Volvo’s XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid has been named Best Seven-Seater Car 2026 at the Auto Trader Drivers’ Choice Awards in the United Kingdom.

The result came from a survey of more than 160,000 UK motorists. Their votes were based on ownership experience, which placed the XC90 ahead in a category where cabin space has to work with comfort and day-to-day ease.

Hariphil Asia Resources Inc., the official distributor of Volvo Cars in the Philippines, welcomed the award for a model that serves as the brand’s flagship family SUV. The recognition also comes as HARI celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The XC90 has three rows of seats and room for seven occupants. Its cabin can also be adjusted to carry more luggage when fewer seats are needed. This gives families the choice to accommodate passengers during regular trips or free up space for bags and other cargo on longer drives.

Safety is a central part of the XC90 package. The SUV is equipped with Volvo’s Safe Space Technology System, which includes collision avoidance and blind-spot monitoring. It also has cross-traffic alert, while Run-off Road Mitigation can assist if the vehicle starts to leave its lane and head off the road.

The T8 powertrain adds electric driving to the XC90’s family duties. Volvo lists an electric-only range of up to 77 kilometers before the vehicle switches to hybrid operation.

This can cover many routine drives without using the gasoline engine throughout the trip, while hybrid mode is available when the journey goes farther.

Its plug-in hybrid system also gives owners an alternative to a fully electric vehicle. Short trips can rely on battery power when the vehicle is charged, while the gasoline engine removes the need to plan every long drive around a charging stop.

“We are pleased to see the Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV recognized by the drivers and families who experience its exceptional qualities every day,” HARI vice chair, president and chief executive officer Maria Fe Perez-Agudo said.

Perez-Agudo added that the award showed how the model combines safety, comfort, useful space, technology and performance in one SUV. She said HARI would continue to offer mobility options based on Volvo’s focus on occupant protection and practical innovation.

“As HARI celebrates its 25th Anniversary, this recognition reinforces our commitment to bringing world-class, human-centric mobility solutions to Filipino families, grounded in Volvo’s DNA of safety and our continued pursuit of meaningful innovation for the years ahead.” Perez-Agudo added.

The XC90’s Scandinavian design gives it a restrained appearance, but the owner-voted award was earned through more than looks. A seven-seat SUV faces the daily test of getting people and their belongings aboard without making every trip feel like a packing exercise.

Volvo Cars Philippines is also offering the XC90 through a BPI zero-percent interest financing program until 31 August 2026.