XC90 T8 Plug-in-Hybrid

I can't comment on the XC90 specifically, but I tow with an XC40 plug-in hybrid.

Yes, the battery depletes when driving, but the car will always use regenerative braking to recharge the battery a little, and in "power" mode keeps some charge (about 25% in my XC40) in the battery all the time so there's always that extra kick of power and torque when you need it.

You can also choose to have the car recharge the battery while driving.

I used to tow with diesels, but having switched to a petrol plug-in hybrid I'm never going back!

Jon

Again I cannot comment on the XC90, we had similar worries when when changed our from a Ford Kuga diesel to a 202 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4 PHEV, the Outlander PHEV powertrain system is a bit outdated by modern standards. Let the battery discharge down to 50/60% for best regeneration on the Outlander use SAVE the vehicle will use the ICE unit and Charge mode will use the ICE and battery, both plus regeneration. We never had a problem its just a steep learning curve which you will soon master.

Last year we changed to a Suzuki Across PHEV again let the battery discharge to 50/60% then use HV mode (hybrid mode) that simple drive on site 178 still with 50% in the battery.

I had a Volvo V60 PHEV which I replaced with a RAV4 PHEV. The Volvo was not great for a variety of reasons. However the RAV is proving to be a great towcar and after 35 years of diesels I doubt I would go back to the engine type. Unlike Oscarmax I do not tow in EV mode save for manoeuvring on site. The range in EV mode is such it isn’t worth it and I preserve the battery charge for use when at the destination for local running solo. The towing range in EV mode will at best be half that solo. The economy with the RAV is as good as any diesel towcar I have had however I cannot say how the Volvo will fare. I am sure one of the magazines will have carried out a towing test with the Volvo so suggest you search on Google. There might be a YouTube too. 

Jonny, it's interesting to see others are enjoying towing larger vans with a petrol engine. I tow something lighter and would not go back to a diesel as the overall package is a better fit. Modern petrol engines are far more efficient than those of old, infact mine is comparable with previous diesels that I've owned. Add to this modern diesels tend to have a narrower power band and the ease of towing with a petrol starts to show.

If you are buying new then keep a track on the Volvo website. The dealer no longer sets the price and you are buying direct from Volvo. They go through the model range offering some very attractive deals if you catch them at the right time. As an example, a while back I noticed £4K of all XC40's and interest free credit on 50% of the remaining purchase price.

Looks like £9K off at present and 50% down with 50% at interest free. https://www.volvocars.com/uk/l/offers/

Colin

Hopefully the OP will come back to update and acknowledge the responses…….