Volvo V60 - Plug-In Hybrid In A Smooth, Slightly Nuts Package!

[@gman729]

I have just taken delivery of a black V60 T6 R-Design PHEV, done 3k miles already and absolutely love it. The most comfortable car I have had ever, quality (compared to my last Jag) is sooooo much better. I am getting an average of 65mpg but do charge whenever I can. Battery range is not bad and not as good as a 330e although you can now have the same model with 55 mile range. It does a lot of things very well, space, comfort, speed, cruising, quality and customer service to date. It’s expensive but as mine is a company car it ticks the boxes. Don’t agree with the comment it’s comparable to the Skoda, there is a difference including quality. As for the range, leave it in hybrid mode and the car will make most of the 20 mile range, it also recharges the battery as you go, a 180 mile to London, 90% on motorway it averaged 60mpg.

[@mahirahman3491]

I’m looking to get the v60 PHEV as my next company car, what sort of mpg do you get without the battery being used?

[@Frejborg]

Appreciate your mini review! My dream car, a fully loaded S60 Inscription!

[@manoz6194]

Did you use the braking regen mode?

[@tupolev141]

I'm a bit biased, because I have a Volvo. But I find it compares very well vs premium brands. And indeed, the reason I have one is to stay under the radar. I don't need to worry about vandalism or theft. And in traffic people let me merge.

[@TheAegisClaw]

It's a stunning looking car. Classy, understated. Fast Volvo's have always been great sleepers. I had a mildly tuned T5 back in the 90's and always loved that it was just a bit quicker than the Evos and Imprezas of the day. There were some shocked rally rep drivers.

[@michielvans.6092]

haha true, I have the the S60 polestar engineered and love the shocked BMW+Mercedes drivers at the traffic lights

[@ianbishop247]

I've just purchased a 2021 V90 Plug in Hybrid as most of the time I do short journeys, but need a big car for weekends away and for when I work away. The boot is amazing and the V60 and V90 (same internal width) were the widest of all the cars we looked at including KIA SUV's,Hyndai SUV's, SKoda Superb. I had a very specific need for a wide boot (Tuba player) and it goes in the boot with room to spare and the load cover will still go down (automatically I might add) when you shut the boot. This is easily the most comfortable car I have ever driven and I actually find the swiping screen works quite well - even the wife likes it and it's easier to use than her iPace. And yes it gets up to Motorway speed (70 mph as all Volvo owner know) effortlessly. You can choose to charge the battery as you drive or you can store that charge so you can use it at the other end of the journey when you are driving on slower roads or if the roads are really wet. The AWD is petrol FWD and battery RWD so having some charge in the battery helps if you are driving in poor road conditions. There is a drive mode rotating selector in front of the Parking brake switch which allows AWD, Hybrid, Eco and sport modes. And of course regenerative braking by selecting the B-B+ mode when in drive. And the assisted driving 'Pilot Assist' mode is great even on single carraigeway A Roads. The costs for the online systems (Internet/Assistance etc) are cheaper than the iPace. As is the extended warranty. For those of use buying 3 year old vehicles with little standard warranty left, these are key issues as part of the Total Cost of Ownership. I've done mine on Volvo's PCP as they were offering two years extended warranty and servicing for free at the time. Will I keep it at the end of the PCP, depends on the mileage but might opt for the same car but with the improved hybrid battery capacity.

[@rickywinthrop]

Volvo is what quietly wealthy people in snowy countries drive.

[@tomkeating5013]

Probably worth mentioning that Volvo decided to put batteries in the middle tunnel as well as under the boot (and they have recently increased the capacity to 18KW/h and increased the electric motor to 148hp) hence why there is such a large lump for the middle seat footwell. The equivalent cars in Hybrid seem to suffer from very small boots which is a shame, I think the 508 has overcome this a little. Skoda IV/Seat Hybrid estates have boots that come no where near the Volvo stated size

The VW/Skodas have bigger boots, but the battery in the back causes stability issues. Also they're front wheel drive only unlike the Peugeot 508 and the Volvos. Also the updated PHEVs cost the same, while offering a lot more, which is pretty good. I just wish they added 7,4kW AC charging.

[@elbu2968]

You should try the drive mode selector behind the starter button

[@mattystewart8]

Wheres this button??

[@chubbyfun77]

Volvo is a luxury brand, focus is luxury not dynamics

[@FinleyESB]

The reason for the centre tunnel being so high and the lack of storage under the armrest is because that is where the battery's are stored. It was either there or the boot. A good compromise in my opinion as boot space is more important especially in an estate

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Other PHEVs don’t have that issue. 🤷‍♂️

@@ElectricVehicleMan But they have the battery in the rear which causes stability issues often (VAG for example). Peugeot has probably the best platform for a PHEV.

[@FinleyESB]

@@ElectricVehicleMan no, they put the batteries in the boot and you lose boot space. Would you rather a bigger transmission tunnel or a bigger boot? I know which one I'd have. It's why I never bought a lexus GS450h when I had the chance.

[@mho0]

@@ElectricVehicleMan True, but they have it in a boot, which is in my opinion much worse location. That was one reason I did not go for BMW 330e/530e.

[@krispyai4229]

Volvo is firmly a premium brand now I reckon.

[@jonathansmith5850]

For their price they’ve got to be considered. Prices more than some BMW’s!

The sensible premium as I like to call it.

[@Gillibrand65]

Another brilliant review from the Ant & Dec of EV KZbinrs👍

[@mattystewart8]

Ive got one of these and i love it. Never ever liked volvo before but this car is superb. I do like the gloss black but also dont like it at the same time. Most comfortable car ive ever had

[@richieb9067]

I've just ordered the Polestar V60 in black lovely looking car and won't be too many on the road. It also comes with the newly released 18kw battery that'll do 50miles which strangely hasn't been mentioned too much - is was an added bonus when I ordered. The battery pack runs down the centre hence the lack of space. Also driving mode can be selected from a button and the R design comes with the flappy steering paddles. And yes I used to have an ex armed police XC70 D5;so maybe I am biased but time will tell! 👍🏻

[@mahirahman3491]

What wait time have you been given? Want to order one for my next company car but if it’s over 8-9 months I’ll have to look at other options unfortunate

[@camp1nguy]

The storage is taken up by batteries. If you NEED that storage don’t get the hybrid version. I have had mine for about thee months and I love it. I plug it in during the day (2 1/2 - 3 hours) and let my solar panels charge it.

[@michielvans.6092]

Great and honest review guys! Drive it as a company car indeed 😂 Polestar Engineered version is a lovely drive. Suspension is good fun, only requires a jack to change the rear settings 😆

[@Betleyman7853]

I have an XC60 phev. It's a lovely vehicle but I agree that the controls are fiddly. The phev suits my driving pattern, lots of shortish journeys but I like the fact that range is not an issue for long journeys. I think my next car will be all electric though.

[@mho0]

Almost my words also (although I have V60 polestar)

[@stamfordly6463]

If it's a latter day 850 T5-R then presumably all the people who were interested in that car will be interested in this. The T5 was the ultimate Q-car, big enough to cart a wardrobe but would leave Max-Power kiddies at the lights.

[@Andersljungberg]

It was not the car that an ordinary Swede bought. A Swede bought a standard 850 2.4 with 140 HP simply a basic 850

[@sailingspark9748]

@@Andersljungberg I do miss my bog standard 850. Black on Tan with the lovely 5 cylinder attached to a 5 speed box. It was a rare beast here in the states as cars that big do not usually need to be shifted.

[@pioneer7777777]

44 mpg for a car that large seems quite good. Yes a mini can do better, but how much less space does the mini have? Also, I think the reduced fuel use and component wear in the PHEV version would make it worth it. As well as not polluting nearly as much (likely half the pollution or less over the lifetime of the vehicle.)

[@reimotube]

Exactly! This Volvo is a 2 ton car.

[@Andersljungberg]

in Sweden, Volvo is associated with being a people car that lasts very well and it is very easy to get spare parts for. and for the family who use the car the most when they have to drive to work and then pick up the children at kindergarten and at school and formerly to the grocery store and buy food and that food is placed in the back of the car. the long-distance trip can buy Easter or on holiday in July

[@AW-xj4un]

I have one of those inbound now. Fusion red - R Design. Volvo have removed lots from the MY22 version and like many other OEMs, they have moved too many basic functions to the touch screen and that is not a safe strategy. Edit...it's been on order since February 2021 and some functions aren't available because of the chip shortage.

[@joradcliffe565]

Surprised neither of you take issue with the white stitching used in the interior of so many of vehicles being reviewed which is going to look at least as bad as the gloss black after a short while.

[@s.hutzel7617]

Not a good review since he doesn’t seem to be familiar with the technical details of the car - obviously he did not put a lot of preparation effortnin it. The center console e.g., its huge but has no space since it‘s storing the batteries! It is one of the key features of this cars that sets it apart from its competitors, which all store the them under the rear compartment/trunk which thus shrinks by a lot when having the PHEV version - not so with the Volvo.

[@davidmccarthy6061]

I'm a weird American and love hot wagons.

[@johanmarnfeldt5262]

You need more wagons in America!

[@rwg2626]

Volvo has always been premium, people who know, know

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

The brand image, not the car itself.

[@danpaul4975]

Saw one of these in all black, looked quite menacing with the Thors illuminated

[@markknight3983]

Andy I think the batteries are stored around the transmission tunnel hence the lack of space in the centre console!

[@mho0]

Exactly. And I think that is excellent place to put a battery (as you need to put it somewhere)

[@e-redj]

It’s a nice Volvo, I reckon. But as you already mentioned, not with my money, but as a company car, anytime.

[@rocketdreamer]

Yes Volvo is premium

[@EverythingCarsandMoreECAM]

Great review. For the mode change there is a mode selector on the polestar plug in hybrid model. Strange this one don’t have it. Surprisingly the mg videos for me are the most popular

[@Andersljungberg]

in Sweden, you probably avoid buying a new diesel car if you do not want to pay a lot of tax. and of course you also do not get an environmental bonus of SEK 70,000 when you buy a diesel car today

[@IrenESorius]

Cheers from Sweden,, 🍻🍻😎👍‍‍👍‍‍!!

[@edmunek]

so you have said many times that you will come back to it and you never did.... 😕

[@kinross24]

Need a better camera mate. Low gain, low quality image, very difficult to see definition of black surfaces etc. Get some lighting maybe for those very dark interior cars. I always love your content and delivery of you guys. (Should be a stage act- Move over Ant n Dec)!

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Cameras brand new! Canon M50 MK2

[@davidsworld5837]

the effect was due to the drugs and drink and not switching camera to auto focus

[@edmunek]

@@ElectricVehicleMan That's not a good camera. what about lenses? lights?

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

@@edmunek It’s KZbin, not the BBC.

[@edmunek]

@@ElectricVehicleMan so why do you monetize this video if its just KZbin?

[@Andersljungberg]

You should have the car in hybrid mode not in sports mode and it is well expected that the car will be 60% driven in the city

[@timw1971]

Excellent video, guys. You need to clean that camera lens, btw.

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Which part?

[@timw1971]

@@ElectricVehicleMan The flare from the daylight across your faces. Looks like there is a thin layer of grease on the lens.

[@elbu2968]

2022 model does 80 km electric range

[@goblin457]

Take the Volvo badges off it looks a bit like a Jaguar nice colour

[@simonburrow1198]

Please stay still

[@davidsommen1324]

Why don't they make estates like this fully electric?? So frustrating. I would never even consider a PHEV. They're just completely redundant in my opinion. On the other hand the shape is so practical and efficient.

[@jonathansmith5850]

Totally agree. Hybrids are a waste. May as well just have standard ICE car

[@matthewjburt6482]

The MG 5 Long Range is the only reasonably priced estate available. Less than £30k for 250mile range plus good level of equipment. Build quality is less than the Volvo but with the price difference that's expected. As far as I'm concerned it's the best value electric car on the market. Have a look at it if you haven’t already. You might be pleasantly surprised.

[@Lewis_Standing]

I agree. PHEV man disagrees.

[@tomkeating5013]

Depends on your usage I suppose. A lot of people just use their cars for short range 90% of the time then go on the more occasional long distance journey which this would deal with well. Obviously if you're mostly doing long journeys then pure EV or pure petrol/diesel is the way

[@mrradman2986]

You'd have to be mad to put all your driving at the mercy of the power grid given the current issues which are only going to get worse in the winter which is exactly when a battery vehicle is going to suffer its worst range problems due to low temperatures. If you have a home PV setup and work a lot from home as I do you can take advantage of the electricity you generate for most of your day to day car use and still have the reassurance and convenience of long range motoring without worrying about charging. It's very much a car for a particular lifestyle which is one more and more people are moving to.

[@Supplementbenefits]

What's the miles on it?/MPG

[@jamesinbradford5882]

When I was looking 3 years ago for a car, the amount of cars that are sold has 5 seater when only 4 adults can get in is incredible. Transmission tunnels are a nightmare !

[@TeaBreak.]

Fossil cars are like seeing a steam engine. Interesting but rubbish if you have to actually drive one.

[@andymccabe6712]

I'm just wondering how old you are..?! Currently, almost everyone STILL drives an ICE car!! So it's completely normal! Here, in South Lakes, it's really quite unusual to even SEE an EV! A reasonable sprinkling of Tesla M3s, but very little else. Even then probably 1 or 2 on a typical local trip out..... I've never driven, or sat in an EV and I don't know anyone who owns one! (apart from my financial adviser - and he's got more money than sense and drives 50,000 miles annually so it's the right car for him..!!) So, the steam engine analogy is a bit premature, imo....!

[@TeaBreak.]

@@andymccabe6712 we owned an economical diesel and a performance petrol. Now we have the equivalent in electric. The only fossil car driven is hire cars on hols. 100%, fossil leaves me cold. Instant acceleration over sound effects is infinately better. Silky smooth and quiet motoring. Gearboxes even dual clutch are clunky affairs. When you get a good ev. There is no going back. Even the rigmarole of charging doesnt detract from the overall experience. ⚡👍

[@TeaBreak.]

Btw driven 750,000 miles. ;)

[@mho0]

@@TeaBreak. My next car will most likely be EV, but when test drove Tesla Model 3 it left me pretty cold. Funny thing that one of the downsides was huge (tyre) noise. For example this V60 is MUCH more quiet. Which is quite stupid as EV should be quiet. But naturally in next few years EVs will improve a lot and more and more models will come...

[@TeaBreak.]

@@mho0 Tesla Model 3 on paper is the best. BUT. I totally agree. Recently tested many £40k+ ev's, the only car that was a great place to sit was the Polestar 2 Performance. Option packs are a rip off but unlimited grip and power. Loved it. But saved over £10k and got a Kona for 300 mile range, which makes a massive difference. Edit- re. Model 3, it was noisy and bouncy on motorway and the new version has removed the ability to switch off regen on motorway so it's like driving in 3rd all the time, only option is to use cruise. No interest in any car when you cant disable regen on motorway.

[@mikehipperson]

Policeman to Volvo P60 interior, "Can you tell me where Andy EVM and Harry touched you?"

[@neilmaddox8745]

How many volvo buyers live in a terraced house with no off street parking???

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

?

[@neilmaddox8745]

@@ElectricVehicleMan why buy a plug-in? Just go full electric

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

@@neilmaddox8745 And if you have unreliable charging or need to tow a fair bit!

[@Sthilboy56]

Not many

[@neilmaddox8745]

@@ElectricVehicleMan is that your findings out and about??

[@hamshackleton]

20K for the car 25K for the badge!

[@wilkoone9155]

Ireland has just removed the remaining capital grant. I'd have to say the writing is on the wall for hybrids, anyone buying one now needs their head examined, 2030 is looming fast so the depreciation will be spectacular. No excuse now, buy a BEV.

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

And what do you say to those who currently couldn’t get one?

[@wilkoone9155]

@@ElectricVehicleMan The ideal situation for those unable or unwilling to buy a BEV is to stay with a circa 2015 ICE until 2030 - that way they will have the least depreciation & the widest possible options for the future.

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

You expect people to keep a car for 15 years?

[@wilkoone9155]

@@ElectricVehicleMan So ask people what their master plan is for the forthcoming changes, I bet most haven't given it any thought.

[@mrradman2986]

Looking at the price of electricity now this comment hasn't aged well.

[@mikegipson1224]

However... A lot of money for 4 seats...

[@devonbikefilms]

A PHEV,? It’s like getting every aeroplane to carry a horse……😂

[@davidsworld5837]

so the sign was for you two, one of you is on drugs and one is drunk. 44mpg = £1,40 a L = £6.30 a gallon so almost 14.5p a mile. and remember some of that 44mpg included some ev driving until the battery ran out

[@shedworks3196]

What is the point of phew, if you’re going to plug in go full electric, not impressed with this Volvo the last one x40 was so much better

[@mho0]

Well. No need to be so black/white. What if you need station wagon? What if you need towing capacity? What if you need to regularly drive long trips?

[@shedworks3196]

@@mho0 sorry cant let this go, i am not black or white, this is just car companies trying to justify and test the water. I myself feel they are pointless, need a station wagon, why would you. most seven seater or estate cars i see have 1 driver in them. I feel the towing question and long trips fall into You are a caravaner. well many words have been said on the Joys of the caravan, moving from a perfectly good house and drag a box you then live in it for days at a time, no electric, water or facilities must be perfect, but i can not see how they live with the gilt of causing so much traffic problems, thats why they invented Hotel's. i drive a prius plus seven seater, i was advised at the time with kids in uni of its uses, in 3 years i have never used the 2 rear seats, only twice used it to take one of the kids to uni, they take themselves now, it would have been cheaper to hire a van at the time with the amount of depreciation. 86% of people use the car to commute to work single occupant or to do the shopping, this is the same for me so this is why i have purchased a full electric car of a size that is easy to park and fine for my needs . PHEW is pointless when self charge are available hence the low sales of these vehicles 🐥

[@mho0]

@@shedworks3196 Thx for the answer :) And if you point is to say that PHEV would be pointless for YOU ... I guess you know it best and I am sure you are right. But IF you are saying it would not be good for anybody I still claim that is black/white view or just too negative view ignoring that everybody is not you and can have different needs. Many say that I have generally too positive view on everything ... so take that as starting point to my views. For certain use cases PHEV is very good technical solution. It does not fit to all use cases nor it is technically superior solution. What is good: * with quite small battery most of the people can handle their commute with EV mode * they do not have 'huge' battery, which supply will be limited for many years * it can still do everything old ICE cars can * if all new cars would be PHEVs total pollution in the world would go down much faster than with plain EVs (as there is not enough batteries, or charging stations etc.) It is not good: * long range driving (diesel is) * a bit longer commute (EV is) * it is complex (both EV + ICE tech) Why I want station wagon. It just way more practical than sedan. Only benefit of sedan is that some consider them better looking. For me for example Volvo and Audi wagons are better looking. Why not go to SUV. I do not like SUV personally. Too big. Size make them not that economical either. And many of them does not look nice to my eye (although lately many are pretty nice) And my V60 polestar with Öhlins dampers is quite nice to drive considering it is somewhat practical car (although not as practical than old Volvos but anyway...) And we have 5 person family with 2 german shepherds. Stuffing that to sedan ... as you know does not work. And as I do not like SUVs - > wagon is optimal choice. And yes, we have Caravan (not towing that all the time, but we have it). And I see that you are likely not trying that, but if you would try at least in Finland it seems that people having caravans are easy going, nice and positive people on average. We have also trailer which I use 10-20 times a year -> we have towing hook in all of our cars. PHEVs are selling extremely well in Finland. Naturally can be different for different countries. Anyway I think that as EVs get better PHEVs will go to be minority and EVs will dominate. Mainly because of complexity / cost. But all remaining ICE cars will have some kind of hybrid system to recuperate energy. BTW I am marketing to my retired parents (who typically drive just few KM per day) BMW i3 or Kona electric. Would be in my mind perfect for them.

[@greatestsportslegends]

Question... why do you Brits talk about distance in miles and speed in kph? So puzzling...

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

We don’t. We use mph.

[@williamclark6466]

??????????? I don't get it. I was so wanting to love this car, but it seems like Volvo have some things to work out to make it excellent. Here's wishing. Thanks for a great review fellas 👍.

[@domtdoodar99]

This or a Octavia IV RS

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Octavia given the huge price difference.

[@ghost70]

hang about an estate volvo has less nspace than a model y for storage !!! 1400 to 2100L !!!

[@briankavanagh7191]

Ghost are you including the frunk and space under the floor in the boot? Auto express quotes the back boot space is only 854L.

[@e-redj]

Oh, comparing a state with a minivan?

[@ghost70]

@@briankavanagh7191 1868l with seats down 849 with sets up.

[@ghost70]

@@e-redj model y is just a larger model 3 not a mini van

[@ukloneparent]

my children matter

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

That’s nice!?

[@davidsworld5837]

@@ElectricVehicleMan was that a Mrs Brown's that's nice.

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

@@davidsworld5837 More of a ‘huh!’ to a random comment.

[@MrGMawson2438]

First 😂 hello mate

[@shortymtb]

Good video but not a shock, another expensive EV so yeah... move along nothing to see here...

[@jonathansmith5850]

I just don’t see point in any hybrids. Plug in maybe maybe, but in all honesty I think manufacturers produce these to make people feel the are getting better emissions but it’s all rubbish. Most hybrids are no better economy than their plain ICE equivalents, which means their emissions aren’t really that much better. They just make people feel better about themselves and are also more convenient than full electric. I’ve got family who think they are better for emissions and I’ve probably been a bit harsh on them when I’ve made such comments, but it the manufacturers I get cross with. Hybrids I think keep full electric car prices high as companies keep producing ICE cars instead of making the full transition.

[@andymccabe6712]

Your use case has to match you car! If you get yourself a hybrid which achieves 30 or so miles electric - then most people can comfortably commute to work, charge and commute home. So, all electric - emissions free urban /suburban driving. Then petrol for longer journeys. This is obviously what they're dedigned for! However, you do have to actually make the effort to USE the EV bit! If there's a failing of PHEVs then it's human frailty......!!!

[@mho0]

@@andymccabe6712 yes exactly. If majority of your daily driving is like 30-50 km (or twice that if you can charge at work) hybrid is very good choice. In that kind of usage full EV is waste of batteries. If you drive 300km-600km or more daily for work for example, PHEV or EVs are pretty bad -> still go for diesel. Up to 300km or so EV is great choice (considering also winter time, when range can drop dramatically) Naturally as EV tech develops more this is changing 'every day'.

[@MrGMawson2438]

Volvo Have Fu*ked up with this

[@nigelweir3852]

Chinese Volvo , very long bonnet , not much of a boot in comparison to its ev competitors, back seats 2 only back looks like Skoda , price just stupid for ice which it really is and when you include fuel cost , car tax, congestion charge , devaluation , service costs, devaluation long term , extras that are basics on others , old design features . Volvo like MG a badge now owned by China. Polestar better bet . Poor handling

[@nev7991]

Ngl... thats kinda like calling rolls Royce German