2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge

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Driven: The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge Is Premium Norsepower

by Ian Wright

Stodgy Volvo is long gone, and the Swedish company now has its finger on the pulse of the market. Its design is elegant, its engineering is purposeful, and it shows in the XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid crossover. For 2023, Volvo has replaced the Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription trim level names with Core, Plus, and Ultimate, with either Bright or Dark exterior themes on the two base trims. The fundamentals of Volvo remain the same however: high specification levels, solid build quality, and a soothing cabin to spend time in.

Three drivetrains are available for the XC60 overall, designated as B5, B6, and T8. The B5 powertrain uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 48-volt hybrid system making 247 horsepower; the B6 adds a supercharger to the engine for 295 hp, while the plug-in hybrid T8 uses the twin-charged engine and two electric motors for a total of 455 hp on tap. Our week was spent with the eAWD T8 Ultimate Dark model.

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge Models

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain	Price (MSRP)
T8 Core Plug-In Hybrid	2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid	8-Speed Automatic	All-Wheel Drive	$57,200
T8 Plus Plug-In Hybrid	2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid	8-Speed Automatic	All-Wheel Drive	$61,450
T8 Ultimate Plug-In Hybrid	2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid	8-Speed Automatic	All-Wheel Drive	$66,950
T8 Polestar Engineered Plug-In Hybrid	2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid	8-Speed Automatic	All-Wheel Drive	$74,150

See all Trims and Specs

Best Deals on XC60 Recharge

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Core Plug-In Hybrid

$59,190

15 miles

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Plus Plug-In Hybrid

$68,050

6 miles

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Plus Plug-In Hybrid

$68,040

6 miles

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Plus Plug-In Hybrid

$68,050

6 miles

See All XC60 Recharge For Sale

CarBuzz/Ian Wright

Style: Keeping It Elegant

There are only subtle changes for 2023, and all of these are for the options list. Our test vehicle swaps bright chrome for high gloss black, as the 'Dark' designation implies, and came dressed in Thunder Grey, but there are two new paint options for the new model year: Black Stone and Bright Dusk Metallic. There are also new wheel options; the XC60 Recharge comes standard with 18-inch Black Diamon Cut wheels in the base specification, but the Ultimate trim gets 20 inchers with the option to switch out for 21-inch and 22-inch items. Also available for the Recharge mode is a Polestar Engineered version that puts the XC60 on bespoke forged 21-inch wheels and gives it an exclusive grille. Any way you order the XC60 Recharge, it comes with Volvo's signature Thor's Hammer headlights, a panoramic moonroof, and roof rails.

CarBuzz/Ian Wright

Interior: Scandinavian Goodness

We’ve talked before about how Volvo gets it right in the details, with everything your hand might touch giving a feeling of quality. Even the base XC60 Recharge gets details like interior mood lighting along with dark gray Iron Ore aluminum trim and a tailored leather cover gear selector. The Ultimate is where Volvo shows off, though, with a crystal gear selector by Orrefors, a tailored dashboard and steering wheel, Nappa leather seats with ventilation, and Linear Lime wood trim. This trim also makes the wonderful Bowers & Wilkins sound system available.

While the XC60 falls under the compact crossover segment, it feels particularly roomy up front, and in the back, a couple of six-foot adults have little to complain about. Cargo space is down on competitors, but it's perfectly fine for the average small family.

CarBuzz/Ian Wright

Infotainment: Good, But Imperfect

It always feels like Volvo's infotainment is a step away from greatness and remains so, even with the update that integrates Google – including Voice and Navigation – into the system. The upright nine-inch touchscreen works great to control the infotainment, but Volvo still insists on digital heating controls, which gets annoying. The user interface is mostly easy to navigate through, and the shift to apps is half a step in the right direction. After four years, the Google system becomes subscription based, which seems off to us.

The digital information cluster is excellent, as is the heads-up display on the Ultimate trim, but it all feels like Volvo wants you to set and forget. Even the modes for the hybrid system are tucked away in the touchscreen rather than being attached to physical and easy-to-reach controls.

CarBuzz/Ian Wright

On The Road: Smooth And Punchy

We know from experience that going for the biggest wheels tips the XC60's ride quality over the “too harsh” line. On the smaller wheels, the hybrid's extra weight feels great until you hit some particularly rough pavement. For the most part, though, the ride from XC60's suspension upgraded with an air system is just right. The steering is light and accurate and has an option in the menus for a heavier setting. At higher speeds, the air suspension automatically lowers to help aerodynamics and, when parked, lowers itself to make getting in and out easier. Overall the XC60 Recharge is a pleasant cruiser with maneuverability and quick responses that make it easy to get a hustle going.

CarBuzz/Ian Wright

Drivetrain: Plenty Of Power

The XC60 Recharge has a complicated powertrain that includes a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine, a turbo, a supercharger, then two electric motors. The resulting 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque come suddenly when jabbing the accelerator pedal, and on the freeway when pulling out from, say, 60 mph, there's still power to spare to get out and overtake. However, speed demons beware – its top speed is limited to an arbitrary 112 mph. This is part of Volvo's aim to reduce injury and accidents in its cars. The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth when driving sedately and surprisingly quick when rapidity is important. We've yet to find it hunting for the right gear or getting confused on a slow back road.

In the menus, you'll find settings for the hybrid system. Auto and Power modes are self-explanatory, while Hold will hold the batteries charge wherever it is. Charge mode will charge the battery from the engine while you drive or are at idle. Pure mode is electric-only, and there's an all-wheel-drive mode and a low-speed off-road mode, too.

CarBuzz/Ian Wright

The extra punch from the hybrid's 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque means there's no situation the XC60 can't deal with competently, whether it's getting out of a junction with limited visibility down the road to safely to overtaking slower traffic on a back road. There is some torque steer from the motors at the front to be wary of, but nothing that's going to scare a driver that knows they have the power to spare.

On a back road, the XC60 can be fun, but it has no sporting pretension, which is fine with us. If that's what you buy a small crossover for, there's the Polestar Engineered version or you could look at rivals that have sportiness baked in from the start.

CarBuzz/Ian Wright

Should You Go For The XC60 Recharge?

We sit on the fence with the Recharge version of the XC60. While the drivetrain delivers plenty of power in just the right ways, there are two reasons you may look for a different one. With a supercharger and a turbo as well as battery-delivered power, there's a lot to go wrong down the road – although reliability is not a noted issue for Volvo's hybrids.

More immediately, 57 MPGe as standard for combined economy sounds great, but once the battery is used up after a full charge and goes into normal hybrid mode, you're going to get around 25 mpg. If the majority of your driving needs are around the 36-mile electric-only driving range, then it makes sense. However, beyond that, it's worth remembering the XC60 Recharge isn't as fuel efficient as most hybrids, and it runs on premium gas.

If your lifestyle works for the XC60 Recharge or you want that kind of power in a premium crossover, it's an excellent car. It's refined, stylish, and a pleasure to drive in both dynamics and interior comfort and quality.