Volvo Mild Hybrid Cars: How Does It Work?

Volvo mild hybrid cars have replaced purely gas-powered cars in the lineup of new Volvo vehicles, but why? Is it the enhanced fuel efficiency? Extra off-the-line acceleration? A smoother ride? Indeed, the answer is all of the above. It's an integration of modern technology with time-tested engineering and a way to enjoy the luxury, safety, and innovations of a Volvo car or SUV without the fuel-pump worries.

Learn more about the benefits of Volvo mild hybrid cars, how the system works, the efficiency it achieves, and its differences from a plug-in hybrid below. Once you do, visit Bill Kidd's Volvo Cars to test drive a new mild hybrid Volvo vehicle.

Buy A Volvo S60 Mild Hybrid
Buy A Volvo XC60 Mild Hybrid

Smoother drive

The mild hybrid technology adds to a more refined driving experience. The engine restarts instantly and you can enjoy smoother drive from standstill.

Lower fuel consumption

The integrated starter generator actively reduces engine load for lowered fuel consumption, especially in urban driving situations.

More power

Using recuperated electric energy, the integrated starter generator boosts the combustion engine for more powerful acceleration.

Our mild hybrid car range

XC40 Mild Hybrid

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XC60 Mild Hybrid

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XC90 Mild Hybrid

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S60 Mild Hybrid

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The Ins & Outs of the Volvo Mild Hybrid System

The "hybrid" designation represents a combination of electric and gas power, harnessing the unique benefits of each to achieve higher MPGs. So, what makes Volvo mild hybrid cars different?

Rather than having an electric motor send power directly to the wheels, the Volvo mild hybrid powertrain uses an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) to enhance its gas engine.

The ISG kicks in on start-up, firing the gas engine to life faster and smoother than before. Once on the road, the ISG plays another role: regenerative braking. The motor steps in when you step off the gas pedal, helping to slow your vehicle down and, in turn, capture that otherwise-wasted energy in a 48V battery. As you move again, the 48V mild hybrid battery gradually releases its stored energy to help lower the engine's load.

Source: Volvo Car Corporation Vehicle Testing

The Ins & Outs of the Volvo Mild Hybrid System

The "hybrid" designation represents a combination of electric and gas power, harnessing the unique benefits of each to achieve higher MPGs. So, what makes Volvo mild hybrid cars different?

Rather than having an electric motor send power directly to the wheels, the Volvo mild hybrid powertrain uses an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) to enhance its gas engine.

The ISG kicks in on start-up, firing the gas engine to life faster and smoother than before. Once on the road, the ISG plays another role: regenerative braking. The motor steps in when you step off the gas pedal, helping to slow your vehicle down and, in turn, capture that otherwise-wasted energy in a 48V battery. As you move again, the 48V mild hybrid battery gradually releases its stored energy to help lower the engine's load.

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Mild Hybrid vs. Full Hybrid: What's the Difference?

As discussed, a mild hybrid electric vehicle eases the engine's load and captures energy. A full hybrid (AKA plug-in hybrid) is similar in principle. However, a plug-in hybrid has two major points of differentiation.

First, you can recharge a plug-in hybrid battery with a charging cable or regenerative braking; a mild hybrid solely uses regenerative braking to recharge. Second, a plug-in hybrid Volvo vehicle uses an electric motor (or two) to power the wheels directly.

Volvo mild hybrid cars are a great value-packed way to enjoy enhanced efficiency. In contrast, Volvo plug-in hybrid cars are a higher-end combination of electric driving thrills and gas-engine efficiency.


Mild Hybrid

Recharge Plug-In Hybrid

Plugs in to wall for charging?NOYES
Has pure electric range?NOYES
Has high voltage battery?NO / 48VYES / 400V
Uses regenerative braking?YESYES
Uses an electric motor to enhance the combustion engineYES / 13HPYES / 87HP

The Benefits of Volvo Mild Hybrid Cars

Naturally, easing your engine's load lowers the amount of gasoline it needs to consume. As a result, Volvo mild hybrid cars deliver higher-rated MPGs over their previous-year pure-gasoline counterparts. However, you should note that the mild hybrid system on new Volvo cars is more effective during city driving, as the frequent slowing down that city streets demand will recharge the hybrid battery faster.

Volvo mild hybrid cars maintain the exceptional highway efficiency of past years while cutting down tailpipe emissions. While reduced fuel-pump needs and CO2 emissions are great, there are many more benefits to discover.

Among them, you'll find that the start/stop feature is seamlessly smooth across our mild hybrid new Volvo inventory, harnessing the ISG's power to restart the engine instantaneously. Speaking of "power," you'll also notice that the ISG's integration can help deliver more powerful acceleration.

Our Lineup of Mild Hybrid Cars

The Volvo XC60 mild hybrid for sale kickstarted the trend, and now its siblings, the Volvo XC90 and Volvo XC40, come standard with mild hybrid technology.

The Volvo sedan lineup has received the same treatment; a Volvo S90 and Volvo S60 mild hybrid for sale can be yours today.

You'll find mild hybrid tech in the B4, B5, and B6 powertrains, with varying efficiency in each model.


Volvo Mild Hybrid Cars MPG Ratings

Let's get to the good stuff: the efficiency of Volvo mild hybrid cars. Here's a look at each model:

Volvo S60 Mild Hybrid MPG Ratings:

B5 FWD: EPA-estimated 26/35 MPG (city/highway)1

B5 AWD: EPA-estimated 25/33 MPG (city/highway)1

Volvo S90 Mild Hybrid MPG Ratings:

B6 AWD: EPA-estimated 23/32 MPG (city/highway)1

Volvo XC40 Mild Hybrid MPG Ratings:

B4 FWD: EPA-estimated 24/32 MPG (city/highway)1

B5 AWD: EPA-estimated 23/30 MPG (city/highway)1

Volvo XC60 Mild Hybrid MPG Ratings:

B5 FWD: EPA-estimated 23/30 MPG (city/highway)1

B5 AWD: EPA-estimated 23/29 MPG (city/highway)1

B6 AWD: EPA-estimated 21/27 MPG (city/highway)1

Volvo XC90 Mild Hybrid MPG Ratings:

B5 AWD: EPA-estimated 22/28 MPG (city/highway)1

B6 AWD: EPA-estimated 20/26 MPG (city/highway)1

Discover the Lineup of Volvo Mild Hybrid Cars Today

Ready to experience the smooth efficiency of our Volvo mild hybrid cars? Visit Bill Kidd's Volvo Cars today, and our eco-conscious Volvo vehicle experts can introduce you to the in-depth benefits of mild hybrid technology with a test drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mild hybrid car?

For 2023, the new Volvo cars lineup comes standard with mild hybrid technology. In essence, mild hybrid cars combine some of the fuel savings, additional power, and smoothness of full hybrid vehicles with a value-packed price that lets everyone do their part to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

Do mild hybrids save fuel?

Yes. Mild hybrid cars harness regenerative braking to capture the energy that would have been lost as you slow down and sends it to an electric motor to enhance your vehicle's gas efficiency. Volvo mild hybrid cars make full use of this system during city driving, offering better EPA-rated city MPGs compared to pure gas-engine versions of the same model.

How does Volvo mild hybrid technology work?

A Volvo mild hybrid car typically uses a 48V battery pack to store energy that would be lost during braking and sends that electricity through an integrated starter motor (ISG). The ISG is used to seamlessly operate the vehicle's start/stop function and ease the engine's load while driving. As a result, Volvo mild hybrid cars can offer improved efficiency, stronger acceleration, and instant engine start-ups.

Learn More About Our Other Powertrains

Recharge pure electric

The full electric powertrain - for a silent, powerful and refined zero tailpipe emission driving experience.


Learn more about pure electric

Recharge plug-in hybrid

The powerful combination of an electric motor and petrol engine can allow zero tailpipe emission commuting in Pure electric mode, as well as fuel-efficient long-distance driving in Hybrid mode.

Learn more about plug-in hybrids

1Based on 2023 EPA estimates. For more information, please visit the official US government source for all fuel economy at www.fueleconomy.gov

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