T6 vs T8 - Which would you pick if same price?

cohall · Oct 3, 2017

Hi All,

I'm considering the XC60 to replace my wife's 2009 Infiniti FX. I've test driven a few different models, and love the vehicle.

Where I live, I'd be eligible for $10K in total tax credits if I were to buy the T8 ($5K federal, $5K state). Based on identical builds, that puts the net price of the T8 about $2K lower than the price of the T6. Once I pay an electrician to install the appropriate plug-in wiring, I'm estimating that the T6 and T8 would therefore end up being about the same price.

That said, would you opt for the T8 over the T6? I know there are benefits of the T8 including the 400HP and better MPG, but I'm concerned about some of the negative reviews that the hybrid received on the XC90 when it came out. I'm also concerned that it's more likely to have additional issues due to the complexity of the hybrid system. Finally, I don't like that the T8 eliminates the option to have 4-zone climate control.

What would be your take on it if you were in my position?

Thanks,

C

BobBass · Oct 3, 2017

To me, the biggest negative of the T8 is the 13.2 gal. gas tank. You have to factor in the potential inconvenience(s) that might present for YOU.

cohall · Oct 4, 2017

OP here. Thanks to you all for the information and feedback. It's all very helpful! Though, I'm not sure you've made my decision any easier

Most trips are just errands around town, usually under 10 miles RT. Twice monthly trips to the mountain of 65 miles each way. Mountain house would be used to charge before the return. Also, my wife has the world's tiniest bladder, so we rarely drive more than 3 hours without stopping.

goVolvo said:
If you have a long commute, say 50 miles a day, and drive mostly on highway, T6 is better as the range is longer than T8.

No commute (take the train). Mix of city and highway.

Orphanscribe said:
Just to be sure all things are considered: T8 deletes fog lights, and spare tire (the big battery's space requirements leave no room either to store the spare OR the rear climate ducts and controls. An inflator kit is substituted). The T8 DOES add the vaunted Orrefors crystal shifter, plus 400-500 libs of extra weight, that have to be stopped by the same size brakes as the T6 gets, and controlled by (so far as I know) the same suspension as the T6. Others have mentioned the smaller gas tank, which is an issue (or not) depending on your driving habits.

Was actually unaware of the fog light delete. Thanks for letting me know. Couldn't care less about the shifter, to be honest.

oldbob1938 said:
I've ordered a T8. I was struck by the OP's assumption that he'd need to install a charger. My own assumption is that charging via 120V will be more than adequate. Reported charging times at 120 are 4 miles per hour. That gives a comfortable refill overnight, and even allows for some topping off during the day or at a charging station.

Thanks for the feedback. I know it's technically not required to have a 240v charging station put in, but given the investment in the vehicle, it just seems like it'd be worth the small additional investment of putting in the faster charger for those occasional times it is needed.

Appreciate all of the feedback. Lots of votes to go with the T8, but certainly there are some drawbacks. I know it's dumb, but one of the biggest for me is lack of 4-zone climate and the vents in the back. I think the console looks really cheap in the back with those removed. I know, it's just a stupid little thing, but for some reason it bugs me.

The other thing I haven't looked at yet is resale value. I'm guessing the T8 commands higher prices on the used market vs an identically equipped T6, but I haven't actually researched to see if that's true of the XC90s. Anyone know?

Shemp · Oct 3, 2017

T8, no question. Instant pickup, better acceleration. Remote AC/heat without starting the IC engine. Faster. Solo HOV lane access (depending on your state). The best parking spots.

henrique · Oct 3, 2017

+1

And let's not forget, there is a reason why you get those incentives: driving a plug-in is less harmful to the environment.

goVolvo · Oct 3, 2017

If you have a long commute, say 50 miles a day, and drive mostly on highway, T6 is better as the range is longer than T8.

Otherwise for shorter or local commute, T8 is the choice. On long day trip you may need to stop one more time for gas station but it is really not a big deal to me unless you travel often in some remote area in NV, UT, WY, ID, AZ, TX states etc.

chris@swedespeed · Oct 4, 2017

4-zone climate control is only available on the T6 - if that's not a concern, the T8 is a nice step into a hybrid lifestyle.

With Volvo and Polestar focusing on electrification, hopefully the next T8 iteration will provide a significant range increase for those with long (40+ mile one way), stop & go commutes. It will also be interesting to see the other engine configurations with electrification.

goVolvo · Oct 4, 2017

Longer e-range needs more, heavier battery, higher price. I'd want about 20 miles just that much. Get an pure EV if long range is desired.

Sent from my K88 using Tapatalk

Orphanscribe · Oct 4, 2017

Just to be sure all things are considered: T8 deletes fog lights, and spare tire (the big battery's space requirements leave no room either to store the spare OR the rear climate ducts and controls. An inflator kit is substituted). The T8 DOES add the vaunted Orrefors crystal shifter, plus 400-500 libs of extra weight, that have to be stopped by the same size brakes as the T6 gets, and controlled by (so far as I know) the same suspension as the T6. Others have mentioned the smaller gas tank, which is an issue (or not) depending on your driving habits.

lamarguy · Oct 4, 2017

lamarguy · Oct 4, 2017

I just placed an OSD order for a T8 today...the additional acceleration and hybrid efficiency in congested areas alone are worth it.

Trevlig · Oct 4, 2017

cohall said:
That said, would you opt for the T8 over the T6?

Yes, I'd opt for the T8.

pfram · Oct 4, 2017

T8 for certain. I'd never have to hunt for parking spots at work again. 50 mile daily commute, 25 miles each way. Charge at work, charge at home. Had that with my previous plug-in hybrid and only had to visit the gas station about once every three months. I do wish the gas tank was over 15 gallons though.

Wayne T5 · Oct 4, 2017

For the same price another vote here for the T8.

rodrigofalvarez · Oct 4, 2017

I was in this same position, and I chose the T8. My commute is 10 miles of stop-go each way -- perfect for using very little gas 90% of the time. I'm saving the gas for the other 10% of the time, when I'll be checking out the 5s 0-60.

oldbob1938 · Oct 4, 2017

I've ordered a T8. I was struck by the OP's assumption that he'd need to install a charger. My own assumption is that charging via 120V will be more than adequate. Reported charging times at 120 are 4 miles per hour. That gives a comfortable refill overnight, and even allows for some topping off during the day or at a charging station. Folks with much larger battery systems do need chargers, the Bolt takes over 2 days to recharge on 120V.

One of my reasons for the T8 is that much of my driving involves short trips of 2 miles or less. This is NOT good for gas engines. It also isn't very good for gas range per tank or for the oxy sensors ... mine were replaced at 50,009 miles at a cost of 1K. The reported range for the T8 on gas is as good or better than the range of my current Xc60. I do have to refill on a trip between my home in Glendale and the SF Bay area. That isn't going to change with the T8, and it appears I will be using the same gas station in Dublin that I now use with my 2012.

lamarguy · Oct 4, 2017

oldbob1938 said:
Reported charging times at 120 are 4 miles per hour.

Recharge time on 120v is ~7hrs, so closer to 2.5mph (18 miles EPA electric range). Still, doable overnight.

However, 240v level 2 chargers are inexpensive ($300) and provide a full charge in ~3hrs. Seems like an obvious decision to me.

caesaregypt · Dec 31, 2017

XC60 T8 loose Power?

Is it true that not worth getting the T8 over the T6, because the advertised 400 hp would be able to utilize it only until the electricity runs out, then , the power would scale back to 316hp( T6 power)??
I am about to make a decision ordering one, so please help me out here.
Thank you

FusionRedXC60 · Jan 1, 2018

caesaregypt said:
Is it true that not worth getting the T8 over the T6, because the advertised 400 hp would be able to utilize it only until the electricity runs out, then , the power would scale back to 316hp( T6 power)??
I am about to make a decision ordering one, so please help me out here.
Thank you

Not true. Where did you get that reason? If you don't plug-in charge it at all, it is still a hybrid car, and maintains a minimum battery level that you can use 400HP for fast overtaking, 0-60 testing, etc. And it still gives better MPG than T6 on highway and much better on local of course.

There is extreme situation that you can turn it into a 316HP heavy machine, such as towing and accelerating on uphill highway. But in normal driving you won't hit that limit.

Only three things not as good as T6: the highway range is less than T6, no spare tire, and no front fog light, if those bother you.

Sent from my K88 using Tapatalk

Beltrix · Jan 1, 2018

T6 because I have a 90 mile commute and no place to charge.
Coming from a Prius, it’s bittersweet.

VolvoNewGuy · Jan 1, 2018

Absolutely love our T8 and would choose again. Wife has 10 mile commute so it works extremely well for us.

Note that the 240V charger is not required, but in order to do the pre-conditioning, 240V power is necessary to prevent any battery drain. Also is helpful on the weekends for quick charge-ups for errands, etc.

oldbob1938 · Jan 1, 2018

Got my T8 on Nov 30 and had only 330 miles on the car when we took a 2100 mile road trip to Boise ID using I15 through Nevada, western Utah, and I84 through southern Idaho. On the first part of the trip we stopped for gas more often since we paid attention to those who were critical of the small gas tank, and we had no experience with the car. On the return trip, we were more comfortable and less frequently. We mostly drove at 80-85 mph, except when roads were too slushy. Overall mileage is over 26 mpg, and we were stopping for gas at a little over 300 miles. We do love the T8, on our 1st 330 miles, with lots of short all electric trips we were getting 43 mpg combined, and during big traffic jams in Vegas and on the road between Vegas and LA we were mostly on electric which is a cool way to ride with pilot assist active.

Get the T8, with rebates and Tax Credits, there is no significant price penalty.

JonE1976 · Jan 3, 2018

Regarding resale hybrids typically have a lower resale than their gas powered kin. If you're concerned about depreciation and resale then take a harder look at the base model for each range. The add ons jack up the price and are worth nothing if you're like me an keep your car for 10+ years. That's primarily due to folks concern about cost to fix all those gadgets. However, even if you keep your car for 3 years and trade you're still going to take a heftier hit on the higher end T8 due to its short time on the market and the dreaded battery fears that folks seem to have regardless of brand.

That being said I would choose the T8 since I'm not worried about swapping a battery pack out and the location of the T8s battery seems to be about the same as a Prius so the job should be about the same. (seat removal, trim removal, protective plastic thingy plug to break the circuit so you don't crispy yourself when changing the battery etc. The biggest bear will be the weight of the battery but renting a cherry picker from a parts store, using some snatch straps and going in from the back to lift it out should make that a non-issue. This is all theoretical of course assuming the battery has a useful life of 7 - 10 years and the aftermarket steps up to provide a cost effective replacement option. If you have to buy a battery from Volvo or worse, the batterys in the T8s turn out to be crap then buying a T8 might hurt the wallet a whole lot more long term than the gas used in the T6.

Maybe wait a year or two and pick up a T8 off lease? Then someone else gets to take the biggest depreciation hit, you get to see how they hold up and you get to enjoy the car the remaining 7+ years. (That's what I'm hoping the Mrs. will agree to)

FusionRedXC60 · Jan 3, 2018

For battery lifetime, there must be enough data from other hybrid cars as the first Prius has been out for 20 years, and nissan leaf for 7 years.

And battery cost will be somehow lower in future. The labor to replace battery maybe is not huge. I think could be less than transmission swap. And the access to battery pack could be from underneath. All details will be more clear if some workshop decide to disassemble a T8.

Compared to air suspension replacement, the chance for battery is much lower. I will buy 10 year warranty anyways. Worst case I think technically it is possible to get rid of the bad battery and still drive it as a FWD car.

Sent from my K88 using Tapatalk

caesaregypt · Jan 4, 2018

Another question about these two trims.
How good is the Volvo High Performance Audio system?
Is it wort getting the B&W?
Is it worth $3000? Is that much better?
Thank you

AkeemMcLennon · Jan 5, 2018

My new T8 Momentum is great! I opted to get everything except B&W and have no regrets so far. It's worth noting that the T8 has an extra subwoofer in place of the spare tire so the sound quality might be slightly better compared to the other trims. I personally don't think the difference in sound quality is good enough to justify an extra $3k, but I wouldn't necessarily consider myself an audiophile either. Ultimately though, my opinion is obviously very subjective, so I would see if you could compare for yourself somehow.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

George @ ViVA · Jan 9, 2018

I went with the T8 due to the Federal and State cash incentives available for PHEV. Not to mention the significant incentives Volvo offered on the T8.

The power increase of the T8 versus the T6 is substantial - especially on the freeway.

I had a T6 loaner for a few days and couldn't wait to get back into my T8. The stop-go engine shutoff feature of the T6 was extremely annoying, and the fuel economy was substantially more than the T8 (I have a 15 mile one-way commute, about 1 hour 45 minutes round trip).
I have charging capabilities at home and at the office, so I use maybe 3-4 minutes of fuel in my round trip commute.

Considering how the gas tax continues to increase in CA, I feel that the T8 was the smart choice for me.

rodrigofalvarez · Jan 9, 2018

For the same price, no contest, a T8. I just drove one in Europe and it's amazing to be able to drive in-city without using gas, then switching to gas where it's most efficient, in the highway. If you use it intelligently, that 13.2 gal tank goes a long, long way.

yidal8 · Jan 9, 2018

How is the AWD capability of the T8 in a situation of driving on snow covered roads for long period of time? Can the rear wheels get power continuously for long periods?

FusionRedXC60 · Jan 9, 2018

Yes. Even battery is low, ICE will charge it as needed to maintain torque output from the rear motor.

Sent from my SD4930UR using Tapatalk

gluc0se · Jan 9, 2018

After test driving both the T6 and T8, I kept going back to the T8. The ease of acceleration and the power was what it took to sell me on it. I love the B&W sound system when you are playing music through apple carplay, android auto. I am not impressed with the quality of XM radio. Now if we could get that Polestar upgrade stateside for the T8.

yidal8 · Jan 10, 2018

sorry, no spare tire = no SUV

Brutus99 · Jan 25, 2018

lol :facepalm:

ljn21 · Jan 16, 2018

How about from a maintenance and reliability perspective? We are also doing the T6 vs T8 vs T6 Polestar debate. We like the power of the T8 but it sure seems like a complicated drive system. As there been any notable issues since the T8 came out a few years ago? We are cross shopping against a BMW X3 m40i and an Audi SQ5 and both the BMW and Audi dealer are bad mouthing the reliability of the T8. Normally we wouldn't take feedback like that from a competing dealer with to much authority but in this case, all three brands are owned by the same Dealership/franchise so we were sure if they were still "selling" their own brand or if they actually had some valid perspective since all the dealerships are connected.

beegee · Jan 25, 2018

I'm also doing the T8 versus T6 Polestar debate...anyone have a chance to compare the two? unfortunately, not many dealers keep a T6 Polestar in stock.

T6 vs T8 - Which would you pick if same price?

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities