2023 Volvo S60 Recharge: A classy, tech-savvy plug-in hybrid
In the realm of luxury cars, there is a wide variety of SUVs available as plug-in hybrids. But when you turn to the sedan side of things, the numbers are pretty thin.
One company that remains committed to this type of model, which bridges the gap between gas-only rides and full EVs, is Volvo, which offers multiple plugin hybrid sedan options.
I recently tested the 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge, a stylish entry-level luxury sedan that oozes class and is packed with technology and safety features.
LOOKS
Minor changes were made to the exterior and interior of the 2023 S60 Recharge, which remains a stylish luxury ride with typical Swedish minimalism in its design.
The S60 Recharge I tested featured: 19-inch black alloy wheels with all-season tires (18-inch wheels are standard); Panoramic moonroof with power sunshade; Illuminated door handles, and a high gloss black mesh grill, black window trim, and other unique touches.
All S60 Recharge models come with adaptive LED headlights, auto-dimming exterior and rearview mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, interior ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats.
LIke the exterior, the interior of the Volvo S60 Recharge is truly high-end without being too gaudy. The design is sleek and attractive and user-friendly. Seating is extremely comfortable for the driver and the heated seats work well and quickly.
All models other than the base will get you leather upholstery (base offers simulated leather). One interior feature that stands out is the unique crystal shifter knob, which is unlike anything you’ll find on rivals.
Legroom and headroom in both rows is extremely generous, and all passengers will be comfortable on rides short and long.
HOW’S THE RIDE?
The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid powered by a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, which pairs up with an electric motor, eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard electric All-Wheel Drive system.
Combined numbers on the S60 Recharge are a whopping 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque (312 horsepower direct-injected, plus 143 horsepower from the electric motor).
Four drive modes are offered: Hybrid, Pure, Power and Constant AWD. Hybrid mode is recommended for most everyday driving, and Pure model prioritizes use of the electric power. Power offers the sportiest ride quality when you want to put those horses to use and aren’t worried about fuel mileage. And the Constant AWD mode improves traction for situations like slippery roads or towing.
Getting right to the point, the 2023 S60 Recharge offers one of the most enjoyable rides I’ve ever experienced in an electric or plug-in hybrid. The ride is as smooth and quiet as it gets, handles extremely well on both straight and curvy roads. And the driver is extremely comfortable at all 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge
times.
Acceleration is exceptional, with a 0-to-60 time just a hair over 4 seconds. This is no surprise given the hefty stats on the S60 Recharge power plant. Whether driving it with gas or an EV mode this is a truly enjoyable experience that will quiet some doubters of how well EVs can drive.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
Volvo’s vertically designed infotainment system is now Google-based, and works very effectively. A large main screen up front and center is easy to operate by touch controls as well as voice commands. The Navigation system, based on Google Maps, was responsive and reliable, and you get standard Apple Carplay and Android Auto for smartphone integration. Bluetooth connectivity enables streaming for music and phone calls.
If you don’t want to mess with the physical controls, most of what you need to do can be done without touching the screen at all, via voice commands.
You get satellite radio (with a trial subscription), and four USB-C ports in the S60 Recharge, plus several high-quality options for your stereo system, including a Bowers & Wilkins premium system that will run you $3,200.
Volvo also offers an app that allows you to remotely lock or unlock the car, and remotely start the car.
Moving on to the safety features, it should be no surprise when I tell you Volvo delivers a full array of options in this area, including many standard features. Volvo has long been a pioneer for vehicle safety, so the S60 Recharge is just continuing that legacy.
Among the most helpful features are:
• Forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking (warns if front impact is imminent and applies brakes if needed)
• Blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot intervention (steers car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle’s blind spot)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (alerts if vehicle behind is about to cross your vehicle’s path while in reverse)
• Lane departure mitigation (warns of lane departure when turn signal isn’t used, can steer vehicle to maintain lane position)
• Rear parking sensors (alerts to obstacles that may not be visible behind vehicle when parking)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect imminent collision with object behind the vehicle)
• Driver attention warning (issues alert if sensors determine driver is too tired)
Other advanced features include a Heads-Up Display
to help keep the driver’s eyes on the road, a very helpful 360 Surround View Camera with a bird’s eye view, and the Pilot Assist Driver Assistance System with Adaptive Cruise Control.
The PIlot Assist system is a solid semi-autonomous driving system that allows the driver to trust the vehicle to take control, while still being attentive to road conditions and able to take command if needed. I tested the system and found it to work extremely well, even on curvy roads, and it warns you when you need to take over.
When it comes to safety, the Volvo S60 Recharge has the credentials to take on any vehicle in the luxury sedan segment.
FUEL MILEAGE
Looking purely at the fuel-only gas mileage, the 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge is rated by the EPA at 31 miles per gallon. Combining it with the electric power, and you jump up to a 74 MPGe rating.
The reality for me in testing was I experienced a real-world number of 28 mpg when driving with gas only.
The electric-only range is 41 miles, which combined with the gas fuel mileage gets you to a total of more than 500 miles of range.
While the 41 miles isn’t a huge number, it’s strong enough that people with short commutes and limited daily mileage can recharge at home multiple times each week and rarely have to resort to filling up the vehicle with gas.
The S60 Recharge’s 18.8 kWh battery will charge from your home charger in roughly five hours, assuming you’ve installed a Type 2 charging cable … which I recommend to anyone buying a plug-in hybrid or EV so you’re not relying on public charging stations.
PRICE
The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge I tested, in the Ultimate trim level, was priced at $63,690 after options. The S60’s base price starts just over $42K for the gasonly option, and around $52K for the Recharge.
Recharge trim levels include Core, Black Edition, Plus, Ultimate and Polestar Engineered.
While these prices definitely aren’t bargains, they are reasonable considering the overall landscape of luxury car pricing, which quickly escalates with most of the top brands. And the truth is you’re getting a lot for your money, even if you opt for low to mid trim levels.
Warranties are also decent, including 48 month/50K mile overall and powertrain coverage, 144-month corrosion protection, and three years/36K miles of complimentary maintenance.
BOTTOM LINE
The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge is a powerful yet fuel efficient ride. It offers car buyers a strong, understated yet classy entry into luxury vehicles, at a price that beats many rivals. And being a plug-in hybrid, it allows drivers to move toward an EV without fully committing to electric power.
If you’re a fan of upscale and stylish vehicles with strong technology, safety credentials, a powerful ride, and want an eco-friendly alternative, the Volvo S60 Recharge is right up your alley.