2024 Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid

　　

2024 Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioDirector of Content Strategy

　　Josh Sadlier has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Josh is director of content strategy at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autotrader and Automobile. Under his stewardship, zzdcar' own 1989 Yugo GVL won first place at the Concours d'Lemons, taking home a jar of borscht, a can of beets, a cutting board and a pint of VIP vodka.

　　Buyers looking for a comfortable, well-built luxury SUV can turn to established favorites from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Or they can consider the stylish 2024 Volvo XC60, which offers a bit of modern Scandinavian cool relative to its more serious German counterparts. The XC60 seats five in an interior roomier than most rivals, it offers sophisticated safety features, and is the only model in this group to offer a plug-in hybrid version that can cover 35 miles on electricity. It lacks the Benz's cushy ride comfort or the Audi and BMW's athleticism, but the XC60 has a distinct character of its own.

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Volvo XC60 PHEV Insights

Trim:XC60 Recharge T8 Core

　　Recharge T8 Core 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $57,900 MSRPRecharge T8 Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $62,400 MSRPRecharge T8 Ultimate 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $67,850 MSRP

　　

All Electric Range

　　EPA Estimated Range not available

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | OpenStreetMap

　　from 58067

　　

Hybrid Parts Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesHybrid batteries are federally mandated to carry at least 8 years or 100,000 miles of warranty coverage from the manufacturer. Batteries that lose capacity more rapidly than expected should be eligible for replacement under warranty. Coverage of additional hybrid components beyond the battery itself will vary by automaker.

　　

Charging at Home

　　No charging time information available

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　No rebates available in 58067

　　See All PHEV incentives

　　

Cost to Drive

　　Not Available

　　XC60

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　See All PHEV Insights

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Plug-in power gives XC60 an edge

Volvo has always cut its own path among European luxury cars. The XC60 is no different, offering a standard gas engine alongside a plug-in hybrid option. Few rivals offer the latter (the Audi Q5 is a notable exception) and it gives the XC60 an edge, although a pricey one that costs more than $11,000 over the base drivetrain. The extra power is enticing, though, and depending on your driving, the premium could pay off. The T8 can also "self-recharge" by using the gas engine to boost battery charge. It's no substitute for plugging in and filling up, but it's a useful feature that can extend electric range. In combined operation, the T8 is rated at 63 miles per gallon equivalent.

　　

Competitors to consider

Buyers have many options for a small luxury SUV, from the agile Audi Q5 and BMW X3 to the stately Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Genesis GV70 offers bold, Bentley-esque style at an un-Bentley price, while the Lexus RX offers timeless elegance and comfort. The Cadillac XT5 flies under the radar but delivers snappy handling and striking design. The only rival to the T8 Recharge is the Audi Q5, although it's rated for less electric range — 23 miles — than the Volvo.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the XC60 Recharge drive? Not many plug-in hybrids can boogie like this XC60 in hybrid mode. Its 455 horses ran free at our test track to the tune of a 4.7-second sprint to 60 mph and an eye-popping speed of 107.6 mph at the quarter-mile mark. That squares with the real-world experience, which is one of never-ending thrust from idle until you've had enough.

　　But that's with all hands on deck with the four-cylinder engine in play. How about in pure electric mode? We'd say "adequate" is the best way to describe it. No one will be impressed by zero to 60 in 11.6 seconds, but there's enough oomph to keep up with city traffic, while a regenerative braking mode enables one-pedal driving like in a real EV. If you suddenly need more power — a lot more — just floor the accelerator through the kickdown switch and here comes the cavalry.

　　While you're cruising around town in hybrid mode, by the way, the electric assist is usually ready with immediate and silent part-throttle torque that makes the car feel exceptionally responsive, though occasionally you'll catch it sleeping.

　　As for turning and stopping, the XC60 Recharge T8 acquits itself remarkably well. The adaptive suspension works like magic on winding roads, making the XC60 feel surprisingly planted at sane cornering speeds. The brakes feel capable, too, which we corroborated with a 116-foot panic stop at our test track on all-season tires, a number that puts many a lighter vehicle to shame.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the XC60 Recharge? The XC60 Recharge is very comfortable. The seats are stellar front and rear, augmented by a nifty wool upholstery that had our team oohing and aahing. The back seat in particular merits praise for its remarkably supportive bottom cushion, which is high enough to provide great thigh support without compromising headroom, a neat trick in a rather low-profile SUV. Suspension compliance over various surfaces was usually fine and rarely objectionable.

　　The climate control system proved capable even on hot days, and we like how it delivers air to the rear via chest-level vents on the door pillars rather than the usual down-low vents on the back of the center console. Persistent wind noise around the side mirrors, as well as some from the roof, earned the Volvo a minor demerit, but road noise rarely intrudes. Vibration from the four-cylinder engine is noticeable at times but not problematic.

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