Test Driving The 2025 Volvo XC90 T8
The XC90 T8 is a Volvo-boxy medium-sized luxury SUV that will offend no one and will look white-wine-and-cheese elegant in your driveway. It's also one of the safest rides available, gets excellent mileage and did what it does best correctly over recent week's test, with no surprises - meaning it was a great week.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
2025 brings minimal changes but they include enhanced hybrid performance and a tweaked design, including a spiffed-up front grille and updated cabin materials. For the purposes of this review, we're talking specifically about the T8 - the hybrid-assisted model.
It looks like what it is - a boxy Volvo with a pleasing, mod front grille and sleek body lines. Signature Thor's Hammer headlights add a sharp touch. The rear features sculpted taillights and a slightly raised stance. You can take it off road but the body doesn't beg you to - it's not rugged or ferocious. It's dignified and practical and solid.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
It's a cocoon of quiet elegance accommodating up to seven passengers with three rows of seats. I had no passengers during the test but crawled in the back-back and, as usual, the smaller occupants, or children, or animals, may ride there with a full house. The cabin features a minimal Scandinavian design with high-quality leather and wood.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
The updated infotainment system includes a large touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android AutoAdvanced voice recognition allowing hands-free control of various functions. The cabin also features a premium sound system and ambient lighting, further elevating the luxury feel. The jewel is the diamond-like shift.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
The T8 features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, offering an impressive 455 horsepower. The electric-only range is approximately 23 miles, making it suitable for short commutes. In hybrid mode, the XC90 T8 achieves an estimated 27 miles per gallon combined.
My 2025 XC90 T8 starts at $80,000, with prices increasing for higher trims like the T8 Inscription, which can reach $93,000 or more with additional features.
On the road, the XC90 T8 is steady-as-she-goes, with quick acceleration from a dead stop or around town, less so at speed. Acceleration is smooth and the all-wheel-drive system gives you stability in the snow and rain, both of which I was pelted with during the 311 miles the test ate up. The regenerative braking system contributes to smooth deceleration and it's fun to both get the hang of it and use to your best advantage. At lights, if the traffic ahead of you moves and you don't, you'll get an alert.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
This XC90 isn't as agile as its competitors, but adequate for the tasks you ask of it. It's more comfort and swank than rock-n-roll. But it makes a great long-distance tripper, or a pleasant daily commute.
Some may find the 28-or-so miles the XC90 T8 can get out of a charge chintzy. Also, during the entire 7 days, the sound system never once gave me a break and remembered that I use my phone's Bluetooth system. I had to stop what I was doing before setting off 100% of the time, find the Bluetooth icon on the upper left screen, press it, wait for the arrow on the screen to appear, push that arrow, and we were back in business.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
Standard features include Volvo's Pilot Assist for semi-autonomous driving, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a 360-degree camera system, and more. Volvo's City Safety system offers automatic collision avoidance - and it works well.
Conclusion: This is a quality Volvo from looks to manners to safety through-and-through, If you're a fan of the brand, check out the XC90 T8.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 hours 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
a day 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
a day 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
