Appearances can be deceiving, and this premise also applies to the automotive world. The Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 AWD R-Design has a sober, unflashy exterior that blends in with the rest of the SUV crowd. But underneath its BCBG design and generic silhouette lies an unsuspected fierceness.
Powered by a 18.8 kWh battery, this plug-in hybrid offers more ponies than the Mustang GT/CS; five more to be exact, giving it a total of 455 hp. Torque is not to be outdone either, with a whopping 523 lb-ft. Each green light is an excuse to take off in a heartbeat, enough to make some men jealous who, behind the wheel of their car, only dream of kicking up dust at every start!
Note that this guilty pleasure is only accessible in POWER mode, the other options available to you (Hybrid, Pure, Off-road and Constant AWD) will only curb your enthusiasm. However, if you’re not careful, the power you hold in your hands could backfire in the form of a hefty fine and a few demerit points! As you cruise along the winding country roads, it’s easy to get caught up with the agile performance of this compact luxury SUV and forget to pay attention to the kilometres that can unwittingly climb well over the limit.
Acoustic experience
Add to that the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, which you can check in the options list for a mere $3,750, and you’ll find yourself catapulted into a bubble of euphoria you’ll never want to leave. It’s well worth the investment, as it enhances the soundstage and provides a high-fidelity acoustic experience.
Nimble in corners, well anchored to the pavement, with good handling, a stiff chassis and an air suspension that keeps road bumps in the background, the XC60 offers a safe and smooth ride. It is like being in a compliant mini-tank, where you feel at ease and secure the moment you take the wheel. But unlike the Mustang, you’re not worried about losing control of the SUV’s rear end.
A haven of peace
Simple, instinctive, well put together and bathed in light thanks to its panoramic sunroof, the XC60’s cabin offers a true haven of peace. Like a baseball moth clutching a ball on the fly, the upholstery is enveloping and incredibly comfortable. The quality of the materials, the high level of soundproofing and the good visibility are all elements that add to the interior’s well-being. Moreover, no matter where they sit, passengers have plenty of headroom and legroom. However, this comes at the expense of cargo space, which is limited to 588 litres.
The multimedia system includes the Google interface in its basic functionality. As a devotee of Apple in all technological areas of my life, I didn’t have enough time to find my way around this setup in a week. Even when connected with a wire, I never managed to demystify this system that challenged my patience… After investigating, I realized that the Apple CarPlay interface was simply not accessible, go figure! I had to forget about using Waze for guidance, an application that has proven its worth and that I can’t live without, to avoid the traffic in the city, condemned to navigate under the yoke of Google Maps.
OK Google!
You also have to use the interface to access such basic functions as changing the driving mode or anything to do with the heating and air conditioning of the cabin, steering wheel and seats, as only a few controls remain on the dashboard. However, we can count on the Google Assistant, which with a simple “OK Google” executes our requests in a surprisingly efficient manner, allowing us to keep our eyes on the road instead of flipping through the various menus on the screen.
The XC60’s interior is beautifully finished with subtle and delicate details. Yet, the configuration of the centre console is a bit of a dark spot in the picture. It’s hard to explain this bizarre storage space with its oddly positioned 12 V outlet, next to the wireless charger where the phone rests on the coffee cup or bottle sitting in the cup holder. Add to that the gear selector that you have to push or pull, sometimes twice, to switch from one mode to another, as well as the “turn” button that is employed to wake up the engine. This area, in my opinion, could use a little improvement.
An abundance of driving assistance features
I won’t dwell on the numerous technologies and driving aids that are found in the XC60, for the list is extensive. Special mention must be made of the LED headlights that make midnight ride fun and safe with their active cornering lights and automatic high beams, the single-pedal drive option that makes you feel like you’re cruising in a fully electric vehicle, and the wiper blades that emit washer fluid. Considering the brand’s Nordic origins, I guess the system has proven itself when temperatures drop below zero…
DATA SHEET:
ENGINE: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine (312 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm / 295 lb-ft @ 3,000 – 5,400 rpm) paired with a 18.8 kWh lithium-ion battery (143 horsepower @ 15,900 rpm ) 228 lb-ft. @ 0 – 3,280 rpm
Eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive
455 combined horsepower with 523 lb-ft of torque
FUEL CONSUMPTION: combined 8.5 L/100km – in hybrid mode: 3.5
ELECTRIC RANGE: 58km
OPTIONS:
- Climate Package (headlight washers, heated rear seats and steering wheel) $1000
- Advanced Package (head-up display, Pilot Assit, 360-degree camera, air purifier) $2850
- Metallic paint ($900)
- Bowers & Wilkins sound system ($3750)
- Four-corner air suspension with Four-C shocks ($2,350)
- 21 inch alloy wheels ($1475)
- Custom instrument panel ($750)
PRICE TAGE FOR THIS VEHICLE: $89,575 (plus shipping and preparation fees of 2015$)
