Volvo XC90 review - is range topping T8 hybrid any good? - MPG and running costs
Volvo targets German SUVs – and creates a Range Rover rival
MPG and running costs
The T8 TE presents amazing economy and emissions figures on the spec sheet: Volvo quotes an average fuel economy figure of 112.9mpg, with emissions a mere 59g/km. However, a representative of the Swedish company freely admitted that achieving 112.9mpg would be next to impossible for most owners – it’s just a figure the manufacturer has to quote according to the bizarre regulations of the NEDC.
However, if you can stick to the all-electric range of around 25 miles, or use the hybrid running as cleverly as possible, anything like half this figure would be hugely respectable for a 395bhp, 2343kg SUV. As with all plug-in hybrids, the more electric range you're able to use, the less fuel you'll have to burn.
It costs nothing in terms of VED but where the T8 really shines is in benefit-in-kind taxation – it falls into the nine per cent rate, leading Volvo to suggest it will be popular with small business owners looking for a status symbol car, especially as it qualifies for 100 per cent write down allowance in year one.
Elsewhere, the T6 records figures of 36.7mpg combined and 179g/km, while the D5 offers 49.6mpg and 149g/km. In our own experience of the D5, 40mpg is comfortably achievable in mixed A-road and motorway driving.
Volvo offers a three-year/60,000-mile standard warranty, and the XC90 requires servicing every 18,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is sooner. At the time of writing, insurance groups have yet to be finalised.
