Volvo's most popular model is the XC60, a five-passenger luxury SUV with an elegant, well-finished interior. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version, badged “Recharge,” elevates the experience considerably, thanks to the ability to drive on electric power for an EPA-estimated 35 miles. And, because the whopping 455 horsepower it has on tap provides tremendously quick acceleration. Unfortunately, like the rest of the XC60 line, the Recharge suffers from super distracting, convoluted controls and a stiff ride.
For consumers new to PHEVs, these are hybrids with larger batteries that can be plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, or a 240-volt EV charger. This gives the vehicle a dedicated electric-only driving range (typically for about 20 to 40 miles, depending on the model) for commuting and running errands, which is something that regular hybrids can’t do. When the battery is drained, the vehicle switches to regular hybrid operation. This also means that, unlike a full battery-electric vehicle, there is no need to find a public charger on a long trip because the gas engine takes over once the electric range is used up.
For buyers who are nervous about going all-in for an EV, a plug-in hybrid could be a logical and cautious step toward electrification. PHEVs make especially good sense if you have a short commute to work, rarely drive long distances, and have the ability and willingness to plug in your vehicle at home to charge overnight—it’s bound to save you lots of money at the gas pump. Plus, unlike regular hybrids, a PHEV may be eligible for federal tax credits. Considering that the average American drives less than 40 miles per day, this means many people will be able to do most of their daily commute on electric power while reserving the gas engine for longer trips.
The XC60 Recharge combines a 312-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front wheels with a 143-hp, electric motor at the rear powered by an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery. Together, they’re good for 455 hp and 523 lb.-ft. of torque. The Recharge has a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
Compared to the regular XC60, the Recharge is significantly quicker, slightly quieter, and has the ability to propel itself on electric power alone. With a fully charged battery, we appreciated how easy it was to remain on electric power alone even when accelerating with some vigor—it has stronger electric power than most PHEVs we’ve tested. It’s easy to loaf around town in near silence, and we were impressed by its quick take-off from a stop and swift reaction whenever the driver asked for more power; it feels almost like a pure EV.
When the XC60 Recharge runs out of its electric miles, or when the driver wants more power, it transitions unobtrusively between electric and gas as needed. We like the useful gauge in the instrument cluster that lets the driver know how heavy they can be with their right foot without awakening the gas engine. Like other PHEVs, the driver can preserve electric range for later use, such as driving in a city environment after a highway cruise. It’s more efficient to use electric power at low speeds rather than on the highway.
Similar to pure EVs (but unlike most PHEVs), the Recharge gives the ability to do “one-pedal driving,” allowing you to use strong regenerative braking to come to a stop without actually touching the brake pedal. The driver can enable this by putting the gear selector into its “B” mode and deselecting the “creep” function via the infotainment touchscreen. But, not everyone liked it; for some drivers, the regen-braking force proved too pronounced, which made it difficult to drive smoothly.
With the PHEV battery drained, we measured a commendable 28 mpg when the Recharge was operating as a hybrid—a 5-mpg improvement over the conventional XC60. Total range with a full fuel tank and a topped-off battery is 570 miles. It takes five hours to charge the 18.8-kWh battery on a 240-volt connection, but a lengthy 17 hours to recharge using the supplied charging cable on a regular household 120-volt outlet. This means potential buyers should invest in a 240-volt (Level 2) EV charger installed in their garage.
We enjoyed the XC60 Recharge’s taut and responsive handling. It steers nicely and instills a sense of confidence and precision when taking corners. It acquitted itself well during our on-track handling tests, and proved secure through our tough avoidance-maneuver exercise. Panic-brake stopping distances were also competitively short, and, unlike many hybrids, the brake pedal has a firm and easy-to-modulate feel.
As is typical of Volvos, the ride is stiff, with bumps and ruts striking through in a pronounced way. Depending on how smooth or rough the roads around you are, that will dictate how tolerable it is. The cabin is relatively quiet, but there’s more road noise than expected for a luxury SUV that costs more than $67,000 as-tested. At least the upgraded Harman Kardon audio system in our test vehicle sounds terrific.
The interior is gorgeous and well put together in a very uncluttered and modern Scandinavian way, featuring matte grained wood inlays, brushed chrome, and visible stitching. The cargo area is also nicely finished, and our XC60 came with an optional, sturdy two-position cargo cover to keep contents from prying eyes.
The front seats are comfortable and very supportive even for the long haul, although having only a two-way lumbar adjustment is a bit stingy for a car in this class. The rear seat is also quite comfortable and roomy, although longer-legged passengers may find knee room a bit tight.
Unfortunately, even after a recent software redesign, the XC60’s controls remain unintuitive. Many tasks require a multi-step sequence to perform, whether it’s changing a radio station, switching the audio source, or setting cabin temperature. It doesn’t help that the 9-inch touchscreen is small by today’s standards, and that there is no wireless ability for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Adding to the confusion are unlabeled steering wheel controls that have more than one function.
The XC60 Recharge comes standard with a plethora of active safety systems and driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal detection, as well as automatic emergency braking that operates at highway speeds, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, reverse automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control and lane centering assistance are optional.