The B5 is a 2.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol with 247bhp and 267lb ft of torque. Officially, it will crack the 0-62mph test in less than 8.0sec.
It is fast enough. It pulls well from most speeds, but you would struggle to break traction in the dry.
It does sound very strained under hard acceleration, but apart from that it’s a solid choice.
The T8 combines a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to make a combined 461bhp. This offers a sub 5.5-second 0-62mph time, and it feels every bit as quick as the time suggests.
There’s a real surge when the two power sources combine and its overtaking ability, say from 30-70mph, is impressive.
It too sounds coarse, but it’s broadly quieter than the B5, as the electric power often chivvies in to offer some assistance.
The performance, though, is slightly at odds with the feel you get from the gearbox. Mostly, the XC90’s eight-speed automatic is an easy thing to get along with: you stick it in ‘D’ and leave it at that.
But when you ask for more than moderate performance, the gearbox can be a touch slow to respond unless you’re extremely firm with your demands.
There are no complaints about the brakes, though. The XC90 always stops strongly, straight and true.
