Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 PHEV Review - Is The Mild Hybrid SUV Worth It?
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- čas přidán 25. 10. 2020
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Ten Second Review
The top Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid version of Volvo's XC60 mid-sized premium SUV combines turbocharging, supercharging and electrification for potentially astonishing efficiency returns, despite this Swedish crossover's huge power output. There's a significant price to pay for this technology and you'll need to tailor your motoring life to suit what this car can offer but if you can deal with these caveats, then this is a potentially very likeable package.
Background
Quite a few brands have only recently jumped aboard the plug-in hybrid bandwagon but Volvo has long planned for it. The company's current petrol and diesel cars are all based around a single 2.0-litre four cylinder engine block unveiled by Volvo's then R&D Chief Peter Mertens way back in 2011.
It was a configuration fundamentally designed around the requirements for plug-in tech and as a result, Volvo was quickly able to launch plug-in electrified versions of all its larger models, including the XC60 mid-sized SUV we feature here. Since then, plug-in variants of rival Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC rival SUVs have also hit the market. Can this XC60 Recharge Plug-in hybrid still appeal in that company? Let's find out.
Driving Experience
Under the bonnet of the Recharge Plug-in hybrid AWD XC60 models, you'll find a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine which is mated to an 87hp electric motor sited on the back axle. The main powerplant comes in three levels of output: 253hp for the base Recharge T6, 303hp for the Recharge T8 and 318hp for the top Recharge T8 'Polestar Engineered' version. In each case, the set-up is aided by a 25bhp starter motor/generator that pitches in from time to time to smooth any gaps in torque delivery between the two main power sources. It's all enough to deliver a set of stats that it's rather hard to get your head around. In the case of the standard T8 variant that most XC60 Plug-in hybrid customers choose, an enormous 407bhp combined power output offsets the extra weight of all these mechanicals, so 62mph from rest can still be dispatched in just 5.3 on the way to 140mph. Yet there's also the potential for the kind of fuel and CO2 readings that theoretically could equal those of a frugal supermini.
Which of those two extremes you reach in an XC60 T8 will depend on your choice between the five driving settings that owners of all XC60 Plug-in hybrid models are offered. Ultimate speed is delivered by a 'Power' mode that sees both petrol and electric units permanently working together. Alternatively, there are four other drive choices: a 'Hybrid' setting that sees the two engines cutting in and out as necessary: an 'AWD' mode that gives you permanent 4x4 traction: plus a 'Pure electric' setting that only uses the battery power and can take you up to 28 miles (more than most people's daily commuting distance) on a single charge. There's even a 'Save' option so that on a longer trip, you can hold that charge until you get to the city driving you might have to do at the end of the journey.
Design and Build
This Recharge Plug-in hybrid model looks pretty much identical to the more conventional petrol and diesel variants lower down the range. The eagle-eyed will spot special badging and an extra charging flap but that's about it. At first glance with this second generation XC60, much seems similar to its larger XC90 showroom stablemate. Move to the side though, and the differences between the two SUVs become more obvious. Though this car is only 9mm narrower than its bigger stablemate, dimensions that see it 261mm shorter and 118mm lower make it clearly a more compact and sportier proposition.
At the wheel, you sit lower than you would in an XC90 and the muscular-looking door creases, extended 'Thor's Hammer' headlights and revised grille give this model a sportier look. There's a longer bonnet than a rival Audi Q5 - and a longer roofline too. As you'd expect, there are plenty of cabin resemblances to the XC90, especially when it comes to the dashboard, seats and upholstery, plus the same 9.0-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital dial displays feature.
In the back, two adults should be very comfortable and there's also a really unique touch - concealed storage compartments under the rear seat bases which are just the right size to store electronic devices, like a tablet, out of sight. Out back, there's a 468-litre boot (down from 483 in the conventional model), extendable to 1,395-litres once you fold the rear bench (down from 1,410-litres).
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This guy is such a great presenter, so clear and concise , almost wasted on you tube. Keep up the great work
Thanks very much Simon, we love reading comments like this! Be sure to subscribe if you haven't already 👉 bit.ly/319ZKoT
Great review as usual - hopefully my next car 🚘
Thanks for watching! We can definitely help make this your next car 👍📞
Amazingly attractive car! I’ve always have an strong attraction for Volvo line of vehicles, and feel this car will be high on the desirability list when I’m ready to acquire my first EV powered car. I’ve always love the safety aspect of Volvo’s that have been there claim to fame for years. Makes me proud of my Swedish linage. Look forward to hearing more about the Volvo line of new vehicles! Is this vehicle currently available in the US?
Thanks for the great comment, Brian 👍 Yes it's available in the US
A magnificent looking, high Tech vehicle...a thoroughly informative video. Much appreciated.
Many thanks for watching 👍 If you enjoyed the video, make sure to subscribe: bit.ly/319ZKoT
Urban fuel consumption?
Going to try this for a few months on Volvos car subscription plan
That's great news, John. We hope you enjoy your new car 👍
But how does the car drive?
Good car
The ski hatch is more likely to be used for fishing rods in the 🇬🇧
No one ever talks about the battery technology in these reviews I've just watched a very technical video comparing the batteries on a leaf to a model S and it is staggering you would literally be looking at 12 years of Life vs batteries which would outlive the car. It would be interesting to know what you're getting in hybrid models. Battery heating would be very beneficial in the UK throughout the colder months
Many thanks for your feedback, David. We'll take this on-board for future episodes 👍
For what it’s worth I currently run a Golf GTE and charge it regularly.....a regular trip in to town (24 miles round trip) means I get a real world average of about 75mpg...a far cry from the 160mpg quoted
Yep Volkswagen is always betraying 😉
Nothing about the drive handling refinement etc?
Is this like the XC90 where you only get AWD when there’s charge for the electric motor?
I’ve tended to prefer the way BMW do it, with electric motor and ICE powering both axles, as opposed to powering one each.
Hi Jack, interested in getting a new Volvo? One of our vehicle experts will be happy to explore your options and answer any questions to help find you the perfect specification 👍 Fill-in this quick form and we'll get in touch: bit.ly/39YHCml
The T8 will use the ICE to provide power to a depleted battery, guaranteeing AWD, so you're not hung out to dry with an empty battery.
@@dontcare32123 I’ve purchased a XC90 since this comment and don’t regret it!
While interesting this is an apology, not a review. I could find any negative comment about the car. What about the lack on drive mode button which is really surprising and annoying?
RECHARGE PHEV VERSION. The singular most disappointing aspect of this car is its inability to set a timed charge, using the car or app (believed the same on new XC90 models too).
Unless you have a smart home charge point, people like me with a dumb one, on an economy 7 tariff need to be nocturnal to benefit from off peak charging. A retrograde step from earlier models and spoiling a brand new car! Volvo offer no solution and their promise to fix it has not materialised in 8 months and is nowhere in sight. There’s no timer on the market sufficiently highly rated to make using the plug-in cable safe in the UK at least & in any case it takes 9 hours to charge.
Thanks for highlighting this Bill. Sorry to hear about your charging difficulties. We suggest taking the vehicle to your local Volvo dealership to see if they can help.
@@OsvUkVehicleSupply Believe me I’ve consulted far and wide. There is no solution, not even on a far horizon and their attitude is sorry can’t help, it’s Sweden!
Can you not use a 3 pin plug timer and set it to midnight or whatever time the lower rate kicks in?
@@Tasty1irl thanks Ray, yes you can use a timer on a 13 amp charge cable but it takes 10+ hrs to charge from empty and you’re close to the safety limit for the timers I’ve found commercially available. My Previous 3 XC90 PHEV vehicles could be set from the previous App or the car. This is a backward step and the solution is still no where in sight. Volvo are clearly not keen for this issue to become widely known.
First
Congrats!