VOVLO XC90 T8 Ultra

For years, Volvo has been the steady voice of reason in the sometimes chaotic cacophony of the automotive world. Think understated elegance, unwavering safety and enough practicality to rival an IKEA flat-pack assembler. Enter then, the XC90 T8, Volvo’s flagship SUV that might just be the seven-seat saviour for families seeking a bit of Swedish sensibility.

But does this modern-day Viking continue to conquer the SUV seas with its combination of comfort, class and clever engineering? Or does it fall short of its competitors who often focus more on spectacle than substance. To find out, I took the XC90 on the ultimate Scandinavian road test: a trip to IKEA. After all, where better to test a car’s practicality than the spiritual home of flat-pack furniture?

Slide into the driver’s seat and you’re greeted by a cabin that feels more like a hygge-inspired living room than a vehicle. The leather seats are supremely comfortable, offering more than enough support to keep you refreshed after a few hours of driving, yet cushioned enough to make you feel like you’re sitting in a designer armchair. The optional massage function is just icing on this already very plush cake. Add to that heated and ventilated options and you’ve got a setup ready to tackle any trip with finesse.

Passengers don’t fare any worse in this department. The second-row of seats recline and slide to accommodate adults or child seats with ease, while the third row is not actually that bad when it comes to an SUV of this size. Gone are the days of contortionist-level gymnastics required to squeeze into the back of a seven-seater as even adults can ride in relative comfort. There’s even dedicated climate control for the rear, ensuring that no matter where you sit, you’re treated to a few creature comforts. In short, the XC90 is as close as you’ll get to a Scandinavian sanctuary.

Volvo’s reputation for meticulous craftsmanship is evident in every nook and cranny of the XC90. The soft-touch materials, minimalist dashboard and real wood trim combine to create an interior that exudes understated luxury. Buttons and switches click with a satisfying precision, while the infotainment screen (Volvo’s portrait-style Sensus system) is responsive and intuitive once you get your head around it, even if it does occasionally require a moment of patience. The crystal gear shifter, a hallmark of Volvo’s top-tier models, adds another touch of class that’s hard to overlook.

And where else but IKEA to test the XC90’s practicality? After navigating the labyrinth of flat-pack furniture and meatball temptation, it was time to load up. With all the rear seats folded, the XC90 swallowed a couple of flat-pack wardrobes, assorted smaller boxes and a suspiciously large blue bag with room to spare. The boot’s square shape and absence of awkward intrusions make it an organiser’s dream. It’s moments like these that make you realise how well-thought-out the XC90’s design is.

There’s no getting away from it - the boot space is massive and even with all seven seats in use there is still room for a couple of cases in the back. Whether it’s a trip to the garden centre or loading up sports kit for the entire team, the XC90 makes it seem like child’s play because the low load lip and adjustable load-height from the air suspension ensures no risk of hernias during the process. Even the underfloor storage compartments are thoughtfully designed, providing space for cables, tools or a rogue set IKEA assembly instructions!

The return journey, laden with furniture and the faint aroma of cinnamon buns, only reinforced the XC90’s brilliance as a family workhorse. Quiet, composed and supremely comfortable, it turned what could have been a stressful experience into a serenely flexible one.

And this got me thinking - historically, plug-in hybrid SUVs have often had to sacrifice practicality for the sake of electrified progress. Most have settled for five seats, blaming the enlarged battery packs for taking up too much room or whatever. But not so with the hybrid XC90.

Volvo’s engineers have managed to squeeze in a battery without compromising on interior space, making it one of the few seven-seat plug-in hybrids available today. This alone, in my view, sets it apart from the herd and just goes on to highlight Volvo’s knack for combining innovation with real-world usability.

Speaking of which, the XC90’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is an impressive piece of kit, combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver 455 horsepower and all-wheel drive. It’s smooth, quiet and more than capable of whisking you around town on pure electric power for up to 45 miles, which is perfect for school runs or trips to the supermarket. The hybrid system transitions seamlessly between petrol and electric modes, making it feel intuitive and natural in every scenario.

Out on the open road, the XC90 feels composed and confident. The air suspension soaks up bumps with ease, giving it the sort of ride quality that turns potholes into mere afterthoughts. Steering is light yet precise and there’s a reassuring stability at motorway speeds that’ll make long journeys a doddle. Take it off the beaten path and the all-wheel-drive system delivers enough grip to handle muddy tracks or icy drives with aplomb.

That said, the XC90 isn’t without its quirks. Switching between driving modes, Normal, pure electric, off-road etc., isn’t as intuitive as it could be. The process involves digging through touchscreen menus, which feels unnecessarily fiddly for a car that otherwise excels in user-friendliness. In moments when you need instant response, like merging onto a busy dual carriageway, this can be mildly frustrating. A physical mode selector would elevate the driving experience to match the car’s otherwise stellar credentials.

So, my thoughts are that the Volvo XC90 T8 Ultra is more than just a hybrid SUV; it’s a statement of intent from a brand that has perfected the art of blending practicality, luxury and eco-consciousness. It’s supremely comfortable, beautifully built and one of the few seven-seaters to crack the hybrid conundrum without compromise.

Yes, the fiddly drive mode controls might irk some and the XC90 is so popular that you will find one down every street in the UK. But if you’re after a car that can effortlessly juggle the demands of modern family life while offering a touch of Scandi sophistication, the XC90 T8 Ultra is hard to beat. Whether you’re ferrying kids, hauling flat-pack furniture or embarking on a long-distance adventure, this Nordic marvel delivers with a side of lingonberry jam.

https://www.volvocars.com/uk/

Model: Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid AWD Ultra

Priced as Specified: £83,925

Propulsion System: 2.0-Litre, Inline Four-Cylinder and 107 kW Single Electric Motor

Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive

Transmission: 8-Speed Geartronic Automatic

Power: 455 bhp

Torque: 709 Nm

Weight: 2,297 kg

0-62 mph:  5.4 Seconds

Top Speed: 112 mph (limited)

WLTP Combined Fuel Economy: 235.1 mpg

WLTP Electric Range: Up to 45 Miles

C02 Emission: 36 g/km