2023 Volvo S60 T8 Recharge Review

Quick: how many new sedans are out there boasting over 450 horsepower and a sticker under $60,000?

The answer is two, and one of them is this, the 2023 Volvo S60 T8 Recharge. The other is the Dodge Charger Scat Pack, which retires in a matter of months. An unlikely pair, that.

In a number of ways, this plug-in Volvo four-door is the thinking man’s muscle car. The S60 is quick, it’s four-adults comfortable, and the sticker is surprisingly reasonable. A week with this premium sedan revealed its slow-burn appeal, appeal that goes far beyond its on-paper niche status.

For 2023, Volvo has given all of its 60-series models a refresh, including the V60 Cross Country we recently reviewed. There are the subtlest of changes to the bumpers, and some new wheel designs. This is still fundamentally the same look we’ve seen for years though, and you’ll hear no complaints from the AutoGuide staff. The S60 remains one of the most handsome sedans on the market.

Even Volvo isn’t immune to the industry’s black-out detailing trend, however. This tester features the Black Edition package, which coats the badging and trim in the eponymous hue. Checking that box also brings in black 19-inch alloy wheels, and buyers have the choice of just white or black exterior paint. We prefer this high-contrast look—but we like the default range of paint options even more.

That PHEV powertrain also spits out more power than before. The 312-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four works in tandem with a rear-mounted electric motor for a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic handles shifting duties, and boy does the T8 Recharge shift, clocking the dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 4.5 seconds.

Don’t go into this S60 expecting some sort of low-key hot rod, though. This four-door never feels as quick as that acceleration stat suggests. The build-up of power is so deliberate, so linear, that the S60 skips the drama. The ultimate sleeper? It’s got to be on the short list.

The difference the larger battery pack adds to the equation is more zero-emissions flexibility. Using the car’s Hold and Charge features, I was able to fine-tune when the electrons were pumping, keeping the sedan in EV mode around the city and using straight gas when it was best: on the highway. The added oomph of the rear electric motor ensures the S60 doesn’t feel tardy, either: and in EV mode, it’s a rear-drive sedan. Bonus.

The rest of the driving experience is much like that acceleration run: reserved and quietly capable. This T8 Recharge Plus doesn’t feature the trick Öhlins dampers of the Polestar Engineered model, but it remains composed through corners with little body roll. The variable-ratio steering is light, even when you select the firm option. This Swede isn’t as expressive as something like a BMW M340i or Genesis G70, but its still capable of producing smiles down a back road.

From the front seats, pretty much all the positives I enjoyed in the V60 transfer over to the S60. This is a lower trim, with regular leather instead of the Nappa hide—and in boring black—but the seating position, excellent support and cushioning, and good sight lines are all here. Material quality is uniformly great, and we appreciate the reserved deployment of piano black. There are plenty of power adjustments for a wide variety of drivers to get comfortable behind that smooth steering wheel, too. This T8 Recharge tester does miss out on the massage seats—boo, hiss—yet the optional steering wheel heating remains one of the most effective in the industry.

Checking that Climate package box also adds three-stage heating to the rear outboard seats. The S60’s second row is one of the more spacious offerings in the class too, and the standard panoramic roof lets plenty of natural light in. This is a very easy space to spend large amounts of time in.

If there’s one major bone to pick with the S60 cabin, it’s the lack of knick-knack storage space. The center console is almost useless; my iPhone can’t even fit inside, and there’s no wireless charge pad for it, so it occupies one of the cupholders. At least the trunk is decently capacious, measuring 13.8 cubic feet (391 liters). The S60’s sheer width only adds to the practicality. If storage space is a big concern however, stick to the long-roof V60.

We here at AutoGuide have not always been the biggest fans of Volvo’s latest Android Automotive-based infotainment system. I’m happy to report it’s improved for its showing here in the 2023 S60, however.

Having Google navigation built-in remains a key selling point: it works well, with quick responses. The issues crop up when trying to do more complicated actions on the 9.0-inch touchscreen, as the reliance on text menus requires more focus. I’m sure, given a long enough time line, switching the battery from Auto to Charge on the fly would become second nature. But icons would be easier—and more physical controls better still.

It’s tough to call a $59,190 ($66,715 CAD, both including destination) sedan a bargain. But hear me out.

There is precious little that you can buy under 60 large with around 400 horsepower. The list gets smaller still if your criteria includes shuttling three other adults. Not only that, but the Recharge’s PHEV nature makes its wallet-punch light after purchase, too. I never plugged it in, and yet over a week of regular use it still averaged 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km). That is just off its official rating of 31 mpg combined (7.6 L/100 km). I did use the Charge feature to recoup some battery juice a few times too; a half-charge netted me 19.2 miles (31 km).

This model only had a handful of options. I’d skip the Black Edition ($2,345 / $2,100 CAD), but do recommend the Climate ($750 / $1,000 CAD) and Harman Kardon ($800 / $1,000) upgrades, the latter especially in colder climes.

This or the less spacious, 100-horsepower-down Acura TLX Type S? Oh, easy; the Acura’s ELS sound system is the only thing I’d miss.

FAQs

How much does the 2023 Volvo S60 T8 Recharge cost?

Getting into the most powerful Volvo S60 will cost from $53,440 ($62,265 CAD).

What is the all-electric range of the 2023 Volvo S60 T8 Recharge?

The S60 T8 Recharge is rated to 41 miles (64 km) on only electric power.

How long does it take to charge the 2023 Volvo S60 T8 Recharge?

With a Type 2 charger, the S60 will fully charge its 18.8-kWh battery pack in around five hours.