The facelifted Volvo XC60 range is headlined by the new T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid derivative. Petrol- AND rechargeable battery power – the best of both worlds?
We like: Phenomenal pace and economy, luxury fit and finish, refinement in abundance
We don’t like: Pricey, new Google interface lacks ease of use, you’ll need to change your driving style to get the most out of it.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge AWD Inscription
- Price: R1 282 400
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, turbo- & supercharged petrol with electric motor
- Power/Torque: 340 kW/709 Nm (233 kW/400 Nm ICE + 107 kW/309 Nm electric)
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Fuel consumption: 1.6 L/100 km (claimed), 80 km of pure electric range
- Luggage capacity: 468–1 395 litres
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Where does the Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge fit in?
The XC60 is still as handsome as ever. Note the charging port, visible behind the left front wheel.
Can you believe the current-generation Volvo XC60 has been around since 2017? Granted, there have been updates to the model along the way, but it’s still one of the market’s finest executive SUVs. It bagged a World Car of the Year title and the D5 R-Design derivative won its category of the #CarsAwards in 2019 and 2021. With the XC60, Volvo can do no wrong.
For 2022, Volvo applied a mild update to the range and introduced arguably its most cutting-edge XC60 derivative ever – the XC60 T8 Recharge. It’s the brand’s 2nd plug-in hybrid to be sold in SA after the XC90 T8 Twin Engine (also a former #CarsAwards category winner).
Volvo has phased out its turbodiesel engines and they’ve been replaced by mild-hybrid petrol powerplants, as well as this range-topping Recharge plug-in hybrid, which we believe will probably be in service until the brand has a fully electric line-up by the end of the decade.
What is a plug-in hybrid? Like a conventional hybrid, it combines a petrol engine and an electric motor that can work independently or in tandem. However, it offers a superior electric-only range because, apart from being recharged by harvested energy, the high-voltage battery can be plugged in and charged fully at home or at a DC fast-charging station.
Subtle badging to let everyone know you’re in the plug-in hybrid.
Just a handful of plug-in hybrids have been sold in South Africa. We’ve reviewed the XC90 T8 Twin Engine as well as the BMW 330e and the Mercedes-Benz C350e, and Porsche has sold some e-Hybrid derivatives of its Cayenne and Panamera range. Jaguar and Land Rover offer plug-in hybrid versions of some models, but they’re substantially pricier than the Volvo.
Therefore, it’s not easy to find rivals for the XC60 T8 Recharge, but based on price and size, you could opt for the Mercedes-Benz GLC or Audi Q5 equipped with punchy-yet-frugal diesel engines, or go all-electric with the new BMW iX3, which is about to arrive in Mzansi.
Compare the Volvo XC60 Recharge to the Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d and BMW iX3.
Still one of the best looking luxury SUVs despite its age
How the Volvo XC60 fares in terms of…
Design and Packaging
The XC60 is ageing gracefully. Even though it’s been on the market for 5 years, it is still a distinctive (and distinguished) executive SUV, replete with obligatory Volvo styling cues such as the Thor’s Hammer headlights and vertically stacked rear lights.
One of the criticisms we’ve had of EVs (hybrid- and all-electric vehicles) is that their exterior designs tend to be polarising, which may deter conservative buyers, but the T8 Recharge looks reassuringly conventional. The newcomer sports a subtle badge on each of the rear passenger doors, a small badge on the tailgate and a charge flap behind the front left wheel.
Ready to receive electricity.
Inside, the XC60’s cabin remains a class act, with a minimalist design and extensive use of quality materials – it certainly has an air of (understated) luxury and sophistication about it.
Interior space remains a strong point, with commendable rear legroom. The load-bay capacity has been reduced from 505 to 468 litres on account of the T8 Recharge’s additional hybrid hardware, but there’s still enough space to accommodate luggage for a brief family getaway.
Four adults will be seated in comfort
Performance and Efficiency
The party piece of the XC60 T8 Recharge is its powertrain. At its heart is a turbo- and super-charged 233 kW/400 Nm 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the ICE drives the Volvo’s front wheels, those at the rear are powered by a 107 kW/309 Nm electric motor. The hybrid’s combined outputs are 340 kW and 709 Nm.
The 18.8-kWh battery is good for around 80 km of pure electric range and the best part is you can charge it in a variety of ways. Your most logical option is to plug it into a wall socket in your garage overnight. You can also set the car to charge the battery while you drive, but that will come at the cost of increased fuel consumption – at one point, we saw an indicated consumption figure of (gasp) over 10 L/100 km! You can also make use of DC fast chargers, but we discovered that neither BMW nor Audi’s charging cables fitted into the Volvo’s port.
While Power mode is addictive, the best setting is default Hybrid.
The powertrain operates in a variety of modes. You can leave the T8 Recharge to its own devices and let it decide when to use electric and/or petrol power for maximum efficiency, demand peak power delivery from the engine and motor, or switch to electric-only (Volvo calls it Pure) mode. You can even choose to let the battery hold its current charge for later, which is useful in European cities that levy congestion charges on ICE-powered vehicles.
The Volvo has a kerb weight of almost 2.2 tonnes, but with its peak power output of well over 300 kW, make no mistake, it’s quick! In Power mode, the engine and electric motor combine to deliver sledgehammer-like performance, with 0-100 kph dispatched in under 5 seconds (its top speed is limited to 180 kph). The responsiveness is addictive, but we must mention that the petrol engine sounds a bit coarse and throaty when you make it perform to its full potential. Also, once the battery is depleted, full-bore sprints won’t be as spirited.
You’ll get used to seeing two range indicators on your dashboard. Engage Brake Recovery for max effect.
The T8 Recharge was not designed to deliver spectacular performance, however. If you take the time to understand how intuitively this powertrain operates when it’s in default hybrid mode, plus ensure to charge it overnight so that the high-voltage battery will be fully charged in the morning, you’ll be rewarded with excellent economy. There’s also brake regeneration, which helps to top up the high-voltage battery and facilitates one-pedal operation… Simply lift off the accelerator and the XC60 will slow down as if you’re applying the brake pedal.
The supplied home-charging cable can be stored in the load bay.
For those who are accustomed to ICE cars (most of us), it’s eerie to see the car switch from electric to petrol propulsion (and back) without a noticeable change in momentum. The only clue is tiny icons on the dashboard that indicate a battery for electric and a droplet for petrol.
Having experimented with the T8 Recharge’s various drive modes and hybrid drivetrain settings during its tenure in our test fleet, we gained some fascinating insights… We’ve already touched on the inauspicious 10 L/100 km if you make the Volvo’s petrol engine propel the car and charge the battery (without any help from the latter), but when the electric motor does much of the work at lower speeds, that figure will dip under 3 L/100 km!
2.9 L/100 km without too much effort. We know it can go lower.
Think about it this way: thanks to the T8 Recharge’s plug-in hybrid configuration, if you’re not going to travel more than 80 km a day (most commuters don’t), you can drive routinely on battery power alone (as long as your speed doesn’t exceed 140 kph – the petrol engine may also cut in to supplement torque on steep inclines). The ICE component, in turn, eliminates the no need to experience range anxiety… or worry about load-shedding.
Ride and Handling
As ever, the Volvo XC60 delivers a luxurious driving experience. Granted, its suspension setup is softer than those of its German rivals, which have firmer (sportier) setups. Our test unit came equipped with the optional air suspension (R27 750), as well as striking 20-inch alloys (R20 000) and we were impressed with how pliant the car’s ride quality was, even on poorer roads. All-wheel-drive grip instils confidence, especially when travelling on dirt roads.
20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin rubber. Charging port is convenient for garage parking.
The T8 Recharge’s cabin is whisper quiet (aided by the hybrid powertrain’s refinement, of course); it’s one of the most relaxing vehicles we’ve tested. The test unit was fitted with the exceptional Bowers & Wilkins audio system (R43 500) – so much for the quietness, then.
The steering setup is light, which makes the Volvo feel smaller than it is at parking speeds or when trundling in traffic. It may be quite powerful, but this XC60 retains all the qualities of a relaxed cruiser – it doesn’t feel like a performance SUV.
Everything in the cabin feels beautifully finished.
Comfort and Features
At this price point of R1.2 million, the Volvo XC60 Recharge comes with a fantastic array of comfort features, gadgets and gizmos. One of the biggest changes for this updated model was the tried-and-trusted Sensus infotainment system being replaced by an all-new interface supplied by Google.
The new Google-powered system not a patch on the older Sensus system
With an all-new system come new challenges, like ease of use, general layout, visual impact and unfortunately for Google, the bar was set extremely high by Sensus… and this new setup falls a bit short. Yes, having integrated Google Maps and Google Assistant is a bonus, especially if you’re already an Android user, but the layout and setup isn’t the most intuitive.
Finding car settings is an issue, as they’re located deep within the system. On the plus side, having the Google Play Store loaded means you can load apps such as Spotify. The voice-recognition software works well, as does the handwriting recognition.
Left-handers will enjoy the writing functionality
Our test unit also came with heated/cooled seats, a wireless charging pad for mobile phones, front and rear park assist and the may safety systems that Volvo is renowned for. There are myriad option packs available; they include niceties such as heated seats for rear passengers, head-up display and more.
Price and After-Sales Support
The Volvo XC60 range starts from R796 900, with the T8 Recharge listed at R1 282 400. The vehicle is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan.
Verdict
The Volvo XC60 Recharge is one of the most accomplished and complete vehicles on sale now
The fact that more plug-in hybrid models have not been introduced in our market is such a pity; such vehicles represent a near-perfect way to transition to full electrification – especially within the context of the luxury-vehicle market.
Right now, the few battery-electric vehicles in our market command quite a premium and while road trips in BEVs can be undertaken (if you plan carefully), our country’s charging network requires further development. With a plug-in hybrid, at the price of a high-end executive SUV, you get a luxury petrol car (which negates range anxiety) that offers a more-than-useful all-electric range for where you need it most (when driving in the city or commuting).
Here are some numbers to consider: the T8 Recharge’s battery is 18.8 kWh unit and my home’s electricity is billed at R1.99 per kWh. Therefore, it costs R37.41 to charge the high-voltage battery from depleted to fully charged at home (it will take between 4 and 8 hours to charge when plugged into a 220V socket). Even if the 80 km electric-only (Pure) range might be a trifle optimistic, we don’t see a need to venture to DC fast-charging stations very often.
The XC60 T8 Recharge is an accomplished luxury family SUV with the bonus of ultra-low fuel economy. Suffice to say it’s one of the most impressive cars we’ve reviewed in 2022.
