2023 Volvo S60 Recharge Got So Much Better But Lost This One Important Feature

This plugin hybrid Volvo has a pretty fantastic powerplant that invoke memories of my old Volvo S60R.
0:00 Intro
0:54 Exterior
2:42 Interior
6:16 Tech
8:36 Power
12:12 Driving Experience
14:27 Overall Rating
Car Reviews: • Drives & Reviews
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#Volvo #S60 #Recharge

[@hyperbandit]

As someone who owns this car, I just want to say, out of all of reviews of this car, this is by far the most accurate review on all of KZbin. You really captured the essence of what this car is and why someone might want it. It's definitely not a car you can drive for a few hours and come to a conclusion. The uniqueness of the drivetrain and some of Volvo's decisions really make it a hard car for reviewers to understand. There's so many other reviews that gloss over the benefits of plug-in hybrids, miss important features, or outright get wrong or outdated information. Yet somehow you've really done a great job capturing all the nuance of the car, even it's major downsides (yes the drive mode selector being gone and non-ventilated seats are probably the biggest ones), while still understanding that what you're really getting is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Really the car is a beast, to have something that can give you this level of performance but still get 30 MPG in city driving without even charging it is kind of crazy, and being able to use it as a full EV is the cherry on top. One last thing is I like that you included the bit about sedans. It's crazy to see other reviewers review this car and for some reason this is the car they want to start saying that being a sedan is a minus? Not everyone wants (or needs) a bigger car.

[@ShiftingLanes]

Thank you for the very nice feedback!! Putting these reviews together takes a ton of time and comments like this one make it all worth it.

[@billurban1581]

Hyper, good points. By far the most neglected feature is battery usage using map data. If a trip or round-trip exceeds battery range, and if the route is entered in navigation, battery usage is apportioned over the entire trip. In my experience, this is worth 15 to 20% on a 175 mile trip. I put 9000 miles on a ‘22 S60T8 (58mpg), I currently have 7500 miles on a ‘23 S60 Recharge (94mpg).

[@ScreaminEmu]

How does your experience driving change when your battery goes flat? I'm looking at getting one, and I will be able to charge it frequently, but not all the time. There will be instances, particularly longer trips, presumably, where I won't be charging the plug-in battery, and I'm confused about how that affects AWD and power output.

[@billurban1581]

@@ScreaminEmu In my experience, even when the dash says zero battery miles. There’s always enough saved for AWD or acceleration spurts (if not, they couldn’t claim all wheel drive). The driver can also decide to add battery miles, about one battery mile for every 3 miles driven.

[@jpizel1070]

Can I use my Tesla level 2 charger on this car? Maybe using an adapter? I'm really considering this S60.

[@max2guitar]

I just switched cars from a 23' BMW 330e to a 24' S60 T8. While the BMW software for the infotainment + PHEV management is superior, I felt that the massive screens were distracting and overbearing. I appreciate that Volvo hasn't put a massive screen in the car. Nice review!

[@gavn_n]

Great review! Covered major points about the car, and even the not-so apparent ones that other reviews omitted. In fact, this review helped solidify my decision to get one 😍 Had an 08 S60 T5 and loved it until I sold it for a hybrid (I know, still regret it to this day), but can't wait to get into a CPO'd 22 or new one of these!

[@florinvid]

I enjoyed this review. Informative No bs, no jokes. Keep it up brother! This is a way underrated car, with that 40 miles electric range and the power figures, it's an enthusiastic way of getting you moving, yet super efficient!

[@ShiftingLanes]

Thank you!! Hope you will sub!

[@florinvid]

@@ShiftingLanes already did!

[@brians3899]

I have one arriving in July. Denim blue with charcoal interior. I believe it will have been worth the wait. I needed a commuter car upgrade.

[@boscogong4242]

Totally agree with you. I'm shopping between the V60 Recharge and the Audi A6 Allroad. For the US price of the V60, I would expect ventilated seats and the other leather options found in the other Volvos. Also, it is lacking a powered tilt/telescopic steering column, and dampers that can be adjusted from inside to make it a $72K car. Likewise, PHEV is a good transition until we get over range and infrastructure anxiety. When an EV can go 500mi, I'll buy one. It's the reason why I am considering the V60.

[@mykaelharvey3102]

i think the brand new s60s are gonna age handsomely

[@MacLaw3084]

Pegasus style wheels would be so sick on this.

[@DougFrantz]

Great review. One thing improved that wasn't mentioned is for the Apple folks... Carplay is now full screen.

[@ShiftingLanes]

Thanks dude!!! I actually didn’t mind the partial CarPlay window. I was still able to see part of the car’s infotainment that way.

[@chocolatemorechocolate8963]

I really liked your persoective on plugins-hybrid vs pure EV.

[@theprince6590]

Not buttons but I can live with that and not iPhone wireless charge 😮 but still looks good I hope the drive of the 2024 is enjoyable

[@stevensnow4112]

Thanks for the review. Next time could you include voice commands and the right button options for navigation, telephone, etc.

[@whygamewhy]

U some dealer carry vented and climate control seat model even if it is not avaliable online. I live in Vancouver and my dealer has 2 with climate controlled seat.

[@billurban1581]

"if you can keep the battery juiced up" 9:42) Not to worry, even if the battery range is zero there's still "juice." The engine will charge it and maintain enough juice because the eAWD must always be available. With a dead battery there's no AWD.

[@aminneman5434]

Not true. AWD is always available if needed whether battery has power left or not.

[@billurban1581]

@@aminneman5434 The point is, the ICE keeps the battery charged enough so that AWD is always available, even when the dash says 0 battery miles. The ICE can add a mile of battery range while driving 2 or 3 miles, I’ve done it with “charge” mode. But if the battery goes to 0, this happens automatically. Volvo doesn’t advertise “AWD except when the battery is dead.”

[@aminneman5434]

@@billurban1581 Perhaps I have lost the point but if you select "AWD driving mode" then you have AWD available. Always, regardless of the battery level.

[@billurban1581]

We agree. You said “whether battery has power left or not.” The terminology is what’s confusing. I’m saying that, even if the dash says zero battery miles, there is still power in the battery.

[@aminneman5434]

@@billurban1581 Yes indeed. Thank you!

[@AllPurposeBen]

I own one and can confirm, changing drive modes in the screen is ultra annoying.

[@billurban1581]

If you need the ICE to start quickly, just move the shifter laterally.

[@AllPurposeBen]

@@billurban1581 Only in B, which I don't use.

[@billurban1581]

@@AllPurposeBen Correct, so you'll need two moves to light the ICE, one to "B," then laterally. Still quicker than the sub menus (what Volvo forgot is the lateral move should also bring the tach). I use B most of the time (90% of the time) to facilitate one pedal driving. While I'm here, went 55.2 miles today on battery, in pure. Not bad for a 41 mile battery.

[@AllPurposeBen]

@@billurban1581 Faster...sorta, not really. Again, B isn't something I'm remotely interested in using. Also not just trying to start the motor, there's more to Power/PE mode than that. The added range seems to be an unsung bonus of the 2.9 update and not limited to pure. Unfortunately, so it a check engine light that may come and go on it's own, which is allegedly fixed in 2.10.

[@SakaiKaiUSA]

Tax credit no longer applies... darn it

[@brians3899]

It does if you lease it. Then when lease is up you can get another $4500 off for buying it used.

[@travl_with_purpose3820]

@@brians3899 Is that a special or automatically applies to all lease cars purchased? I'm only considering a lease to get the $7500 EV credit but plan to purchase vehicle after 24mo

[@edwardzdankiewicz9068]

sweden doesn't need no ventilated seats.

[@julianaguilar87]

It looks like a shorter Dodge Charger.

[@ScreaminEmu]

So if my big battery goes flat, I still get my AWD... but I lose 140-ish horsepower? Or is all 455HP and AWD always available all the time regardless of charge status?

[@ezekielmorgan1042]

The engine can recharge the battery. So the battery will not go flat.

[@sunshadow9704]

@@ezekielmorgan1042engine can or will recharge the battery? Does it require driver action to force engine to start charging the battery? Will there be some kund of indicator to let driver know that a battery is flat?

[@n00blamer]

@@sunshadow9704 Yes, there is battery indicator it's very easy to see at a glance how much gasoline and charge you have. The charging that happens automatically is minimal, mostly engine breaking. There is driving mode "B" for more aggressive engine breaking but if you really want to charge with gasoline engine you can enable "charge mode", but this is rarely a good idea. I would recommend only using it to put some energy into the hybrid battery if you know you can't plug the car in for a few days, keeps the lithium battery from degrading.

[@sunshadow9704]

@@n00blamer Thank you for the clear answer.

[@jensrappholdt1717]

what are you talking about? You can order massage and ventilated seats.

[@ShiftingLanes]

What market are you in? This tester didn’t have one and we couldn’t spec a ventilated seat for the s60 recharge.

[@detroitdieselpower]

Just ordered 2024 ultimate and still no ventilated option , us market

[@whygamewhy]

@@detroitdieselpower mhmm there is no option online for ventilated seat. But my dealer in vancouver has 2 units of S60 recharge with climate control seat, i tested it and bought 1 of them.