Sharing drive components and integrated technology with Volvo’s XC90 T8, the latest rendition of the Swedish maker’s best-selling vehicle comes to market more powerful and smarter than ever. Volvo’s upscale 2018 XC60 T8 PHEV (plug-in-hybrid) presents a premium and rugged, yet refined, SUV where high performance meets advanced technology and comfort. It is the most powerful two-row SUV in Volvo history. The editors at Green Car Journal take a closer look.

Volvo Rightfully Calls 2018 XC60 T8 the Most Powerful Two-Row SUV on the Market

How it works: Volvo’s XC60 T8 successfully follows in the footsteps of its larger XC90 T8 crossover sibling. Both upscale plug-in hybrids use a 313 horsepower, supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transaxle and two permanent-magnet AC motors.

In this through-the-road AWD hybrid system, a 46-horsepower electric motor drives the front wheels while an 87 horsepower AC motor powers the rear wheels. This results in total system output of 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft torque. There is no mechanical connection between the two axles.

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Enables Extended Electric-Only Drive Range

A lithium-ion battery pack is positioned in the center tunnel where a driveshaft would normally be located. This 10.4 kWh pack enables the 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 to travel about 18 miles on electricity alone. Total driving range on gas and electric power is 370 miles. The battery can be recharged in as little as three hours from a 240-volt source and six hours from a standard 120-volt outlet.

Regenerative braking, stop/start capability, and a Pure EV electric-only mode contribute to a 59 MPGe rating, quite good for a vehicle with a nearly 4,600-pound curb weight. The twin electric motors and 472 lb-ft torque bring impressive acceleration for a SUV that can carry five people, propelling the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The Re-Engineered 2018 Volvo XC60 Offers State-of-the-Art Active Safety and Driver Assist

Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription versions of the XC60 T8 are available, offering similar standard and optional equipment to non-hybrid T6 models. Optional driver assistance packages are available including a Vision package that includes blind-spot and cross-traffic alerts, automatic mirror dimming, power-retractable outside mirrors, and a parking-assist function.

The XC60’s Convenience package includes adaptive cruise control with Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist, a Level 2 partial-automation system that assists with driving tasks like remaining in a lane and matching traffic speed on the highway, while still relying on a driver as the primary monitor of the driving environment. Optional Steer Assist, which is linked with Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System and Oncoming Lane Mitigation, helps the driver steer around an obstacle if a collision is likely.

Volvo Takes 2018 XC60 to a Higher Level in Personal Electronic Connectivity

A 9.3-inch Sensus Connect screen in the dashboard center stack offers tablet-like swipe-and-pinch gestures. It’s large enough that it can be divided into four independent sections to provide quick and easy access to any controls needed. Sensus Connect provides 4G/LTE connectivity and offers its own suite of apps including Pandora, Spotify, Glympse, Local Search, Yelp, Weather, and Wiki Locations. The main Sensus screen interacts with 8-inch or 12.3-inch driver information displays and the optional head-up display showing navigation, infotainment, and basic information.\

Volvo’s XC60 T8 is offered at a base price of $52,900, about 10 grand more than its conventionally-powered sibling. It’s an exceptional compact crossover providing the luxury appointments and advanced technology we’ve come to expect from Volvo. It’s also a compelling option for new car buyers looking for an upscale crossover experience with the efficiency of plug-in hybrid power.

 

We live in a day and age when many consumers look to their car not only as a safe form of everyday conveyance, but also as a personal retreat or perhaps an extension of one’s office…with perhaps a dash of dynamic drive performance thrown in for good measure. Our recent drive experience with Volvo’s 2017 S90 T6 along Spain's Costa del Sol illustrated that this sedan answers all such anticipations with a spot-on drop of Thor's Hammer.

What Volvo has accomplished with the all-new S90 over a relatively short development timeline is nothing short of astounding. Simply, the Volvo S90 T6 delivers as promised with a comfortable, safe, quiet, and near-luxury driving experience. It follows the well-received XC90 in Volvo’s total reinvention of its model lineup.  For 2017, Volvo takes its second-generation Drive-E engine technology and performance to the next level, with the S90 powered by a very advanced, high output, supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that’s both fuel efficient and near zero emissions.

While most luxury sport sedan buyers seek turbocharged mid- to high-displacement V-6 through V-12 twin cam torque monsters to inject their adrenaline rush, Volvo sees things differently. This automaker envisions a future with turbocharged three- and four-cylinder gasoline engines fulfilling primary drive duties, cogeneration, and plug-in electrification in the near future. And Volvo engineering sees this no later than model year 2018. In fact, international S90 project lead Peter Martens tells Green Car Journal that cylinder count is inconsequential in today’s engine technology. In Peter’s words, “it’s the engine's horsepower and torque output that matters at the end of the day.”

But are four cylinders enough? As my co-driver commented during our test drive: “One would have to look under the hood of the S90 T6 to discover the four-cylinder.” Simply, this efficient engine is a source of exceptional power and satisfying performance. In all truth, the S90’s direct-injected, twin-cam aluminum 2.0-liter engine produces seamless torque. Notably, its use of both supercharging and turbocharging means there’s absolutely no turbo lag up to red line. An eight-speed automatic transmission contributes to the sedan’s overall fuel efficiency.

Producing 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque in the midrange, Volvo’s S90 T6 AWD achieves a respectable 0-to-60 mph sprint time of just 5.7 seconds, quick enough for the majority of drivers in the midsize luxury sedan segment. This efficient powerplant delivers an EPA estimated 22 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway.

A front-wheel drive T5 variant with a turbocharged rendition of the same mill produces a respectable 250 horsepower/258 lb-ft torque at 2200 rpm. This rivals the specs of many six-cylinder engines on the market today while achieving a desirable 23 city/34 highway mpg. Volvo expects market demand for the T5 and T6 variants will run about 50/50.

While we found the S90 T6 AWD model quite capable during aggressive driving on two-lane country roads, where this sedan truly shines is in long-range highway driving. It’s a luxury midsize rolling lounge with near-sports sedan handling attributes. Surprisingly, we found Volvo’s therapeutic seat requiring no break-in time. Our S90 came with driver and front passenger seating cooled, heated, and equipped with a massage option, arguably the best in the class. Leg, shoulder, and headroom is exceptional front and rear, as is this model’s premium-class fit and finish.

The S90 presents ride quality rivaling that of the best luxury commuters in the industry, thanks in no small part to Volvo’s optionally available rear air suspension, superior hydraulic dampening, and active electronic noise cancellation. It does this well while facilitating a split personality with the kind of sport-like-driving capability required by today’s all-inclusive consumer mindset.

Attention to the road is enhanced by a well-positioned heads-up display, where speed, engine temperature, and more can be monitored without requiring a glance at the instrument panel. The S90’s drive environment is well balanced, leather covered, wood-accented, and high-tech rich, yet intuitive in its operation. Everything is in its place and enveloped in high-end Swedish style and sensible accommodation.

Volvo runs a bit ahead of the trend with perhaps the best-working active safety suite available in the segment today.  As demonstrated through its S90, Volvo continues the company’s historical emphasis on driver and passenger safety by providing its notable active safety features on all S90 trim levels.

The S90’s City Safety feature includes frontal collision avoidance, low-and high-speed collision mitigation, and auto brake engagement, plus pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal recognition. Run Off Road Mitigation senses if the vehicle is about to unintentionally leave the pavement and takes corrective action. With Pilot Assist, the S90 will assist in driving up to 80 mph, but the driver’s hand is required to stay on the wheel in 15 second intervals to ensure driver attention. Yes, we did test this and it worked flawlessly with near dead-center lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control that maintained distance from the car ahead.

First to market in the States is the S90 T6 AWD, followed by the front-drive S90 T5. Later we’ll see the V90 Estate Wagon and the S90 T8 plug-in hybrid. The price of entry for the S90 T5 is $46,950 with the T6 coming in at a base of $52,950. Volvo’s Inscription trim level adds $3,300 to the cost of each. Whichever you choose, the Volvo S90 may well be the bargain of the midsize luxury sedan segment.