In brief
family SUV
Plug-in hybrid
78 km range
in ‘s house Volvo, the designation “Recharge” describes models equipped with an electric or rechargeable hybrid engine. Today, these versions account for more than a third of the worldwide sales of the Swedish brand and more than 80% in France! One of Volvo’s best-selling “Recharge” is the XC60his family SUV.
Launched in 2017, this second generation was offered a slight restyling in 2021, visually but importantly, technically. The battery capacity of the rechargeable hybrid versions has almost doubled thanks to the addition of a third row of cells. For example, the energy capacity has been increased from 11.6 kWh to 18.8 kWh, feeding a more powerful electric motor at the rear that now produces 145 hp. The all-electric range now rises to 78 km in the combined cycle according to the WLTP certification cycle and even flirts with 100 km in the city. To be precise 94 km in “autonomy in high cities” according to the same cycle.
(cumulative force).
It was at the wheel of the T6 version, the “most accessible” that we ran this test. The combined power now reaches 350 hp, compared to 341 hp before. The thermal part is still entrusted to a 253 hp 2.0 supercharged 4-cylinder petrol engine. The latter is responsible for animating the front axle while the 145 hp electric motor drives the rear wheels. The XC60 T6 Recharge is therefore equipped with 4-wheel drive but without a transmission shaft. The housing of the latter is used to house the lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 18.8 kWh.
Currently in its class, the XC60 refill is above average in terms of all-electric range. Its direct competitors, the Mercedes GLC 300th and BMW X330 e use batteries with a lower capacity, about 11 kWh, good for a fully electric driving range of about fifty kilometers. Only the Range Rover Evoque P300 e comes close with a 15 kWh battery.
Known for its comfort and flexibility, the XC60 can be transformed into a true fighter plane here, as the addition of the two engines gives it an extraordinary maximum torque of 659 Nm. sports car with a shot from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 s. If it can do it, the XC60 was not designed with this in mind. The Scandinavian relies on comfort, softness and safety. So if you ride at a senator’s pace, you can approach the announced score in real-world conditions. For example, we drove 69 km in fully electric mode on a route without a highway in “Pure” mode, i.e. 100% electric. For a vehicle over 2 tons
(2,156 kg), a nice score.
Great autonomy and reasonable consumption
Of the various driving modes on offer, the “Hybrid” mode will be the most used. It is responsible for automatically managing the division of labor between thermal and electric motors. With fully charged batteries, as we have seen, you will notice an average fuel consumption of about 3.5 l/100 km. Once the energy reserve is depleted, the XC60 functions as a non-rechargeable hybrid thanks to the minimal amount of energy left in the battery. In this operating mode, fuel consumption shoots up to about 9 l/100 km. Hence the vital importance of regular charging to maximize savings. Thanks to the specific location of the batteries in the transmission tunnel, it should be noted that the XC60 maintains the same fuel tank capacity (71 litres) as the conventional thermal versions, guaranteeing a comfortable autonomy even when the batteries are empty. This is not the case with most of its competitors. It is possible to amass a few extra electrons thanks to the energy recovery system by engaging mode “B” on the gear lever, which allows “one-pedal driving”.
Charging is done exclusively with alternating current. The power, on the other hand, is disappointing compared to the competition with a maximum of 3.7 kW. You have to wait a maximum of 5 hours for a 16 amp socket and a maximum of 13 hours for a 6 amp socket. The Type 2 cable, which allows charging at public terminals, is billed at €390. At this price level, Volvo could have given it away.
The XC60 stands out for a higher comfort level than its rivals, especially if you check the “air suspension” option (€2,430). The latter is a model of its kind, as the absorption is effective and the defects of the road are almost imperceptible to the occupants of the vehicle. This cushioning goes hand in hand with 4-star sound insulation and incomparable seat cushions. Certainly, the XC60 should seduce travelers. Despite its imposing size, the city is no obstacle for the Swede, who enjoys quiet operation and a battery of driving aids to evolve serenely, including a precious 360° camera.
Outside the cities, the laws of physics take over and overweight is felt. The corners are taken less quickly than at the wheel of a German competitor, but in any case, the XC60 remains the undisputed king in its areas of expertise: comfort and safety.
The XC60 can now be equipped with a package called “Digital Connect”, the result of a collaboration with Google. At the same time, Volvo simplified the interface of its multimedia system, which was not the most intuitive. Now only one menu step is offered. The system is based on the Android operating system and offers compatibility with Google accounts. It also integrates services such as Google Maps, “Google Assistant” voice control, and the Google Play application catalog. A four-year subscription to these features is included in the price of the vehicle.
Despite its age of 5 years and no changes, the passenger compartment remains one of the coziest and most pleasant on the market. the Swedish contrasts with the seriousness of its competitors. The quality of the materials is impeccable. It feels like a cocoon, especially thanks to the very soft seats and the light colors of our test version. Among the extensive catalog of options, we recommend the excellent, very powerful but overpriced (€2,700) Bowers & Wilkins 1,460-watt sound system.
Without breaking any records in volume, the 468 liter trunk stands out for its practicality. It benefits from hands-free opening, a completely flat floor and adjustable loading height thanks to the air suspension.
