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.
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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.
