Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug In Hybrid Range Test | Impressive Results!

[@kgenest100]

When I got mine from the dealer near Montreal in June 2023, the electric range indicator said 69km. It is possible to achieve that much at low speeds, but highway cruising will cut that number significantly. In the winter, we often get 54-59km after a night charging. A year later, in warm temperatures, we got as much as 73km indicated as potential « in the morning » before hitting the road. So no real degradation in battery after one year. Furthermore, Volvo can replace « bad battery cells » instead of selling you a new battery pack. The dealer can’t even order a full battery pack by itself (I was told). That’s a great approach in my view. The only sad thing you did not mention is that Volvo charges a very hefty premium to upgrade to the Plug-in hybrid version of the XC60 vs the standard ICE version. Maybe I am saving the planet a little… but not sure I am saving any money here…

[@billurban1581]

2:17 Agreed on the speed factor. But trips on secondary and state roads (avoiding interstates) averaging 35 to 50 mph are the sweet spot. In this situation my S60 has traveled 60.2 miles on electric. And on that occasion I then charged the battery the last seven miles traveled, adding three battery miles. My full charge is always 50 miles or more, except in Dec and Jan. (The S60 sedan is 12 to 15% better on mpg and emissions - than the XC60 - due to less weight and better aerodynamics.) My 2023 S60 was about $8,000 less than the comparable XC60, but a moot point now that it is discontinued.

[@orreng]

We drive a V60. Love it! They can be hard to find….although for some reason, several on the lots in Houston right now. There is a beautiful Cross Country at our dealer that is taunting me!

[@johor-01]

Hi there , 1 year old XC60 T8 here from Malayisa , Volvo is awesome❤

[@Noll9037]

I now have a 2025 T8 hybrid ultra similar to the one you tested. I have a mostly highway commute opposite main flow of traffic of about 40 miles and use hybrid mode. Generally achieving 26-32 mpg depending on wind, traffic, and my lead foot. This vehicle is able to scoot! I do wish we had the outside of USA 6amp charging capability. But overnight and at work charging is ok.

[@systemler44]

I have a Xc60 T8 and it's doing 70mpg around town

[@danielgrenier2417]

I have a 2023 XC60 Recharge in the Ultimate trim. I now have just over 30,000 kilometers (18K miles?) and it has been flawless. Over that 30K km, I average around 2.4L of gas per 100km. That is about as much gas as a motorcycle would use, which suits me perfectly. I wasn't ready for a full EV but this car is absolutely awesome for me and the way I drive so go for it, I say, if you're thinking about getting one.

[@stevensnow4112]

Thanks for the information. My only regret with my V60 polestar is the slow onboard charger. Fortunately I do my charging at home.

[@alexshapley8331]

Good video thanks. If you have less starts and stops on your journey, you'll likely get 45+ miles off the battery in Pure mode. I regularly do a 49.5 mile journey (the majority of it on the motorway at 60-70mph) and I have learnt to drive this in Hybrid mode - the engine usually only kicks in at two times 1) when I accelerate from 0-70mph up a steep incline onto the motorway, & 2) for the last 0.5-1.0 mile of the journey (also up a very steep hill) - the car always tells me that I have done 46.5-48.1 miles on electric (and a piddling amount using petrol, so you get bizarre mpg readings of 500-950mpg!). There is another plus of using Hybrid mode, the AC runs in 'normal' setting instead of 'low power' setting when in Pure mode (so, in Pure mode, the car takes a lot longer to cool down on a hot day). However, my 2023 XC60 T8 Recharge only has 20" wheels (which makes it more comfortable in my view) so I'm wondering if the larger rims might mean less fuel efficiency?

[@billurban1581]

When you know in advance, your ICE will start (0 to 70 steep incline), you would be well advised to start the ice beforehand. Just move the shifter laterally. (Must be in “hybrid,” not “pure.”)

[@alexshapley8331]

@@billurban1581 thanks for the tip - I'll try that

[@billurban1581]

My lighter, sleeker 2023 S60 has traveled 60.2 miles on electric (state and secondary roads, rolling terrain, 40 to 50 mph). On that day I then charged with the ICE, adding three battery miles over the last seven miles of my trip. Except in Dec, Jan, the battery full charge always goes to 48 miles plus. Conclusion: PHEVs offer flexibility.

[@billurban1581]

The slow charging rate issue is not so serious for my S60T8, and perhaps for most others, as I don’t often deplete the battery. The average U.S. commute is 30 miles round trip, in fact 2 out of 3 commutes are under 30 miles (Bureau of Transportation Omnifacts). The average trip, including commutes, occurs 2.4 times day, and is 12.4 miles (AAA Driving Survey, 2022).

[@kgenest100]

In the winter, if you need AWD, you will need to use the Hybrid mode or AWD mode and won’t be able to run well on elwctric-only, because the electric engine only powers the rear wheels. So you won’t save as much gas in the winter…

[@CarsMadeSimple]

In most cases, our roads are dry during winter months. I find I actually only need my winter tires (outside of extreme cold) a handful of times through most winters due to precipitation as roads are cleared within 1-2 days after a snowfall. Of course this varies across the country.

[@billurban1581]

You "need" AWD, even in winter, about .5% of miles traveled, if that. Add`l fuel burned to enable AWD would be

[@tinaandandrewmcdermott5742]

So in hybrid mode, on a long hwy trip, does the motor recharge the battery to full?

[@CarsMadeSimple]

You can select it to do so via the "charge mode" or it will slowly use regen and excess energy to do so. Charge mode is much quicker but may be slightly more inefficient.

[@TJ-lo3rq]

Volvo says 81 km but its NOT TRUE almost 61 km in EU, dont know about outside how much it will be in km/miles

[@Nikolasmar]

What is going on in back seats

[@MukundMJPatel]

The T8 is a Turbo & Super-Charged Engine output is 300 hp plus the Electric Motor…

[@CarsMadeSimple]

The 2.0 is not supercharged and turbocharged anymore. In 22.5MY, Volvo switched to turbocharged only.

[@LysanderLH]

imagine needing to sit around for upto 5 hours to charge that battery?! how do they ruin the car like that and still think it won’t come back to hurt their sales?

[@CarsMadeSimple]

You simply don't. PHEV's are designed to be charged while not in use at work or home. That is why it still offers a normal hybrid operation after the battery is mostly depleted.

[@LysanderLH]

@@CarsMadeSimple I could drive from home (Tarbes) into ULEZ central Toulouse and back again and the battery would be flat, still as heavy and using fuel to carry it. I’m looking to change from our 2021 Model 3 into something Model Y sized and it doesn’t need to be an EV but it does need to be very comfortable, quiet and efficient, hence my interest in Volvo XC. But it also needs to work on our bumpy, bendy European roads and spaces.

[@alexshapley8331]

@@LysanderLH I live in very rural SW England, steep hills, very narrow twisty country lanes, and always very bumpy and pot-holed roads - my XC60 is super smooth (note: 20" tyres - if you get larger rims you lose a lot of the smoothness and comfort). Also note: it still works as a self charging EV (like an old Prius) when the main battery says it is flat

[@LysanderLH]

@@alexshapley8331 Thanks for taking the time to reply. I haven’t driven the latest XC variants and I need to explore them up close.

[@billurban1581]

@@LysanderLH If you drive 60 miles and burn 20 miles worth of fuel that's 80+ mpg. What is wrong with that?