Today’s Parent Approved: Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid

Tested By: Tim Sinyard and Megan Fisher, parents to three children aged 8, 6 and 3 months

Best For: The Volvo XC90 is a luxurious vehicle designed with families in mind, or for anyone who needs extra seats and storage and who wants the flexibility of a plug-in hybrid vehicle

Top Benefits: With up to 53 kilometres of pure electric range¹ and a gas engine for peace of mind when you want to go further, the Volvo XC90 also boasts a range of award-winning safety features that come standard. Other standard family-friendly features include a built-in foldable booster seat in the second row, an advanced air purifier, seating for seven passengers including a foldable third row, a large storage trunk, heated front and rear seats, and the massage function in the front backrests is an optional upgrade.

Considerations: A plug-in hybrid like the Volvo XC90 is ideal for families, offering them fully electric driving for shorter trips of up to 53 kilometres along with the convenience and peace of mind of a full-size, gas-powered engine for longer journeys. The electric engine also works together with your gas engine to help your car run more efficiently, helping you save on fuel costs⁵. And you can easily charge the vehicle at a charging station or have one installed at home.

Meet the Reviewers

Tim Sinyard and Megan Fisher are busy parents to two kids and a newborn, who live in a suburban area near Toronto. They consider space, comfort and fuel efficiency when choosing a family vehicle, but have never owned or investigated an electric or plug-in hybrid option before. On average, while work is close to home for Tim, he and Megan drive between 400 and 500 kilometres per week taking their older kids to activities, running errands and living an active life as a family of five. The cost of gas is one they’d like to reduce to save more money. With their third child, space for extra seating and storage is also important. Tim and Megan drove the Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid Ultra for 10 days.

Overall Impression

“One of the first things I noticed was how quiet the cabin was, especially once on the road,” says Tim. “We also noticed how good the audio system sounded. With little road noise, you could really appreciate the high-end audio. It is a very luxurious vehicle and we loved the front-seat massagers plus it felt very safe. The car was slightly smaller than I expected. Cargo space was never an issue, but it was tricky for the kids to get into the third row of seats.”

Digital Features

The XC90 comes enabled with Google² built-in through the four-year digital services package, so drivers can seamlessly connect their personal devices with the voice-controlled Google Assistant, Maps and Play apps. “Google Maps was very convenient. We tested the Google voice control features for directions and weather.”

Safety Features

The XC90 comes packed with plenty of award-winning safety features to give parents peace of mind. The Lane Keeping Aid³ activates at speeds over 65 km/h and helps keep the car centred in the lane and at a safe distance from other cars. The Cross Traffic Alert safety feature alerts the driver if another vehicle or a pedestrian is detected behind the car. If the driver does not take action to avoid the collision, the Rear Auto Break is automatically applied.⁴ Other assisted driver features include the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS),⁴ which can lightly adjust the steering if there’s a car in your blind spot; adaptive cruise control adjusts your speed; and four cameras and flank sensors provide a 360-degree parking view.

Both Tim and Megan were impressed with the safety enhancements and technology. “All of the features combined made us feel very safe. I liked the lane departure warnings, and the 360-degree cameras for parking and seeing around the vehicle were great,” says Tim. “I also loved the automated pilot assist,” says Megan. “We did a couple hundred kilometres of highway driving with automated cruise control and it worked very well with no issues.”

Built-In Features

One welcome addition for parents with younger children is the fully foldable built-in booster seat in the second row, which makes it super convenient to use and store away. “This was the best feature ever! Such a space saver and one less thing to worry about when getting the car prepared for children,” says Tim. “The built-in booster seat is an incredible feature that I hope becomes standard on all vehicles in the future. It is a great space saver compared to the clunky boosters we are used to. It was extremely easy to use and put away if not required.”

They also made good use of the built-in retractable sunshades on the rear windows. “We have a 3-month-old, so we put up the screen on the side he was on and never took it down. It was very convenient.”

The foldable third row of seating allows parents the flexibility of adding two extra full-sized seats or having extra storage. “We had a couple of our children’s friends in the backseat, and they were comfortable. The trunk size was very good and comparable to what we currently have,” says Tim. “We always had lots of room, especially with the third row down. We even had three sets of golf clubs in the trunk with the third row in use.”

From the Expert

“What really stands out about the 2025 Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid is its seamless blend of power, luxury and eco-friendliness. The electric-only range of up to 53 kilometres provides a decent distance for daily commutes on battery power alone. The turbo-charged engine combined with the electric motor delivers incredible horsepower, making it a thrill to drive. I also love the heads-up display, which shows speed and navigation details right on the windshield. This is incredibly useful for keeping your eyes on the road.” - Stephanie Henry, on-air host and automotive specialist

Bottom Line

“When choosing a car, we are most interested in lots of space, comfort and good fuel efficiency. We were extremely impressed with the XC90’s comfortable ride and fuel efficiency. A plug-in hybrid is definitely going to be something we look at for our next vehicle.”

Tech Specs

• T8 powertrain
• Fuel type: Electric/gas
• Driveline: All-wheel drive
• Transmission: Automatic
• Fuel consumption: Combined 8.9 L/100 km (3.8 LE/100 km)
• Fuel capacity: 71 l
• Typical time to charge from 0 to 100 percent: 5 hours⁶
• Combined horsepower: 455 hp
• Max speed: 180km/h
• Maximum towing capacity: 2250 kg
• Max total weight: 2950 kg
• Cargo capacity: up to 640 l

EMBEDDED VIDEO HERE

1. Electric Range: The figures are based on US EPA data obtained under specific testing conditions for XC90 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid. The real-life driving range, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption achieved under real conditions varies depending on driving behaviour and other external factors.
2. Google/Digital services: Google, Google Play and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC. The XC90 plug-in hybrid comes with a four year subscription to the Digital services package. After this period ends, new terms and fees will apply if you choose to renew.
3. Lane assist: Driver support functions are not a substitute for the driver’s attention and judgment. Steering support is active at speeds between 60-140 km/h.
4. BLIS and other safety features: Vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists moving in the same direction of the car can be detected under certain speeds and in certain conditions. Detection systems are dependent on objects being illuminated and require the vehicle’s front and rear lights to be working when it is dark. Driver remains responsible for safe driving at all times. Driver support functions are not a substitute for the driver’s attention and judgment. Cross traffic alert may have limited functionality in certain situations. Brake intervention is only active at lower speeds. The driver is always responsible for how the car is controlled, these features are only supportive functions.
5. Fuel economy (combined): The figures are based on US EPA data obtained under specific testing conditions for XC90 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid. The real-life driving range, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption achieved under real conditions varies depending on driving behaviour and other external factors.
6. Charging time: The charging time is preliminary and derived from estimates and calculations performed by Volvo Cars and these outcomes are not guaranteed. Please also note that charging times can vary and are dependent on factors such as outdoor temperature, current battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition and car condition.