Volvo S60 Recharge T8 hybrid review
Excellent company-car running costs count in the Volvo S60 Recharge T8's favour, but it's not as sporty to drive as its looks suggest
Pros
- Striking, sporty looks
- Excellent running costs
- Superb interior fit and finish
Cons
- Only in expensive trim levels
- Inefficient when battery runs out
- Not as fun to drive as you'd think
| Model | Electric range | Fuel economy | CO2 emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recharge T8 Plus | 56 miles | 141-403mpg | 17-46g/km |
| Recharge T8 Ultimate | 52 miles | 141-403mpg | 17-46g/km |
Historically, the Volvo S60 saloon lined up alongside its V60 estate counterpart, as well as the S90 saloon and V90 estate, and XC60 and XC90 SUVs, in the Volvo plug-in hybrid range. The XC40 completed the offering in 2020, with a slightly less powerful drivetrain.
However, as of November 2022, Volvo stopped offering the S60 in the UK, citing "supply and demand" issues for its removal from the model range. The brand says it will continue to "re-evaluate its product portfolio" – suggesting the S60 could be reintroduced in the future.
Despite appearances, the S60 T8 is actually quite a quick car. It pumps out 448bhp in both Plus and Ultimate (previously R-Design and 'Polestar Engineered') form, though keen drivers will be disappointed to find out it's not really a pure-bred sports saloon: while very fast in a straight line, it can't match the likes of a BMW 330e for handling finesse on a twisty backroad. That's probably not going to be a priority for many T8 buyers, however. With its ultra-low CO2 emissions of 40g/km and generally affordable running costs all round, this is a car designed to appeal to company-car users above all.
And they'll find lots to like here, with serene motorway cruising ability allied to one of the best interiors in the business – even if that effort to be sporty means ride quality isn't as good as it could be. Overall, the Volvo makes for an interesting alternative to a BMW 330e or Mercedes C-Class hybrid. For private buyers, the high list price – a consequence of the T8 drivetrain only being offered in the top two trim levels – could be a barrier, however.
The S60 Recharge T8 is a pretty practical family car, although for ultimate carrying capacity, the V60, or even the larger V90, are the obvious choices. Passenger room is generous, with tall adult able to sit in the back behind a tall driver without complaint. Boot space is also reasonably competitive with rivals.
To achieve those headline 100mpg+ fuel-economy figures, you'll need to make full use of the S60's 50-plus-mile electric range on a regular basis, ideally topping up the battery every evening at home. But if this car fits in with the type of journeys you typically do – and if it's available on your company-car list – it could make a very cost-effective choice indeed.
For more on the Volvo S60 Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid, check out our experience of running one for several months or read on for the rest of our in-depth review...
