2024 (24) Volvo XC60 2.0 T8 [455] RC PHEV Ultimate Dark 5dr AWD Gtron

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

In 2021, the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid, which had first been launched in 2018, got the first of two facelifts, creating the 2021-2025-era version of this premium mid-sized SUV PHEV model that we're going to look at here. Like its predecessor, this improved model combined turbocharging, supercharging and electrification for potentially astonishing efficiency returns, despite this Swedish crossover's huge power output in this top T8 form. There's a significant price to pay for this technology and you'll need to tailor your motoring life to suit what this car can offer but if you can deal with these caveats, then this is a potentially very likeable package, especially in this improved form. Here, we look at it as a used buy.

History

By 2021, quite a few brands had only recently jumped aboard the Pug-in Hybrid bandwagon but Volvo had long planned for it. By then, the company's petrol and diesel cars had long been based around a single 2.0-litre four cylinder engine block unveiled by Volvo's then R&D Chief Peter Mertens way back in 2011. It was a configuration fundamentally designed around the requirements for Plug-in Hybrid tech and as a result, Volvo was quickly able to launch plug-in electrified versions of all its larger models, including, in 2018, the XC60 mid-sized SUV. After that, plug-in variants of rival Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC rival SUVs also hit the market, so in late 2021, Volvo upgraded this car's PHEV offering with a much larger battery, a more powerful rear electric motor and the option of a more affordable T6 variant to sell alongside the top T8 model. The post-2021 version of this MK2 XC90 Plug-in Hybrid AWD was further updated in late 2025, but it's the first facelift 2021-2025-era versions we look at here as a used buy.

What You Get

The revised version of this PHEV Volvo didn't visually change much as part of the 2021 update. The Swedish brand slightly tweaked the styling of the front grille and the front bumpers and added fresh exterior colour and wheel options; that was about it. Inside up-front, take a look around and at first glance, if you happen to be familiar with the earlier 2018-2020- version of this MK2 XC60 PHEV design, you might initially think that not much changed with this revised model - though actually, the 9-inch Android-based Centre Console Touch Screen fitted as part of this update was completely different, 'designed to seamlessly blend into your digital lifestyle', whatever that means. The system gives quick and easy access to Google services and apps, including Google Maps for navigation, Google Assistant for voice recognition and the Google Play Store for installing a wide range of apps for in-car use. Through the rather ugly three-spoke wheel, you view another screen, Volvo's 12.3-inch 'Progressive Driver Display'. But it's not just about technology in this cabin. Volvo says that when creating interiors, it applies the same principles that you would when designing a living room. High-quality materials, intelligent use of space and attention to detail work together to create a distinctly Scandinavian cabin that's simple and elegant, with layer upon layer of chrome and beautifully stitched leather. In the back, there's decent space for shoulders and heads and the kind of room for knees and legs that you'd expect from an SUV 4.7-metres in length. A really unique touch lies with the concealed storage compartments under the rear seat bases which are just the right size to store electronic devices, like a tablet, out of sight. The standard power-operated tailgate can adjust to suit the height of your garage ceiling. When raised, it reveals a 468-litre boot (down from 483 in the conventional model), extendable to 1,395-litres once you fold the rear bench (down from 1,410-litres).

What to Look For

Most of the MK2 XC60 PHEV owners we surveyed were very happy with their cars - but inevitably there were a few issues. One owner had problems with the parking sensors and the stop/start system, so check that these features work properly on your test drive. Quite a few electrical and software issues were reported too, so go thoroughly over all the powered and infotainment functions of the car you're looking at. The Android Automotive Operating System can suffer from screen freezing, navigation issues and slow responses. The PHEV variants are sensitive to low voltage, leading to electrical issues and, in a few cases, to battery failure. Older PHEVs can return very low EV mileage, so check this out. And make sure the charging lead is in good working order and the car recharges properly. Some of the engines have had oil consumption issues. Look out for creaking noises from the suspension - a sign of worn control arm bushings or rear spring problems. Some owners have reported cabin rattles and panel gaps. The powered tailgate has been known to fail. And the sunroof drains can get blocked, leading to water infiltration into the cabin. It's unlikely the XC60 will have been used arduously off road, but check the underside just in case. The big alloy wheels are very susceptible to kerbing. The more powerful models have quite an appetite for front tyres so check there's some life left in the rubber. As usual, check the alloys for kerb scuffing and the rear of the cabin and the boot for damage caused by unruly kids or awkwardly-shaped luggage.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2023 XC90 T8 PHEV - ex-VAT autodoc.co.uk) An oil filter costs in the £5-£14 bracket and an air filter will cost in the £10-£33 bracket. A front brake pad set sits in the £29-£55 bracket for a set. A rear brake pad set sits in the £14-£54 bracket for a set. A front brake disc set sits in the £44-£77 bracket for a set. A rear brake disc set sits in the £45-£50 bracket for a set. A fuel filter is in the £17-£27 bracket. Wiper blades sit in the £7-£13 bracket. A front axle shock absorber is in the £83-£151 bracket. An alternator is around £1,048.

On the Road

The engineering changes made to the XC60 PHEV derivatives in Autumn 2021 were quite far-reaching. Drive battery capacity almost doubled, up from 11.6 to 18.8kWh, which added around 20 miles to the EV drive range, as a result EAER-rated at up to 51 miles for the T6 and up to 49.7 miles for the T8 variant. This was a useful increase but it was still some way off class leadership; to give you some perspective on that, a rival Mercedes GLC 300 e PHEV of this period has a huge 31.2kWh battery and goes up to 80 miles between charges. But that pricey Mercedes, like most other segment rivals, can't get near the power output of either PHEV version of this Volvo. Rather unnecessarily, the Swedish brand further increased this as part of the mid-term upgrade, enhancing the output of the rear electric motor from 87 to 145hp. Which meant that even the T6 offered 350hp, so 62mph from rest needed just 5.7s. The top T8 version meanwhile, remained the most powerful Volvo the brand had produced, putting out 455hp, enough to propel nearly 2.3-tonnes of Gothenburg real estate from rest to 62mph in just 4.9s, more than half a second quicker than before. The battery pack for that rear electric motor is neatly packaged away in the transmission tunnel and is there to supplement the output of the 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine that both these PHEV variants share. There's also a 25hp starter motor/generator that pitches in from time to time to smooth any gaps in torque delivery between the two main power sources. Overall in the T8, that was the kind of storming performance you'd have got in this segment in this period from, say, a Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid - a car that from new cost around £20,000 more and was nothing like as efficient. That's assuming you select the most performance-orientated of the five driving settings that PHEV XC60 owners are offered - the 'Power' mode that sees both petrol and electric units permanently working together. Alternatively, there are four other drive choices for Recharge models: a 'Hybrid' setting that sees the two engines cutting in and out as necessary: a 'Constant AWD' mode that gives you permanent 4x4 traction: plus a 'Pure' electric setting that only uses the battery power. There's also a 'Save' option so that on a longer trip, you can hold that charge until you get to the city driving you might have to do at the end of the journey. In passing, we'll also mention that if for some unfathomable reason, you want the T8 version of this car to go even faster, there was an optional Polestar pack available to owners from new, which replaces the 'Power' setting with a 'Polestar Engineered' mode. This boosts engine output by 14hp, while quickening gear shift timings and throttle response. Check the car you're looking at to see if the original owner specified this. Theoretically, you could use an XC90 T6 or T8 every day without ever visiting a fuel station unless you needed to undertake a longer trip. That's assuming of course that you keep the lithium-ion battery fully charged. To compensate for the fact that the battery was larger as part of the 2021 update, Volvo upped charging speed from 3.7kW to 6.4kW, which quickened battery replenishment considerably. A 7-metre Type 2 charging cable's provided. A three-phase AC garage wallbox will be able to replenish the battery completely in around 3 hours; with a single-phase AC supply, you're looking at around 5 hours. Connecting up to a normal domestic three-pin 10amp supply will take about 7 hours. We should also mention that it's possible to replenish the battery of your PHEV XC60 on the move, via a 'Charge' option you'll find in the 'Battery Usage' section of the centre screen. This forces energy into the battery on the move, but strains the engine to do it, increasing fuel consumption.

Overall

The sort of sensible buyer likely to be considering an XC60 is, we think, likely to be sorely tempted by this Plug-in hybrid version, especially in this improved bigger-battery post-'21-era facelifted form. The combination of low taxation and the potential for virtually fuel-free commuting mileage is, as with any model of this type, a tempting one. And when you match it to this car's class-leading safety standards and cool, Scandinavian vibe, the resulting package offers a refreshing alternative to rival German-branded SUVs. But the asking figures are substantial and you'd have to be very sold on the plug-in remit here to opt for this PHEV model. After all, if you merely want your premium luxury mid-sized SUV to be in some way electrified, Volvo offered a very acceptable B5 mild hybrid petrol version of this car lower down the range. We think that B5 variant might be a better pick for most customers. But if you have to have technology superiority in your XC60, only the PHEV variants offer it.