Electrification is one of Volvo's top priorities as they are aiming to make their entire lineup greener by 2030. As a result, the T8 powertrain has been doing the duty in multiple Volvo models for the past few years. With a revamped version of this powertrain coming in the new 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range, Volvo has set the standards even higher for a plug-in hybrid luxury SUV.
Offered for a base MSRP of $55,845, which is about $500 more than the regular T8 eAWD, the 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range puts forth longer driving range due to an upgraded battery pack and a new powertrain that offers superior acceleration times. The SUV has a spacious and elegant cabin and is filled to the brim with features, too. Competing with the likes of the BMW X3 xDrive 30e and the Audi Q5 55 TFSI e Quattro, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range.
10 Striking Exterior Design
The present generation of the Volvo XC60 has always been a looker with elegant lines and sharp front-end design, and the same design language is carried forward to the 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range without major changes. Coming in three trim configurations, namely Inscription, R-Design, and Polestar Engineered, all of them gets minor changes to the exterior in the form of blacked-out treatment or other sporty accents.
The front end gets an updated Volvo logo pasted onto the middle of a slightly redesigned grille. The Inscription trim gets a heavy dose of chrome and the design looks very elegant. The new silver color is onboard, and there are minute changes to the overall exterior dimensions as well. The 20" wheels with machine finish, blacked-out pillars, silver roof rails, and the beautiful LED taillights see no changes. Overall, the design still looks fresh and doesn't show the age of the vehicle.
9 Interior Boasts Luxury And Elegance
Step into the cabin of the 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range and you would not be disappointed with the luxury it offers. Being a premium compact PHEV SUV from Volvo, the cabin is filled with top-notch materials everywhere. The dashboard comes covered in leather inserts, soft-touch injection-molded plastic, and contrastive stitching. There is a matte wood insert that runs throughout the width of the dashboard as well.
Unlike the rivals from BMW and Audi, the interior of the XC60 Recharge Extended Range has an aura that makes it feel even more elegant. The door cards also get a similar treatment in terms of materials. Unfortunately, there are no wood inserts on the door cards. The textile upholstery, which feels like wool, is as standard as Volvo has started to implement more sustainable materials in the construction. However, you could also opt for the Nappa leather upholstery in multiple shades if you wish.
8 Larger Battery Pack Is Offered
For the all-new Extended Range trim of the 2022 XC60, the battery pack does see an increase in capacity, which helps this compact luxury PHEV SUV to put out impressive fuel efficiency figures and a fully electric range. The three-layer battery pack has a total capacity of 18.8-kWh and that helps the car to give out a superior all-electric range of 35 miles on electric power only.
The earlier models sported an 11.6-kWh battery pack, and that was a bit restrictive in terms of electric range and the overall gas mileage. With this battery pack, it is now one of the most versatile models in the segment. The combined gas mileage of 25 MPG and the MPGe rating of 57 is exceptional for a car from the luxury segment.
7 A New Electric Motor Is Added
The 2022 XC60 Recharge Extended Range comes with a brand-new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged inline-4 engine and a single electric motor mated to an 18.8 kWh battery, producing a class-leading 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. This Swedish SUV offers punchy acceleration throughout the rev range and is an overall exciting proposition to drive on the open roads.
Unlike the older motor, which came with a supercharger as well, this new powertrain helps produce better performance, more refinement, and is more frugal too. The SUV does 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and a quarter-mile run in just 13.6 seconds, both of which are better than the rivals. The 8-speed automatic has reasonably fast shifts, and the E-AWD drivetrain helps put the power down effectively.
6 All The Driver-Assistance Features Are Standard
Safety is one section that sees no compromises in the 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range, and this is going to be a big reason why many family buyers would opt for it. The SUV gets most of the safety and driver-assistance features as standard, and the tough build quality remains unchanged.
The standard driver-assistance tech includes automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a few more. Features such as a 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode are part of the optional packages. Nevertheless, the car received a 5-star overall crash safety rating in the NHTSA crash test and the top safety pick + title in the IIHS crash test.
5 Google-Based Infotainment Is Quite Intuitive
The new Google-based infotainment system that has been doing the duty in the all-new C40 Recharge is present in the 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range. The infotainment comes in the form of a 9" touchscreen display which is tacked in the middle of the dashboard, similar to the previous Sensus Connect system.
We found the infotainment to be very intuitive and is a definite step up from the older infotainment which was laggy. All the features, such as wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, navigation, Bluetooth, and voice recognition are standard. However, the lack of Apple CarPlay is a serious omission. If you want a great audio experience, we would recommend you to get the optional Harmon Kardon audio system for an additional $800.
4 A Little Low On Refinement
The refinement level of the older T8 powertrain has never been great. The turbocharged and supercharged motor sounded very coarse higher up the rev range, and the car also felt a bit jerky, especially when switching back and forth between the electric motor and gasoline engine. Even though most of these issues are sorted to a huge extent, we still think that Volvo could have done better.
The engine does sound fruitier higher up the rev range, however, it can never be termed as a sporty engine note. The overall refinement level has seen an improvement as well, with lower wind noise and tire noise. Even then, we found the Lexus NX 300h and the Audi A5 55 TFSI e Quattro turned out to be better in terms of refinement.
3 Excellent Braking Performance
The drive selector that is attached to the center console now comes with a B mode, and this enables the regenerative braking system. The regenerative braking is on the slightly stronger side, and it does manage to stop the car pretty well. As a result, one-pedal driving is possible, and it doesn't bog down the driving experience as well.
Other than that, the regular brakes are excellent, with great initial bite and impressive braking progression as you press the pedal harder. The brake pedal also offers great feedback to the driver. The 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS with EBD, brake assist, and ventilated rotors are standard.
2 Spacious Cabin
The space has never been restrictive in any of the past five model years of the Volvo XC60, and the same is the case with the 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range. The front-seat passenger and driver are going to be happy with the well-padded seat and the excellent under-thigh and lower back support, along with the class-leading headroom and legroom.
The wide armrest and the textile upholstery further improve the comfort factor. Features such as heated seats, powered support with memory function are standard. The rear seat is also very spacious, and even people over 6 feet would find it to be a comfortable place to spend time. The transmission tunnel doesn't protrude too much, and the rear AC vents and the plush armrest make it a great tool for the highways.
1 Comfortable Ride Quality
The independent front and rear suspension system with airbags on all four corners make the ride quality a strong point of the 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Extended Range. Put the car in comfort mode, and the air suspension with adaptive dampers helps the car absorb everything thrown at it with ease.
Even if you drive the car on the highway, the ride quality is never compromised. The Sport mode makes the suspension a bit stiffer than the comfort mode, and this helps the car to ride almost flat. Even though the body roll is more noticeable than the Audi Q5 55 TFSI e Quattro, it is not going to be a deal-breaker by any means.