6/7 seat PHEV

[Scuzi]

My current car is a Volvo V90 which I’m very happy with but as the kids get bigger and I spend the majority of my free time chauffeuring them and their friends around, it is becoming increasingly limiting as we often have to leave someone behind, hence looking at 7 seaters. About 40% of the 13-15k per year I travel is on journeys <20 miles round trip, so I thought a PHEV would be a box worth ticking, especially if I can get a car on the work salary sacrifice scheme. A BEV probably won’t work for me because I do occasionally travel to areas with limited charging infrastructure, and I‘m not quite ready for having to add charge planning into my life - I like the convenience of petrol. That’s the background to why I’m looking at a 7 seater PHEV as the next car.

I thought there would be a market for these but apparently not. It seems the Volvo XC90 T8 is about the only viable option. Am I missing something? I think there is a Kia, but it has a diesel engine and I hate diesel.

I took an XC90 T8 for a test drive and it was a smoother and quieter version of my V90, but otherwise very similar to drive. The interior space was cavernous, and felt like twice the size of the V90. It ticks lots of boxes and is top contender for consideration right now.

For those of you who own one, what is the real world performance when driving on battery? Can you do a journey of say 10 miles each way on urban / suburban solely on electric, or does the engine kick in regularly? I’ve heard of supposed real world reports of <30mpg. Is that the reality?

 

[Scuzi]

I don't think hybrids get much of a "discount" in BIK on salary sacrifice any more? Certainly not on our scheme!

Not a great deal, but there aren’t any sole ICE vehicles available on our scheme.

 

[Scuzi]

I ran an example quote and according to the providers calculator there would be a monthly income tax and NI saving of £496 with a BIK of £209. Not amazing but marginally better than buying privately and more tax efficient, especially with the added complications of the pension annual allowance and upcoming income tax threshold reductions.

 

[Scuzi]

What’s the waiting time on an XC90 T8? They tick so many boxes. Would need to do some serious man maths to make it work unless I can find one on the work salary sacrifice scheme.

My local dealership could get a new pre-built one for May. Through the work scheme provider it’s looking like 6 months+.

 

[Scuzi]

There's a Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 petrol PHEV, I think Kia also do a PHEV Sorento as well.

Not much choice, if you include mild hybrid then you can add a Q7 or Highlander

The mild hybrid options don’t interest me. Shame about the Q7. As crass as it is, it would have been nice to have some alternative to look at.

I can't fathom their website. But petrol PHEV LR defenders are a thing, as are 7 seater defenders. So that might be an option.

You aren’t kidding. I just tried to spec a defender PHEV with more than 5 seats and whilst i think it’s possible, I think I need an Ouija board to summon the expertise to figure out how to find one on that website! I think they look great but the brand reliability and build quality reputation puts me off.

Volvo XC90's rear-most seats aren't great, and it's about 35 years old now! Does the Ford Explorer PHEV exist in RHD? That comes with a V6
VW T7 comes in hybrid..


Q7 is awesome, but alas PHEV is 5-seat only.
If OP can live with interior plastics, etc. the Sante Fe/Sorenta is a good shout. 1.6 makes the baby jesus cry though, as does spending £50k on a KIA!

I thought the rear seats were best in class. I’m no giant but I fitted fairly comfortably. The Saleswoman thought I was mental as I insisted she drive me around whilst I sat in the 3rd row.

I understand Hyundai/Kia have come a long way but they aren’t that much cheaper with the options I’m looking at, and I’d rather just keep the V90 and do without than move to one of them.

Ford Explorer, I’m unsure and will check. VW T7 is a van and I don‘t think I’ll ever be a van person.

 

[Scuzi]

That’s a really interesting report because your usage is kind of how I would expect mine to be, but some people have suggested that it’s impossible. I’m glad to hear it is possible.

I average 28mpg in my V90 so as long as it was in that ballpark whilst running on petrol I’d be happy, especially if a large portion of my miles can be done on electric which is relatively cheap, or in some cases free.

There is one irrational barrier to this being a no brainer. I saw an old XC90 today and thought it looked horribly dated. Just before the current XC90 came out I thought it looked ok. I do worry that when the EX90 is released, the same thing will happen with the XC90. Irrational and unlikely but it’s there…

 

[Scuzi]

Just ordered an XC90 T8 Recharge Plus in primer grey. Expecting delivery in September which I’m told is a fairly accurate estimate. I thought about holding out for the EX90 but it will be very expensive and the over-reliance on touchscreen inputs to control pretty much everything puts me off.

 

[Scuzi]

It arrived today, 3 months earlier than anticipated! I’m not a fan of the colour but impressed with the rest of the car. I heard a lot of hate for the Android system but it is far more responsive and flexible than the Volvo Sensus system.

School run completed on electric power only. I’m a big fan of the silent running and driving dynamics.

I’ll report back with more observations as time goes on if anyone is interested.