The New Volvo XC90 Hybrid SUV Needs a Total Overhaul
When I drove the 2020 Volvo XC90, I admired its sense of restraint, comfort and style inside an interior lined in lovely wool trimming. It wasn't particularly thrilling to drive, but the nice things inside the cabin compensated for its bland if capable performance.
So I eagerly anticipated my time in the 2025 Volvo XC90 T8, the plug-in hybrid version of the six- or seven-seater (depending on which seat configuration you choose). Volvo gave its 10-year-old rig an update earlier this year, adding subtle changes to things like the lines of the hood and the headlights and tail lights. It also added a new user-experience system with a larger screen and new seating configurations with sustainable upholstery options, as well as mechanical updates to the suspension and additional sound isolation in the cabin.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Geely chairman says global auto industry facing 'serious overcapacity'
SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Geely's chairman and founder Li Shufu said on Saturday that the global automotive industry was facing "serious overcapacity" and that the Chinese automaker had decided not to build new manufacturing plants or expand production in existing facilities. Li made the comments at an auto forum in the central city of Chongqing, according to the company. Geely Holding owns multiple automotive brands including Geely Auto, Zeekr and Volvo. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Volvo Cars unveils multi-adaptive safety belt for EX60
Geely-owned Volvo Cars has introduced a "world-first" multi-adaptive safety belt technology, set to debut in the fully electric Volvo EX60 in 2026. This innovative feature is designed to offer unprecedented protection by adapting to both the traffic environment and the individual characteristics of passengers, utilising real-time data from the vehicle's sensors. The multi-adaptive safety belt represents a significant advancement in automotive safety. It adjusts its settings in response to various factors, including the severity of a crash and the specific profile of the person wearing it. By considering attributes such as height, weight, body shape, and seating position, the system customises the level of restraint provided, aiming to minimise injury risks in the event of a collision. For instance, in a severe crash, a larger occupant would experience a higher belt load setting, which is crucial in reducing the likelihood of head injuries. Conversely, a smaller person in a less intense crash would benefit from a lower belt load setting, decreasing the chance of rib fractures. Moreover, the system's capacity for continuous improvement through over-the-air software updates ensures that the safety belt will evolve and enhance its protective capabilities over time. Volvo Cars Safety Centre head Åsa Haglund said: 'The world first multi-adaptive safety belt is another milestone for automotive safety and a great example of how we leverage real-time data with the ambition to help save millions of more lives. This marks a major upgrade to the modern three-point safety belt, a Volvo invention introduced in 1959, estimated to have saved over a million lives.' In another development, Volvo Cars has reported a 12% decline in global sales for May, with 59,822 vehicles sold. This decrease represents a notable change in the company's sales performance when compared to the same month in the previous year. "Volvo Cars unveils multi-adaptive safety belt for EX60" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Car and Driver
2026 Volvo EX40: What We Know So Far
Overview Volvo has a knack for making boxy look chic, and the EX40 is a prime example. The brand's electric compact SUV is drenched in Scandinavian style from bumper to bumper, inside and out. Entry-level models are motivated by a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 248 horsepower, while a 402-hp all-wheel drive arrangement in the dual-motor variant makes the EX40 a mighty quick cube. With an estimated driving range of up to 293 miles on a full charge, the EX40 may provoke range anxiety more so than in competitors such as the Tesla Model Y and Cadillac Optiq, but the Volvo's appeal lies in its impressive cargo capacity and buttoned-up Swedish mien. What's New for 2026? After last year's updates brought an optional Performance software upgrade and a Black Edition appearance package to the EX40, the 2026 model carries on unchanged. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Volvo EX40 is expected to start around $54,000 and go up to $63,000 depending on the trim and options. Single Motor Core $54,000 (est) Twin Motor Core $56,000 (est) Single Motor Plus $57,000 (est) Twin Motor Plus $59,000 (est) Single Motor Ultra $61,000 (est) Twin Motor Ultra $63,000 (est) It's our feeling that the Ultra is the best choice of the bunch, as it adds unique 20-inch wheels, automatic high-beam headlamps, a Harman/Kardon stereo system, adaptive cruise control, and a semi-autonomous driving mode for not a lot of money. We'll leave the decision between the single and dual-motor powertrains to you since each offers different range and power outputs to suit specific needs. EV Motor, Power, and Performance Entry-level EX40 models are powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor with 248 horsepower. Twin Motor models come with two electric motors, one at each axle, giving it full-time all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive powertrain puts out a stout 402 horsepower. During our test drive, we noted a compliant ride, a hushed cabin, and a refined cruising demeanor; aggressive drivers may find the Polestar 2 a better fit. Regenerative braking allows for one-pedal driving, which is a desirable and convenient EV feature that we appreciate. 0–60-MPH Times In our testing, a dual-motor EX40 got to 60 mph in a swift 4.1 seconds. We haven't yet tested the single-motor version, but when we tested that configuration previously in a comparable XC40 Recharge, it got to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. View Exterior Photos Michael Simari | Car and Driver Towing and Payload Capacity While Volvo's little electric SUV isn't the vehicle to choose if you foresee boat-hauling in your future, it still has the ability to tow up to 2000 pounds. Range, Charging, and Battery Life The EX40 uses a 79-kWh battery pack that Volvo says is good for up to 293 miles of driving per charge in the Single Motor and 260 miles in the Twin Motor variant. Those range estimates put the XC40 Recharge at a disadvantage against the many SUVs in this segment that are capable of more than 300 miles per charge. The EX40 is capable of charging at DC fast-charging terminals as well as at-home chargers via a 240-volt outlet. In our testing at a fast-charger, the EX40 got from a 10 percent to a 90 percent charge in 46 minutes. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 EX40 yet, but last year's single-motor model returned results of 118 MPGe city and 94 MPGe highway. The Twin Motor model's fuel economy estimates were lower at 103 MPGe city and 85 MPGe highway. The last time we tested an XC40 Single Motor, it returned 69 MPGe, and the driving range on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test was a disappointing 190 miles. Without any significant changes since then, the newest model should deliver similar results, but we'll update this section when we get our hands on a new EX40. For more information about the XC40's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The cabin of the EX40 offers everything we love about the gas-powered XC40, including thoughtful cubby storage, a comfortable driving position, and spacious first- and second-row seating. In the transition to an EV powertrain, the EX40 has lost none of its cargo space, so we expect it to hold the same number of carry-on suitcases as the XC40. In our testing, the XC40 held 23 carry-on suitcases with its rear seats folded. In addition, the lack of a four-cylinder engine under the hood frees up space for a front trunk (frunk), which is the ideal space to store the EX40's charging cables. View Interior Photos Michael Simari | Car and Driver Infotainment and Connectivity All EX40s come with Volvo's latest infotainment software developed in conjunction with Google's Android Automotive. The EX40's corporate cousin, the Polestar 2, also offers such an infotainment system, which we found to be intuitive and snappy in its functionality, but the Volvo version suffers from small onscreen buttons that are difficult to actuate while driving. A standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster provides several options for customization. Despite the collaboration with Google, the new infotainment system provides connectivity options for both Android and Apple iPhone devices; a wireless smartphone charging pad is also offered. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features Volvo offers a host of high-tech driver-assistance features as standard, including automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. For more information about the EX40's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Standard adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Volvo offers a well-rounded warranty package on its new cars, including a complimentary scheduled maintenance plan that spans four years or 40,000 miles. Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles Battery components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 4 years or 40,000 miles Specifications Specifications 2025 Volvo EX40 Twin Motor Ultra Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $62,045/$62,045 POWERTRAIN Front Motor: induction AC, 147 hp, 184 lb-ft Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 255 hp, 310 lb-ft Combined Power: 402 hp Combined Torque: 494 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 79.0 kWh Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 205 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: 13.6-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Zero Elect 235/45R-20 100H M+S VOL 255/40R-20 101H M+S VOL DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 106.4 in Length: 174.8 in Width: 73.3 in Height: 65.0 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 50/45 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 58/22 ft3 Curb Weight: 4755 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 4.1 sec 100 mph: 11.0 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.8 sec @ 106 mph Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.3 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.7 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.4 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 114 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 169 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 340 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.84 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING Observed: 93 MPGe Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 86 kW DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 46 min EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 94/103/85 MPGe Range: 260 mi C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
