[XC90CT]

I'm a current T5 owner so I realize either choice will be an improvement .

I'm trying to decide on a T6 or T8. I don't commute far (really, not doing a lot of driving ATM due to covid).

I test drove both T6 and T8. I definitely liked the T8 in pure mode. But the practical side of me - liked the T6 price point ($50 less/mo on lease).

Looking for experiences with either - if the T8 is worth the $600/year difference.

I'm also torn between 6 seats vs 7. I have 7 now, but my kids are older, and when they ride with me, might be easier to have better access to back. Lack of armrest seems a little odd, but maybe feels normal.

Open to thoughts on both from current T8/T6 and 6 vs 7 owners.

Thanks,

-Too many choices/Indecisive XC90 owner!

 

[FusionRedXC60]

I really like T8. It is a big step up, and actually two car in one.
Flip to either quick or quiet drive just like the mood you are in.

 

[efenili]

Take my opinion with a grain of salt as this is my first Volvo in 15 years and I have only had it for 2 weeks but I love the T8 and the 6-seater.
I live in a city and have pretty much been using only Pure mode the 90% of the time. Since taking it from the dealer I've put 300 some odd miles on it and I have barely used a quarter tank of gas...pretty cool =) Knowing I have the ICE there for extra power and if I do run out of juice is a pretty nice bonus.

I was a little concerned with the AWD as in my searching it seemed like some said the connected drive shaft in the T6 meant more reliable AWD but many others said that the voodoo that Volvo has engineered into the T8 means its AWD is just fine and if anything on par/better.
I don't know if the ~21 miles you get in pure mode on the T8 is enough for some. Another 10-15 miles would have been amazing but I can say in the urban environment it seems to be enough (for me). I have a lot of hills though so if I do end up on a drive where I am going up a lot of them, that 21 turns into more than 15-16.

I love the 6-seat option. I think it makes the third row more usable in fact since it creates an easier way to get there without moving those 2 seats. It actually also lets a slightly taller person sit in the 3rd row since they could stretch their legs down the middle. All that said we don't really use the third row and I am still happy with the 6-seat option. I personally think it looks better and I think it opens up the cabin more. Even with a car seat I don't regret our decision.

That all being said, a plug-in hybrid and the 6-seats were requirements for me and so I am very happy with how it has been so far.

 

[DFrantz]

I'd do a comparison on how much cost you'll save vs electric cost... I don't know that it would take much to save $50 a month there and then you'll be getting what you want for the same while conserving fuel too.

In addition there are some federal tax credits you can take advantage of for installing chargers in your home at the moment... Even though you don't need a charger, it might be a smart time to add one. Assuming you own your home, now is a smart time to take care of the basic electric upgrades to your garage, take the tax credits there, and increase the value of your home in what will be a big way moving forward in just a few years.

 

[flames9]

Are u in the USA? Federal tax rebate (over $5000) and many states give rebates as well for electric vehicles.

 

[DFrantz]

Are u in the USA? Federal tax rebate (over $5000) and many states give rebates as well for electric vehicles.

That's not true for lease vehicles. Volvo gets to have that claim. They greatly reduced the sales price for 2021 on the T8s across the board, but the lease rebate is no longer fully reflective of that federal tax credit amount.

 

[FusionRedXC60]

If it is within your budget, go for it. Let me put this way, spending $600 a year or $1800 in 3 years elsewhere I couldn't find anything that can give me such fun like T8.

Sent from my Z978 using Tapatalk

 

[Gary-16-Xc90]

Stating the obvious, it is a personal choice and decision.

As for T6 v. T8, I am biased towards the T8 hands-down. Every single time that I get a loaner which has never been a T8, I am so glad to get back into my Inscription T8.

If I were leasing now, it may not matter since I would be looking at a BEV or PHEV with MY24 models by lease-end. I were buying for a longer term (regardless of financing), I would definitely get the T8. Cost is a non-issue IMO with the MY21 promotion and the federal tax credit in US - plus state incentives, if any.

The T8 simply brings a quieter ride, better fuel economy whether city, highway or mixed. With the T8, though, I would definitely get air suspension.

As for 6-seat v. 7-seat, I would certainly consider the 6-seater if the middle row seats were full and plush like the front row - mainly because I usually have a total of 2-4 people and the third row is not used often. If the third row needed to be used more regularly, I think I would go with the 6 passenger to minimize the constant folding and moving of the second row seats.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck on your decision. You will love it either way.

 

[Catfiend]

Financially it might be hard to justify @ $50/month on a lease. You'd need to be doing a fair number of short trips. Do you have the ability to charge it at home? Without that I can't see it making financial sense. Then again, $ isn't everything. Keeping our XC60 on battery around town is soothing - no engine noise and it just feels very smooth. Once you get up to higher speeds the engine noise isn't much of an issue (I frequently miss the ICE coming on if I'm running > 35mph) and it's still very smooth. Then again, we installed a charging station so keeping it charged at home is easy - we always plug it in when we get home.

 

[drmanny3]

The XC90 T8 is Volvo's flag ship vehicle. I would be motivated by supporting Volvo's journey towards all electric vehicles. That alone would be worth the $50 per month to my way of thinking. How important is the environment and Volvo's efforts at improving it? Do you like technology or are you conservative? If you are leasing then you will not have to worry about the depreciation other than what you pay for. So perhaps be brave and try something new and different?

 

[satrya]

I agree with the 6 seat being more practical, because the 3rd row access by sliding the 2nd row in the SPA xc90 is a bit cumbersome, and because of the extra middle legroom allowance for the 3rd row occupants.

Few other practical factors to consider between the T8 and T6:
(1) Donut spare tire in T6 (&T5)
(2) Slightly deeper storage space in the 1st row center console storage bin in T6

 

[VxF]

I have gone with a T8 and so have my GF. But I would still emphasize some downsides - with the disclaimer that I am in the T8 camp - which, for some reason, I rarely see people mention.

- The additional weight is noticeable. The T6 is more agile, especially at low speeds. This seems to often be ignored in conversations. But every time I get a T6 loaner, my first impression is "wow - this thing can turn".

- I guess some people will dispute this - we have had endless threads here on the argument - but, in my opinion, the T8 is not as stable on snow. You can search around here. But I live in Buffalo NY now. I previously had one in Lugano, Switzerland. I drove to Colorado many times because I have a place over there as well. What I am trying to say is - I have a lot of miles on snow, and many of those on mountains. The T8 behaves well, but you have to keep in "constant AWD" mode (with my 2017 that was a pain, because I had to get gas every 150 miles in constant AWD... consumption was stupid). Hybrid mode is a no-no on snow. For as smooth as that transition is, it can fishtail you easily, when the gas engine kicks in at the wrong moment... that slight lurch is not ideal. And the rear bias at low speeds with the electric power kicking in is also not confidence inspiring. In power mode is does ok, but the T6 is still more sure-footed. And I want to emphasize - I am just comparing T6 and T8. The first time I drove my T8 in the snow I was far from disappointed. It does feel like it's on rails. Perhaps it is just a testament to the performance of the T6, that it does feel even more stable. Btw, the ultimate XC90 in the snow, in my humble opinion, is still a D5...

- My GF's 2021 T8 has a very loud electric engine. My 2017 was quiet. Volvo's regional rep's final statement, when testing the car was that "it is normal, the new electric engines are louder, noise cancellation is working, but I would not buy an electric vehicle because I find that sound unbearable". This is Volvo's one regional sales rep. Saying that "he would not buy" this car because, yes, the electric engine is bothersome. Truth is, that whistle can get bothersome, especially if driving in B mode. Most people won't notice. Frankly, I barely do. But my gf is younger and it bothers her. Her kids (13 and 16) flat out refuse to drive in the car, because it drives them nuts. Something to consider, I suppose. But it is the dirty little secret of electric cars. Most people don't have a problem with Tesla's. My father sold his immediately because it bugged him. Sound perception, especially at those high frequencies, can be very subjective, I suppose. In the 2021, I can barely "hear" the engine - but I can definitely "feel" it. The best way I can describe it is like a ringing in the ears. I used to suffer from hyper-tension. It's the same "ringing in the ears" you get with high blood pressure. I actually have 90% hearing in my left ear do to a scuba-diving accident - and I can't hear the electric at all. But I get that whistle when accelerating and pressure/ringing when in B mode.

I won't comment on the other issues... spare tire, fog lamps, leg room in the second row, etc.
All I am saying is... it's not a clear choice. I would not simply assume the T8 is a better vehicle.

 

[fernxc90]

I'm a current T5 owner so I realize either choice will be an improvement .

I'm trying to decide on a T6 or T8. I don't commute far (really, not doing a lot of driving ATM due to covid).

I test drove both T6 and T8. I definitely liked the T8 in pure mode. But the practical side of me - liked the T6 price point ($50 less/mo on lease).

Looking for experiences with either - if the T8 is worth the $600/year difference.

I'm also torn between 6 seats vs 7. I have 7 now, but my kids are older, and when they ride with me, might be easier to have better access to back. Lack of armrest seems a little odd, but maybe feels normal.

Open to thoughts on both from current T8/T6 and 6 vs 7 owners.

Thanks,

-Too many choices/Indecisive XC90 owner!

If you plan to go with fully loaded T6 then T8 isn't that expensive anymore since some options are already included (i.e. in my location air suspension and sunroof plus the 21 wheels that I preferred) and tax rebate. I am upgrading my T6 with MY21 T8 Inscription on ordered.

 

[efenili]

- My GF's 2021 T8 has a very loud electric engine.

You make all good points, and all your points were things I was digging into before getting my 2021 T8. This particular comment I find very interesting from your GF's 21. I have always found myself to be the one person in the room to pickup electronics with the high pitched buzz sounds they make....old TVs used to do this all the time and it drove me nuts. I can't say that I hear anything from my T8. Inside the cabin it's completely silent and I have drove with the window open and tried my hardest to hear anything and I couldn't.

Oddly enough the reason I was doing all of this was because an electric Toyota or something or the other drove past us today and it was making a really really loud electric motor sound which cause my wife to say "Does our car sound like that" .... and so I went on an adventure to try and see, haha

 

[likeXC90]

I've enjoyed the flexibility of both worlds: driving efficiently and listening to only the wind and falling leaves rush by on electric, or enjoying all 400HP & 472 ft# of torque. https://youtu.be/jOdZXOF7mVU
Can't do that in a T6

And no electrical motor sounds in ours

 

[XC90CT]

thanks everyone. great responses. Going with the T8 in Savile with Blonde. Ordering ... so settling in for the long wait until Feb. But ... I'm in my T5, which I still love, so no complaints!