Hi Tom, *Luv ur Reviews* I Just Traded in my 2020 xc60 T8 Inscription, (6-weeks ago) For a 2022-late Polestar Engineered (Extended Range). I originally was looking for a R-Design. Dealer told me that this P.E. was similar to the R-model... Well its, not the same smooth ride as my Inscription was for sure. But i understand its a handling & suspension thing. They said swing by & they would change the olhins Dampener adjusters on the car to make my ride smoother. ... So my Primary reason for the switch anyway, was to get the Extended Range T8. As for the Ex-Range, It Almost Doubled the the full EV Range, over my original 2020 T8 inscription ... So Wow " the new Battery & Motor Do Not disappoint." As for the Polestar Engineered part... Yup its got these Massive Gold Brakes behind the rims? They do stop the Car on a dime... My Only Beef with car is the New Android system, Multiple Volvo reps have told me the New Android infotainment System will get MANY New Apps in the "NEAR" future. FYI: The Sound-Wagon App Does allow High Quality Bitrate Music Play via: a USB-C stick. * UPDATE: Got The Dampers Adjusted to "14" , That's My sweet spot, Softer ride & yet still Tight on Turns. So turns out the Dampers came set on "2" all around! well that Explains the Ex-Firm ride. (They showed me how to change them myself) FYI: Note... Almost double Battery Range Means almost double Charge times. 😜 " (6-weeks still 1st tank of gas, 3/4 full )
Great review Tom! I have a 2021 XC60 T5 R design with polestar ECU tune. I leased the vehicle last spring and I’ve had a great first year with it. At first, I wasn’t blown away by it but the more time I’ve spent, the more I’ve fallen in love. It is SO refined and comfortable to drive and live with. I have the last year of the Sensus system and it works smoothly and smart. The Apple car play is a must have also. I live in SW Florida and my XC60 is a FWD model. it serves its purpose for my needs and it’s fun to roast the tires occasionally but I’ve been longing to upgrade to a T8 model for the AWD and PHEV. I’m on several forums and I’ve heard horrific feedback on the reliability and electronics of the post refresh model. Not to mention the lack of car play and AA. Thankfully, I have two years left on my lease. I am hoping that I can “wait out” Volvos current mess and that they’ll refine this new IP like they did with their Sensus system because mine is wonderful to use. I always appreciate your thorough reviews. I am absolutely smitten with my Volvo XC60. Thanks!
Jake, I appreciated your comment about checking forums for 'real world' comments. I respect Volvo as a brand and appreciate their Swedish aesthetic...but new gen cars can be a true hassle. Our Mazda3 with all-new tech in 2014 has yet to offer problem #1. Our 2021 Sync4 equipped F150 has been super painful.
Hey Tom, thanks for your insights about PHEV especially your comment toward the end comparing it to pure EVs. My last fill-up on my Sorento PHEV was more than 6 weeks ago with 1200 miles driven and 1/3 tank gas still left. PHEV makes so much sense to me and for many people with daily commute around 30-40 miles. Occasional road trips are fine too as there is zero range anxiety. My son will work FT for Tesla soon and he even agrees PHEV makes sense....
My nephew had an internship at Tesla. Even has a part named after him. He had a good time. Has lots of interesting stories. And yup, for some people, PHEVs make tons of sense.
Volvo needs to get their CarPlay act together. I won't buy a car that doesn't support it. That being said, this is a very sensible choice over an EV for most people, especially if you only have 1 car. As always, Tom, a great review. You are one of the best in the biz.
Apple Car play works perfectly on my MY23 XC60 recharge, yes it works via cable but who cares? plug in your iPhone, leave it in the storage compartment, bonus is it gets charged at the same time. I had wireless car play on a previous vehicle and never used it - always plugged in to get a charge at the same time.
@@TB-up4xi My Mach-E GT wirelessly charges my iPhone while wireless AirPlay works at the same time, too. If you buying a premium product, it should have premium features, including wireless CarPlay.
@@dansburns Looks like a really interesting vehicle (we don't have them in Australia yet first lot expected mid-late 2023 in only "e-gt" and "e-gt performance" spec) you enjoying it? I don't see wireless carplay as a premium feature, neither my Volvo or my wife's Audi SQ5 has it but my daughter's base model Skoda Kamiq does, in reality it wouldn't bother me at all if a car had no Android Auto or Carplay at all (e.g. Tesla) it's just not that important for me but each to their own I guess.
Nicely done, Tom. Appreciated your PHEV comments. You might think about slipping in short views & histories of your own two PHEV's in a future video. Your ahead-of-the-curve day-to-day ownership experience is helpful to the rest of us. Also interesting is that some might think you would be exclusively pro-EV now...yet your PHEV's apparently still satisfy.
I’m a former Volvo owner 👍🏻. I’ll come back in a heartbeat when the XC60 T8 Inscription goes FULLY ELECTRIC. I suspect I’ll be kept waiting for several years 😢
The seats, base sound system (I’m guessing) and styling would all be better than my loaded Prime XSE. Also I’m guessing the handling is better. But less range, no spare and less room in the back seat are demerits. A friend has the previous model Volvo XC60 plug-in and loves it. In 20,000 first year miles I’ve only used the gas (regular grade) engine for 7500 miles. Unlike Tom Voelk, I’ve filled the tank many times. But I live 90 miles from a large city rather than in a large city.
The Volvo is a luxury car and not based off of a $24K economy SUV. See Out of Spec Motoring a Tesla owner and Smart EV owner who is now a used e-Tron owner. They wanted more luxury compared to other EV's even if it has 200 mile range.
Ready to replace my older XC90 with a phev. I can live with a 2 row vehicle, and the lack of a split tailgate, but losing the spare is not a place I am willing to go. Suggestions?
Remote seat release has been removed from all Volvos due to an accident in the US where an infant got squeezed. So yes, it's annoying that the feature is gone but no more accidents.
Good review. The extended range of the PHEV is appealing and makes a strong argument for going electric without range anxiety. If other car makers also produced extended range PHEVs, the transition to electric driving would happen faster.
@@JakeDrives1 Incorrect, the engine Tom is driving here does not have the mild hybrid system of the B6. And the supercharger is also gone. Turbo only now.
Tom, what happens if you use up the battery while in pure EV mode and weather conditions change and you want to be in AWD mode? Do you have to have enough battery power left to be able to drive the rear wheels?
I don't think the car will let you set the drive mode to AWD or Pure when the battery is at zero, BUT the battery is not empty. The system reserves battery power to enable the electric motor to kick in when needed. In any situation where the car senses you need AWD it will still send power to the rear. You don't actually have to use the AWD mode to tell it to do this. I experienced this last winter in snow and ice and it worked very well. That reserved battery capacity will also continue to drive the start/stop function and kick in if you floor the pedal to give a big acceleration boost in an emergency situation.
@@richardhale2117 Actually you can always select all modes (except off-road, its only avaiable at low speed), no matter the battery charge. I have a T6 recharge, its the "same" car, just a bit lower on power, but same battery and system. The battery has 18kWh, but only 14kWh are avaiable so there is always a buffer. And the petrol engines has 313hp, so it can muster eletric power for the eletric engine in the back wheels. So yes, even without charge you have full acess to AWD mode. As for the pure mode, you can use it without charge, but it just behaves similar to hybrid mode.
Quite challenging at first glance to tell it apart from outgoing model but still a sharp looking SUV nonetheless. Nice fun fact as always. You don’t miss, Tom.
Doff my hat to you on a really great one! Usually when the car well exceeds 100K my interest fades. Haven't used a spare tire in 5 decades but it does seem essential. Maybe they should include road service for four years at a small fee? Thanks Tom!
Like you said, these are great for those who are still nervous about going all in on EV. Once owning an EV you'll never want to maintain a gas engine again. Can you turn on this T8 in your garage so in the winter it'll warm the cabin using just the battery? Does the vehicle have a way of showing the amount of time the engine has been on so you can prolong the oil changes if primarily using just electricity? You saying you fill up once a year made me wonder if you could then just do oil changes once a year. Gas has a shelf life of 3-6 months, so I guess you would want to use it up some just to keep things fresh. Luckily electricity doesn't have a limited shelf life.
Most people I know that are nervous about pure EV ownership would never have a problem. Once you own a PHEV that's usually perfectly clear. But you don't know until you know. PHEV tech works really well for some people. Running synthetic, my oil changes are typically every two years. And gas will last much longer than 3 months, though typically, we've been only filling half way since we don't use the ICE much on ours.
We drive to vacation spots 3x a year with two large dogs and it is usually 10-hours away or so. The largest EV will only go 250 miles while a large gas SUV will go 400 miles. The large gas SUV only takes the time for me to run to the bathroom and back to fill and we are back on the road. We'll using a large SUV for a long time!
@@normt430 Yea for some it doesn't currently make sense. Growing up my parents would rent a van for a trip we would take because our current vehicle were too small. It made sense since we only took a few trips a year.
@@normt430 This is perfect for you then Norm. Those 3 times a year you switch to gas for your trip. The rest of the year you can motor about daily mostly off the battery.
Wait.. so you won't be able to use the Android Auto OS on the car after 4 years without paying for a subscription? (I couldn't immediately find any details on that after a web search)
I got the “not” extended range. I wish.. hope, it can be retrofitted to an extended range either out of pocket or via warranty repair later down the road.
Yes, the car has a setting to charge the battery while driving, though its highly inefficient. Better to drive in hybrid mode when battery depleted. If you can't charge at home, you shouldn't buy a PHEV. Buy a BEV or a regular hybrid.
A nice rig, one of the best designs on the road in its class. Reliability will be a factor as it is with all Volvos until they get all this new tech sorted out and that may take some time. The average buyer will be spending a lot of money on maintenance to save a little money on gas (unless this inflation is allowed to run unabated). In northern CA, I'm paying close to $7 for premium forking out $70 to fill up my GTI. If I could afford a good EV I would buy one, but the ones in my price range just are not very appealing yet. For most buyers, Hybrids are still the best choice for both utility and affordability. The upcoming new Honda HR-V will be in great demand as a result. It will offer up a lot of the same benefits (if not luxury) as this Volvo at about half the price.
Volvo reliability is fine. Why do yanks always have such a different experience of reliability than the rest of the world? Also, American fuel is STILL cheap.
The Honda HR-V is a very basic vehicle though. No where near the refinement of this. Last I heard, not a hybrid for the US market. Much cheaper though.
@@DrivenCarReviews I know the European version is a Hybrid only and the dealer told me a Hybrid HR-V would be available here in the states. Maybe he was talking about a later release. As for Volvos reliability, I do know they do not score well at CR, but my neighbors have had a V60 for nearly three years now with little or no issues. As for cars being basic these days, even entry-level cars come with standard features that could only be had on luxury cars barely ten years ago. The same will be true for EVs as well. Soon enough, everyone will be able to afford one. Hopefully.
I have the S60 on order, hope I made a good choice. I might point out that in your review you said the tax benefit is $ 5000. but with the larger battery the benefit is the full $7,500. Good review.
I still think car makers have this the wrong way around (a small electric battery with a conventional petrol engine). It should be the other way around a "conventional" EV with a range of 300miles + with an emergency petrol backup motor that could add another 50-80 miles of range by either charging the battery or driving the wheels, It would not have to offer great performance - just get you to the next charge point or worst case another refill on petrol until you found a suitable charge point. I guess space to locate the petrol engine is the primary issue but would be more attractive to most buyers than the current PHEV setups.
BMW kind of tried it that way with i3 and it didn't work all that well. The problem is, the small motor can't provide enough electricity to keep the car at speed on the highway or on long steep grades. I have a couple friends that have experienced that.
You do realize that the Volvo emblem is the Swedish symbol for “iron,” since Volvo was established in 1915 as a subsidiary of SKF, a ball bearing manufacturer.
Looks like a nice ride for someone. It's a bit of a stretch to call an electric hybrid vehicle whose base MSRP is approaching the average national household income "dipping your toes" into the EV market.
Tom Voelk, I appreciate you pointing out the practicality of a PHEV for reducing gas consumption. But I am always disappointed that auto journalists don't answer these important questions about a PHEV. 1. Does it have a heat pump? 2. Under what conditions will the ICE turn on in Pure EV mode? Stomping the accelerator? Turning on the HVAC heat? Or Defrost? or AC? Or going up a hill? 3. Can you remotely heat or cool the cabin while plugged in? Or not plugged in? Can you preheat remotely in -40 degrees temp when it matters most? With or without the ICE? 4. Is the battery liquid cooled or air cooled? 5. What is the warranty on the battery? Including degradation level needed to replace under warranty?
1) PHEVs typically don't have heat pumps, they add cost, efficiency is less critical because of the gas backup. 2) Can't tell you that for sure, forgot to check (typically they fire up when the throttle is mashed since the system rightfully assumes you want more power). 3) The Volvo app allows remote control and start (details are hard for writers to chronicle since our phones can't be registered with the car). 4) I would point out if it's air cooled, fairly uncommon these days. 5) Assume all EV batteries are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles under the Federal Emissions Warranty (10 years/150,000 miles for CA warranty states).
@@DrivenCarReviews I disagree with your first point, particularly "efficiency is less critical because of the gas backup." When I read consumer reviews about PHEVs the most common complain I hear is that they are disappointed with how often the engine turns on in pure EV mode. This is noted especially when they simply turn on the HVAC in mild weather conditions. The Rav4 Prime uses a heat pump brilliantly for this purpose and won't turn on the ICE until -10C for heating. People literally buy these PHEVs for efficiency and the lack of heat pumps is a genuine missed opportunity. Regarding the last point, I notice you didn't answer how much degradation a manufacturer thinks is acceptable. Numerous Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV owners were told that 25+% degradation in just a few years is within spec and they would not get any consideration for help unless 30% plus and within a certain timeframe. Consumers care about these things. Manufacturers hide this info purposely.
@@kurtpenner2362 Then we'll agree to disagree Kurt. Generally, there's a detent in the pedal travel of PHEVs that signals dipping into the gas side (or flooring it too). Some don't understand that and complain about the gas engine kicking on. Many owners don't know their own vehicles. I've met hundreds of them. Automakers all juggle and struggle with how to make cars somewhat affordable, there will always be tradeoffs (at least some buyers will think that). As a PHEV owner, I've gotten over that the fact that the gas engine will sometimes kick on to make certain functions work. And in some cases, the automakers do that simply to make the engine work occasionally. It needs to run every so often to keep it optimal. Also, there are a number of complaints that the Prime's heat pump has a rather unpleasant sound so I'm not too sure how "brilliantly" it is for all owners. All cars are a series of compromises. It's always a matrix of affordability, functionality, design, performance and keeping people safe. It always will be.
@@kurtpenner2362 I’ve owned a 2021 RAV4 Prime XSE for 14 months. Every time the Heat pump comes on and my wife is in the car she YELLS “ what is that!”. Many owners suggest in colder weather to turn on the engine to operate the HVAC system for this very reason. The batteries (not the 12v separate battery) are warrantied by Toyota for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Prime achieves its fastest 0-60 time with the engine on but set to “Sport” mode. This is the combination of electric and gas and is indeed very quick. Handling through the curves is not sporty. At all.
@@kurtpenner2362 So you want a heat pump to work at -40F? Heat pumps do work well at very cold temperatures. The GM Voltec will fire up the engine at 32°F unless it is programmed for lower temps like my 2017 CT6 2.0E plug-in has an option for 15°F. But only runs for short periods and for safety as the windshield could fog over blocking vision. With heated steering and heated seat I will just pulse the defrost to clear the windshield when I'm by myself. In automatic HVAC mode the AC will run but not use the engine unless I force the engine on in Hold mode or I go more than half throttle The heater is about 7,000 watts and is quick to respond. Though the charging is limited to 3,800 watts so if I remote started it would use both plug in charge and battery for 10 minutes before shutting off. That means it needs another 20-minutes to recharge the battery to full. There are compromises but they are little. It is nice to not stink up the garage or have to smell exhaust or when getting out of the car to close the gate when leaving.
What are you paying for gas and electricity? The XC 60 according to the EPA ratings it takes 3.6 gallons to go 100 miles. Today at a Costco in the Boston area premium is selling for $3.899/gal that's $14.04 to go 100 miles. On the same Moroney the EPA ratings says it takes 50 kWh to go 100 miles. My electricity at home costs $0.31 /kWh, that's cheaper than any public charger I've seen except for free. That's $15.50 to go the same distance. Maybe you should put more gas in your own PHEV? They can't be that smart, the XC60 I drove had no heat in Pure(EV) mode. What's the point of driving this in EV in the winter?
The 2023 model will be more refreshed. The trim levels will change too. Plus, the phev will have 50 miles of electric only range. Wait for for that one!
I've owned several volvos and owe my life to a couple of them. This would be a deal killer for...the subscription to use android auto after 4 years. Bad move Volvo
@@weirdshibainu Maybe, but it adds significant enhancement to the experience. I'd pay $10 a month for this service. I just spent a week in an XC40 Recharge and found the ability to just talk to the car to do anything a game changer. It was nearly 100% accurate. Much better than the Lexus/Toyota system. Might be a little better than BMW and MB.
PHEV VERSION. The singular most disappointing aspect of the charge system is it inability to set a charge timer either through the car or app. So unless you have a smart home charger people like me on an economy 7 tariff need to be nocturnal to benefit from off peak charging. Volvo UK offer no solution. A retrograde step from earlier models and spoiling my enjoyment of a brand new car!
Hi Tom, *Luv ur Reviews* I Just Traded in my 2020 xc60 T8 Inscription, (6-weeks ago) For a 2022-late Polestar Engineered (Extended Range). I originally was looking for a R-Design. Dealer told me that this P.E. was similar to the R-model... Well its, not the same smooth ride as my Inscription was for sure. But i understand its a handling & suspension thing. They said swing by & they would change the olhins Dampener adjusters on the car to make my ride smoother. ... So my Primary reason for the switch anyway, was to get the Extended Range T8. As for the Ex-Range, It Almost Doubled the the full EV Range, over my original 2020 T8 inscription ... So Wow " the new Battery & Motor Do Not disappoint." As for the Polestar Engineered part... Yup its got these Massive Gold Brakes behind the rims? They do stop the Car on a dime... My Only Beef with car is the New Android system, Multiple Volvo reps have told me the New Android infotainment System will get MANY New Apps in the "NEAR" future. FYI: The Sound-Wagon App Does allow High Quality Bitrate Music Play via: a USB-C stick. * UPDATE: Got The Dampers Adjusted to "14" , That's My sweet spot, Softer ride & yet still Tight on Turns. So turns out the Dampers came set on "2" all around! well that Explains the Ex-Firm ride. (They showed me how to change them myself) FYI: Note... Almost double Battery Range Means almost double Charge times. 😜 " (6-weeks still 1st tank of gas, 3/4 full )
Great review Tom! I have a 2021 XC60 T5 R design with polestar ECU tune. I leased the vehicle last spring and I’ve had a great first year with it. At first, I wasn’t blown away by it but the more time I’ve spent, the more I’ve fallen in love. It is SO refined and comfortable to drive and live with. I have the last year of the Sensus system and it works smoothly and smart. The Apple car play is a must have also. I live in SW Florida and my XC60 is a FWD model. it serves its purpose for my needs and it’s fun to roast the tires occasionally but I’ve been longing to upgrade to a T8 model for the AWD and PHEV. I’m on several forums and I’ve heard horrific feedback on the reliability and electronics of the post refresh model. Not to mention the lack of car play and AA. Thankfully, I have two years left on my lease. I am hoping that I can “wait out” Volvos current mess and that they’ll refine this new IP like they did with their Sensus system because mine is wonderful to use. I always appreciate your thorough reviews. I am absolutely smitten with my Volvo XC60. Thanks!
Jake, I appreciated your comment about checking forums for 'real world' comments. I respect Volvo as a brand and appreciate their Swedish aesthetic...but new gen cars can be a true hassle. Our Mazda3 with all-new tech in 2014 has yet to offer problem #1. Our 2021 Sync4 equipped F150 has been super painful.
By far the best review of the XC60 Recharge I've watched. Thank you very much!
I find these videos so calming, thorough, well-made, elegant even ... Tom you're the best !
Hey Tom, thanks for your insights about PHEV especially your comment toward the end comparing it to pure EVs. My last fill-up on my Sorento PHEV was more than 6 weeks ago with 1200 miles driven and 1/3 tank gas still left. PHEV makes so much sense to me and for many people with daily commute around 30-40 miles. Occasional road trips are fine too as there is zero range anxiety. My son will work FT for Tesla soon and he even agrees PHEV makes sense....
My nephew had an internship at Tesla. Even has a part named after him. He had a good time. Has lots of interesting stories. And yup, for some people, PHEVs make tons of sense.
I see 2,000 miles per tank of gasoline on a 2018 CT6 2.0E plug-in also. It is really nice today.
@@normt430 That's a unicorn. I think there are fewer of those than ELRs.
@@DrivenCarReviews yes, 591 brought to PZEZ states.
@@DrivenCarReviews My son knows your nephew 😀, small world.
Volvo needs to get their CarPlay act together. I won't buy a car that doesn't support it. That being said, this is a very sensible choice over an EV for most people, especially if you only have 1 car. As always, Tom, a great review. You are one of the best in the biz.
Apple Car play works perfectly on my MY23 XC60 recharge, yes it works via cable but who cares? plug in your iPhone, leave it in the storage compartment, bonus is it gets charged at the same time. I had wireless car play on a previous vehicle and never used it - always plugged in to get a charge at the same time.
@@TB-up4xi My Mach-E GT wirelessly charges my iPhone while wireless AirPlay works at the same time, too. If you buying a premium product, it should have premium features, including wireless CarPlay.
@@dansburns Looks like a really interesting vehicle (we don't have them in Australia yet first lot expected mid-late 2023 in only "e-gt" and "e-gt performance" spec) you enjoying it?
I don't see wireless carplay as a premium feature, neither my Volvo or my wife's Audi SQ5 has it but my daughter's base model Skoda Kamiq does, in reality it wouldn't bother me at all if a car had no Android Auto or Carplay at all (e.g. Tesla) it's just not that important for me but each to their own I guess.
Thanks for an excellent review Tom. You are the best in the business sir!
Tom’s reviews are always the best 👏
Nicely done, Tom. Appreciated your PHEV comments. You might think about slipping in short views & histories of your own two PHEV's in a future video. Your ahead-of-the-curve day-to-day ownership experience is helpful to the rest of us. Also interesting is that some might think you would be exclusively pro-EV now...yet your PHEV's apparently still satisfy.
Same thoughts abt Tom's EVs. Interested to see
I’m a former Volvo owner 👍🏻. I’ll come back in a heartbeat when the XC60 T8 Inscription goes FULLY ELECTRIC. I suspect I’ll be kept waiting for several years 😢
Superb, what fun. Thanks for that reasonable dissection of capability
Tom, always watch your videos every Tuesday. If you ever need a new side kick I'll come and do videos with you
The seats, base sound system (I’m guessing) and styling would all be better than my loaded Prime XSE. Also I’m guessing the handling is better. But less range, no spare and less room in the back seat are demerits. A friend has the previous model Volvo XC60 plug-in and loves it.
In 20,000 first year miles I’ve only used the gas (regular grade) engine for 7500 miles. Unlike Tom Voelk, I’ve filled the tank many times. But I live 90 miles from a large city rather than in a large city.
The Volvo is a luxury car and not based off of a $24K economy SUV. See Out of Spec Motoring a Tesla owner and Smart EV owner who is now a used e-Tron owner. They wanted more luxury compared to other EV's even if it has 200 mile range.
The fabric seats are NOT ventilated. It’s only an option on the leather seats
It is very extraordinary that the technology can produce extraordinary performance results too. Hope I can have it
No Apple Carplay? Oof, yeah I use Carplay constantly and not having it is a deal-breaker.
It's supposed to be an OTA this summer. We'll see...
Volvo and Polestar have been promising the for more than a year - so disappointing
It’s coming within the next few weeks
@@BH_London how would you know?? Looking at a xc90 t8 Er and this is a dealbreaker
@@GR-zt2hx get it ;)
This looks like a real pleasure to drive! This has me revisiting Volvo again. Thank you for a really great review.
Ready to replace my older XC90 with a phev. I can live with a 2 row vehicle, and the lack of a split tailgate, but losing the spare is not a place I am willing to go. Suggestions?
Maybe check out the larger XC90 Recharge. Or check to see if the base XC60 (without top end system and its space hogging subwoofer) has a spare.
@@DrivenCarReviews Thanks
Remote seat release has been removed from all Volvos due to an accident in the US where an infant got squeezed. So yes, it's annoying that the feature is gone but no more accidents.
Good review. The extended range of the PHEV is appealing and makes a strong argument for going electric without range anxiety. If other car makers also produced extended range PHEVs, the transition to electric driving would happen faster.
Not everyone wants to make that transition. Let the buyers choose, not automakers.
@@mikehawk120 Thanks for your reply.
Ty for the review, I'm gonna buy this exact model
Looks like a great car. Why isn’t it using the B6 system rather than T8? Is it the recharge aspect?
B6 is the light hybrid model (internal designation B420T). The T8 is known as the B4204T28.
@@DrivenCarReviews many thanks for clarifying. Pondering the overseas delivery option in next few months so your insight is always tops.
Tom’s tester is using the same twin charged motor from the B6 trim, when you add the rear electric motor and PHEV aspect it becomes the T8 trim.
@@JakeDrives1 Incorrect, the engine Tom is driving here does not have the mild hybrid system of the B6. And the supercharger is also gone. Turbo only now.
@@roadtripmartin5135 the supercharger is gone? I missed that in the video.
Thanks Tom. Need something bigger. I wish the Traverse, Palisade, Telluride, or Atlas, offered this.
XC90 Recharge, BMW X5 too
Tom, what happens if you use up the battery while in pure EV mode and weather conditions change and you want to be in AWD mode? Do you have to have enough battery power left to be able to drive the rear wheels?
I don't think the car will let you set the drive mode to AWD or Pure when the battery is at zero, BUT the battery is not empty. The system reserves battery power to enable the electric motor to kick in when needed. In any situation where the car senses you need AWD it will still send power to the rear. You don't actually have to use the AWD mode to tell it to do this. I experienced this last winter in snow and ice and it worked very well. That reserved battery capacity will also continue to drive the start/stop function and kick in if you floor the pedal to give a big acceleration boost in an emergency situation.
@@richardhale2117 Actually you can always select all modes (except off-road, its only avaiable at low speed), no matter the battery charge. I have a T6 recharge, its the "same" car, just a bit lower on power, but same battery and system. The battery has 18kWh, but only 14kWh are avaiable so there is always a buffer. And the petrol engines has 313hp, so it can muster eletric power for the eletric engine in the back wheels. So yes, even without charge you have full acess to AWD mode. As for the pure mode, you can use it without charge, but it just behaves similar to hybrid mode.
Quite challenging at first glance to tell it apart from outgoing model but still a sharp looking SUV nonetheless. Nice fun fact as always. You don’t miss, Tom.
I wouldn't be able to tell at a glance that's for sure.
Just look at the back. The refresh does not have gas pipes showing anywhere, the outgoing model has. Is that simple!
Love your reviews, bro.
Doff my hat to you on a really great one! Usually when the car well exceeds 100K my interest fades. Haven't used a spare tire in 5 decades but it does seem essential. Maybe they should include road service for four years at a small fee? Thanks Tom!
My new XC60 came with free roadside assistance for four years. I think it's included on all new and CPO cars.
Like you said, these are great for those who are still nervous about going all in on EV. Once owning an EV you'll never want to maintain a gas engine again. Can you turn on this T8 in your garage so in the winter it'll warm the cabin using just the battery? Does the vehicle have a way of showing the amount of time the engine has been on so you can prolong the oil changes if primarily using just electricity? You saying you fill up once a year made me wonder if you could then just do oil changes once a year. Gas has a shelf life of 3-6 months, so I guess you would want to use it up some just to keep things fresh. Luckily electricity doesn't have a limited shelf life.
Most people I know that are nervous about pure EV ownership would never have a problem. Once you own a PHEV that's usually perfectly clear. But you don't know until you know. PHEV tech works really well for some people. Running synthetic, my oil changes are typically every two years. And gas will last much longer than 3 months, though typically, we've been only filling half way since we don't use the ICE much on ours.
We drive to vacation spots 3x a year with two large dogs and it is usually 10-hours away or so. The largest EV will only go 250 miles while a large gas SUV will go 400 miles. The large gas SUV only takes the time for me to run to the bathroom and back to fill and we are back on the road. We'll using a large SUV for a long time!
@@normt430 Yea for some it doesn't currently make sense. Growing up my parents would rent a van for a trip we would take because our current vehicle were too small. It made sense since we only took a few trips a year.
@@normt430 This is perfect for you then Norm. Those 3 times a year you switch to gas for your trip. The rest of the year you can motor about daily mostly off the battery.
Wait.. so you won't be able to use the Android Auto OS on the car after 4 years without paying for a subscription? (I couldn't immediately find any details on that after a web search)
Excellent review
Volvo are creating some really sleek looking cars!
Can the battery last for whole night with AC on so I can sleep in car without worry the emission problem?
can you please advise me which is the specific colour?
I'm waiting (impatiently) for the V60 PHEV ER. And when you can, please review it. Thx.
Hey Tom! Is this the new Silverdawn color?
Don't know. The Monroney simply says "Metallic Paint $695" Besides, never trust a computer monitor. Always judge paint in person.
yes it's silver dawn metallic.
I got the “not” extended range. I wish.. hope, it can be retrofitted to an extended range either out of pocket or via warranty repair later down the road.
Sorry to disappoint, it can't.
Great fun fact at the end!
So if you live in a city apartment and can't do the nightly plug-in, is their a recharge mode for the electric motor? Sorry for being so dense.
Yes, the car has a setting to charge the battery while driving, though its highly inefficient. Better to drive in hybrid mode when battery depleted. If you can't charge at home, you shouldn't buy a PHEV. Buy a BEV or a regular hybrid.
Nicely done.
A nice rig, one of the best designs on the road in its class. Reliability will be a factor as it is with all Volvos until they get all this new tech sorted out and that may take some time. The average buyer will be spending a lot of money on maintenance to save a little money on gas (unless this inflation is allowed to run unabated). In northern CA, I'm paying close to $7 for premium forking out $70 to fill up my GTI. If I could afford a good EV I would buy one, but the ones in my price range just are not very appealing yet. For most buyers, Hybrids are still the best choice for both utility and affordability. The upcoming new Honda HR-V will be in great demand as a result. It will offer up a lot of the same benefits (if not luxury) as this Volvo at about half the price.
Volvo reliability is fine. Why do yanks always have such a different experience of reliability than the rest of the world?
Also, American fuel is STILL cheap.
@@sandersson2813 yeah, this has been out since 2016 and should be we'll vetted today.
The Honda HR-V is a very basic vehicle though. No where near the refinement of this. Last I heard, not a hybrid for the US market. Much cheaper though.
@@normt430 it is. Reliability is fine. Sorry to be a pedant, but this second gen came out in 2017
@@DrivenCarReviews I know the European version is a Hybrid only and the dealer told me a Hybrid HR-V would be available here in the states. Maybe he was talking about a later release. As for Volvos reliability, I do know they do not score well at CR, but my neighbors have had a V60 for nearly three years now with little or no issues. As for cars being basic these days, even entry-level cars come with standard features that could only be had on luxury cars barely ten years ago. The same will be true for EVs as well. Soon enough, everyone will be able to afford one. Hopefully.
Very interested in this car. Undecided between this and the X5 PHEV.
This competes with the X3.
If you buy a spare tire is there a place to put it
Don't think so but check at a dealership to make sure.
I have the S60 on order, hope I made a good choice. I might point out that in your review you said the tax benefit is $ 5000. but with the larger battery the benefit is the full $7,500. Good review.
I still think car makers have this the wrong way around (a small electric battery with a conventional petrol engine). It should be the other way around a "conventional" EV with a range of 300miles + with an emergency petrol backup motor that could add another 50-80 miles of range by either charging the battery or driving the wheels, It would not have to offer great performance - just get you to the next charge point or worst case another refill on petrol until you found a suitable charge point. I guess space to locate the petrol engine is the primary issue but would be more attractive to most buyers than the current PHEV setups.
BMW kind of tried it that way with i3 and it didn't work all that well. The problem is, the small motor can't provide enough electricity to keep the car at speed on the highway or on long steep grades. I have a couple friends that have experienced that.
Good point! About dragging the battery around.
So after 4 yrs can I just link the ANDROID AUTOMOTIVE to my phone as a hotspot? I just am curious why it needs its own data connection.
Yes, you can use your smart phone as a hotspot. But functions like ,remote start, remote lock/unlock require car's data connection.
that front emblem is just so funny - does it mean this car makes you a real man? :D
You do realize that the Volvo emblem is the Swedish symbol for “iron,” since Volvo was established in 1915 as a subsidiary of SKF, a ball bearing manufacturer.
It does look feminine. But it is a symbol for iron.
35 miles? Rav 4 prime does 42 miles, come on u had 3 years on the Prime and still cannot beat em
Looks like a nice ride for someone. It's a bit of a stretch to call an electric hybrid vehicle whose base MSRP is approaching the average national household income "dipping your toes" into the EV market.
Tom Voelk, I appreciate you pointing out the practicality of a PHEV for reducing gas consumption. But I am always disappointed that auto journalists don't answer these important questions about a PHEV. 1. Does it have a heat pump? 2. Under what conditions will the ICE turn on in Pure EV mode? Stomping the accelerator? Turning on the HVAC heat? Or Defrost? or AC? Or going up a hill? 3. Can you remotely heat or cool the cabin while plugged in? Or not plugged in? Can you preheat remotely in -40 degrees temp when it matters most? With or without the ICE? 4. Is the battery liquid cooled or air cooled? 5. What is the warranty on the battery? Including degradation level needed to replace under warranty?
1) PHEVs typically don't have heat pumps, they add cost, efficiency is less critical because of the gas backup. 2) Can't tell you that for sure, forgot to check (typically they fire up when the throttle is mashed since the system rightfully assumes you want more power). 3) The Volvo app allows remote control and start (details are hard for writers to chronicle since our phones can't be registered with the car). 4) I would point out if it's air cooled, fairly uncommon these days. 5) Assume all EV batteries are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles under the Federal Emissions Warranty (10 years/150,000 miles for CA warranty states).
@@DrivenCarReviews I disagree with your first point, particularly "efficiency is less critical because of the gas backup." When I read consumer reviews about PHEVs the most common complain I hear is that they are disappointed with how often the engine turns on in pure EV mode. This is noted especially when they simply turn on the HVAC in mild weather conditions. The Rav4 Prime uses a heat pump brilliantly for this purpose and won't turn on the ICE until -10C for heating. People literally buy these PHEVs for efficiency and the lack of heat pumps is a genuine missed opportunity.
Regarding the last point, I notice you didn't answer how much degradation a manufacturer thinks is acceptable. Numerous Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV owners were told that 25+% degradation in just a few years is within spec and they would not get any consideration for help unless 30% plus and within a certain timeframe. Consumers care about these things. Manufacturers hide this info purposely.
@@kurtpenner2362 Then we'll agree to disagree Kurt. Generally, there's a detent in the pedal travel of PHEVs that signals dipping into the gas side (or flooring it too). Some don't understand that and complain about the gas engine kicking on. Many owners don't know their own vehicles. I've met hundreds of them.
Automakers all juggle and struggle with how to make cars somewhat affordable, there will always be tradeoffs (at least some buyers will think that). As a PHEV owner, I've gotten over that the fact that the gas engine will sometimes kick on to make certain functions work. And in some cases, the automakers do that simply to make the engine work occasionally. It needs to run every so often to keep it optimal. Also, there are a number of complaints that the Prime's heat pump has a rather unpleasant sound so I'm not too sure how "brilliantly" it is for all owners.
All cars are a series of compromises. It's always a matrix of affordability, functionality, design, performance and keeping people safe. It always will be.
@@kurtpenner2362 I’ve owned a 2021 RAV4 Prime XSE for 14 months. Every time the Heat pump comes on and my wife is in the car she YELLS “ what is that!”. Many owners suggest in colder weather to turn on the engine to operate the HVAC system for this very reason.
The batteries (not the 12v separate battery) are warrantied by Toyota for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The Prime achieves its fastest 0-60 time with the engine on but set to “Sport” mode. This is the combination of electric and gas and is indeed very quick. Handling through the curves is not sporty. At all.
@@kurtpenner2362 So you want a heat pump to work at -40F? Heat pumps do work well at very cold temperatures.
The GM Voltec will fire up the engine at 32°F unless it is programmed for lower temps like my 2017 CT6 2.0E plug-in has an option for 15°F. But only runs for short periods and for safety as the windshield could fog over blocking vision.
With heated steering and heated seat I will just pulse the defrost to clear the windshield when I'm by myself. In automatic HVAC mode the AC will run but not use the engine unless I force the engine on in Hold mode or I go more than half throttle
The heater is about 7,000 watts and is quick to respond. Though the charging is limited to 3,800 watts so if I remote started it would use both plug in charge and battery for 10 minutes before shutting off. That means it needs another 20-minutes to recharge the battery to full. There are compromises but they are little. It is nice to not stink up the garage or have to smell exhaust or when getting out of the car to close the gate when leaving.
I have an Apple phone can I at least make phone calls through the car infotainment system
Yes, and I believe there’s an update that now allows you to run Apple CarPlay. Check with the dealer.
What are you paying for gas and electricity? The XC 60 according to the EPA ratings it takes 3.6 gallons to go 100 miles. Today at a Costco in the Boston area premium is selling for $3.899/gal that's $14.04 to go 100 miles. On the same Moroney the EPA ratings says it takes 50 kWh to go 100 miles. My electricity at home costs $0.31 /kWh, that's cheaper than any public charger I've seen except for free. That's $15.50 to go the same distance. Maybe you should put more gas in your own PHEV? They can't be that smart, the XC60 I drove had no heat in Pure(EV) mode. What's the point of driving this in EV in the winter?
De där svenskarna är smarta!
The 2023 model will be more refreshed. The trim levels will change too. Plus, the phev will have 50 miles of electric only range. Wait for for that one!
👍👍👍👍👍
why would you put up with the drawbacks of gasoline, to do one or two road trips a year? just go full EV
Last time I got the mail, I still get an electric bill 🤷♂️
Not all of them rigged to the low speed…. Aotobahn is a proof
Yes 112mph is a huge issue.
No Apple CarPlay? That is beyond ridiculous.
Paid 79k euro for mine.. how come it’s cheaper in us…ridicule
I've owned several volvos and owe my life to a couple of them. This would be a deal killer for...the subscription to use android auto after 4 years. Bad move Volvo
Everyone will be going to the subscription model. You can't escape it.
@@DrivenCarReviews I know. I think its pathetic though.
@@weirdshibainu Maybe, but it adds significant enhancement to the experience. I'd pay $10 a month for this service. I just spent a week in an XC40 Recharge and found the ability to just talk to the car to do anything a game changer. It was nearly 100% accurate. Much better than the Lexus/Toyota system. Might be a little better than BMW and MB.
@@DrivenCarReviews I understand. Guess I'm just a dinosaur. Thanks for the review
Still has crap user interface. Its unsafe in maddeningly frustrating.
PHEV VERSION. The singular most disappointing aspect of the charge system is it inability to set a charge timer either through the car or app. So unless you have a smart home charger people like me on an economy 7 tariff need to be nocturnal to benefit from off peak charging. Volvo UK offer no solution. A retrograde step from earlier models and spoiling my enjoyment of a brand new car!
No heads up display (hud) is a deal breaker for 2022 and going forward especially now and given these prices.
This car has a HUD, although it is optional.
Huh? I showed and talked about the optional HUD.
So shame phev polute 3 times more than ici car : it’s suck,
I want lol
Grill looks like a cheap Suzuki !
Great vehicle, fast and well balanced.... 100% buy it.... Much better than any e glc Mercedes