Volvo has announced updated XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids with extended electric-range claims, giving families planning coastal weekends another look at the balance between local driving and long journeys.
A boating weekend can combine a short drive to a marina with a much longer journey to a favourite coast. Volvo has presented updates for its XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrid SUVs aimed at stretching electric driving while retaining combustion-engine flexibility.
That blend may interest families who use one car for everyday trips and seasonal holidays. The refreshed models also bring design and equipment updates, with the larger XC90 retaining its role as a seven-seat family vehicle.
The battery takes a larger role in ordinary driving
Volvo quotes preliminary electric-range figures of up to 200 kilometres for the XC60 and up to 160 kilometres for the XC90 on the applicable WLTP basis. Final figures can differ with specification, market and use, so buyers should check the approved rating for their chosen version.
For many marina visits, the ability to travel locally on stored electricity can be useful when charging is available. A long journey with passengers and equipment will still depend on total vehicle efficiency and the availability of stops along the route.
Two SUVs serve different family needs
The XC60 offers a more compact footprint, while the XC90 provides additional passenger accommodation. Which one works for a boating household depends on the number of people, the gear they carry and how much of the year the car is used away from the water.
Neither a large body nor a towbar automatically establishes a suitable trailer combination. Anyone moving a dinghy or dayboat must check the exact vehicle’s approved towing capacity, towball load and the weight of the loaded trailer.
Plan the vehicle and boat together
Boat gear can include heavy batteries, fuel, wet clothing and safety equipment in addition to the hull and engine. Those loads matter for payload and towing calculations, especially when all passengers and holiday luggage are in the car.
For LBG readers, the latest plug-in hybrid options add another vehicle choice for coastal travel. The practical decision still rests on exact specifications, trailer requirements, local charging and the trips a household actually makes.
Source
Volvo Cars