Volvo, the Scandinavian delicacy, garnered headlines and internet clicks last year, promising all vehicles launched in 2019 and thereafter will include an electric motor presence, placing electrification at the center of its business model.
Volvo is phasing out the traditional internal combustion engine, opting for powertrains enhanced by varying levels of electrified options. Volvos will either be gas-electric hybrids or powered solely by batteries.
Volvo's not Europe's largest luxury automotive nameplate, but it's been actively pursued by eager suiters the past two decades. Ford Motor Company folded the Gothenburg, Sweden-based automaker into its Premier Auto Group (Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin) from 1999 through 2009. Volvo then accepted an invitation to join Geely, one of China's fastest-growing auto groups.
Volvo put down stakes in the States with its 2015, announcement highlighting construction of its first U.S.-based assembly plant located outside the port City of Charleston, South Carolina. Production of the mid-size S60 sedan is scheduled to start later this year. A second model, the XC90 full-size crossover, comes online at the Berkeley, South Carolina facility in 2021.
The 2018 model year signifies the arrival of this week's tester, the second-generation XC60 crossover now based on Volvo's 'Scalable Product Architecture' (SPA), a global, modular architecture. Volvo debuted SPA in the larger aforementioned XC90 crossover during its own next-gen redo three years ago.
The popular five-door, two-row XC60 crossover debuted a decade ago in 2008 with car-like, uni-body underpinnings developed during Volvo's tutelage under Ford.
Overall length grows by about two-and-a-half inches in 2018. Although bigger, overall weight remains nearly identical to the slightly smaller first-generation effort, thanks in part to lighter-weight, high-strength steel.
Volvo currently offers a variation of high-potent four cylinder engines throughout its model lineup, bypassing six and eight cylinder varieties to enhance economy numbers.
For 2018, the all-wheel-drive XC60 offers three trims: T5, T6 and top-notch T8. Each trim promotes an accompanying unique powertrain. Our T8 tester possessed the most potent under hood offering cranking out an impressive 400 horsepower; a 2.0-liter four-cylinder twin-charge set up (combining both turbo charging and super charging) teamed with plug-in hybrid electric technology.
The T5 comes with a 2.0-liter four with just turbocharging (250 horsepower and up 10 from 2017) while the T6's 2.0-liter inline four includes both a turbocharger and super charger (316 horsepower). The T5 and T6 come sans plug-in hybrid technology.
Turbo and super charging work to deliver greater volumes of air into the engine for increased power results without added cylinders.
Volvo estimates a full charge of the T8's 10.4 kilowatt lithium-ion battery pack takes approximately three hours using a higher-voltage 220-volt outlet (washing machine type connection). However, the only source available during our week of testing was a more pedestrian 120-volt outlet. Unscientific research indicated charging utilizing a 120-volt outlet took six-and-a-half hours.
The owner's manual estimates a fully charged, XC60 travels approximately 20 miles primarily in zero-emission electric mode before the supercharged/turbocharged combo kicks into action. After a full electric charge overnight, our instrument panel indicated an available 18 miles of pure electric travel. Estimates vary depending upon HVAC blower usage and driving style. Range-to-empty listings reside in the lower right corner of the animated instrument panel.
As with most pure electric (EVs), gas-electric non-plug-in hybrids or plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs), regenerative braking allows the XC60's lithium ion battery to capture energy during braking for repurposing later in the driving process.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including the 2018 XC60 T8 and the longer-established Chevrolet Volt, combine a limited all-electric driving range with a gas-electric hybrid engine backup, a nice combination allowing for hundreds of miles of driving experience. If plug-in ports are not available away from home, XC60 T8 operates via the four-cylinder engine. The plug-in cord and port (located on the driver's side front fender) are used as needed or when convenient.
The mid-size XC60 starts at $41,500 for a T5. Our T8 tester included a $52,900 starting price. With a long list of packages and stand-alone options ($17,695 worth), the bottom line ended at $71,590 with $995 destination charge.
The XC60 prioritizes a subtle luxury-type glide rather that a harsher, sporty experience. Electronic power assist steering provides effortless turning. Volvo also pays forward its well-earned safety reputation by introducing 'Oncoming Lane Mitigation,' using a steer assist to help mitigate head-on collisions. Considering both supercharger and turbochargers work in tandem under hood, the XC60's interior remained tranquil with only a whisper of engine and wind sensation when on the highway.
Interior highlights include a light-weight, stubby electronic eight-speed automatic shifter resembling a smallish joy-stick type knob reminiscent of an arcade game. It's located near two dual inline beverage holders between front bucket seats. Tap it forward to engage reverse or backward for drive. Park is accessed by pushing down a nearby button, or when switching off the hybrid engine.
The ignition system is also electronic, but no push-button exists. Instead, a small twist knob also found between front buckets to the rear of the transmission device commands the vehicle on and off by a twist to the right. An electronic parking brake to the rear of the ignition knob completes the electric circuit.
An animated 12.3-inch digital instrument panel fades into black as the vehicle turns off, but brightly summons back to life with the turn of an ignition stub. Two circular animated gauges flank a center screen scrollable to several choices including a secondary navigation map. The left orb includes inside framing of a traditional analog-type speedometer with a digital readout tucked inside along with a speed-limit icon identifying the current roadway speed limit. The right gauge includes an animated posting of the current gear selected.
The modern-looking dash gets centered by a very large, flat nine-inch vertically-situated in-dash multifunction screen resembling an iPad. High resolution keeps graphics crisp and sharp. Ventilation functions (fan speed, temperature sets) and many audio selections monitor via swipes and screen touches, a bummer to those (including this scribe) who crave multiple tactile dials. While informative to the N-th degree, eyes spend too much time away from important sights ahead when searching for settings.
The XC60 welcomes smartphone interaction through Apple's Car Play and Android's Auto, basically allowing these smartphones to connect up and allow apps to run through the large center screen.
Our T8 included a height-adjustable power hatch opening, with head clearance enough for most shoppers and wiper blades include integrated washers for a cleaner sweep. Inside, all five riders enjoy excellent head room and good leg room.
Outside lighting harkens back to Nordic themes. The front's 'Thor's hammer' design is a nod to the Nordic God of thunder, with a side-resting 'T' with bejeweled LED headlights. In back long, slopping tail light housing hugs and frames the hatch door, resembling a slalom found in the snow-capped hills of Sweden.
The sizeable 18.3-gallon fuel tank utilizes premium, 91-octane fuel for each trim and engine.
2018 Volvo XC60
Price as tested: $71,590
Engine: inline 2.0-liter four cylinder
Horsepower: 400
Wheelbase: 112.8 inches
Exterior length: 184.6 inches
Overall height: 65.3 inches
Overall Width: 83.3 inches
Total weight: 4,105 pounds
Assembly: Gothenburg, Sweden
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