Photo courtesy of Volvo
As automotive brands make their transitions into offering exclusively EVs, a transition that will take many years, the role of plug-in hybrids will continue to be important for many automakers.
Volvo’s current plug-in hybrid offerings include the 2023 XC60 Recharge, a mid-size SUV that delivers in design, performance and safety, and competes well against other plug-in hybrid offerings from brands such as Lincoln, Lexus and Porsche.
This Swedish beauty may have an argument for best in class, and offers both increased power and increased range for 2023.
Read on for a full breakdown of what the XC60 Recharge has to offer to buyers looking for a ride that is both green and enjoyable.
FYI
- Vehicle: 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge
- Price as tested: $74,690
- Best feature: Sharp Scandinavian style, excellent Google-based tech setup, plenty of horsepower
- Rating: 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle?: Buyers seeking a strong green luxury vehicle but who don’t want a full EV are the ideal targets for a plug-in hybrid like the XC60 Recharge
LOOKS
The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge features Volvo’s attractive but non-flashy Scandinavian design style in and out.
The vehicle is svelte with eye-catching lines, designs on the 20-inch alloy wheels are especially sharp, and it has an understated high gloss black mesh grille that’s less in-your-face than most luxury rivals.
The luminated panoramic moonroof features a power sunshade; and there are high gloss black window trim and mirror caps, and illuminated door handles.
Moving inside the vehicle, Volvo really shows its luxury credentials. Beautiful wood trim highlights the interior design, and the vehicle is quite roomy, even for back seat passengers. All five people on board will be comfortable, even on long rides, due to the high-quality Nappa leather seating and heated front and rear seats.
A unique crystal shifter stands out in the segment, and physical controls are well-placed and easy to master.
Cargo space is decent, with 22.4 cubic feet available with rear seats up, and 63.3 cubic feet with rear seats down.
HOW’S THE RIDE?
The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge does not disappoint in its performance, boasting a 2.0-liter turbo engine that offers a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque, along with two electric motors.
A total of 143 horsepower come from electric power, and 312 horsepower come from the turbo power plant. These are tremendous numbers that make for an excellent overall driving experience.
The battery in the XC60 Recharge comes at 18.8 kWh, and the vehicle features an 8-speed automatic transmission with start-stop technology.
Electronic AWD is included on the XC60 Recharge, and multiple drive settings can be selected (Hybrid, Pure, Power, Constant AWD and Off-road) depending on your situation. This versatility means it will be a powerful option to tackle the roadways in climates where heavy rainfall and snowfall are common.
Hybrid mode is best for daily driving; Power mode delivers a sportier drive and was my favorite option; Pure is EV power only; Off road mode activates hill descent control and is best for rough terrain. Constant AWD optimizes power to all four wheels when maximum traction is needed.
An optional 4-corner air suspension is available (for $1,800), which brings a tremendous improvement to overall ride quality.
The XC60 Recharge delivers a smooth ride across the board, and its big power numbers deliver when you really want to get moving.
Zero to 60 speed comes in under 5 seconds. This bad boy can move, yet remains responsive to driver input at all speeds. And while it’s not a full EV, the XC60 Recharge delivers an extremely quiet ride.
Such quick acceleration means that making passes on the highways and in other high-speed scenarios won’t be a problem. And keep an eye on that speedometer, as you won’t realize how fast you’re going at times.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
The 9-inch, vertical, tablet-style touchscreen in the XC60 houses a Google-based infotainment system that operated effectively during my testing. It’s integrated with properties such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store.
Whether I was controlling music, phone calls, navigation, climate or other features, I was able to quickly figure out the proper buttons to use. And resorting to voice commands was even easier and became my default choice.
All settings are easily adjusted, including the sound profile of the optional Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system, which is quite powerful.
In addition to the 9-inch center screen, there’s a 12.3-inch progressive digital driver display in front of the driver. SiriusXM satellite radio is included on a trial basis, and there are several USB-C ports in the vehicle, plus a 12-volt charger.
An in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot is also offered and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility both come standard.
Moving on to safety, Volvo has long been a leader in this area and this vehicle upholds that tradition.
The 360-surround-view camera is extremely helpful to the driver, and Pilot Assist — a limited self-driving system keeps the XC60 in your lane when activated (though your hands must stay on the wheel throughout the drive).
The XC60 Recharge also features LED headlights, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Information System with Steer Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation (detects vehicles/pedestrians/cyclists/large animals), Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and automatic braking after collision.
Also available is a Head-Up Display to help keep the driver’s eyes on the road.
FUEL MILEAGE, CHARGING
As a plug-in hybrid, the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge first relies on its battery as a power source, delivering roughly 36 miles of electric-only power. After that, the vehicle converts over to the standard ICE engine for its power source.
What this means, in all practicality, is that people who drive short distances each day, and charge the vehicle regularly, will rarely need to stop at the gas station.
Those with larger daily mileage totals will get less use of the electric-only range.
The MPGe rating (combined city and highway) of the XC60 Recharge is 63 MPGe, while its gas only rating is 28 MPG. In my real-world testing, I averaged 26 MPG with gas only, just shy of the listed number, but that’s largely due to the drive modes that I chose.
An 18.8 gallon tank means you’ll get a long way on a full tank, if you do end up using the ICE side of things more often than than the battery.
For drivers charging at home with a 220-volt home charging station, they can keep the XC60 Recharge fully charged up each night by plugging it in for about 5 hours.
So drivers with short daily commutes could in theory use EV power only on a daily basis, charge at home each night, and rarely use gas — making trips to the gas station a rare occurrence.
Also important to note is that regenerative braking can boost the XC60 Recharge’s EV range.
The XC60 Recharge, and other plug-in hybrids, are a strong option for buyers who don’t want to commit to a full EV, but want something headed in that direction.
PRICE
The base price for the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge starts around $58K, and my test vehicle (an XC60 Recharge AWD Ultimate) came to $74,690. Base ICE versions of the XC60 can be found for about $45K.
Trim levels on the XC60 include: Core, Plus, Ultimate, Recharge, Recharge Plus, Recharge Ultimate, and Recharge Polestar Engineered, with base prices ranging from $45K to $75K.
Warranties include a 48-month/50,000 mile limited warranty; 144-month/unlimited mileage corrosion protection; Volvo on-call roadside assistance; and scheduled maintenance covered for 3 years/36K miles.
Recharge buyers also get a hybrid vehicle warranty covering 8-years/100,000-miles and protecting against any issues with components of the hybrid system.
BOTTOM LINE
The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid features a classy Swedish design, fuel-efficiency and eco-friendly credentials, excellent tech and safety features, and is a great mid-point between EVs and ICE vehicles in the luxury realm.
Add in its superb driving experience, and the XC60 is even more enticing for drivers seeking both luxury and performance credentials.
Those looking to straddle the fence for a while before diving into a full-on EV have an excellent option available to them in the 2023 XC60 Recharge.
Matt Myftiu can be reached via email at matt@autotechreviews.com. His past reviews can all be seen online at autotechreviews.com. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews.
