Volvo XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids gain a 41.2 kWh battery and up to 200 km of range
Volvo has swapped the 19 kWh battery in its XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids for a 41.2 kWh pack, lifting claimed electric range to as much as 200 km.
- 41.2 kWh
- 200 km
- 162 km
- 461 hp
What Happened
Volvo has updated two of its SUVs, the mid-size XC60 and the larger XC90, in plug-in hybrid form. Both now carry a considerably larger battery and promise a much longer electric driving distance. The XC60 takes a wider set of changes, covering its exterior and cabin, while the XC90's revision is concentrated on the powertrain. The update followed Volvo's recent reveal of refreshed 40 Series models. The larger pack is installed without eating into boot space.
41.2 kWh
Replaces a 19 kWh pack in both SUVs; about 37.9 kWh of it is usable.
- 200 km (XC60), 162 km (XC90)
- 4.8 s (XC60), 5.2 s (XC90)
- 461 hp; 759 Nm (XC60), 751 Nm (XC90)
Both SUVs keep their 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine at the front, driving the front axle, while rear-mounted electric motors provide all-wheel drive. Combined output reaches 461 hp, with 759 Nm in the XC60 and 751 Nm in the XC90. The extra battery capacity brings extra mass: the XC60 puts on 47 kg for a kerb weight of 2,197 kg, and the XC90 adds 36 kg to reach 2,386 kg. Even so, stronger rear electric motors make both quicker off the line.
- XC60: up to 200 km, roughly 121 km more than before
- XC90: 162 km, up from 66 km, a gain of 96 km
- Battery: more than doubled, from 19 kWh to 41.2 kWh
In India, Volvo does not sell these plug-in hybrid versions. There, the two SUVs come with a 48V mild-hybrid setup and a 2.0-litre engine rated at 250 hp with 360 Nm of torque. Introducing the long-range PHEVs would probably mean a substantial price increase over today's models, which start at Rs 70.90 lakh for the XC60 and Rs 98.80 lakh for the XC90, ex-showroom.
Why this matters
Buyers in markets where Volvo sells these plug-in hybrids stand to gain the most: the bigger battery could let many owners handle daily commutes and local errands on electricity alone. Indian customers are unaffected for now, because Volvo only offers mild-hybrid versions of both SUVs there.
Terms in This Story
- PHEV
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle: a car with both a combustion engine and a battery that can be recharged from an external power source.
- WLTP
- Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure, the standardised laboratory test used in many markets to certify range and fuel consumption figures.
- Kerb weight
- The mass of a vehicle including fuel and fluids but excluding occupants and cargo.
- Mild hybrid
- A vehicle whose small electric system assists the engine and recovers braking energy, but cannot drive the car on electricity alone.
A brief summary; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.