2023 Volvo S60 Recharge Review

 

INTRO

The Volvo S60 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid sedan that combines luxury, performance, and efficiency in a sleek and stylish package. The 2023 model is the latest iteration of Volvo's midsize sedan, which has been redesigned with a more aggressive look, a refined and spacious interior, a sporty drivetrain, and a host of advanced features and technologies.

Thanks to Volvo Canada, I was loaned the 2023 Volvo S60 for one week. Below is my unbiased review that will take a closer look at what the 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge has to offer and how it compares to its rivals in the segment.

EXTERIOR

The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge has a simple yet striking exterior design that showcases its Scandinavian heritage and its dynamic personality. The front fascia features a prominent grille with the Volvo logo, flanked by a pair of LED headlights with the signature Thor's Hammer daytime running lights. The lower bumper has large air intakes and a chrome trim that accentuates the width of the car. The side profile is sleek and elegant, with a long hood, a short trunk, and a sloping roofline. The rear end has claw-like LED taillights that wrap around the corners, a subtle spoiler, and hidden exhaust tips to make the car look like a pure EV. The S60 Recharge also enjoys unique elements, such as the T8 Recharge badge on the trunk lid, the charging port on the left front fender, and the exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels to distinguish itself from the regular S60.

INTERIOR

The interior of the S60 Recharge is designed to provide comfort, convenience, and luxury. The cabin is spacious and airy, thanks to its minimalist design. While simple, the cabin is well appointed, with premium materials, such as leather upholstery, wood trim, and metal accents.

The front seats are supportive and adjustable, with leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The rear seats are roomy and cozy, with ample legroom and headroom. The only downside is the large bump in the middle of the rear cabin floor. This will make sitting in the middle seat slightly less comfortable, but hopefully the unobstructed view provided by the panoramic sunroof will make up for it.

INFOTAINMENT

The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge has a state-of-the-art infotainment system that keeps the driver connected, entertained, and informed. The centerpiece is the 9-inch touchscreen that runs on the Android Automotive OS platform. The system is intuitive and responsive, with Google Assistant voice control, Google Maps navigation, Google Play Store apps, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless charging. The system also integrates with the Volvo On Call app, which allows you to remotely access and control various functions of the car, such as locking/unlocking doors, starting/stopping the engine, checking battery status and charging schedule, preheating/cooling the cabin, and more.

The S60 Recharge also has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that displays vital information such as speed, fuel level, battery level, driving mode, driver assistance alerts, and navigation directions. For audio enthusiasts, the S60 Recharge offers two premium sound systems: a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system or a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.

SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE

The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge has a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features. It comes standard with Volvo's City Safety system, which includes the following:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist/large animal detection
• Lane keeping assist
• Blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function.

The S60 Recharge also offers optional features such as

• 360-degree surround view camera
• Head-up display
• Park assist
• Pilot Assist, which is Volvo's semi-autonomous driving system that can steer accelerate, and brake for you on highways

DRIVING

The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge has an advanced drivetrain that delivers impressive performance and fuel economy. It is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that is both turbocharged and supercharged, producing 312 horsepower and 295lb.ft of torque. The engine is paired with an electric motor that adds another 143 horsepower and 227 lb.ft of torque, giving the S60 Recharge a combined output of 455 horsepower and 523lb.ft of torque. It is one of the most powerful sedans on the road. The power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The S60 Recharge can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, impressive for a luxury sedan. Being a plug-in hybrid, the S60 Recharge has an electric-only range of up to 64 km, much improved from the 35km range from before. Even after the battery is drained, the hybrid system offers impressive fuel economy. The official combined rating is 7.6 L/100km, which is close to what I observed. 

The S60 Recharge has four driving modes to choose from:

• Hybrid, which automatically switches between gas and electric power for optimal efficiency
• Pure, which uses only electric power for zero-emission driving
• Power, which uses both gas and electric power for maximum performance
• Individual, which lets you customize the settings to your preference

The default Hybrid mode provides a comfortable yet engaging ride. Which is where I left the car in most of the time.

On the road, the driving experience is simply spectacular. The S60 feels planted, balanced, and capable. It has a smooth and refined ride quality, with a well-tuned suspension that absorbs bumps and road imperfections. As soon as you step on the accelerator, the responsive drivetrain delivers that satisfying instant torque. It never lacks power, and can keep up with other premium sedans such as the Audi S4, the BMW 340i, and the Mercedes-AMG C43 with ease. The car also has a responsive and agile handling, with a precise steering that gives you good feedback and control. It is one fun and engaging car to drive.

CARGO SPACE AND STORAGE

The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge has a decent amount of cargo space and storage for a midsize sedan. The trunk has a capacity of 391L, which is slightly less than some of its competitors. However, the trunk has a wide opening and a low loading height, making it easy to load and unload your items. It also has a center passthrough that can be opened to allow for longer items.

The cabin has decent storage options. They include deep door pockets, center console cup holders, a glove box, a shallow storage bin under the center armrest, a wireless charging pad, and a sunglasses bin here you would normally find the driver's grab handle on the ceiling.

CONCLUSION

With the large battery pack and improved pure EV range, the 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge is one of the best PHEV luxury sedans on the road. It has a stunning exterior design, a premium interior, a cutting-edge infotainment system, a comprehensive safety and driver assistance package, a powerful and efficient powertrain, and a smooth and agile driving experience.

That is not to say the 2023 Volvo S60 doesn't have some drawbacks. It suffers from a smaller trunk space, and a slightly high sticker price. The latter could be justified with the amount of standard features includes.

Nevertheless, the 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge is one of the best sedans on the market, and deserves your attention if you are in the market for one.

Model Tested

2023 Volvo S60 Recharge with Black Edition Package

MSRP

$59,950 base, $67,450 as tested