Volvo V60 Recharge hybrid review
A luxurious interior, sharp looks and low running costs make the Volvo V60 Recharge hybrid estate a desirable package, particularly for company-car drivers
Pros
- Powerful hybrid engine
- Rock-bottom running costs
- Stunning styling inside and out
Cons
- Quite expensive to buy
- Not as much fun as a BMW
- R-Design fails to live up to sporty looks
| Model | Electric range | Fuel economy | CO2 emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recharge T6 | 54 miles | 256.5-353mpg | 18-25g/km |
Volvo V60 Recharge verdict
Overall, the V60 is an impressive addition to Volvo's lineup of Recharge plug-in hybrid models. We can understand why Volvo has kept the T6 version, because the T8 Polestar Engineered wasn't capable of BMW-like driving thrills despite the extra horsepower – and therefore isn’t worth the hefty price premium. Nevertheless, the plug-in Volvo estate manages to appeal in other areas with its comfortable ride, well-appointed interior and superb electric-only range.
Range details, specs and alternatives
The Volvo V60 Recharge is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of Volvo’s family estate car – itself the more practical version of the Volvo S60 saloon car. The V60 Recharge forms part of the Swedish brand’s extensive line-up of electrified models, sitting alongside the XC60 and XC90 PHEVs, as well as the fully electric XC40 and C40, to name but a few.
The plug-in hybrid V60 is a strong choice, even if many buyers prefer the raised driving position of Volvo’s SUVs. As a fairly large and relatively expensive plug-in hybrid, one of its key target markets is the company-car sector, where rivals like the Volkswagen Passat GTE, BMW 330e and Mercedes C-Class hybrid battle for customers.
Sporting the regular V60's sophisticated styling, the hybrid once offered the choice of T6 or T8 powertrains, but the estate is now T6-only. It pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine with a 143bhp electric motor for a total output of 345bhp. The petrol engine drives the front wheels while the electric motor works on the rears. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard.
Battery capacity for every version is 18.8kWh, and the customary set of plug-in hybrid driving modes is offered, letting you choose between using battery power alone, conserving the battery and prioritising the engine, or combining the two in either the most efficient or most powerful way. The latter will see the Recharge T6 accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds, while more gentle driving could see you cover up to 54 miles in zero-emissions, fully electric mode.
Making full use of the battery will get you close to the claimed fuel-economy figure of up to 352.6mpg, but the more you use the petrol engine, the faster it'll drop. However you drive the V60, though, its CO2 emissions of 18-46g/km (depending on the exact specification) keep company-car costs to a minimum.
Volvo offers the V60 hybrid in just two trim levels: Plus and Ultimate, which replaced the previous R-Design and Inscription. The old top-spec Polestar Engineered version – which has a small power boost compared to the regular car, as well as some extra kit – is no longer available. Standard equipment for Plus cars includes a powered tailgate, heated leather seats, keyless entry and four-zone climate control. Ultimate adds a large sunroof, a 360-degree camera, a premium Harman Kardon stereo system and additional driver assistance features. Both can be ordered with Bright or Dark themes for the exterior trim and several different interior upholstery choices featuring traditional and man-made leather, as well as recycled fabrics.
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