The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge Is A Quicker & More Usable Plug-In Hybrid Luxury SUV

When the redesigned #VolvoXC60 showed up back in 2018, it was the long-awaited arrival for the second generation of Volvo's very popular #XC60. For 2023, the flagship #XC60Recharge gets a much needed power and range upgrade via stronger electric motors and a larger battery pack. It makes the #VolvoXC60Recharge one of the best luxury SUV's with a plug and bring it in line with Volvo's stance on going completely electric by 2030.
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[@Allcarnews]

Working at a Volvo dealer I've become bored with the brand regardless of the unique spaces the occupy in they segments. Just not sure the insane prices justify everything. Pro tip, go with the new PHEV "ReCharge" models over the old TwinEngine T8 models, reliability will skyrocket for you.

[@KirkKreifels]

Woop! Nice work as always Sofyan and Rob. I loved the '23 S60 T8 that has this same powertrain! It's the ultimate no compromise setup ⛽⚡💨

[@owenmcdonald5922]

Thanks for your videos this year. Have a good Christmas and Happy New year.

[@super9248]

Thanks for the review! Have mine (Ultimate Dark) coming next month!🤗

[@Silverlane.]

How’s the whip ?? Please update !

[@jaylonrussell4015]

Nice review . I’ve seen your review of the ICE Outlander but can you review the new PHEV version . I’ve heard good things about it but I want to see your review thank you.

[@kitkatlab7622]

Great review! I have a question for you, do you happen to know what is the reason that I don't see in my menu (XC60, T6 Recharge, MY23 (extended range)) the option "Always start in drive mode Pure"? Alternatively, are you able to determine what software version is in the model you are testing? Greetings!

[@Bayside628]

I haven’t watched your channel before but you def have the best review of this vehicle on KZbin. Appreciated the detailed engine specs and performance specs. Thanks!

[@gustavocruz4824]

he is the first auto reviewer i come to when i'm looking into cars ever since i was looking for my honda accord v6 touring 3 years ago. Even my wife likes his review style and depth

[@gustavocruz4824]

in my opinion he is the best car reviewer

[@godofdun]

Love the understated premium style of Volvo.

[@millsykooksy4863]

it's gorgeous! I want one!

[@KypHeM]

love the seat material but is it fireproof?

[@joelbolton7252]

Love these Recharge Volvos, sharp design too!

[@us1fedvet]

Nice cars. Nicest interior extant. Look good.

[@MDKN22]

Sofyan, the 2023 models actually have some changes. (I can verify this because I work at a Volvo dealer) • Fog lights have been added back for 2023 • There's a Standard Range and Extended Range battery pack (you were driving the Extended Range) • The gearshift has been changed for 2023 - instead of clicking it twice to go into R or D, it's now two detents in either way • The wireless charger is now gone for 2023 on ALL models (because it was in a very bad spot, would never keep a hold of your phone while driving, plus the charger pad was too small for 90% of phones) And one fun thing I've noticed with these newer Extended Range cars... if you are in Pure mode and stomp on the gas briefly (without hitting kickdown), you can actually get the rear tires to slip on a slightly damp surface.

[@johngaudet6316]

🤣

[@robertmorley9748]

Ah that's good - i did ask why they had been removed !! - Mine is on order in the UK with an ETA of Nov/Dec :) We need fog lights in the UK HA HA .

[@okhera1]

Very Nice Bro! Get Good People!

[@MadLadsAnonymous]

How is the NX the same class as this? The NX is tiny! The RX I can see. Also surprised you said the NX has similar leg room. I swear the XC60 is huge by comparison. What an exciting offering from Volvo!

[@michaelvella8511]

Great review. Gorgeous SUV and perfect size too. The NX seems more compact then this.

[@ukgroucho]

NX is lovely but the boot (trunk) floor looked somewhat small when we looked at it. Maybe tall but limited on area?

[@irvinstruckinggroupse]

Volvos have the v-shaped drl with turn signals in the drl design. i like this one

[@damienredd9068]

The only thing I can think of is a better way to the most luxurious ones that are in the process of getting the best way to get a better idea

[@naveenthemachine]

Quite simply the best PHEV in this class

[@MDKN22]

Agreed!

[@redwhite_040]

except reliability. horrible

[@naveenthemachine]

@@redwhite_040 who cares about reliability? It’s a luxury car. If you can afford a luxury car but not afford repairs you need to reevaluate your choices

[@MDKN22]

@@redwhite_040 I second this but most of the issues stem from the infotainment system. Other than that, the new B5 and B6s seem to just die for some odd reason and Volvo can't figure out why.

[@redwhite_040]

@@naveenthemachine If i pay that much for a luxury car, lease or buy, I except that it runs without issues. Still, reliability is horrible on newer Volvo's

[@truthseeker764]

love the S2000 revving sound at every start of your reviews. (proud original owner of a 2006 AP2 S2000)

[@a22fc]

0-60 in less than 5 seconds thats quick! And the range aint too shabby too.

[@iTheShirt]

Love the designs for Volvo. Hate no wireless android auto.

[@Steve-yr5vi]

I love the Volvo XC60 recharge, had it six months average over 80 mpg, not really a complain however without a doubt the sound in my F150 Lariat is better than the Volvo; I have the Ultimate (love the 16 way seats!) so have the Harman Kardon system I listen to music at low volume and the difference in the F150 is noticeable. But that is my only "complaint", of this vehicle, exceeds expectations in every other way. The technology in the Volvo works well, the display is impressive, everyone that rides in it remarks how nice it is.

[@hussainalmomen5495]

🎉what do u say about their suspensions?

[@kayu7941]

Adore

[@pjwillsr]

Sofyan, did you do 0-60 with just gas mode?

[@TheGamerShowsYou]

You mentioned no fog lamps on this trim however the XC60 never had fog-lamps in that location that is an S60/S90 thing. All the 60's and 90's have them in the lower half of the bumper not in the blacked-out trim.

[@randominternet5586]

$56,000 base - price should be in the description on all of these

[@the_jarmel]

SOFYAN 👏👏👏 HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY EVERYONE ✌️

[@huckietam6746]

No sound dampening material on the hood. Please compare the latest RX500h to this. Thank you.

[@naveenthemachine]

The RX can’t even hold a candle to this. And it just barely hit dealerships The RX already lost badly and auto reviewers really wasted their time with the RX The RX falls apart in just about every way possible. Nothing I mean NOTHING where it excels.

[@twoweeledsoto6072]

In my opinion, there's no such thing as "unnecessarily fast," as long as speed and acceleration are controlled

[@Cal94]

i feel like "unnecessarily fast" was not a comment about actual performance, but about excess, or misguided excess. like imagine if instead of the 312hp gas engine, there was a 180hp NA gas engine, that took 87 octane, and did 5mpg better fuel economy. by volvo's math, that'd still be a net 323hp drivetrain, and a mediocre 33mpg. perfectly acceptable on the specs sheet of a luxury car. What if a simpler engine, meant they could offer heated steering wheel+heated rear seats standard, or what if they just straight up dropped the base MSRP 5k. as someone with a base trim V60 recharge on order here in canada, if the base MSRP was 5k lower i'd have spent 8k more to go top trim+B&W sound system. It just kinda feels like there's some cognitive dissonace in the spec'ing of the cars.

[@vaimurthy]

The price of this plugin hybrid mid trim is close to Tesla Y. Plugin hybrids cost closer to fully electric is difficult to sell if that is second car used mainly in city.

[@lildurty23]

I personally love the seats.. never been a fan of leather

[@super9248]

Same

[@baroneleve1196]

Anyone who has this model yeah. How has reliability been ?

[@TB-up4xi]

I still think car makers have this the wrong way around (a small electric battery with a conventional petrol engine). It should be the other way around a "conventional" EV with a range of 300miles + with an emergency petrol backup motor that could add another 50-80 miles of range by either charging the battery or driving the wheels, It would not have to offer great performance - just get you to the next charge point or worst case another refill on petrol until you found a suitable charge point. I guess space to locate the petrol engine is the primary issue but would be more attractive to most buyers than the current PHEV setups.

[@ukgroucho]

They exist ... the BMW i3 has an extended range version as an example... go do some searching online, you will find more.

[@seppi3201]

The problem is that the internal combustion engine itself isn’t going to be powerful enough. So it’s not gonna be drivable.

[@JDMHaze]

i’m sorry I like the design of new Volvos and it’s nice to see them do something fresh because they were extremely outdated but these hybrid power trains are just unpleasant, it would be nice to see them come back with a I-6 rwd….

[@TB-up4xi]

17:15 - "B" mode or max regen mode is significantly slower than standard "D" mode when driving pure electric even under full acceleration. "B" mode is really only all that useful when you have an extended downhill section, there are a couple of roads with a 1200 ft drop over 4 miles near us - perfect for "B" mode and can add a few miles of range using one pedal drive mode.

[@Erin-Thor]

Great review! ❤ But buyers should check reliability ratings as Volvo’s Turbocharged 4 cylinder engines have major issues a few years down the road. Simply put, this car is a lease, not a keeper because of the engine.

[@naveenthemachine]

Reliability shouldn’t matter since nobody keeps them for more than 5 years

[@wyw201]

@@naveenthemachine What’s the average length of ownership for an XC-60?

[@martinliden8453]

As usual for Volvos the quality improves as times go by. The xc60 is known for good durability and are wellbuilt. Never buy a new Volvo at the very first year of production, that is well known at least here in Sweden.

[@meavyhetal]

@@martinliden8453 the first model year doesn't matter when the engine is a carry over !

[@Erin-Thor]

@@naveenthemachine - Color me a nobody. Not to mention the used car market. Not everyone thinks a $70k automobile is like a disposable lighter. 🤣

[@jfrompnw8388]

There's a question that's becoming more important for you to check on all PHEVs. Can you turn on the HVAC, lock the car, and walk away? Essentially which PHEVs are capable of "dog mode"

[@ukgroucho]

Don't leave your dog in the car! Despite your "personal happiness" that the dog will not get too hot, the dog is still freaking out that you left it in a car surrounded by unfamiliar stuff. Dogs are not an inconvenience that you need to accommodate for. They are part of your life so you need to adapt and own the situation.

[@vighneshramesh2569]

Looks decent but why cloth seats and the interior looks the same in every Volvo. They need to differentiate the models a bit more

[@shinymike4301]

This suv will never smoke my 2022 m240i at a light !!

[@MDKN22]

But it very well could!!

[@AAhmad3449]

It def could

[@davevolz6138]

What’s he smokin’?

[@shinymike4301]

@@davevolz6138 Im smokin Volvos!!

[@multicons]

No one said that it will smoke your m240i because it doesn't have a smoke.

[@Itsme-vo4fx]

One thing that wasn’t mentioned is that this PHEV loses the spare tire due to the room required for the electric motor.

[@troothhertz6297]

I live in South Africa.i need a car that can power our homes and businesses.. like the Mitsubishi outlander

[@philgilmore2304]

Positives = Fast, balanced and comfortable. Negatives = None sofar....Great value

[@naveenthemachine]

The lack of style imo is what makes it a safe choice

[@cougargold]

Volvo, why??? Why are you hiding the drive mode two levels down in the menu??

[@TB-up4xi]

A non-issue - settings, drive ...not that hard . You can also change by voice command , "set drive mode to power".....o ......

[@Welovedaxies]

You do not need to click up twice on the gearshift. From drive just push forward and the car goes into reverse, same the other way

[@lplt]

no EV version? the xc40 and c40 are so small inside

[@phatgringo2.0]

I'll buy one when EV only hits 100 miles.

[@millsykooksy4863]

god that would be nice

[@mitchlu]

I have to charge this and then go get gasoline too?!? WTF?!? And then I only get 28mpg?!?

[@Patrick-nh7mm]

Does this dude know what “art deco” means?

[@xavierrobinson200]

I just can't get with the vertical vents and infotainment

[@objectivetruth2286]

Yeah, they don’t look right. Tough to explain…

[@srsairbags]

Do these qualify for the federal EV tax credit ? Most likely not as their final assembly is not in North America. Does not make sense to but this over anything that qualifies for even the partial tax credit.

[@miata1370]

No

[@thecarsectionthecarsection6420]

The screen 20 years from now idk 🤷‍♂️

[@esaireyna899]

455HP and 523 lb-Ft in a freakin Volvo PHEV that’s vivid I think this XC60 Ext recharge will beat the Ford F150 Raptor and the Camaro SSs ass

[@MRRizwan8074]

Not enough range! 😮

[@exquisitehubgh2144]

I love the Swedish style of engineering. They are good.....

[@shawnwhite2572]

It looks nice, but unfortunately Volvos do not retain their value very well at all.

[@AAhmad3449]

Way better than overpriced rav4 I mean lexus nx!

[@naveenthemachine]

Agreed. Anything is better than the Lexus rav4

[@evanwatkins6902]

I feel like Volvo is dull. Their designs are nice and all but they are getting quite boring. I’m just glad Volvo made some updates to the power train and the technology.

[@MDKN22]

Volvo isn't trying to be like Lexus. Volvo is and has always been a far more conventional brand compared to its competitors. They don't do really outlandish things (the C40 is frankly the most outlandish product for the brand, IMHO).

[@Nickelectric]

Question: we drive 120 miles to our vacation home . Is it safe to say most of the trip this Volvo would be running on engine power (312 hp) not 455 hp. In other words, on long trips this car becomes a gas only car.

[@johngaudet6316]

Yes and because it's a Volvo, it's all about options you can choose when you want EV only mode. GO VOLVO!

[@Snerdles]

No, like most PHEVs the battery never is actually at zero. It will switch to hybrid mode usually at the 20% or 15% battery level so it can always use the battery and motor just like any normal hybrid.

[@Steve-yr5vi]

If you put your trip into it's onboard navigation the computer will decide when to use the EV engine to get the best mpg. Our shore house is about 50 miles away we use that function and are averaging about 80 mpg. Running gas only I average 31 mpg.

[@todd4468]

dont see massaging seats as an option 🤷‍♂️

[@TB-up4xi]

Might depend on the country definitely an option on Australian delivered vehicles.

[@mgdulan4756]

75k with no leather! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@johngaudet6316]

I'm getting one next year with massaging napa leather, air suspension and definitely Bowers&Wilkins audio!!

[@user-ey5dq8rw9o]

You think every screen is small lol. Like we don’t want tv in our cars to much distraction. 9 inch is plenty 🤷🏽

[@Pelinas]

3.6 kw charging was deal breaker, my 2020 Audi Q5 hybrid it charges 7.2 kw h

[@pavlo2692]

2024 revision of XC60 has 6+ kw charging (almost double), if that's of any relevance

[@rahimi4762]

Acura RDX outsells it too. Why u leave it off?

[@anthonyc3453]

“Orifice” shifter? C’mon, it’s “Orrefors”.

[@corystansbury]

Always shocked me how poorly executed the original T8s were. They didn't do anything well.

[@Steve-yr5vi]

I have the current T8, I have no complaints, mpg is over 80 mpg.

[@salocin911]

Seems like a great choice until you read real owner reviews on EDMUNDS where it was rated 2.5 out of 5 with tons of nightmares with service and getting stuck. I hope it's not true. I am really pulling for VOLVO, I love their design philosophy.

[@vrage98]

I believe most of those reviews are based on 2022 which did a lot of faults

[@AeroDude73]

As always brought to you by…, “a solid sounding Thunk,” & “Soft touch injection molded plastic” throughout. 🤣🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️😆😂

[@gingerrocco]

Fun, safe, solid car but not nearly enough fuel efficiency for the price. Volvo needs to come up with a better value proposition. The XC40 recharge suffers from similar cost issues.

[@Steve-yr5vi]

We've had ours for 6 months now and are averaging over 80 mpg, honestly how is that not good enough fuel efficiency?

[@ukgroucho]

Not enough fuel efficiency for the price... Hmm ok so what do you want a 455BHP car to deliver? Stupid comment with little perspective - time to spend a little time expanding on your 'opinion' to provide some context and justification.

[@scottbrawley407]

2023 Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge eAWD Ultimate!

[@planetfabulous5833]

Never trust a YT car reviewer who wears sunglasses, especially on a cloudy day.

[@deko29]

Rectified!

[@mr.foxwiz1653]

Do you know how much gas you could buy with that extra $15k? You would never pay off the difference.

[@miata1370]

Roughly...at $4/gal; that'd be 3,750 gallons and at perhaps 25 mpg...93k miles later.... This is certainly one calculation I'd consider when deciding between REV, PHEV and ICE models. Then there's the consideration of likely insurance costs differences, perhaps less costly maintenance (after 3 yr 30k mile service warranty)....and your intended timeframe to keep the vehicle. Hopefully....PHEV & EV prices will become more comparable to ICE versions of the same model. We happily own a 2015.5 V60 CC with 88k miles....SO glad we got the last of the I-5 turbo engines...time tested and proven design.

[@piffe60]

The instrument panel is completely non-pedagogical. They forgot to note that the watch fits completely badly. The ventilation controls cannot be angled properly. The driving record is completely useless. Loud noise in the cup for being a premium car. Center console wrongly angled. There are a thousand other little things. Volvo has lost its soul. Have a Volvo XC60 T6 Hybrid, guaranteed to be the last one.

[@torvich433]

Click point

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

How can still nothing beat the old tech Rav4 Prime? Almost 50 miles now electric with a Nickel Hydride battery. That has 302hp andbhuge range. I don't get it. The plug in hybrid is the better option by a far amount, even still as a family/commuter vehicle. This should get 60 miles of electric only and be 355hp by now. 35 miles? Really? Yes, I said 355hp and not 455hp. Volvo wants to shed the moniker still, of a boxie rectangular vanilla sedan. Reduce hp by 100 and give more range and electric only. Horrid companies. No frunk and a lovely unreliable turbo. That charge time sucks as well. 75,000 DOLLARS with no tax credit for a slightly boring Compact SUV.

[@AAhmad3449]

Volvo is class unlike a toyota

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

@@AAhmad3449 Not for you and .... I guess Lexus is garbage? It's a spaceship compared to the outdated in every area Volvo. (It's really Toyoda) Go into an interior of both vehicles and tell me which one is more modern or luxurious. [Although Toyota has been dragging their ass for the last 10 years.....like the American car industry for the last 60 plus years. Volvo finally started to improve and still, that interior is almost the same as a Volvo I rented from Budget about 9 years ago. I'm guessing you aren't from the states with the colloquial, "Class" reply. You also forgot to mention that the Toyota Prime is 20K less expensive. Even the Lexus is well less for more. Class? You mean boring and comfortable. And I like the Volvo. It's too late and way too expensive for a compact "luxury" (barely) SUV. Brilliant incomplete sentence reply on a long comment, not intended for you. I own 2 Primes, and 1 RX and 1 ES and the Lexus side has gone downhill since 2019. My new ones are cheaply made. I wouldn't trade my money pit Mercedes for any of them. . Class? So, everyone should own a Rolls Royce? That's affordable. It 75K for a poorly made compact SUV. I'd rather own a Hyundai Tuscan.

[@naveenthemachine]

@@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO Volvo is much classier more luxurious and better period in just about every way Volvo has leather, stitching, wood trim, elegance and sophistication The Lexus doesn’t have any of that. All you get is a giant 14in screen slab with piano black grafted on the dash. Plus you get the same injection molded plastics you find in a Toyota If you think the nx has more class than a Volvo you need to get your eyes checked and go to finishing school on cars.

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

@@naveenthemachine The Lexus has leather stitching. It's not close. I own it and looked at the outdated Volvo. Again, the comment I made wasn't for both of you. I couldn't care less about a F'in SUV that shouldn't be allowed on the road. I had 5 min to fill in the shitter. I have forgotten more about cars than you will ever know. I have raced them as well. You couldn't hold the sweat in my helmet. -Enough with the meat bags here. Go watch a Katy Perry video or however you spell that. What you got Mr Mellon is class. You have zero taste in music as well.

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

@M What Prime AWD? Prime is just the moniker for several models. The Rav4 Prime is the most desirable car in the world to the consumer. Interesting thorough details you gave.

[@okhera1]

ALHAMDULILLAH(SWT)- ASTAGHFIRULLAH(SWT).

[@gamelauncher9821]

4,700LBS in this segment 😳it’s fat like his video guy Rob😅

[@AMJB100000000]

DONT BUY A VOLVO XC60 my mother bought one less then a year ago and has been on a tow truck 6 seperate times and at the Volvo mechanics for more then half the time she has had it… $90,000 and it’s been nothing but a piece of junk… Volvo will not help her with a refund or replacing the car bunch of pricks..

[@alengreen589]

Volvo luxury? maybe one day but not yet.

[@naveenthemachine]

This is true luxury.😂

[@alengreen589]

@@naveenthemachine 🤣🤣🤣

[@AAhmad3449]

That’s luxury unlike Lexus

[@naveenthemachine]

@@AAhmad3449 exactly. tell me Alan. What’s luxury about a rav4 with a different logo? Oh right NOTHING 😆

[@mcalebeb]

@@naveenthemachinei just died 🫢

[@fredlabonte8946]

Volvo today is not more than Chinese junk , i have Volvo 2022 electric with lot of problem , change the battery under waranty , new in the box ( MADE IN CHINA ) ,,, and noe electric motor is very noisy ( NEW IN THE BOX ,, MADE IN CHINA ) , i pay for Volvo and i get Gelly made in China ,, all the parts MADE IN CHINA

[@lapamful]

Absolutely adore the design of this vehicle, however it needs a V8 and they need to throw away the gov mandated garbage currently under the hood.

[@billyrock8305]

👎🏿 $75,000!!!!????? 🤣 Brutal fuel economy, grossly overpriced, boring boxy design, terrible service record, expensive parts and limited dealer network. 🤮 3/10 rating

[@AAhmad3449]

So genesis ?

[@billyrock8305]

@@AAhmad3449 Better than this overpriced mess. 👍 Lexus NX 350h far better option. Huge backlog however as this is the model everyone wants.

[@naveenthemachine]

@@billyrock8305 no it isn’t. The nx is awful regardless of trim. Even the 350h is more of a “why even bother?” If you want high mpg just get a Prius or rav4 or venza or Camry hybrid. Practically the same car You don’t buy a luxury car for fuel economy

[@billyrock8305]

@@naveenthemachine Illogical and highly unintelligent commentary. Lexus is the #1 selling luxury SUV in America for many reasons, most of which you’re too clueless to comprehend. The richest people are always the best at saving and investing numnuts.

[@naveenthemachine]

@@billyrock8305 you don’t buy a luxury car because it’s best selling. Best selling doesn’t mean it’s the best

[@joloui2035]

this is a chinese car... buy from not totalitarian regimes, thanks.

[@redwhite_040]

100% true. I like the new Volvo design but they should quit with Geely=Chinese.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

No, it's a Swedish car. Volvo is a Swedish company that is owned by a Chinese company. The product isn't from Geely. It's from Volvo,.

[@joloui2035]

@@benjaminsmith2287 volvo is a brand owned by commies.... its a commie car and u are sending the company profits to commies. Buy something else, there"s a lot of options other than commie cars.

[@redwhite_040]

@@benjaminsmith2287 But Geely owns all data from Volvo. Parts are coming from China, or even the whole manufacturing is done in China. This car is China.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@redwhite_040 No. Most Volvos are made in Europe, only about maybe about 15 percent are built in factories in China. Parts are globally sourced. Do you know anything about Volvos? Do you know who the engineering teams are, the designers, where they do their designing and engineering and road and track testing.? Do you know about their sustainability efforts and block chaining? It's easy to think Geely is just in charge but Geely is very close to hands-off when it comes to Volvo. (and Polestar) Volvo's direction is dictated in Sweden, not China. Some money is approved in China, that's where Geely mostly functions.