Volvo V90 plug-in hybrid long-term test: report 4

The car Volvo V90 Recharge T6 Inscription  Run by Jim Holder, editorial director

Why it’s here Can a large plug-in hybrid estate really deliver great fuel economy as well as carry-all practicality?

Needs to deliver A premium experience all round, from interior comfort and capability through to driving dynamics, while also hitting diesel-like efficiency

Mileage 3248 List price £58,300 Target Price £58,300 Price as tested £66,940 Test economy 50.1mpg Official economy 134.5mpg

15 October 2021 – Riding out the storm with plug-in hybrid power

Just 200 miles. That’s what the Volvo V90’s fuel calculator told me I had in the tank when the fuel crisis struck and, with my daughter’s birthday weekend to the beach and back booked, and with 175 miles to cover, I have to admit I was rather worried.

But that was two weeks ago – and I’ve yet to fill up. Charged up at both ends of our long trip, I used just 125 miles of fuel and about 50 of electric. That made the fish and chips back home taste a bit better.

Then, while the queues raged, I just kept plugging in at home and, so long as I did, it became very clear that I wasn’t using any fuel at all. Indeed, it became a source of annoyance when an over-zealous stab of the accelerator would fire the engine even briefly to life.

My economy over these 14 days – counting ‘free’ electric miles – was more than 100mpg. That’ll soon fall to around 50mpg with a long trip, but it does demonstrate how plug-in hybrid power can work out for you.

One caveat though: the majority of fully electric cars could have covered the same journeys hassle-free too, charging from home and never burning  drop of petrol. Something to explore in a future update.

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