The Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid AWD Ultra remains one of the most recognisable luxury SUVs on South African roads, and remarkably, it still looks good after all these years. Volvo has resisted the temptation to completely reinvent its flagship seven-seater, instead opting for subtle updates that keep the XC90 feeling fresh while preserving the understated Scandinavian design that has defined it for nearly a decade.
The changes are easy to spot if you know where to look. A refreshed grille and new alloy wheel designs add a more contemporary touch, while the overall silhouette remains largely unchanged. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing. In an industry where SUVs are becoming increasingly elaborate, the XC90’s clean, restrained design feels like a breath of fresh air. Finished in optional Mulberry Red and riding on 21-inch black diamond-cut wheels, our test car certainly didn’t look like it was ready for retirement.
Inside, the XC90 continues to impress with a spacious and beautifully appointed cabin. The optional Blond Nappa leather seats look fantastic and are every bit as comfortable as they appear. In fact, comfort is one of the XC90’s biggest strengths. With seating for seven, there’s plenty of room for the family, luggage and all the other things that somehow find their way into an SUV.
The new infotainment screen is crisp, modern and easy on the eyes, although Volvo does leave us scratching our heads over one omission. In 2026, not having wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto feels a little ridiculous. It’s the sort of feature you expect to simply have in a vehicle costing R1,834,500.
Where Volvo absolutely nails it, however, is the audio system. The Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity system is heavenly. Audiophiles will love it, and even those who don’t spend their evenings discussing speaker frequencies will appreciate just how rich and immersive it sounds. It turns the XC90 into a very comfortable mobile listening room.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combining turbocharging and supercharging with an electric motor. Total output is 340kW and 709Nm, making this seven-seater properly quick. In fact, it is blisteringly quick for something this large. Put your foot down and the XC90 launches forward with an urgency that feels slightly inappropriate for a family SUV.
Despite that performance, with the battery drained,we managed around 9L/100km during our time with it, which is respectable given its size and pace.
There is, however, one rather large omission for a plug-in hybrid in 2026: DC fast charging. The XC90 can only charge via AC, with a maximum charging rate of 6.4kW. Volvo says a 0-100% charge takes around three hours using a suitable wallbox.
Three hours isn’t terrible for overnight home charging, but the absence of DC charging is difficult to overlook when faster charging has become increasingly important. If you’re away from home and need to replenish the battery, you can’t simply pull into a DC fast charger and quickly top up before continuing your journey. At this price point, and in 2026, that feels like a missed opportunity.
Still, the XC90 T8 gets plenty right. It is exceptionally comfortable, spacious, luxurious and remarkably fast. At R1,936,500, it isn’t cheap, but few SUVs combine seven-seat practicality, Scandinavian design and this level of performance quite as effortlessly. The XC90 may be getting long in the tooth, but like a good suit, it still wears well.
