Volvo has updated the evergreen XC90 SUV with uprated tech and infotainment, and subtle styling tweaks. Volvo has long since stopped producing diesel cars, so buyers have the choice of mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. I’ve been driving the Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Ultra.

What am I looking for in the Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Ultra?

Is the second-generation XC90 still as appealing an SUV for towing a caravan as when it first went on sale 10 years ago? Is there something the Volvo offers that rivals don’t?

Towing ability of the Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Ultra

The very best luxury SUVs – cars such as the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport – set a high bar as tow cars. The Volvo XC90 T8 is certainly in the same half of the league table.

The petrol engine has 310hp and the electric motor, 145hp. Working together, the two deliver impressive overtaking punch, even when towing a large and heavy tourer.

For the car/caravan match, I paired the Volvo with a Swift Conqueror 645 with a MiRO of 1663kg. The XC90 could pull the caravan on electric power alone for long periods, with the petrol motor lending a hand uphill or when accelerating quickly.

I started my test route with the battery showing an electric range of 40 miles and selected the powertrain’s hybrid setting to use both sources of power.

The towball fitted to the XC90
The towball limit is 110kg, and fitting it to the Volvo XC90 costs £1400

As with other Volvo plug-in hybrids with which I’ve towed in the past, even in hybrid mode, the car heavily favoured electric running. In just over 17 miles, the all-electric range showed as zero, and the car had returned 127.8mpg. For the rest of the drive, it had to rely more heavily on the petrol engine, and fuel economy worsened to 22.3mpg.

There was no obvious drop in performance, because even though the electric range was showing as zero, the battery wasn’t fully depleted. The two sources of power swapped roles, with petrol being supplemented by the electric motor rather than the other way around.

Although the Volvo still pulled the Swift well, it was noticeably noisier with the engine doing the lion’s share of the work.

Like most plug-in hybrids, the XC90 T8 is a very heavy car. Weighing well over two tonnes contributes to excellent stability at speed. It was windy on the day of my towing test, but you would hardly have known it from the driver’s seat.

Whether on the motorway, an A-road or a rural back route, the Volvo remained firmly in charge of the caravan.

Hill starts are straightforward, too. The XC90 easily pulled away on a 1-in-10 slope and showed no sign of wheelspin.

Solo driving the XC90

Without the weight of a caravan on the back, the XC90 really is effortlessly quick. Transitions between electric and hybrid running are smooth.

At speed, there’s some road noise to contend with, but otherwise the XC90 is quiet. The ride is mostly comfortable on the air suspension (standard on Ultra spec), although it can be unsettled by broken surfaces.

The Volvo from the rear
Measuring just under 5m long, this is certainly a big car, but the all-round visibility is good

Measuring just under 5m long, this is a big car. The all-round visibility is good, though, so it doesn’t feel intimidating when you’re driving around town.

Although the XC90 is a 4×4, few owners will want to get the tyres dirty. Motorways are more the Volvo’s natural habitat, with impressive comfort and stability.

On country roads, the XC90 isn’t as sporty and rewarding as the BMW X5. It handles neatly, however, covering the ground with pace and poise.

Space and practicality

There are several upmarket plug-in hybrid SUVs, but most have five seats even when other versions of the same model have seven. Volvo has cleverly found room for the hybrid components without losing the third row of seats. For large families who are looking for a seven-seat car, it’s a big advantage over the likes of the five-seat BMW X5 50e.

The third row has surprisingly good headroom, and legroom is acceptable if those sitting in the middle don’t mind moving their seats forward a little.

Large windows at the back make for a less claustrophobic feel than in the rearmost seats of some other SUVs.

Space is very generous in the middle row. There are air vents in the door pillars and between the front seats, as well as separate air-con controls and two USB-C sockets.

The rear seats in the Volvo
Large windows at the back help to make rearmost seats feel spacious

The only small niggle is the hump in the middle of the floor, which is in the way of the third middle-row passenger’s feet.

The driver and front-seat passenger have ample room, with seats that are electrically adjustable and have a massage function to ease any aches.

There’s a minimal look to the dash, with few buttons and most functions controlled through the touchscreen. It’s large, colourful and easier to use than the old system. It’s Google-based, so will seem familiar to Android phone users. You can also consider getting some of the towing gadgets I recommend for taking the strain out of towing.

The dash in the XC90
There’s a minimal look to the dash, with most functions controlled via the touchscreen

With all seven seats in use, the boot is large enough for a weekly shop but not a family’s holiday bags. Anyone planning a caravan trip for six or seven will need a substantial roof box.

The boot in the Volvo
Ample boot, but if there are six or seven people touring, you’ll need a roof box

With the third row folded away, there’s a lot more room, although this leaves a gap in the floor between the folded seats and the middle row. The air suspension of the Ultra model allows the back of the car to be lowered for easier packing.

Buying and owning the XC90

Priced at more than £84,000, anyone contemplating the T8 Ultra will need deep pockets. The equivalent BMW X5 costs less, albeit without a third row.

Another financial aspect to consider is that with carbon dioxide emissions of 32g/km, the Volvo is a tax-efficient choice for company car drivers who aren’t ready to go fully electric.

As you’d expect of the brand, the XC90 has a comprehensive list of safety features and driver aids, although the car’s Euro NCAP safety rating has expired.

Alternatives to consider

If you’d be happy forgoing the extra row of seats, you could consider the Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’ – it’s a car which provides a luxury towing experience at a competitive price. Or you could look at the Mazda CX-80 3.3D AWD Exclusive Line – it’s a seven-seater SUV which offers stable towing.

Technical specification of the Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Ultra

  • Price: £84,260
  • What Car? Target Price: N/A
  • Retained value after three years: N/A
  • Kerbweight: 2365kg (Listed as Mass in Running Order by Volvo)
  • 85% of kerbweight: 2010kg
  • Gross vehicle weight: 2950kg
  • Max towing limit: 2400kg
  • Gross train weight: 5350kg
  • Towball limit: 110kg
  • Price of towball: £1400
  • Boot size: 262-1816 litres
  • Payload: 585kg
  • Test conditions: Dry
  • Engine size: 1969cc
  • Power (petrol/electric): 310hp/145hp
  • Torque (petrol/electric): 295lb ft/228lb ft
  • Official combined economy: 201.8mpg
  • Towing economy: 127.8mpg/22.3mpg
  • CO2 emissions: 32g/km
  • First year car tax: £110
  • Second year car tax: £620
  • Insurance group: 43
  • Euro NCAP overall protection rating: Expired

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