Review : 2026 Volvo XC90 Ultra T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid
The Volvo XC90 has been around since 2002. In car terms that's practically collecting a pension Then, in 2016 we welcomed the second-generation with open arms, and in 2024 it received a facelift.
And now we have this - not new, not completely redesigned, just... improved. And do you know what? I rather admire Volvo for it. Because while everyone else seems obsessed with chasing trends, Volvo appears to have wandered into the room wearing a tweed jacket, quietly poured itself a decent coffee and said, "The old one's still rather good.”
And after spending time with the flagship Ultra specification, I'm inclined to agree.
First impressions
There's something reassuringly confident about the XC90. It doesn't shout. It doesn't try to convince strangers you've just sold a cryptocurrency company. It certainly doesn't have enough fake vents to cool a nuclear reactor.
Instead, it simply looks... expensive. The revised front grille, slimmer headlights and cleaner detailing freshen things up without losing the XC90's unmistakable identity. It's evolutionary rather than revolutionary, and frankly that's perfectly acceptable.
One of my biggest pet peeves with modern car design is manufacturers changing things simply because the marketing department needs something to write about. Volvo has wisely resisted that temptation.
Park it alongside a brand-new BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE and the XC90 somehow manages to look more understated while still carrying genuine road presence. It's a car that whispers confidence rather than screams for attention. These days, that's surprisingly refreshing.
Scandinavian calm
Open the door and you're reminded why Volvo interiors have become the benchmark for understated luxury. No nightclub lighting like it’s auditioning for Britain's Got Talent, and no dashboard that resembles the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Okay, maybe a little.
Instead, there's beautifully soft leather, open-pore wood, brushed metal and wonderfully supportive seats that continue to justify Volvo's long-standing reputation. I've driven cars costing significantly more that don't feel this relaxing. The cabin feels like an oasis.
After a stressful day, climbing inside feels like checking into a boutique Scandinavian hotel. Even the air somehow seems calmer.
The Ultra specification naturally throws absolutely everything at you from heated, ventilated and massaging seats to a premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Frankly, if you can't find a comfortable seating position in here, you're probably sitting upside down.
The touchscreen...
Now we need to discuss the touchscreen. Modern manufacturers have developed an irritating obsession with hiding everything inside one giant tablet.
Want heated seats?
Screen.
Want to alter ventilation?
Screen.
Fancy changing a driving mode?
More screen.
Volvo's system is among the better ones, helped enormously by Google integration, but I'd still happily swap a few digital menus for a proper physical climate control panel.
Call me old-fashioned. In fact yes, I'll wear that badge with pride, because sometimes, progress isn't actually progress.
Plug-in power
Underneath sits Volvo's familiar T8 plug-in hybrid system. A turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-litre petrol engine works alongside an electric motor, producing around 455 horsepower. And from a two-litre engine, that performance is properly impressive.
0-62mph arrives in around 5.4 seconds.
That's quicker than many hot hatchbacks while carrying seven people, a Lurcherr, camping gear and enough snacks to survive crossing the Pennines, once you had your jabs, of course.
It never feels frantic though, as power delivery is wonderfully smooth. Electric assistance fills any gaps seamlessly, while the eight-speed automatic quietly gets on with the job without demanding attention.
That's perhaps the XC90's greatest talent as nothing ever feels dramatic.
Electric driving
The electric-only range now stretches beyond 40 miles in real-world conditions, if you're sensible.
For many owners that's enough to complete daily commuting without using a drop of petrol.
Charge overnight.
Drive to work.
Drive home.
Plug back in.
Repeat.
Treat it like an actual plug-in hybrid rather than just a heavy petrol SUV and the fuel economy can be remarkably impressive. Ignore the charging cable completely and you'll understandably wonder why it's drinking fuel like a thirsty rugby club after winning the league.
Plug-in hybrids are generally brilliant... provided owners actually plug them in, otherwise, without charging, you're carrying around a sizeable battery that you're barely using.
On the road
Long-distance touring is where the XC90 truly shines, hours disappear effortlessly, wind noise barely exists, tyre roar remains subdued, and the Bowers & Wilkins audio system is genuinely one of the finest available in any production vehicle.
During our week together we endured a 4-hour drive down to Thruxton for the re-launch of Mitsubishi here in the UK, and it was just what you want from a luxury SUV.
Steering is accurate rather than exciting, body control is tidy without becoming firm, and the optional air suspension smooths poor roads beautifully, and motorway refinement is exceptional. This is one of those rare vehicles where you arrive feeling noticeably less tired than when you left. That's harder to engineer than outright performance figures.
Is it a proper SUV?
This is where The Mud Life readers usually start asking questions.
Can it go off-road?
Technically… yes.
It's all-wheel drive, ground clearance is respectable, Hill descent control is present, and various terrain settings help optimise traction. It'll comfortably handle muddy campsites, snowy lanes, gravel tracks and forestry roads, but let's be honest, most Ultra models will spend considerably more time outside Waitrose than halfway up a Welsh green lane, and that’s perfectly fine. Not every SUV has to conquer Bootle Fell. The XC90's strength lies in confidence, you don't worry when the campsite entrance turns muddy, you simply carry on.
Family life
Practicality remains excellent, seven seats come as standard, the second row slides, and the third row genuinely accommodates children and smaller adults without becoming an exercise in advanced yoga.
Boot space remains generous with five seats in use, although naturally shrinks once all seven are occupied. Storage throughout the cabin is thoughtfully designed with cupholders actually fit drinks.
What else Ah yes, door bins accept bottles, wireless charging works reliably, and USB-C ports appear everywhere. Again, Volvo hasn't reinvented the wheel, it’s simply remembered how families actually use cars.
Safety first... obviously
Talking about Volvo without mentioning safety feels almost illegal.
This remains one of the safest cars you can buy. Adaptive cruise control, Pilot Assist, blind spot monitoring, the list goes on.
Some systems across the industry have become overzealous, beeping every time you breathe near a white line. Volvo generally gets the balance right as the technology assists rather than nags. Mostly.
Living with it
Would I own one? Actually… yes.
There aren't many luxury SUVs I'd say that about. The XC90 isn't trying to impress journalists with Nürburgring lap times, chasing TikTok trends, nor is it covered in unnecessary gloss black trim that'll resemble a scratched piano after six months. It simply focuses on making everyday life more pleasant. There's something wonderfully mature about that.
In fact, its first job when it arrived was a run to the tip. With the BootPac installed it handled all the rubbish with ease, and didn’t look out of place.
The verdict
The 2026 Volvo XC90 Ultra T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid won't be the loudest SUV in the executive car park. Instead, it'll quietly transport your family in remarkable comfort while wrapping everyone inside one of the safest, most relaxing cabins available today. Sometimes that matters more.
It feels like a vehicle designed by grown-ups. In today's market, that's almost revolutionary.
Yes, I'd still like a few physical buttons back. Yes, it's expensive. And yes, plug-in hybrids only make sense if you genuinely charge them. But judged on what it sets out to achieve, the XC90 continues to sit near the very top of the luxury SUV class. Not because it's flashy, or because it's fashionable. Because it's deeply, consistently, brilliantly competent.
Often, the automotive world celebrates reinvention, but the Volvo XC90 reminds us there's also something to be said for quietly perfecting a very good idea., and sometimes, that's the smarter move.