View Photos of the 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8

Andi HedrickCar and Driver

Volvo is working on a plan to become fully electric by 2030, and an enhanced plug-in-hybrid T8 powertrain is a steppingstone to that goal. The flagship XC90 three-row SUV receives the updated powerplant and also benefits from a larger battery providing extended all-electric driving range. But a growing number of fully EV luxury SUVs are more compelling.

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The XC90’s design has aged quite well, despite having been introduced for the 2016 model year.

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This year’s updates to the top-spec Recharge T8 powertrain are the most substantive to date.

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The 2022 XC90 T8 drops the supercharger from the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and adds a more powerful 143-hp electric motor that drives the rear wheels, pushing combined output up to 455 ponies.

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A larger, 14.9-kWh battery pack has replaced last year’s 9.1-kWh unit, and the XC90’s electric driving range expands from 18 miles to 36 miles, by the EPA’s yardstick.

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In our testing, the additional power pushed our Inscription test vehicle to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, 0.4 second quicker than a 2020 model we tested.

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We didn’t manage to eke out the full 36 miles of EV driving on our highway fuel-economy test, but the XC90 Recharge T8 delivered a respectable 29 miles before the gasoline engine kicked in.

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Charging the battery away from home can be a pain though, as it can’t be juiced by a DC fast-charger—that limits public-charging options to slower J1772 connections.

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The XC90’s appealing cabin is upscale without being ostentatious, and the first and second rows are spacious and comfortable. The third row is best reserved for the small in stature.

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Our Inscription test vehicle came fairly loaded and featured luxury features such as leather upholstery, a Bowers & Wilkins stereo system, heated and ventilated front seats with massage, and an onboard air ionizer.

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The XC90’s handsome styling, nicely trimmed cabin, and emission-free driving mode are appealing, but a fully electric powertrain would make it far more compelling.

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