AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY7/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS7/10
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FEATURES8/10
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POWER8/10
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COMFORT7/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY9/10
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VALUE7/10
We all love happy surprises — like finding an errant loonie between the couch cushions, or waking up and realizing there’s still hours to go until the alarm is set to go off.
That’s all good stuff, and here’s another: when your plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is easily capable of surpassing its official electric driving range by a sizeable margin. That’s the case with the 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge, marking the first of many pleasant surprises uncovered during a recent week-long test.
Fuel Economy: 9.5/10
The first time I unplugged the XC60 Recharge, it showed an indicated electric range of 67 km — more than its official estimate of 58 km. But here’s the real kicker: commuting in it with a mix of highway and urban stop-and-go traffic, the XC60 repeatedly managed more than 70 km before switching to the gas power.
This meant that for days on end the engine wasn’t used at all, with this Volvo acting like a proper electric vehicle (EV). Later in the week, I needed to travel from Hamilton, Ont., to Detroit and back, with no easy opportunity to recharge, and the XC60 still delivered an overall average of 7.7 L/100 km. That’s better than its official combined consumption rate of 8.5.
Power: 8.5/10
As impressive as the Volvo’s efficiency is, the slightly larger Lexus RX 450h+ is thriftier still — but it’s also a relative slug to drive by comparison. Whereas that Lexus uses a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder, this XC60 pairs a turbocharged engine with its electric motors, with 455 hp and a properly muscular 523 lb-ft of torque as a result.
On the road, it adds up to a rather exciting kick in the backside when the throttle is flattened to the floor. In typical electrified fashion, the XC60 Recharge launches away from a standstill with gusto, utilizing the standard all-wheel drive system to help with traction, but it’s the immediacy of its passing power at cruising speed that really impresses.
It should be noted that my tester was also enhanced with a Polestar Engineered Optimisation package that tweaks the software for greater throttle and transmission responsiveness, and more robust midrange power. It’s a $1,400 option that’s worth every penny for those who appreciate peppy performance in their PHEVs. [Try saying that 10 times fast–Ed.]
Driving Feel: 8/10
The XC60’s achievements aren’t limited to straight-line speed, either. Despite being a tall-ish SUV, its handling is composed enough to be moderately fun to attack on-ramps and a few back-road twisties without threat of sea-sickness. The steering, too, is precise enough to keep the drive enjoyable despite the lack of road feel.
Comfort: 7/10
I’ve yet to experience a Swedish vehicle that didn’t have brilliant seats, and this XC60 holds true to that. Firm and supportive, yet perfectly shaped to prevent any aches or discomfort after a long day behind the wheel, the Volvo’s thrones work well.
Unfortunately, the XC60’s suspension lacks compliance, and is done no favours by the big 21-inch wheels wrapped in unyielding performance tires. Dynamically, the Volvo’s suspension is its only real failing compared to the German competitors that manage a better ride-versus-handling trade-off. (That this tester came equipped with optional air suspension makes me wonder how abusive the standard set up is.)
Practicality: 7/10
The XC60 is decently roomy for a compact crossover, providing great head- and legroom front and back. The back seat has places for three across, but the middle spot will be cramped for an adult — typical of all the machines in this category.
The XC60’s cargo hold offers a reasonable amount of space for a family getaway, but by the numbers there’s notably less volume than the BMW X3 (468 L versus 770 L). Fold the rear seats and the space expands to a more useful 1,395 L, but again, it trails the roomiest competitors. This could, of course, come down to different measurement standards used by different brands.
Safety: 9/10
Unsurprisingly, the XC60 maintains Volvo’s reputation for safety, earning a five-star rating from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick from the not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It achieves this not only from its strong structure, but from the wealth of advanced safety features provided as standard equipment, including lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and digital vigilance when entering an intersection or even backing out of a parking space, looking for — and reacting to — anything that might be coming at the Volvo.
Features: 8/10
As a premium vehicle, the XC60 Recharge is equipped with niceties like heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and even a nifty air purifier that can help keep allergens out of the cabin. The audio system belts out the tunes through 15 speakers, amplified by more than 1,400 watts of power, and its sound is both powerful and also bright and crisp. Beyond that, there’s touch-free tailgate operation and mostly rich-feeling textures and materials throughout the interior.
User-Friendliness: 7/10
The XC60’s cockpit layout is essentially the same as most of the rest of the current Volvo lineup. The digital instrument display is configurable for all sorts of information, including integrated navigation. The vertically-oriented primary touchscreen utilizes Google’s built-in automotive operating system, with this being one of its earliest implementations. While AutoTrader Editor-in-Chief Jodi Lai experienced some glitches in the V60 Recharge she tested recently, as did I with the XC40 I drove a few months ago, the system worked smoothly during my time with this XC60.
The large volume knob is a welcome feature, while incorporating much of the climate system functionality and heated seat buttons into the infotainment system is tedious.
Styling: 8.5/10
The current XC60 was first revealed back in 2017, with a mild facelift done in 2021. In automotive terms, this should be a stylistic senior citizen, and yet the XC60 still looks fresh and contemporary today — a credit to the clean, well-proportioned design language this brand leans on.
My test unit was done up in Ultimate trim with a Black Edition package that added unique 21-inch blacked-out wheels, and all the trim — including the Volvo badging — was blacked out, too, lending a bad-ass look to this machine.
The interior is holding up equally well in its design, too. The central nine-inch screen is small by modern standards, but it doesn’t diminish the overall premium feel of the interior that’s brightened by this tester’s stylish crystal gear selector and splashes of wood trim.
Value: 7/10
The XC60 Recharge starts at a competitive $63,389, but so-equipped is pretty spartan. Select the box for the Black Edition package and it immediately adds $24,000 to the bottom line, adding not only the sinister styling, but also a pile of items that are piecemeal options on the base model.
My tester’s cost climbed to more than $90,000 before taxes, pitting it directly against a well-optioned X3 PHEV, and even the larger Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e. The Volvo’s straight-line performance betters those two, and its electric range is notably more generous than the Bimmer’s but worse than the Benz’s.
The Verdict
Pricey though it may be, the XC60 Recharge remains a highly competitive offering in the segment. The buying public agrees, and Volvo’s recent sales figures show a double-digit increase over last year, with the XC60 being the most popular model. In fact, Volvo’s Canadian website is currently showing that 2024 units have all been spoken for, meaning buyers will need to wait for a 2025 to call their own.
Having spent a week with the 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge, I get it. It’s a stylish, best-of-both-worlds SUV that benefits from electrification with a truly usable range and boost in power, while also enabling stress-free long-distance travel when needed. It’s a comfortable, easy-to-live with luxury crossover that continues to hold strong appeal in an increasingly diverse segment.
| Engine Displacement | 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 PHEV |
| Peak Horsepower | 455 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 523 lb-ft @ 3,000-5,400 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 8.5 / 8.5 / 8.5 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb, 3.5 Le/100 km; 58 km est. range |
| Cargo Space | 468 / 1,395 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Volvo XC60 Recahrge Black Edition |
| Base Price | $87,389 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,620 |
| Price as Tested | $97,919 |
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Optional Equipment
$7,810 — Bowers & Wilkins audio system, $3,750; Active air suspension, $2,350; Polestar Engineered Optimisation package, $1,400; Cargo privacy cover, $310
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