The Volvo XC60 Recharge is a luxury and smart plug-in hybrid midsize SUV with Google

Written by Marco Carvajal

2023 XC60 Recharge T8 eAWD

The new 2023 Volvo Crossover XC60 is available as a regular gasoline car or as a hybrid plugin recharge. I am test-driving the hybrid version. The Volvo XC60 hybrid plugin is a very advanced car. The smart midsize SUV includes Google built-in, with pricing starting around $58K. Even though the XC60 is not flashy and somehow modest and humble, don’t be surprised by the ticket price as this is a premium luxury SUV with many smart features and safety.

The new attractive five-passenger 2023 XC60 Recharge SUV offers innovative technology, optimal family space, beautiful design, and as known in Volvo cars extreme safety.

The new XC60 hybrid, electric, and gas engine work together in harmony to provide a dynamic driving experience with fewer tailpipe emissions. With a fully charged battery, the XC60 Recharge can be driven using the electric motor only for 35 miles, saving gas and saving the environment.

The new XC60 Recharge is a unique all-in-one solution if you’re not ready to make the full jump to an only electric car

The electric range of over 35 miles on a full charge won’t take you far but it can help to save gas when driving around town over short distances. The respectable EPA-estimated 28 MPG combined in hybrid mode is very efficient, especially for the 455 horsepower engine in this luxury plug-in hybrid SUV. The 63 MPGe Electric Fuel economy combined is very good.

This Volvo is beautiful and elegant but is not as impressive from the outside, especially for those who don’t know much about the quality and safety of Volvo. As you get to know the brand and the XC60, then you will fall in love more in more with its Swedish design and understand the great value of this SUV.

If you are an SUV lover looking for a perfect blend of great performance, technology, hybrid tech and a sporty style, then the new XC60 Recharge can be the right SUV

Pricing and Trim Models

The Volvo XC60 is available for 2023 in 4 different trim levels and 5 attractive colors, pricing goes from $58K for the base core trim level, up to $75K for the Polestar Engineered trim model.

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 eAWD CORE $58,495
2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 eAWD PLUS $62,745
2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 eAWD ULTIMATE $68,245
2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 eAWD POLESTAR ENGINEERED $75,445

The Polestar Engineered trim level is the trim level with the most differences from the other three trim levels. Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels are similar besides some features that are added to each trim as you go up in pricing.

The XC60 Polestar Engineered is a stylish performance SUV with a powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain, for a pure and dynamic experience. Polestar optimization for the XC60 includes upgraded chassis, suspension, and braking components. The XC60 Polestar is engineered to perform with a high level of driving components and performance.

For many drivers who don’t want the sporty look of the Polestar Engineered trim, then the Ultimate trim level can be the best XC60 you can get with more features.

If you want to stay in a midrange budget the 2023 XC 60 PLUS trim level priced around $62K is an excellent car to own without having to go to the top of the line.

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge eAWD T8 Highlights

35 Miles Range in Pure Mode Electric
455 Combined Horsepower
4.5 seconds from 0 to 60 MPH Acceleration
63 MPGe Electric Fuel economy combined
28 MPG city and 28 MPG highway Hybrid Fuel economy
5 Seats
Google built-in
Air purifier
Bowers & Wilkins audio system
Head-up display
Cross-traffic alert
Safety assistance technology
Headroom front 38 in and rear 38 in
63.3 cu. ft. Cargo Capacity
185.4 in Length
78.7 in Width
65.3 in Height
3,500 lbs maximum towing capacity

Volvo Electrification

Now in 2023 we still can see some Volvo cars that are gas-powered only like the XC60 gasoline version, but Volvo is working to electrify its entire lineup of Volvo cars in the U.S., with hybrid, or electric vehicles. The Swedish luxury brand keeps working toward its sustainability commitment to electrify its full range of vehicles.

Volvo’s big goal is to offer only pure electric vehicles by 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2040

Volvo’s New Infotainment with Google Built In

The vertically oriented touchscreen is probably the highlighted feature of the new 2023 XC60, it looks similar to one of some Tesla cars and I feel that most drivers love it. This new infotainment greatly simplifies the layout of all the digital controls and google built-in makes it very easy to use.

The XC60 is very digital as there are not many physical buttons what I usually don’t love with most cars, but because of the great quality and very intuitive verticall touchscreen, I find it easy and practical to use Volvo’s all digital infotainment.

Some frequently used features are hidden across various screens or perhaps there is a shortcut that I didn’t discover, like the drive mode menu that you can often use to toggle between hybrid and electric operation or to tell the vehicle to maintain available electric miles or charge the battery while you drive.

Volvo is working to have its entire vehicle lineup equipped with Google built-in, adding more smart features and technology to all new Volvo cars. Volvo is taking advantage of the Google ecosystem, offering a seamless transition between digital life at home and on the phone, now integrated into Volvo cars.

The built-in system includes Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps as the native navigation system, and the Google Play store for additional apps to make every Volvo car ready for a digital experience.

Volvo’s new upgraded infotainment system comes with the ability to receive and install software upgrades remotely. New software updates will continue to improve over time making every new Volvo car smarter and up to date.

Digital Service package

The new XC60 Digital Service Package includes all data free of charge for up to four years. This includes data for navigation and voice assistant, and also for downloading and using any type of app including music streaming or other compatible google apps. After the 4 years trial period, the digital service can be extended as a paid subscription.

XC60 Performance

The XC60 Recharge is equipped with the T8 eAWD plug-in hybrid powertrain, which includes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 143-horsepower electric motor.

The total power for the Recharge is very good, it is a powerful SUV, and adding the power of the regular engine and the electric engine, it produces a strong 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. It has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The XC60 is powered by an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters to allow the driver to control the speed change of the automatic transmission when needed.

The XC60 is fun and safe to drive, you can feel how this mobile machine responds really well to the driver’s commands. The XC60 is very precise and it grips in the curves like any competitor German car, without being German, and in sport mode its acceleration is masterful.

This crossover feels extremely efficient and solid. It is quiet with a very hermetic interior, with almost no external sound disturbance.

eAWD

The intelligent eAWD, All-wheel drive sends all the car’s power to the front wheels until needed. When needed eAWD can send half of its torque to the rear wheels, giving all four wheels power for better traction.

This luxury SUV has a very good suspension design that provides comfort and a significant amount of control. Up front, a new double-wishbone suspension is designed to limit understeer and torsional roll for a neutral feel in virtually all conditions.

Then in the rear, the front suspension is matched to an equally sophisticated integral rear wheel design that allows suspension engineers to individually tune comfort and handling characteristics.

The tuned suspension of the Volvo XC60 works very well on twisty roads, making the XC60 feel assertive through corners at sensible speeds.

Driving Modes

The XC60 works with different driving modes that can be selected for different driving conditions according to different scenarios on the road.

The best way to get the XC60 T8 on the road is with the drive mode set to Power, which increases the overall alertness of the T8, keeping the gas engine and electric motors engaged, speeding up the steering, beefing up the damping and lowering the suspension.

The system defaults to a neutral hybrid mode, provides drivers with access to power mode, an AWD mode to ensure additional rear axle thrust, and an off-road mode that locks the front and rear axles at speeds of less than 25mph.

A PURE mode that maximizes electric drive, and finally an individual mode that can mix and match engine, suspension, steering, instrumentation, regenerative braking, and climate control settings to your liking.

Driving in the hybrid mode you can feel the electric assist ready with immediate and quiet part-throttle torque that makes this SUV feel exceptionally responsive.

Advanced Safety

Volvo’s famous reputation for excellent safety technology is highlighted on the XC60. Due to its wide range of safety equipment and features, the XC60 is one of the safest midsize SUVs you can drive.

In addition to all the airbags such as side-impact and long-duration airbags, side curtain airbags, and anti-whiplash front seats, the new XC60 also comes with the “City Safety” system, which initiates automatic braking to prevent or mitigate vehicle accidents. This technology is enhanced by the addition of “Steer Assist” which allows the vehicle to steer away from an imminent collision, in addition to automatic braking.

Some of the smart features that make Volvo unique and a leader in terms of safety is Volvo’s BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) which is enhanced with Steer Assist functionality that will automatically guide your Volvo car back into the open lane to prevent erroneous lane changes that could result in a collision.

The XC60 is designed to avoid frontal collisions. If the car drifts over lane markings that potentially lead to oncoming traffic and the driver takes no immediate action to correct the situation, then the system automatically steers the wheel back into the correct lane. This system is active at speeds between 37 and 87 miles per hour and signals the driver through an audible warning as the vehicle begins its maneuver back into its safest path, and a message appears on the dash display. instruments after the automatic steering intervention have been completed.

The adaptive cruise control has a full stop-start capability and works well.

Interior Style

When you enter the XC60 you feel that Volvo can read your mind and knows what you need. Comfortable premium leather interior seats give a sense of luxury and elegance with a very spacious interior and a very practical trunk.

The interior of the XC60 is luxury and bolt. A key design touch is the ribbon of wood, which flows the length of the dash.

The seats are first-class in Volvo fashion with superior fit, and the rear seat is comfortable for three adults. Both the front and rear seats are highlighted by ingenious wool upholstery. The XC60 Tailored Wool Blend upholstery is a good alternative for leader, Volvo is trying to promote a leather-free, respectful connection to natural materials on the interior of the XC60.

The handcrafted crystal gear shifter in genuine Swedish crystal is made exclusively for Volvo by Orrefors and gives a very nice touch and accent to the humble but luxury interior of this SUV.

The extra length in the wheelbase and smart packaging offered by Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) system makes the cabin feel more spacious than ever, with ample legroom in the back with seats very comfortable.

The driving position is virtually perfect thanks to a chair-like sitting posture, generous all-around visibility, and excellent steering wheel position and adjustability.

The competition is very large in the midsize SUV segment, with a lot of comfort and convenience features, however, I think the mix of performance, safety, and comfort of the Volvo XC60 should satisfy most buyers looking for a medium size, luxury SUV with the characteristic Northern European Swedish style of Volvo.

With its Scandinavian touch in the interior and great endurance, the XC60 will be perfect for long-distance rides both on the highways and rural roads, as well as in the city. If you also want the top safety features, a strong engine, and a car that may stay with you for several years, then the XC60 can be what you need.

About Volvo

Volvo is the Scandinavian car of excellence. Volvo started around 1927 in the city of Gothenburg in Sweden. Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden (Stockholm is the largest one). Even if Volvo is recognized as a Swedish car, the company is now the property of a Chinese multinational, The Geely Holding Group from China. However, the headquarters of Volvo are still located in Gothenburg, Sweden, so technically it is still a Swedish car, manufactured with the high standards and quality of Sweden.