You might imagine that an SUV or a crossover is the proper car to hold your family members from level A to level B, however I’m right here to inform you {that a} good-old original station wagon remains to be one of the best family-friendly resolution. There are a number of causes for this which I’ll be very happy to run by you in my newest evaluate of the 2024 Volvo V60 Recharge.

It’s unhappy to see how the station wagon – a well-liked kind of car in different components of the world – has taken a backseat to SUVs within the U.S. and Canada. Take a peak at Volvo’s 60 Series (the S60 sedan and V60 wagon) gross sales figures, and you will see it for your self; lower than 15,000 models have been shipped on this continent final yr. It’s much more miserable when you think about that Volvo offered more than three times as many XC60 crossovers throughout the identical interval.

But you already know what? I do not care. I’m nonetheless going to go forward and suggest this earlier than an XC60, and also you’re about to search out out why.

2024 Volvo V60 Recharge

The fantastically understated Volvo V60 Recharge is a singular automotive. First, it is a sensible wagon, a kind of car that is develop into a uncommon breed on this aspect of the pond. Second, it is a plug-in hybrid, a know-how no different wagon offered in North America at the moment affords. And third, it is quick! The V60 proves that you do not at all times want an SUV to satisfy your loved ones duties.

Model

V60 Recharge

Engine

Turbocharged 2.0L Inline Four-Cylinder Plug-In Hybrid

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic

Horsepower

455 HP (Combined)

Torque

523 LB-FT (Combined)

Driveline

AWD

Range

41 Miles

MSRP

$71,250

MSRP (As Tested)

$71,250

Fuel Economy

26 MPG/74 MPGe

0-60 MPH

4.3 Seconds

Pros

• Beautifully styled and constructed, in and out.
• Will out-accelerate some purpose-built sports activities vehicles.
• Decent electrical vary for many every day duties.

Cons

• Not low cost.
• EV mode ditches all-wheel drive.
• Limited rear legroom.

2024 Volvo V60 Recharge First Impressions

While I’m fairly conversant in the Volvo S60 sedan, the final time I drove the V60 station wagon was approach again throughout its product launch in 2019. That’s proper, that is how lengthy this automotive has been on sale in its present type, but, it nonetheless appears adequately engaging, now would not it?

At this level, it is develop into cliché to affiliate Volvo vehicles with a good looking Scandinavian design. It’s anticipated on condition that the corporate is Swedish. Yes, I do know that Volvo is now owned by Chinese giant Geely, however all of the design, the engineering and the cold-weather testing remains to be finished in Gothenburg.

Look, the V60 appears good as a result of it has elegant, sporty proportions, a menacing entrance finish adorned with the corporate’s iconic Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, and the model’s anticipated oversize taillights for, you already know, improved security. The package deal is then wrapped in a fantastically understated demeanor that is by no means too loud, however by no means too refined.

All V60 Recharge fashions at the moment are “Polestar Engineered”, which supplies them the gorgeous 19-inch wheels you are seeing in these images. Behind these wheels, the signature Polestar Brembo brake calipers, in gold

Driving Impressions And Performance

Polestar Engineered mainly signifies that the automotive was tuned by Polestar by means of improved chassis dynamics and brakes. It was additionally fitted with a set of Öhlins efficiency shock absorbers.

The Recharge plug-in hybrid drivetrain (internally known as the T8) can be the V60’s most potent. It combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electrical motors; one which acts as a generator to energy the automotive’s equipment, the opposite put in on the rear axle, driving the rear wheels. A 14.9-kWh liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery ensures full electrical locomotion for as much as 41 miles. The total setup is then mated to an eight-speed automated transmission.

What’s significantly spectacular about this drivetrain is the quantity of mixed output it places down. When every thing is working in sync, the all-wheel drive V60 is sweet for a mixed 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque, or 0 to 60 MPH in lower than 4.5 seconds.

Volvo additionally did an awesome job of fixing the throttle delays of the early vehicles. While it nonetheless takes a short while till the entire drivetrain understands what you need from it, it is loads faster to react and, extra importantly, significantly extra coherent when every thing operates in tandem.

Your greatest wager if you are going to carry out with the V60 is to set the automotive to its Polestar Engineered mode. That’ll quicken up response occasions when flooring that throttle.

Each time I drive the S and V60, I’m reminded by how nice their chassis is. The automotive press is fast to place the German automotive manufacturers on a podium with regards to negotiating a nook rapidly, however this V60 has nothing to envy its primary European rivals.

Its chassis is rock strong, its suspension damping – whereas at all times on the stiff aspect – is calibrated for sportiness. Even its steering is fast to react and exact. In phrases of driving dynamics, the S/V60 actually is Volvo’s best-kept secret. It’s a minimum of 50% extra enjoyable to drive than an SUV.

Performance Specifications

2024 Volvo V60 Recharge Energy Consumption, Range And Charging

Before driving this automotive, I had an opinion about plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). Since I dwell in a northern local weather, a majority of these car by no means truly drive in EV mode. In order to maintain the battery and cabin heat, the interior combustion engine (ICE) always kicks in, defeating the aim of getting a plug-in hybrid within the first place. I additionally discover a majority of these automobiles uselessly sophisticated.

But the V60 Recharge satisfied me that there could also be hope for PHEVs. While I did have a ton of enjoyable hooning it like a sports activities automotive, it additionally proved to be a formidable zero-emission city companion for my dad duties. For starters, as a consequence of a smaller capability battery than on a totally electrical car, it takes much less time to completely cost the V6 Recharge on a house charger. Within about 4 hours on my residence unit, I used to be good to go.

I used to be additionally shocked that, though outside temperatures hung beneath the freezing level, the V60 very seldom activated its ICE. It solely did it throughout a chilly begin one morning to get the heater going, but it surely rapidly shut it off once more, permitting me to do every thing I needed to do in EV mode.

But I need to warn you of the truth that when the V60 Recharge is working in full electrical mode, it turns into rear-wheel drive as a consequence of that electrical traction motor being out the rear. That caught me off guard throughout a light-weight snowfall.

The automotive can be considerably slower that approach since that rear motor solely develops 143 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. Still, it was sufficient to get myself, my spouse, my son, and my canine round city.

The desk beneath reveals official and examined power and gas consumption information for the V60 Recharge. I invite you to match these with these of the Volvo XC60, powered by the identical drivetrain. You’ll uncover one more reason to go for a wagon as an alternative of an SUV.

Energy Consumption Data

Interior Design And Comfort

The V60’s inside is basically the identical as again in 2019, for higher or for worse. While it is true that competing luxurious manufacturers now provide splashier cabins, the V60’s spartan, but elegant format nonetheless stays aggressive. Everything is put along with a way of high quality and longevity.

There are additionally some neat design particulars on this cabin. The signature glass shifter is a sublime piece, whereas the center-mounted begin/cease button might seem like an afterthought, but it surely’s truly a nod to the center-mounted ignition swap in previous Saabs.

The Bowers & Wilkens speaker grilles on the door playing cards and the dash-mounted tweeter not solely appear to be effective items of audio gear, however they generate some of the satisfying acoustic experiences I’ve ever witnessed inside an vehicle. Also, yellow seatbelts imply quick!

The V60 is a compact wagon, so it does at occasions really feel tight in there, particularly should you’re of a bigger format like yours actually. But it’s a snug automotive due to seats that envelop you in an virtually chiropractic approach. Volvo has at all times excelled in seat consolation, and the V60 isn’t any exception. At the rear, a child’s seat will match no stress, whereas a tall grownup may must ask the individual in entrance of them to maneuver their seat ahead as a consequence of restricted legroom. Headroom, nonetheless, is rarely a difficulty due to the roof’s form.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

The V60 encompasses a touch-operated, Android-based, portrait-style infotainment pill. While it does seem like the identical primary Sensus system Volvo has been using in its vehicles since 2015, it is made big strides through the years due to software program updates and the mixing of the Android setting.

The interface itself will take a while getting used to because of the hidden menus and minimalist design. You’ll must pinch, swipe left, proper, up, and down to really unwrap every thing this method hides beneath the hood. But as soon as I obtained my head round it, I discovered it quite satisfying to function due to its quick-reacting nature and exquisite esthetics.

The residence display stacks all important apps one above the opposite in a clear, non-offensive approach. I additionally recognize how Volvo saved the display quite small, as if to inform you that that is actually all you want in life. I like that. But I do discover the touch-operated local weather controls finicky. These ought to at all times depend on bodily knobs.

It’s the identical story for the digital instrument cluster, which supplies you the data you want and nothing extra. It’s doable so as to add the Google Maps navigation display as a background, or just depart that space clean, permitting you to focus solely on important info.

Cargo And Storage Space

But the motive why wagons are so cool is as a result of, as we have established, they deal with and carry out like a sports activities sedan, eat about the identical quantity of power within the course of, but, provide as a lot, and in some instances, extra cargo house than some crossovers. I child you not of us, the V60 has a bigger trunk than an XC60 (17.1 cu-ft) when its rear seat is in place. See the desk beneath for reference.

How The 2024 Volvo V60 Compares To Its Competition

The fantastic thing about the Volvo V60 Recharge is that it would not actually have any opponents. It’s form of alone on its rock, a minimum of right here in North America. Yes, it is true that Audi sells the A6 Allroad, however that is an journey wagon that quite competes towards the V60 Cross Country. It’s the identical story for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain.

There’s the Audi RS 6 Avant, however that is a a lot quicker, extra highly effective, and costlier luxurious station wagon. It’s additionally a usually bigger automotive. But then, when you concentrate on it, the Volvo V60 Recharge can be a efficiency wagon, simply of smaller scale. However, no station wagon at the moment on sale within the U.S. and Canada could be fitted with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The V60 Recharge is a singular automotive.

Related

2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country – Driven

Can a station wagon survive an SUV world?

One Of The Coolest Cars On Sale

Although gross sales of the 2024 Volvo V60 Recharge are amongst a few of the lowest of any mannequin offered on our market, kudos to Volvo for staying true to its values and nonetheless providing this automotive in its lineup. Volvo would not be Volvo with out the existence of a sexy-looking station wagon that would give a Ford Mustang GT a run for its money in a drag race.

Add to all that the advantages of plug-in hybrid and what you find yourself with is mainly the proper automotive for a younger household with an above-average income. If you are studying this and might afford this automotive, then please, do us all a favor and assist hold the nameplate alive.