Launched in 2017, the second generation of the Volvo XC60 receives its first restyling. Interface signed Google on board, extended autonomy in electric mode, redesigned range… or the opportunity to take the wheel of its best-selling version, the rechargeable hybrid XC60 T6 with a combined 340 hp.
Car tested: Volvo XC60 Recharge T6 AWD
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From€72,130
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The Volvo XC60 is 5 years old. Suffice to say too much in the premium universe, fond of novelties and increasingly large touch screens… or if possible more than that of the neighbor. The display of the XC60 is limited to 9 inches diagonally – it is less than that of a Peugeot 308 from 2022 -, and its vertical layout immediately evokes Tesla, whose large slabs culminate at 17 inches. Waiting for a one-upmanship from Volvo would be unfamiliar with the Swedish manufacturer, whose warm interiors and balanced features have always favored elegance over spectacle. That the restyling barely upsets the shields is therefore the first good news, the XC60 having not taken a wrinkle in the bodywork.
The remodeling concerns other points. We announce new seats, recalibrated driving aids, a screen (again) now animated by a Google interface like that of the little brother XC40. And rechargeable hybrid versions T6 (340 hp combined) and T8 (390 hp) at thefrankly extended autonomy in 100% electric mode. No more 54 km maximum homologated in the WLTP mixed cycle: the battery increased from 11.6 to 18.8 kWh of gross capacity pushes the radius of action to 78 km maximum. Electric power finally peaks at 145 hp (87 hp previously), while the four-cylinder turbo stagnates at 253 hp. Like him, the price remains stable and that’s good, given its altitude.
Price XC60 T6 Recharge
Presented last year, the restyling preceded other developments in May 2022. Volvo thanked the B4 petrol and B4 diesel 4 x 4 versions, which were too badly damaged, chased away the old names (Momentum, R-Design and Inscription are replaced by Start, Plus and Ultimate) and made the XC60 T8 available outside the expensive Polestar Engineered (€87,480). Our XC60 T6 starts at €72,130 in a very well endowed call finish, but we are evolving here in the premium sphere. Therefore, even the Ultimate level at €80,230 offers tempting extras: excellent air suspension (+ €2,430), unforgettable Bowers & Wilkins audio system (+ €2,700), pretty 21-inch wheels (+ €840). Even if it means breaking the bank to buy a Volvo…
The list of options unfortunately omits a more powerful on-board charger, to replace the standard one limited to 3.7 kW only. Battery recharge time? Five hours at least on Wallbox or public terminal of 7, 11 or 22 kW, against 13 hours on domestic socket which will therefore be sufficient for daily use (night refueling). Unlike a Range Rover Evoque P300 capable of recovering 80% charge in 30 minutes on a fast terminal, the XC60 will not be able to regain a lot of “juice” for an appointment, lunch, or a break. long drive sandwich. Too bad, because its good electric autonomy makes it possible to effectively reduce fuel consumption.
Driving
Start button rotated a quarter turn, two flicks (instead of one before) on the micro-gear lever to engage forward gear, and here is the XC60 ready for tens of kilometers in silence. Battery fully charged, it covers up to 70 km in town, 60 km on the expressway and just over 40 km at 130 km/h. Values almost doubled compared to those of the old version in real use. Sufficient to ensure daily journeys without recharging or to significantly reduce fuel consumption on long journeys. During a 200 km motorway journey started with full battery (and started with 30 km in town and traffic jams), our XC60 posted an average of 7 l/100 km when it peaks at more than 10 l/100 km, battery empty , at 130 km/h.
A diesel would not have done better… nor shown the same approval because the XC60 T6 avoids the usual defects of plug-in hybrid models. The reminders, very effective, do not require any latency time between the depression of the accelerator and the awakening of the heat engine, always discreet. The 72 l unleaded tank does not require too frequent refueling on the motorway. The front axle, rather incisive, and the steering, light but precise, do not give the feeling of moving a 2.2 t machine on a tortuous road.
As for mode B, which reinforces the recovery of energy on deceleration and dispenses with using the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, it is called with a flick on the lever and quickly becomes natural when entering the villages or to come to a stop after subtly decreasing braking. The optional air suspension flies over them smoothly, even with the huge 21-inch wheels, and reinforces the attractive versatility of the XC60 T6: extremely smooth in town; nice liveliness on the road; silence and comfort on the highway.
Thanks to careful calibration of controls, damping and driving aids, which dispense with poking around in the touch screen menus to deactivate the lane departure warning (very discreet on a winding road) or to juggle between the different driving modes (the Hybrid program is perfect). Only oversight? A physical air recycling key, which would avoid much pressure on the touch screen when a sudden cloud of smoke requires you to quickly close the hatches. The only hitch to the fluidity of the Google interface which should inspire the home systems of other manufacturers.
Here, a catalog of applications (accessible free for four years) offers Google Calendar, Google Music, Youtube, Spotify, but also and above all Google Maps as an integrated navigation system. No need to connect your smartphone to benefit from efficient guidance, relevant voice commands and reliable traffic information. In addition, unlike the classic Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connections (which are also unavailable), the map is displayed directly between the counters in this intuitive and natural ecosystem. It seems silly, but it is nevertheless rare, even at this level of the range.
On board
Competition
By pushing its approved electric range to a maximum of 78 km, the Volvo XC60 gets some air against his rivals plug-in hybrids. The Audi Q5 50 TFSI e peaks at 62 km (for 299 hp combined) and the BMW X3 30e (292 hp), at 50 km. Limited to 46 km maximum on the old generation, the Mercedes GLC 300 e has just presented its new generation, announced with more than 100 km of autonomy (like the Class C 300 e here on test). In addition, the Volvo XC60 imposes a standard endowment and a high cumulative power which propel its appeal price to 72,380 € when it starts at 62,250 € at BMW, 64,810 € at Audi and 65,380 € at Mercedes (current GLC). A futile remark in the premium circle, since almost all customers shun entry-level versions.
Find the results of the test, the technical sheet, as well as all the prices and equipment of the XC60 T6 Recharge on the following page.
