If you’re looking for a midsize SUV with presence, power, and opulence but also value, it’s time to focus on luxury hybrid utes like the 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid and the 2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e.
This duo of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) provides plenty of performance, which is especially helpful when around town running daily errands or scooting home from the office. With the ability to drive electric-only mode for dozens of miles, buyers may go months before filling the gas tank.
Let’s dive in and get a closer look at these two hybrid luxury SUVs.
2025 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid
If there was ever a vehicle that lives up to the Volvo ethos, it’s the XC90 T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid, formerly known as the XC90 Recharge. It features spirited yet efficient performance courtesy of the hybrid powertrain. The Swedish brand has been a technological leader for decades.
It’s laden with safety and comfort technologies. The interior features the contemporary, clean look associated with the brand. With room for seven, which the hybrid X5 doesn’t offer, it’s the brand’s flagship utility vehicle. Its spacious cabin, commanding performance, handsome exterior, and strong safety scores make it a tough combo to top.
Pricing starts at $73,195, including destination fees.
Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid Highlights
Hybrid power: Putting out 455 horsepower, it can travel up to 32 miles on electricity alone. The EPA gives it a 58 MPGe combined fuel economy rating, which translates to low fuel costs. No need to rush to the gas station as you can recharge the battery in about four hours at home using a 240-volt charging system.
A reputation for safety: The XC90 secured a 5-Star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) tests are a little more demanding, and it gave the XC90 its highest award, Top Safety Pick+. Volvo knows where its bread is buttered — safety first.
Loud luxury: Not even the slightest musical nuance will escape passengers courtesy of this SUV’s 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Already a leader in the segment, it updated the system for 2025 with new laminated side windows to keep road noise out and make it even quieter — or louder.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Volvo XC90 T8 AWD PHEV models for sale near you.
2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e
When you take one of the top-selling luxury SUVs in the U.S. and make it a plug-in hybrid, you get a class-leading vehicle, and that’s exactly what the 2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e is. The brand’s style, performance, luxury, and functionality now also enjoy better fuel economy and the torque benefits of an electric motor.
The new model focuses on driver performance and passenger comfort. Drivers benefit from an all-new curved display with a massive 14.9-inch center screen as well as the company’s Highway Assistant hands-free driving system. Pricing for the hybrid starts at $73,495, including destination fees.
BMW X5 xDrive50e Highlights
39-mile electric range: Don’t want to use any gas today — or most days? No problem, as it can travel farther than most PHEVs in electric-only mode and a bit farther than the XC90 PHEV. If you have a 240-volt charger at home, you can charge it back up slightly quicker than the Volvo.
Plenty of room: Larger SUVs often come with a third row, which isn’t always very helpful, but BMW focuses on ensuring there’s plenty of space for five adults and everything they need to bring with them.
Tech-focused: Highway Assistant is the brand’s hands-free driving system. It allows the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel when driving on limited access highways at speeds up to 85 mph. This reduces driver fatigue on long trips.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the X5 xDrive50e models for sale near you.
Similarities
Powerful, handsome, and with plenty of leading-edge technology, make these top choices when searching for a luxury hybrid SUV.
Conclusion
The Volvo XC90 provides comfort, safety, improved fuel economy, and performance. It also features seating for seven. The BMW X5 xDrive50e offers all that the XC90 T8 AWD PHEV does, but just a bit more, except it only seats five. However, it does all that for approximately the same starting price. So, how often do you need to carry seven people around?
New 2025 Volvo XC90 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (27592)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$73,195 |
$68,320 |
New 2025 BMW X5 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (27592)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$74,975 |
$70,671 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Volvo XC90 vehicles and New 2025 BMW X5 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid | 2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder PHEV | 3.0-liter twin turbo 6-cylinder PHEV |
| Horsepower | 455 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 483 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 523 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm | 516 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/AWD | 8-speed automatic/AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 58 MPGe/27 combined mpg | 58 MPGe/combined mpg N/A |
| Also available | Turbo 4-cylinder (non-hybrid) | Turbo 6-cylinder (non-hybrid), turbo V8 |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 5-Star | N/R |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 117.5 inches | 117.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 195.0 inches | 194.2 inches |
| Width | 79.1 inches | 78.9 inches |
| Height | 69.9 inches | 69.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.7 feet | 41.3 feet |
| Headroom, Front Row | 38.9 inches | 40.8 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.5 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 36.3 inches | N/A |
| Legroom, Front Row | 40.9 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.0 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 31.9 inches | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Front Row | 57.7 inches | 60.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 56.6 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 46.9 inches | N/A |
| Cargo Volume to 3rd Row/2nd Row/Front Row | 12.6/65.5/85.7 cubic feet | N/A/33.1/72.2 cubic feet |
