As the automotive industry has become increasingly electrified, Volvo has remained on the cutting edge with its variety of powertrain options designed to fit the needs of any driver. To that end, a pair of Volvo SUVs are available in both mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants, the mid-sized XC60 and the full-sized XC90. In choosing one of those two models, you have already made a lot of the most important decisions, and are guaranteed to experience the best of what Volvo has to offer. However, there’s one crucial choice left: the powertrain. Which is best for you? Let’s take a closer look.
The Options
Choosing a Volvo powertrain is relatively simple, all things considered. There are three different choices of mild hybrid systems available, named B4, B5, and B6, though the B4 is used exclusively on the XC40, which doesn’t have an available plug-in counterpart. The B5 and B6, conversely, are used on the two Volvo SUV models with both mild hybrid and plug-in variants, the XC60 and the XC90. Meanwhile, the Volvo plug-in powertrain, used on all PHEV models, is called T8.
Here’s a quick overview of how the B5, B6, and T8 compare across the models where each is available:
B5 | B5 | B6 | T8 | T8 | |
Model | XC60 | XC90 | XC90 | XC60 Plug-In | XC90 Plug-In |
Horsepower | 247 | 247 | 295 | 455 | 455 |
Torque | 266 LB-FT | 266 LB-FT | 310 LB-FT | 523 LB-FT | 523 LB-FT |
Combined Fuel Economy | 26 MPG | 25 MPG | 23 MPG | 63 MPGe | 58 MPGe |
Pure Electric Range | N/A | N/A | N/A | 35 miles | 32 miles |
0-60 MPH | 6.5 seconds | 7.3 seconds | 6.4 seconds | 4.5 seconds | 5.0 seconds |
Towing Capacity | 3,500 pounds | 5,000 pounds | 5,000 pounds | 3,500 pounds | 5,000 pounds |
From a performance standpoint, the T8 beats out the B5 and B6 with more power and faster acceleration in both the XC60 and the XC90, while the smaller XC60 picks up some efficiency gains compared to the XC90 on both powertrains available to both models. In real-world terms, however, a lot of those differences melt away — 7.3 seconds is plenty fast enough to get up to highway speed when merging on to I-480, even if it doesn’t offer quite the same adrenaline jolt as 4.5 seconds.
It’s also important to point out that, no matter which powertrain option you choose, the rest of the XC60 or XC90 remains unchanged. That means that the top-end technology, safety, and comfort features you expect from a Volvo will be present either way.
Choosing between a mild hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, then, largely comes down to lifestyle, driving habits, and practicality. With that in mind, there are a few issues to think about.
Questions to Consider
Which makes more sense for daily commuting?
When you’re traveling short distances and have regular access to your home charging station, it’s hard to beat a Volvo PHEV for daily commuting. In fact, if your total commute mileage is less than the vehicle’s fully-electric range, you can end up using essentially zero gasoline, operating entirely on cheaper electricity. Done properly, you’ll be able to maximize the benefits of exploring a hybrid vehicle in the first place.
Which makes more sense for long-distance/highway driving?
If you frequently drive long distances, on the other hand, you may want to consider a mild hybrid. Because PHEVs tend to exhaust their electric range quickly on the highway, a mild hybrid Volvo will actually end up with better fuel economy in many cases. Not only that, but it operates like a traditional gas-powered vehicle in most ways, removing any concerns about finding a charging station far from home or in unfamiliar places.
Do you need a home charger for a Volvo PHEV?
The short answer to the question is no. Volvo PHEVs are able to charge through a standard Level 1 household outlet. However, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a dedicated home charging station for your Volvo PHEV. Conventional home outlet charging is very slow, typically requiring your vehicle to be parked overnight, and also less safe. A dedicated wallbox or station with Level 2 capabilities offers faster, more efficient charging, meaning that your vehicle will always be available when you need it.
What’s the difference between MPG and MPGe?
The traditional miles per gallon (MPG) measurement is pretty straightforward and well explained by its name: it’s a measure of how far a vehicle can travel on a single gallon of gasoline. MPGe is an effort to adapt that standard to an electrified world by calculating how far an EV can travel on 33.7 kWh of electricity, the heat-energy equivalent of a gallon of gas. Both are useful tools for estimating efficiency, however, it’s important to remember that real-world conditions can affect both. Just like MPG changes between city and highway driving (and even within those broad categories based on driving habits), MPGe is negatively impacted by factors like aggressive driving, frequent use of accessories, and cold weather.
Making a Decision
Should you buy a Volvo mild hybrid or a plug-in hybrid? It depends on the specifics of your situation and needs, but here are a few broad examples to help:
Your Situation | Best Fit |
You want something that operates, essentially, like a traditional gas-powered vehicle | Mild hybrid |
For logistical or cost-related reasons, it’s impractical to install a home charging station | Mild hybrid |
Your commute is short enough to take advantage of 32 or 35 miles of electric-only range | Plug-in hybrid |
Engine performance is an important consideration | Plug-in hybrid |
You regularly take long trips | Mild hybrid |
Gasoline reduction is important, but you don’t want a fully-electric vehicle | Plug-in hybrid |
Charging at home, including station installation and vehicle downtime, isn’t an issue | Plug-in hybrid |
You want an efficient vehicle, but with as little hassle as possible | Mild hybrid |
Each prospective Volvo driver, of course, has a unique set of circumstances and priorities, so we encourage you to reach out to the team at Motorcars Volvo Cars to help choose a powertrain for your next vehicle. We look forward to helping you!