2023 Volvo S60 Recharge AWD Final Black Version

Class: Premium Midsize Sedan

Passenger capability: 5

Colour: Onyx Black Metallic

Miles pushed: 140

Actual-world gasoline financial system: 52.0 mpg

Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway

EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 74 MPGe/31 mpg (metropolis/freeway mixed)

EPA-estimated EV vary: 41 miles

Gasoline kind: Premium gasoline really useful

Base value: $57,950 (not together with $1095 vacation spot cost)

Choices: Local weather Package deal ($750), particular paint ($695),

Worth as examined: $63,690

Fast Hits

The nice: Elegant understated look, athletic character

The great: Spectacular plug-in hybrid vary, snug journey

The not so good: Could possibly be roomier, expensive in Recharge trim

Tom Appel:

Query: How typically to you buy a brand new equipment or digital system, and fail to make the most of the merchandise to its full potential? Right here’s an instance: I personal a pleasant Nikon digital camera which has video functionality, however I’ve by no means gotten round to studying the right way to use it for that goal. Simply photos thus far. As an alternative, I document what video I want on my telephone, which desires slightly when it comes to high quality.

However a pleasant digital camera solely prices a couple of hundred {dollars}. What in case you had been to purchase a pleasant automotive, and by no means absolutely maximize its potential? I ask as a result of analysis shared earlier this yr means that the drivers of plug-in hybrid autos are largely NOT plugging in. That is disgrace within the broader sense as a result of federal tax credit might have been distributed to no good finish, and in a narrower sense as a result of automobiles just like the Volvo S60 Recharge are such good rides when working on battery energy. To be honest, the S60 Recharge is at all times a pleasant automotive, it’s only a lot higher after plugging in.

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Reality: Volvo’s 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, accessible in numerous configurations, is a spunky little powerplant—environment friendly, too—however not particularly refined. In reality, related engines from BMW, Ford, and Basic Motors, amongst others, are a lot smoother and quieter in operation.

However, within the case of the Volvo S60 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid with a wholesome EPA-estimated 41 miles of electrical vary, the gasoline engine doesn’t get used all that a lot—at the least not in routine weekday driving—and the overall goodness of Volvo’s smallest sedan actually shines via.

And in regards to the plugging in factor: It’s not only a matter of drivability. Extra on that in a second.

Costs for the standard 2023 Volvo S60 begin round $42,000. The least-expensive plug-in hybrid Recharge begins a full $10,000 larger. For that $10,000 you get a substantial bump in accessible horsepower, from 247 to 455, and, as talked about earlier, greater than 40 miles of EV operation.

That 455 horsepower breaks all the way down to 312 coming from the gasoline engine, and 143 from the electrical motor. Throughout EV operation, the gasoline engine is just tapped as wanted, for added oomph throughout acceleration and for passing and merging, or, simply lead-footed enjoyable.

The Recharge’s gasoline engine (which is turbocharged and electrically supercharged) and electrical motor are mated to a smooth-shifting 8-speed computerized transmission. To energy the motor, an 18.8-kWh battery is a part of the system; it may be absolutely charged from fully depleted state on a level-2 house charger in about 5 hours.

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Shopper Information just lately spend per week evaluating a 2024 S60 Recharge AWD Final in stealthy Black Version trim. The Final gear group provides $5450 to the underside line, whereas the Black Version trim bundle ups the ante by one other $2340. Additionally accessible, however not included on our take a look at car, is the Polestar Engineered bundle, which provides a cool $16,800 to the tab, and contains such go-fast goodies as a sport suspension, Brembo-brand high-performance brakes, and distinctive 19-inch alloy wheels.

As for the Black Version bundle, it attire issues up with a novel black grille, particular badging, particular black-leather and textile upholstery, and a charcoal-black headliner. It’s a cool look, and for the worth we’ve got no complaints. Be aware that metallic paint, at $695, is a required choice with the bundle.

We famous earlier that the S60 is Volvo’s smallest sedan, nevertheless it performs in an odd house someplace between compact and midsize. It’s 113-inch wheelbase falls proper between the compact Cadillac CT4’s 109-inch wheelbase, and the midsize Cadillac CT5’s 116-inch stretch. But, although tough to categorize, we discovered the S60 each loads roomy within the entrance row, and tidy sufficient to simply squeeze via visitors.

The doorways of the S60 will not be particularly giant, which may complicate entry and exiting for bigger of us, however there’s loads of room as soon as behind the wheel. The cabin itself feels contemporary, trendy, and upscale. Like all At present Volvos, the touchscreen interface offers fast entry to many capabilities, however not all. Many lesser-used capabilities, together with audio tone controls, are buried in submenu that’s tough sufficient to seek out that many people may hand over making an attempt. That mentioned, the system seems good, and the graphics are easy, brilliant, and simple to learn in direct mild.

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Regardless of the S60’s rakish silhouette, outward visibility is usually good. The low roofline takes a toll on rear-seat headroom, nevertheless, and moving into and out of the rear-seating space could be difficult for taller passengers.

However on the highway, the S60 Recharge shines, once more, particularly when absolutely charged. From a cease the automotive pulls away quietly and with turbine-like smoothness. Push the pedal slightly tougher and the gasoline engine will begin up and offered extra energy, however in routine driving that hardly ever occurs.

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For no matter cause, Volvo’s sedans and wagons appeared to be tuned for higher dealing with than the Swedish maker’s crossovers, and the S60 isn’t any exception. Whereas BMW 3-Sequence, the S60 is a deft handler, that includes wonderful management in corners, nicely managed lean, and direct, correct steering. Regardless of the athletic poise, the S60 serves up refined high quality, and wonderful long-haul-trip consolation. Wind and highway noise are saved nicely in examine, too.

Oh, and at $3200, the Bowers and Wilkins premium audio system is a giant add. We had been mighty impressed by the sound, however suspect the improve could be misplaced on some customers. Should you’re not particularly critical about your music, you could not admire the worth right here.

Charging as typically as handy—which is all that may be requested of a plug-in-hybrid proprietor–we noticed 52 mpg. Be aware that had been a weekend not a part of our analysis, we might have consumed no gasoline in anyway. This as a result of our take a look at drivers are all inside 20 miles of the workplace, the place our level-2 charger is positioned.

Paying $10,000 to improve from the usual S60 to the Recharge can’t be justified by gasoline financial savings alongside. Fortunately, the handsome sedan enjoys enhanced energy and refinement as a part of the improve. And, the Recharge shall be value extra at trade-in time. So, must you go along with the Recharge? We are saying sure, however provided that you put in a house charger, after which provided that you trouble to truly cost the automotive.

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