Although it’s technically a crossover, Volvo’s XC60 is at the larger end of the scale.
Based on the same platform as the excellent full-fat SUV, the XC90, it promises superb refinement and a high driving position.
It also promises good fuel economy, as it’s the Recharge plug-in hybrid version tested here.
You won’t be complaining about the choice of powertrain, as it’s the T6 – packed with 350PS from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, combined with an electric motor fed by an 18.8kWh battery.
If that’s not enough, there’s an even more powerful T8, based on the same engine, which produces 455PS.
Up to 49 miles of engineless driving is possible, while a full charge at a maximum charging speed of 3.7kW will take around five hours.
Company car users will rejoice, too, thanks to CO2 emissions of just 23g/km, while it achieves as much as 282.1mpg.
Zero to 62mph is over in 5.7 seconds. Indeed, the Volvo delivers propulsion effortlessly, making it ideal (if a bit of overkill, given its power and size) for tackling ring roads and eating up motorway miles.
The mid-range Plus-trimmed car has standard suspension, providing a comfortable ride. However, the adaptive air suspension in the Ultimate trim, which you can adjust yourself, offers an even smoother journey.
There is plenty of grip in the bends, but, being a reasonably high vehicle, the XC60 isn’t one for driving enthusiasts, as there’s quite a lot of body roll.
The interior is lovely, with a distinctly premium feel, while the touchscreen sits unusually portrait rather than landscape, flanked on either side by a vertical air vent.
The infotainment system is easy to use, with the screen being very responsive and crystal clear, as you’d expect, given it’s a Google-designed system. However, I’d rather not have to use the screen to adjust the temperature, which is fiddly to do on the move.
At least voice control is included as standard, which helps, while the digital instrument cluster is informative with sharp graphics.
Volvo’s seats are very comfortable and sit you high up, providing a decent view of the outside world.
The interior is spacious in terms of headroom and legroom, while there’s plenty of storage space, even though you lose some in the plug-in versions of the XC60 to accommodate the batteries. It loses a fraction of boot space, too, for the same reason – 468 litres versus 483 litres on the non-PHEV XC60s, but it’s not much of a loss.
The rear seats only fold in a 60/40 split, rather than the more convenient 40/20/40 found on several competitors’ cars, which expands the boot space to 1,395 litres in the Recharge versions (1,410 litres in non-Recharge models).
Safety-wise, the XC60 earned a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. Protective kit includes automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and adaptive cruise control, all as standard.
The Plus trim and above gets blind-spot monitoring and semi-autonomous steering through its Pilot Assist function, in addition to a 360-degree camera.
The Volvo XC60 Recharge is impressive, arriving well-equipped as standard, with brilliant safety, decent practicality and refined performance while retaining excellent fuel economy. The interior is lovely, too.
But, despite its impressive array of offerings, it has several rivals that can match it for all the above – and beat it when it comes to the driving experience.
Fast Facts – Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD as tested:
Max speed: 112 mph
0-62 mph: 5.7 secs
Fuel economy: 282.1 mpg (WLTP)
Engine layout: 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with electric motor, all-wheel drive
Max. power (PS): 350
CO2: 23 g/km
Price: £54,975
Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Volvo
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