The plug-in hybrid is no longer a hot product, but the model that still gets it right is the Volvo XC90.
The Plug-in Hybrid, as a class of vehicle, is undergoing a bit of a crisis at the moment. On the one hand, it provides a good middle ground between pure EV and pure ICE, but on the other hand it doesn’t have the same level of support from enthusiasts that the other extremes seem to have. That being said, there are PHEV products that truly represent the best of both worlds and the master of the genre has been committed to this format for the longest time, and that is Volvo with the XC90.
The Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 Ultimate is seen as the final iteration of the current generation XC90, which was first seen about a decade ago. This latest T8 powertrain ditches the supercharger but adds more powerful electric motors and a more energy dense battery pack. This truly is the ultimate expression of the PHEV and worthy of the award.
About VOTY 2024
The Allianz DSF.my Vehicle Of The Year (VOTY) Award ceremony is the first and only vehicle award event in Malaysia that does not hand out paid awards, nor does it charge winners or participating brands any fee whatsoever. Winners are allowed to use the VOTY event logo free of charge in all marketing materials. Event attendees are not even charged for their seat at the award presentation. All car manufacturers that operate in Malaysia are invited to participate free of charge. All they have to do is let our judges test drive their nominated vehicles.
The nominated vehicles must have been launched in Malaysia in the last 12 months and cannot be a localised minor facelift (body-kits, stickers, wheel upgrades, etc). All judging is independent and is put down to a vote before the winners are selected. Car manufacturers are not informed if they are winning or not before the event.
The judges for VOTY 2024 are Daniel Sherman Fernandez and Subhash Nair of dsf.my, Ross Hadi of gohedgostan.com and Joshua Chin of automacha.com.
