2028 Volvo XC90 T8: 117 KM of Electric Range Thanks to a Much Larger Battery

• The 2028 XC90 T8 offers up to 117 km of electric range, compared with 53 km for the previous model.
• Its new lithium-ion battery has a nominal capacity of 41.2 kWh, of which 37.9 kWh is usable.
• The plug-in hybrid powertrain continues to produce a combined 455 horsepower thanks to a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a new rear electric motor.

The Volvo XC90 T8 Goes Much Further on Electricity

The Volvo XC90 continues to evolve for 2028, and this time the most important change is neither its design nor its interior. Instead, the Swedish SUV receives a significant upgrade to its T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, with a considerably larger battery and an electric range that now reaches up to 117 kilometres.

This represents a major improvement, as the previous XC90 T8 was limited to approximately 53 kilometres of electric range. Volvo is therefore adding 64 kilometres, with the automaker claiming roughly 2.5 times the electric range of the previous plug-in hybrid. Total range combining gasoline and electric power can reach approximately 900 kilometres.

This improvement brings the XC90 T8 considerably closer to the everyday experience of driving an electric vehicle. With 117 kilometres available without relying on the gasoline engine, many owners could potentially complete their daily driving entirely on electricity, provided they have regular access to charging.

A 41.2-kWh Battery Changes the Equation

The centrepiece of this evolution is the lithium-ion battery. While the previous XC90 T8 used a much smaller battery, the new model receives a unit with a nominal capacity of 41.2 kWh, of which 37.9 kWh is usable.

That is a particularly substantial capacity for a plug-in hybrid vehicle. It allows the XC90 T8 to cover a distance that, only a few years ago, would have been associated with some smaller fully electric vehicles.

This approach also allows Volvo to retain the versatility that defines a plug-in hybrid. For daily commuting, the XC90 can essentially operate as an electric vehicle. On longer trips, the gasoline engine can take over, eliminating the need to rely exclusively on fast-charging infrastructure.

Back to 455 Horsepower Under the Hood

The substantial increase in electric range does not mean Volvo has transformed the XC90 T8 into a vehicle focused solely on efficiency.

Under the hood remains a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine featuring e-boost technology. The gasoline engine now produces 247 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, sending power to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

At the rear is a new electric motor mounted directly on the axle. Technical specifications list its output at 130 kW, or 174 horsepower, along with 228 lb-ft of torque. When the starter-generator is factored in, total electric output reaches 208 horsepower, while combined system output remains rated at 455 horsepower.

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Playing With the Power Figures and Engines

Volvo has taken an unusual approach to the XC90 T8’s output figures over the past few years. In 2026, the T8 produced a combined 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, thanks to a more powerful 312-horsepower gasoline engine paired with a 143-horsepower electric motor.

For 2027, output dropped to 401 horsepower after Volvo replaced the gasoline engine with the 247-horsepower unit while retaining the electric motor. Now, for 2028, electric output increases again, bringing combined output back to 455 horsepower, this time accompanied by 560 lb-ft of torque.

This configuration also preserves the T8’s all-wheel-drive system: the gasoline engine powers the front wheels while the electric motor drives the rear axle. Unfortunately, Volvo has not addressed one of the main criticisms of this setup. In electric mode, the XC90 T8 is strictly rear-wheel drive, which can make things more complicated in winter conditions. If the vehicle detects a loss of traction, the gasoline engine starts to engage the front axle and restore all-wheel drive.

The B6 Remains in the Lineup

For buyers who do not want to move to a plug-in hybrid, the XC90 B6 AWD remains available with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

This powertrain produces 295 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque between 2,100 and 4,800 rpm. It is supported by a mild-hybrid system featuring a small 10-kW electric assist motor, equivalent to approximately 13 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission completes the package, while the 0-to-60-mph sprint is rated at 6.4 seconds.

Familiar Design, Distinctly Volvo Interior

Unlike the powertrain, the exterior design receives no major transformation for 2028. With the XC90 having already undergone a styling update in 2025, Volvo essentially carries that design forward.

The same applies inside, where the familiar minimalist Scandinavian approach remains. Volvo continues to emphasize premium natural materials and sophisticated interior lighting, while the cabin can accommodate up to seven occupants.

An 11.2-inch central touchscreen remains at the heart of the interface. Google Gemini integration enables natural-language interactions, route planning, searches for stops and even message management while on the move. Over-the-air software updates are also supported, while a Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system is available as an option.

117 KM That Changes the XC90 T8’s Mission

With this evolution, Volvo is doing considerably more than simply adding a few kilometres to the electric range of its large SUV. The move to a 41.2-kWh battery and a maximum claimed electric range of 117 kilometres significantly changes how the XC90 T8 can be used.

It retains the advantages of a large seven-passenger family SUV and the peace of mind provided by a gasoline engine on longer journeys, but it can now operate as an electric vehicle for a much larger proportion of everyday driving.

In a market where the line between plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles is becoming increasingly blurred, the 2028 XC90 T8 pushes the PHEV concept considerably further than before. Its electric range is now one of its strongest selling points rather than simply a supplement to its gasoline powertrain.