For the first time since 2020, you can purchase the last remaining Volvo sedan with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power in Australia.
The Recharge T8 Black Edition is the new flagship of the Volvo S60 range, and one of just two variants still available Down Under.
It brings massive performance and efficiency gains as well as a black aesthetic package, but Volvo is also asking a $19,000 premium over the base Ultimate B5 Bright.
That pits the five-year-old S60 up against segment staples from the big three German brands – BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.
It also potentially worsens the value equation when compared to cheaper electrified rivals in the segment such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3.
With that said, does an injection of modern powertrain tech and exclusive styling add to the allure the S60?
How much does the Volvo S60 cost?
The 2024 Volvo S60 range comprises just two variants, but the pair are separated by nearly $20,000.
| Model | Price before on-roads |
|---|---|
| 2024 Volvo S60 Ultimate B5 Bright | $69,990 |
| 2024 Volvo S60 Recharge T8 Black Edition | $88,990 |
To see how the Volvo S60 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
What is the Volvo S60 like on the inside?
If you’re an avid follower of CarExpert and feel like this interior looks familiar, that’s because it is!
The layout and materials in the S60 Black Edition are nearly identical to the XC60 Black Edition we reviewed recently, albeit on a smaller scale. That’s no bad thing, because there’s a lot to like inside both cars.
Sliding into the low-riding S60, it takes next to no time to get comfortable.
Volvo has a reputation for producing seats that put plush couches to shame, and the items on offer here are some of its best.
Trimmed in black perforated leather the seats are soft and supportive, with so much adjustability Volvo dedicated an entire section of the infotainment menus to it.
You can tinker with bolster width, thigh support and lumbar, in addition to the expected functions via the screen or toggles on the side of the seat. Memory settings are available to save some time when your better half wants a drive.
To top it off, both front seats have three-stage heating and cooling functions to help you battle Australia’s unpredictable elements.
The rest of the cabin feels upmarket. Stitched leather, soft plastic, and carpet fill most of the space – all in black, of course.
Volvo stopped just short of subjecting the entire interior to the blackout treatment, retaining the attention-grabbing Orrefors crystal gear selector along with a wraparound woven metal dash finish.
As well as being comfortable, drivers also have easy access to entertainment in the S60 with its Android Automotive infotainment setup. Packaged into a portrait 9.0-inch touchscreen, the Google-based system works just like a modern smartphone and therefore has a flat learning curve.
Familiar Google apps such as YouTube, Spotify, and Google Maps (with live traffic updates) are included, and I found myself using the native system rather than defaulting to Apple CarPlay as is often the case. That’s in part due to the need for a wired smartphone mirroring connection, which is frustrating.
Rural buyers will also bemoan the lack of AM radio, which comes in handy when FM and DAB coverage are hard to come by. Sitting in silence isn’t an option, as the 15-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system looks and sounds the part.
Volvo makes it easy to resist connecting your phone by offering an infotainment system that’s uncluttered and easy to use.
The same can be said of the digital instrument cluster, which displays standard dials with the option of a Google Map in the middle.
Just don’t expect the same level of customisation as the displays offered by other premium manufacturers.
Limited storage space also leaves some room for improvement. The front door bins are shallow and, due to the lithium-ion battery sitting in the transmission tunnel, there’s only room for a phone under the centre armrest. It’s where the dual USB-C ports live.
Nearby cupholders are just about big enough and the glovebox is roomy, but there are no further cubbies to speak of.
It’s a different story in the second row, which offers comfort and practicality in spades.
The outboard rear seats are heated so everyone can get warm, and there’s plenty of legroom for taller adults although resting knees against the hard seat backs isn’t advised. Headroom is adequate for average-tall adults, and there would be more space if not for the sunroof.
Rear passengers are also able to spread out, as the middle seat is only suitable for very small children due to a high transmission tunnel.
As you’ve probably gathered by now, black is the dominant shade throughout this car which has the potential to make the cabin feel smaller than it is. The sunroof and large windows prevent this by exposing all occupants to natural light from every angle.
It’s not stuffy either, with air vents located at chest height to keep fresh air circulating.
As a passenger the temptation is always to vie for front seat rights, but a claim could be made that you’re almost better off in the back of the S60, which also offers USB-C connectivity, storage nets, door bins, and a centre armrest with retractable cupholders.
Just treat it as a four-seater if you want the optimum occupant experience as an adult.
The boot of the S60 Black Edition left much to be desired. With a claimed 442L of space, the S60 offers less room than all the main German rivals, although it does top the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Genesis G70.
It’s a manual task to open the boot and the aperture isn’t all that large either, so it’s difficult to load bulky items.
There aren’t many features inside to speak of. You get a 12V power outlet and side nets to keep items secure, but it’s a relatively plain area otherwise. Space is also taken up by the drive battery charging equipment which is stored in a (removable) bag hung on the wall.
More cargo room is accessible via the 60/40 folding rear bench, although that doesn’t make it any less difficult to fit objects through the boot opening.
| Dimensions | Volvo S60 Recharge T8 Black Edition |
|---|---|
| Length | 4778mm |
| Width | 1850mm |
| Height | 1426mm |
| Wheelbase | 2872mm |
| Kerb weight | 1849kg |
| Boot space | 442L (seats up) |
To see how the Volvo S60 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
What’s under the bonnet?
There are two engines offered with the 2024 Volvo S60.
S60 B5 models are fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated with a 48V mild-hybrid system. Outputs are rated at 183kW and 350Nm and Volvo claims the S60 B5 can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The top-spec S60 T8 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid teams a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and 18.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The petrol engine makes 223kW and 400Nm on its own, while the rear-mounted electric motor develops 107kW and 309Nm. System outputs are 340kW and 709Nm, and Volvo claims the S60 PHEV can sprint from 0-100 in 4.5 seconds.
| Specifications | Volvo S60 T8 Black Edition |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo PHEV |
| Engine outputs | 233kW + 400Nm |
| Electric motor outputs | 107kW + 309Nm |
| Total system power | 340kW |
| Total system torque | 709Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Battery | 18.8kWh lithium-ion |
| Driven Wheels | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1849kg (tare) |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 1.4L/100km |
| Electric range | 90km (NEDC) |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 4.2L/100km |
| Fuel tank | 60L |
| Octane rating | 95 RON |
To see how the Volvo S60 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
How does the Volvo S60 drive?
In many ways the S60 Black Edition feels like a modern interpretation of the sporty sedans that used to dominate Australian roads, but it also has a distinctly Volvo flavour.
Overseas model shown
Fast Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores were not only quick in a straight line, you heard them coming from kilometres away.
The S60 Black Edition definitely ticks the former box with a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.5 seconds, but it gains speed in a quieter and more insulated manner.
Instant electric torque propels the Volvo off the line around town, and acceleration at city speeds of 0-60km/h is effortless.
It’s easy to travel from A to B in quick time, but you’ll never have to raise your voice to hold a conversation with the passenger. Should traffic bring your journey to a standstill, auto-hold is on hand to take a load off your brake foot, and the interior is well protected from the sounds of city life.
That’s until you try to negotiate tight suburban streets – in my experience the collision warning system was overly sensitive, sometimes triggering a loud beep and vibrations through the car when passing cars parked on the side of the road.
When charged diligently, the S60 is also an efficient commuter car. Volvo’s 1.4L/100km fuel economy claim is perfectly achievable with a full battery, especially considering it has an electric range of 90km and the average commute in Australia is a 33km round trip.
Plugged into a regular wall socket, the battery recovers from empty to fully charged overnight (or about 8.0 hours).
Fuel consumption averaged out at 4.2L/100km during my one-week loan, which can be put down to a couple of long road trips and some spirited driving.
Five selectable drive modes – hybrid, power, pure EV, off-road, and constant all-wheel drive – enable you to activate each different personality within the S60 at the touch of a screen. That comes in handy when you leave the city and take on the open road.
While EV mode provides a quiet, efficient experience in urban environments, another side to this sedan comes alive when the power sources work in tandem.
At highway speeds the T8 PHEV shines, chewing up the tarmac without fuss. Despite riding on 21-inch alloys road noise is minimal, and a compliant suspension setup cossets you down the road, evening out lumps and bumps in the surface.
A combined 340kW of power also makes it easy to safely overtake labouring B-Doubles, or even just cruise behind them with the assistance of the smooth and easy to use adaptive cruise control system.
However, don’t get it twisted when you reach the twisty stuff, this straight-line slingshot isn’t a corner carver.
With 1849kg to move the S60 isn’t as nimble as lighter, more firmly sprung sedans, and it tends to understeer when pushed through turns.
It’s no boat by any means, but don’t expect the handling dynamics of a BMW M3. As such, the S60 Black Edition is best suited to a combination of daily commuting and cross-country touring.
What do you get?
The new Black Edition brings a host of upgrades over the Ultimate B5 Bright.
S60 Ultimate B5 Bright highlights:
- 12-inch digital instrument cluster
- Head-up display
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay
- DAB+ digital radio
- Satellite navigation (Google Maps)
- 10-speaker 220W sound system
- Leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Power-adjustable front seats with memory, power lumbar
- Heated steering wheel
- Crystal gear shifter
- Wireless phone charger
- 4-zone climate control with air purifier
- Aluminium sill plates
- Keyless entry and start
- Panoramic sunroof
- Automatic headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Wiper blades with integrated washers
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Adaptive LED headlights
- 19-inch alloy wheels
S60 Recharge T8 Black Edition adds:
- 15-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system
- Onyx Black exterior paint
- Onyx Black grille and badging
- Black window trims
- 21-inch black alloy wheels
- Black Nappa leather upholstery
- Ventilated front seats
- Power adjustable side support
Is the Volvo S60 safe?
The Volvo S60 B5 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2018. The T8 PHEV, however, is unrated.
Wagon body shape shown
B5 variants received an adult occupant protection rating of 96 per cent, a child occupant protection rating of 88 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection rating of 74 per cent, and a safety assist rating of 77 per cent.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Pilot Assist
- Surround-view camera
- Front, rear and side parking sensors
- Traffic sign recognition
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
How much does the Volvo S60 cost to run?
Like the wider Volvo line-up, the S60 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with eight years of complementary 24/7 roadside assistance.
| Running costs | Volvo S60 Black Edition |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres 8 years (battery) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped price servicing | 3 or 5 years |
| Total capped price service cost | $1750 (3 years) $3000 (5 years) |
To see how the Volvo S60 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
CarExpert’s Take on the Volvo S60
The addition of the PHEV Black Edition gives the S60 a much needed point of difference in a segment boasting plenty of options.
Performance gains elevate the Volvo above most of the competition bar the Tesla Model 3 Performance in terms of straight-line speed, and the S60 is now more efficient than its ICE competitors provided you stay on top of charging the battery.
It’s not a true sports sedan though, so don’t expect a cut price BMW M3 or Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance.
An upgraded sound system and plush seats are worthwhile interior upgrades, and the Black Edition feels premium as a result. It may not have all the toys found in newer sedans, but the available tech is user friendly and that’s more important now than ever.
Interior storage is unchanged though, which is a drawback of this car when compared to its alternatives.
The black pack is neither here nor there. Some will love the look and others will hate it, but it shouldn’t be the only option available. At a minimum, a few exterior colour options couldn’t hurt.
So, should you buy one? If you want a quick, comfortable, black executive sedan, the S60 Black Edition is a unique option with plenty to like. It offers a very different driving experience to the base S60 B5, and builds on a solid foundation in other facets.
However, powertrain aside the Lexus ES wins on luxury for less money, while a BMW 3 Series is more capable when the road gets twisty. A Tesla Model 3 Performance outpoints the S60 on both speed and efficiency.
As such, the S60 Recharge T8 Black Edition will likely remain a niche alternative in the world of mid-sized sedans.
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