Western attempts to isolate Russia have unravelled and that Moscow is retaking its rightful place at the high table of international diplomacy. Mr Trump hopes a truce in the 3.5-year-old war that Mr Putin started will bring peace to the region as well as bolster his credentials as a global peacemaker worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. Russia denies the allegations, and the Kremlin has dismissed the ICC warrant as null and void. Russia and the United States are not members of the court. Both Moscow and Kyiv deny targeting civilians in the war. But thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority Ukrainian, and the war has killed or injured well over a million people from both sides. 'Counting on America' Mr Trump and Mr Putin, along with top foreign-policy aides, conferred in a room at an Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska in their first meeting since 2019. Mr Zelensky, who was not invited to the summit, and his European allies had feared Mr Trump might sell out Ukraine by essentially freezing the conflict and recognizing - if only informally - Russian control over one-fifth of Ukraine. Mr Trump had sought to assuage such concerns ahead oof the talks, saying he would let Ukraine decide on any possible territorial concessions. "I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I'm here to get them at a table," he said. Asked what would make the meeting a success, he told reporters: "I want to see a ceasefire rapidly ... I'm not going to be happy if it's not today ... I want the killing to stop." The meeting also included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Trump's special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff; Russian foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov; and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Mr Trump, who once said he would end Russia's war in Ukraine within 24 hours, conceded on Thursday it had proven a tougher task than he had expected. He had said if talks went well, quickly arranging a second, three-way summit with Mr Zelensky would be more important than his encounter with Mr Putin. Mr Zelensky said ahead of the summit that the meeting should open the way for a "just peace" and three-way talks that included him but added that Russia was continuing to wage war. "It's time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America," Mr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Intel shares rise on report of possible US government stake
Intel shares rose nearly 4% today on hopes of more financial aid for the turnaround of the struggling chipmaker after a report that the US government may buy a stake. The Bloomberg News report followed a meeting between CEO Lip-Bu Tan and President Donald Trump on Monday after Trump demanded the new Intel chief's resignation over his "highly conflicted" ties to Chinese firms. President Trump, who called the meeting "very interesting," has taken an unprecedented approach to corporate interventions, including a deal that would make the Department of Defense the largest shareholder in rare-earth producer MP Materials. In the latest move, the Trump administration is considering using funds from the 2022 CHIPS Act, signed into law by his predecessor Joe Biden, to take a stake in Intel, Bloomberg News reported today, citing people familiar with the discussions. Intel last year secured nearly $8 billion in subsidies, the largest outlay under the act, to build new factories in Ohio and other states as former CEO Pat Gelsinger bet on them to restore the company's manufacturing edge. Mr Tan, however, pared back such ambitions, slowing construction in Ohio. He plans to build factories based on demand for the services, which analysts have said could put him at odds with Trump's push to shore up American manufacturing. Intel and the White House did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Federal backing could give Intel more time to revive its loss-making foundry business, analysts said, but it still faces a weak product roadmap and trouble attracting customers for new factories. It could be a "game-changer", said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. But he warned "government support might help shore up confidence, but it doesn't fix the underlying competitiveness gap in advanced nodes." Intel lost its competitive edge years ago to Taiwan's TSMC. It has virtually no presence in the booming AI chips market dominated by Nvidia and is losing market share in PCs and datacenters to AMD. Its latest 18A manufacturing process is facing quality issues, Reuters has reported, as only a small share of chips produced are good enough for customers, while it remains partly dependent on TSMC to make Intel in-house designed chips. "Intel also needs capability; can the US government do anything to help here?" Bernstein analysts said. "Without a solid process roadmap the entire exercise would be economically equivalent to simply setting tens of billions of dollars on fire."
