mReview: Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV – The Perfect Ingredient For A Swede Life
The refreshed Volvo XC60 is a powerful and refined plug-in hybrid SUV with Scandinavian style in spades.
What’s Great
- The XC60 provides an extremely refined driving experience in every aspect, from powertrain to interior quality.
- One of the key updates is the XC60's plug-in hybrid system, now featuring a larger 18.8kWh battery with around 60km of range and a more powerful 143hp electric motor.
- A combined output of 455hp and 709Nm of torque allows the XC60 to rocket from zero to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds, way faster than you might expect a family SUV to accelerate.
What’s Good
- The large 11.2-inch centre touchscreen display is very high-definition and functions lag-free, especially useful when many car functions are locked within.
- One-pedal drive capability in a plug-in hybrid is rare and adds to the EV-ness of this PHEV.
- The XC60's rear cabin is spacious and offers plenty of room, even though the floor is not fully flat.
What’s Not Great
- No wireless phone mirroring is a bit of a miss, especially considering the price point and how well-equipped the rest of the car is. Although, the XC60's infotainment system does come pre-loaded with Google Maps and Spotify, so that might not be a big issue.
The XC60 is Volvo's mid-sized SUV, coming in between the smaller XC40 and the full-sized XC90, and offers loads of space for passengers and cargo.
In true Scandinavian style, the interior is clean, minimalistic, and functional. The two-tone Nappa leather upholstery adds to the premium feel of the cabin, too.
As part of its facelift, the refreshed XC60 gets some updated styling, including a new front grille, wheel design, and darkened rear lights.
The rear seats are spacious and comfortable, though there is a small central hump that eats into the floor space a little.
The XC60's 18.8kWh battery allows for an electric-only driving range of 67km on the WLTP Combined scale, more than enough for the average Singaporean's daily commute.
Premium touches like the crystal shift lever by Orrefors and the hand-stitched steering wheel level up the XC60's cabin even further, cementing the upmarket appeal of the car.
Apart from the 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system (that works a treat), the XC60 also comes standard with other nice-to-haves like heated and ventilated front seats with memory function, a heads-up display, and a huge panoramic sunroof.
The XC60 has a boot befitting a practical family SUV, with 468 litres in standard configuration and up to 1,395 litres with the rear seats folded.
| Volvo XC60 T8 Plus PHEV | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price (at time of publishing): $377,000 including COE | VES Band: A2 | |
Engine: Turbocharged 4-cylinder inline, plug-in hybrid |
Capacity: 1,969 cc |
Combined Power & Torque: 455 bhp & 709 Nm |
Transmission: 8-speed automatic |
Driven Wheels: All |
Consumption: 76.9 km/L |
0-100 km/h: 4.9 seconds |
Top Speed: 180 km/h |
Fuel Tank & Battery Capacity: 71 litres & 18.8 kWh |
|
Dimensions (L x W x H):
4,708 mm x 1,902 mm
x 1,653 mm |
Wheelbase: 2,865 mm
|
Cargo Capacity: 468 litres |
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