Review: 2023 Volvo S60 T8 Recharge

When it comes to looks, the 2023 Volvo S60 T8 Recharge ticks the box. It is a great looking sedan for anyone in my opinion. I no longer think of seniors when I see or think of Volvo’s. It has more than enough power to have an enjoyable drive and is comfortable.

Engine/Transmission

The 2023 S60 T8 has a 2.0L Direct-Injected Turbocharged Engine. It is paired with an 8-speed geartronic automatic transmission, and it produces a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. 0-60mph (96k/h) is done in about 4.5 seconds. The S60 has a range of about 64 km on pure electricity which is great for short trips or errands. This is also dependent on the weather and your style of driving. I admit, I do like driving enthusiastically but even so, I managed to drive 72 km on electricity only and this was during the summer. The sedan is rated for 8.0 L/100km in the city and 7.2 L/100km on a hwy with a combined average of 7.6 L/100km. I averaged a combined 6.7 L/100km. You just can’t go wrong with plug in hybrids or any hybrid for this matter as it is fuel efficient.

Handling/Performance

As mentioned earlier, it has plenty of power thanks to the help of the electric motor, it gives it that extra torque for more speed. Although it is a fast car, it is not sporty. If you’re considering a Volvo, I would imagine a sports car is not a priority. Volvo as we know, are known for luxury and comfort. This does not mean its boring to drive, so don’t get me wrong it is still fun to drive in corners and windy roads but again it wont compare to a sports car. If you take a corner too quick, you will notice a little bit of body roll. Other than that, overtaking a vehicle is not a problem; you just need to press on the accelerator, and you will be moving quick.

Comfort

I could sit inside the Volvo S60 for a long time and not complain. The seats are very comfortable both front and rear seats. There is decent space for average height individuals and trunk space is also decent with 391 L of cargo capacity. A little less than its competitors but if you are someone that doesn’t need that much space, then it should not be a big deal.

Interior

I am a fan of the flashy interior like the Mercedes vehicles, but I must say I do also like the subtle and classy look the Volvo has. It is an elegant sedan without looking boring. It is equipped with leather upholstery, crystal gear shifter, 2-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, 360 camera and auto dimming inner and exterior mirrors to name a few of the interesting features. Although the interior is beautiful, I think we can all agree that the touchscreen is just not cutting it. It is a 9-inch display and although its not all that complicated to use, it is very slow. I am someone that needs good music even if it’s a 5-minute drive, and during my time with the S60, the Bluetooth took about 10 minutes for it to finally decide to connect to my phone. I also did not like how it is painfully slow to roll down/up the windows. It almost sounds like its going to stop working halfway through. One thing I did like however was one of the safety features. As I was driving through a small bridge towards the end, there was a hump, and it might have detected my speed so as I drove off it, it tightened the seatbelt for protection. Something I found cool that you may or may not like.

Exterior

There is not much to say about the exterior of the S60 other than how great it looks. It is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, black grille with black detailing just makes it look all that much better. It is equipped with quite a few safety features and driving aids that I think are worth the $60k price tag.

Pros/Cons

Fuel Efficient and powerful? That’s not a combination you hear often but with the 2023 Volvo S60 T8 Recharge, you get both! The S60 has a great electric range and is great on gas as well. It is very comfortable and smooth to drive. It is equipped with premium materials throughout the cabin. But can a pretty looking car make up for all the other issues it comes with? In my opinion, no. As much as I like it and would maybe want to buy one for myself, I’d have to be realistic and think long term with all the electric issues it is known to have. My complaint was the slow infotainment but I’m sure you’ve heard stories of others having issues with their Volvo vehicles. You might be better off with the other options you could have. The starting price of the Volvo S60 Recharge T8 is $62,050 CAD ($51,590 USD)