XC90 T8 battery size changes

[Timmel]

I’m looking to purchase a used XC90 T8 and was wondering if anyone can tell me the cut off date in the UK after which the battery size increased from 9.2kWh to 10.4kWh?

I know this change happened on “2018 vehicles” but when searching the used market, it’s not clear which cars fall either side of this cut off point. Furthermore, no dealers (even a couple of main Volvo dealers I’ve spoken to) seem to be able to confirm this either.

Is there a visual way of checking, either physically in the vehicle or on the log book?

Thanks in advance.

[dling]

With a 10% chance of error, I believe they increased the batter capacity at the same time with the fuel tank capacity. Don’t know how it is in the UK but here the tank capacity is written on the car registration papers. So, look for 70 liters

[Director76]

Originally Posted by dling

With a 10% chance of error, I believe they increased the batter capacity at the same time with the fuel tank capacity. Don’t know how it is in the UK but here the tank capacity is written on the car registration papers. So, look for 70 liters

Not quite true..!

MY18.5 has the updated 10.8kW battery, but the 50 litre fuel tank.

I think the 70 litre tank came in with MY19, but also the lower power ICE engine, with combined 390 hp, rather than 407 hp.

So, if you can live with the smaller tank, MY18.5 is a T8 power train sweet-spot!

One visible change I can think of that came in in MY19 is that the leatherette stitched dash trim became standard on R-Design, my 18.5 (built around Nov 17 and delivered Jan 18) has the plastic dash top.

D76

[dling]

D76 is right, I forgot about that.

@OP, I believe the differences like the more powerful engine (D76, that’s the one without particulate filter, right?) or the larger fuel tank, will be more noticeable in a day to day use than the 0.6 kWh of battery. For example, although initially I was upset I didn’t get the more powerful engine, finally it turned out better because I got a good reduction on the yearly road tax (I guess this depends from country to country)

In the end you can’t go wrong with any of them they are all wonderful cars

[Timmel]

Thanks for the feedback. I also feel reassured that it is actually quite hard to confirm exactly what any given car will be equipped with given all the changes!

I’m looking at either 2017 or 2018 cars given my spec requirements and budget. So most/all cars registered in 2017 in the UK will have the smaller battery then?

Can anyone tell me what sort of economy to expect on a long motorway trip at 70mph?

I know it won’t be good as the car isn’t setup to be economical on this sort of journey, but just trying to prepare myself for how bad it might be!

Is 30mpg achievable on say a 200 mile motorway journey at 70mph?

[Director76]

Originally Posted by Timmel

Is 30mpg achievable on say a 200 mile motorway journey at 70mph?

With a light load, and sticking to bang on 70 maybe...

Creep up another 10mph now and again (way too easy in a T8!) and you’re closer to 27-28 mpg.

Load with roof boxes, bikes etc - expect <25 mpg

But with a full battery, 40mpg average is possible for c 100 mile A road runs, and as the journey lengths drop averaging 70-100mpg is easily doable.

We’ve gone months this year between petrol fills (OK weird year...)

[Timmel]

Originally Posted by Director76

With a light load, and sticking to bang on 70 maybe...

Creep up another 10mph now and again (way too easy in a T8!) and you’re closer to 27-28 mpg.

Load with roof boxes, bikes etc - expect <25 mpg

But with a full battery, 40mpg average is possible for c 100 mile A road runs, and as the journey lengths drop averaging 70-100mpg is easily doable.

We’ve gone months this year between petrol fills (OK weird year...)

Thanks, that’s helpful to know. Hoping the right spec and colour combo will come up soon. Looking for a Bursting Blue R Design Pro and there only seems to be a handful for sale at any one time.

I’m currently driving a 2017 E220d estate so I’m looking forward to a totally different driving experience in many respects!

[dblogic]

Completed a 250mile round trip yesterday to pick my daughter up from university in Bristol. Started with a full battery and the car pre-conditioned. Route is mainly motorway with 10miles at each end 30/40mph. Had pilot assist set to 72 to 75 for most of motorway and used the battery hold to keep battery for 30/40 mph area's.(in Hybrid mode) Final figure 34.8mpg (as shown on dash).
More than happy with that considering the size /weight of vehicle.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by dblogic

Completed a 250mile round trip yesterday to pick my daughter up from university in Bristol. Started with a full battery and the car pre-conditioned. Route is mainly motorway with 10miles at each end 30/40mph. Had pilot assist set to 72 to 75 for most of motorway and used the battery hold to keep battery for 30/40 mph area's.(in Hybrid mode) Final figure 34.8mpg (as shown on dash).
More than happy with that considering the size /weight of vehicle.

Sounds about right. Don't forget that the dash tends to flatter the cars consumption by about 10%. I have 110,000 miles of "brim fill to brim fill" data for my car and the car display is always circa 10 percent higher.....

[Director76]

I think all your lot’s cars were built in a different factory to mine!

34mpg+ on a long motorway jaunt...in my dreams. And I’m not a heavy footed loon, far from it, I’ve crafted hybrid driving to an art form, with strategic use of Pure, hold, B etc and switching between!