2020 Volvo XC90 facelift launched in Malaysia – T8 PHEV gets bigger 11.6 kWh battery, 50 km EV range

The Volvo XC90 facelift is now launched in Malaysia. First unveiled early this year, the refreshed flagship SUV puts very subtle design tweaks and updated powertrains on a car that has been around since 2014 – clearly, the design ain’t broke.

There are new wheel options, additional exterior colours and a slightly revised radiator grille that sees the slats curve inward. The lower front bumper section has been mildly altered around the lip area, and there’s a bit more chrome trim on the bumper.

Inside, the XC90 can now be ordered in a new six-seat configuration in addition to the existing four-, five-, and seven-seat layouts – we continue with seven. The top T8 Inscription model gets a fancier, more ornate-looking Orrefors crystal gear knob. That’s about it.

The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid variant continues with the same engine (we get an unchanged 407 hp/640 Nm total system output, facelift goes up to 420 PS), but there’s now a bigger 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery (up from 10.4 kWh), which offers 50 km pure electric driving range, up by 15%. It also features the new brake-by-wire advanced battery charging. Some other markets get new ‘B’ badged mild hybrid powertrains (B5 and B6) that feature a KERS function.

What we’re getting are the familiar T5 Momentum, T8 Twin Engine Inscription and the T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus, priced at RM373,888, RM399,888 and RM409,888 respectively, on-the-road without insurance. The price tags are unchanged.

The equipment list is largely similar to before as well, but the T5 (2.0T, 254 hp, 350 Nm) now gets four-zone climate control with third-row air vents. Previously, the entry variant made do with a dual-zone setup with second-row air-con vents on the B-pillars.

Also new is a road sign information system, while the cooled glove box is standard across the board. The City Safety and Blind Spot Info Systems have been given steering assist.

As before, opting for the T8 will get you – besides the supercharger for the 2.0T engine and the PHEV bits – air suspension, head-up display, navigation, the Orrefors crystal gear knob, a Nappa leather key fob for Inscription cars, Inscription exterior chrome trim, 20-inch wheels with 275/45 tyres and tyre sealant kit (235/55 R19 on the T5, with temp spare wheel), Active Bending Lights (LED headlamps with active high beam is standard across the board) and headlight cleaners.

Trim wise, the T8 gets Linear Walnut wood trim, a Tailored Instrument Panel (leather covered dashboard, including door panels), Inscription carpets and a “high level” interior illumination package. T8 seats are in Nappa leather and the front chairs get power adjustable side support.

Other T8-only items include Park Assist Pilot (parallel and perpendicular parking), 360 surround view camera (T5 rear only), second row tunnel console vents (second row B-pillar vents standard for all) and a panoramic sunroof.

For the ultimate XC90, the T8 Inscription Plus adds on a Bowers & Wilkins audio system with 19 speakers and 1400W output for an extra RM10k. The other two variants get a 10-speaker 330W system.

GALLERY: Facelifted Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus

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