WHO’D have thought a Volvo that’s more than 16ft long and weighs two-and-a-half tonnes would be capable of stretching a gallon of petrol more than 112 miles and reaching 62mph i less time than a Golf GTi? Have the Swedes found an endless supply of magic beans or something?

Not quite.

The XC90 T8 is a plug-in hybrid which combines a conventional turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor over the rear wheels for an impressive 407bhp - more than enough to send this massive 4x4 down the road faster than a Range Rover Sport or a Porsche Cayenne.

Of course, if you drive it like a hooligan that 112mpg figure is some much hot exhaust but if you use it for commuting to and from work then some startling economies are possible.

And if you’re a company car user-chooser the best XC90 costs more than £200 less a month than the diesel.

ON THE ROAD:

The T8 has already surpassed Volvo’s sales expectations in the UK, where two in every ten XC90s sold have been the hybrid despite the expensive (for a Volvo) price tag.

So what do you get for your money?

Well there’s the impressive straightline performance, of course, but what’s even more impressive about this big beast is that the chassis can take muscle car levels of horsepower without turning itself inside out at the first tight bend.

Driven sensibly, the transition between electric and petrol is virtually seamless, thanks in part to the eight speed gearbox which seems to have a ratio for every occasion. Refinement in normal day-to-day running is excellent and the engine only gets raucous when you push it to the max.

Naturally you can run on the battery pack - when the XC costs literally pennies - and just recharge when you get home (there’s a second filler flap just behind the nearside wheel arch). After a good night’s sleep, when you can dream of all the environmentally sound reasons for buying your sixty grand SUV, the batteries will be full charged and ready to do it all again. The XC90 can run up to 40km in this way. The battery itself is about half the size of the unit in the Nissan Leaf and you get about a third of the range (not surprising given the weight difference between them).

The Northern Echo:

Whether on battery or fossil fuel the XC90 rides smoothly and very quietly, even on such big wheels. At 70mph there’s no road or wind noise to speak of.

At night, the reach of the unusual headlights (the design of which is modelled after Thor’s legendary hammer mjolnir) is excellent.

Air suspension automatically adjusts to road conditions and can lower the boot by 40mm when you're loading something heavy.

ON THE INSIDE:

Inside Volvo has really gone to town.The most striking feature is a tablet-like touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system. The screen is sited in portrait mode so you can see more of the user interface at a glance. It’s virtually button free, which has allowed Volvo’s designers to add more leather and wood to the fascia. The latter isn’t polished like a Jaguar’s but looks quietly impressive and not at all like that Formica-alike stick on stuff once offered to owners of the old 700-series Volvo estates. The new stuff is fashioned from oak and birch trees and, in keeping with the rest of the cabin, looks rather classy.

The Northern Echo:

The curious gear lever is made of crystal glass from Orrefors, the famous Swedish glassmaker, and the start stop isn’t a plain old button but a diamond-cut switch.

Digital instruments and, when required, a head-up display in front of the driver make sure that the most relevant information is available when needed. Naturally the steering wheel controls the audio, infotainment and cruise control.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT?

The XC90 is a big car. So big in fact that Volvo has fitted cameras to the front and back. Clever software allows the driver to see his vehicle as though it were viewed from above. This is very handy in tight spots where even the automatic parking system fears to tread.

Cleverly, the batteries for the electric motor fit inside the transmission tunnel so the XC90 is still a seven seater. The third row folds down neatly and extend the boot space when not required.

Naturally the XC90 upholds Volvo’s rep for the best seats in the business. The full seat core has an ergonomic shape that resembles the human spine. They are available with adjustable side bolsters, seat cushion extenders and even a massage function (not that you’d need the attentions of a chiropractor after a long spell in this car - they really are like sitting on cotton wool).

The second row features three individual seats with recline adjustment. The sliding function can be used to create more legroom for the passengers in the third row – or to increase loading space. An integrated child booster cushion in the centre seat is optional.The seats in the third row offer class-leading comfort for passengers with a height up to 170cm.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

As well as all the technology, and a superb Bowers and Wilkins surround sound hi-fi, the XC90 comes with all the latest Volvo safety kit which includes two world-first technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability.

In a run-off road scenario, the all-new Volvo XC90 detects what is happening and the front safety belts are tightened to keep the occupants in position.

The XC90 is the first car in the world with technology that features automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car.

City Safety becomes the umbrella name for all of Volvo Cars’ auto brake functions, which are standard equipment in the all-new XC90. It now covers vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car, day and night.

RUNNING COSTS:

Driven on the batteries alone it’s possible to return astonishing figures that would shame any diesel-powered full fat SUV.

If you lean on the petrol engine then you’ll see mpg in the mid-30s - still not bad for such a hefty vehicle with such a turn of speed.

However you drive, your road tax won’t cost a penny.

VERDICT:

The XC90 is a landmark vehicle and not just for Volvo. As well as showing just what’s possible with a cutting edge hybrid powertrain, the XC90 is notably for several technology and safety firsts. It’s also supremely practical, very quiet and a joy to own. Yes, it’s expensive but then so is a Range Rover Sport or a Porsche Cayenne - and these are the T8 model’s natural rivals.

VOLVO XC90 T8 Inscription.

Price: £64,555

SPEC: Engine: 2.0-litre turbo/supercharged four-cylinder plus electric motor Power: 407 bhp combined Torque: 640 Nm Top speed: 143 mph 0-62mph: 5.6 seconds CO2: 49g/km Fuel consumption: 112.9 mpg