Anyone remember station wagons?
This once thriving form of motive transported multi-child broods in the 1950s, 60s and 70s before higher standing minivans entered the fray in the mid-1980s. Here in the States, station wagons have all but disappeared but continue with some status and success in Europe (where the ‘Wagon’ designation gets eclipsed by the ‘Estate’ moniker).
Volvo, a luxury-minded European automaker with deep roots in Sweeden, remains one of the few namesakes proudly offering its own vision of this lower slung, five-door beauty with its missile-like silhouette and gently sloping roof with narrowing windows when approaching the cargo end. The distinctive design stands out within a parking lot sea dominated by crossovers and minivans. Wagons promise nimble handling when compared to those gangly Soccer-Mom inspired minivans.
Volvo combines technology, electrification, range-anxiety minimization and chunks of safety nuances into our test wagon this week with one of the longest model names in recent memory, the ‘V60 e-AWD Polestar T8 Recharge.’ From here forward, it’s referred to simply as the V60 PHEV.
This plug-wielding five-door checks in as one of five Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in Volvo’s 2025 model year lineup. Volvo utilizes the ‘Recharge’ designate to identify both PHEVs and all-electric vehicles within the lineup, differentiating from traditional internal combustion engines (ICE) style.
Volvo’s past safety efforts deserve a shout out for popularizing the ubiquitous seat belt thanks to the work of company engineer Nils Bohlin who in 1959 patented the three-point seat belt (rather than the single-focus lap design). In a nod to open-source sharing, Volvo offered up the patent to rivals worldwide, allowing any and all automakers to latch onto this superior design to the betterment of humankind. The 2025 V60 PHEV wagon includes golden hues on lap and shoulder strap three-point design.
Volvo also gets credit for advancements within the mundane workings of the headrest and improved whiplash protection. Volvo’s early adaptation of front impact air bags just bolsters the long safety narrative. Our test wagon this week proudly includes several additional puffy air orbs in waiting including: side seat-mounted air bags, first and second row curtain air bags and a driver knee air bag.
Our tester arrives with all-wheel drive standard, adding yet another level of safety especially here in the upper Midwest. Not quite Sweeden, but the snow still flies and piles up.
The company, founded in 1927 in Sweeden, celebrates its 100th anniversary down the road in 2027. Volvo entered the U.S. market in the mid-1950s and now enjoys its place in the worldwide interconnected automotive tapestry. For a decade or so, Volvo was part of Ford Motor Company’s portfolio of makes until its sale to the Chinese conglomerate Geely in 2010. Both Volvo and a relatively new Swedish upstart, Polestar, remain interconnected companies owned by Geely. Earlier in 2024, Volvo reduced its stake in Polestar (which in 20 years morphed into an ‘All Electric Vehicle Manufacturer’ from its humble start within the European car racing circuit) to 18 percent. Volvo continues to market the V60 PHEV wagon as ‘Polestar Engineered’ due in large part to its electrified nuances enhancing performance.
The V60 PHEV powers from a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged gas engine producing 312 horsepower primarily driving the front wheels. It teams with a sizable 348-volt, 18.5-kilowatt hour (total capacity) lithium-ion traction battery pack containing 108 cells powering the single on board electric/traction motor (143 horses) driving the rear axle. The rectangular Direct Current battery pack stretches vertically along the vehicle’s central undercarriage. In the 2020 and 2021 model years, a smaller electric motor and battery pack were employed limiting all-electric range to an underwhelming 21 miles.
For a weighty wagon, precise handling checks in as an added value and the V60 incorporates a quiet cruise on highways.
The fully charged, DC traction battery supplies approximately 41 miles of all electric travel in 2025 before seamlessly switching over to gas-electric hybrid travel. That’s an impressive number when compared to rival 2025 PHEVs. Add the electric motor range to the hybrid-enhanced four-cylinder engine range and V60 delivers a satisfactory 523 miles of estimated combo driving. The 15.9-gallon tank recommends premium unleaded fuel for optimal performance. For those new to the PHEV experience, the drive mimics that of a conventional ICE vehicle, but with gobs more available low-end torque for quick starts from a standing position.
The purchase process simplifies as the 2025 V60 PHEV arrives in one well-equipped trim with few options starting at a very beefy $71,250. Our only option, a cargo luggage cover added $390 coupled with the $1,195 destination charge brought the bottom line to $72,835. Volvo also offers a V60 Cross Country wagon (a non-PHEV, mild hybrid version) for $50,300.
The V60 wagon shares exterior visual characteristics with other Volvo products including on-side ‘T’ shaped headlight housing resembling the Nordic God Thor’s hand-held hammer. This hammer time design blinks in an amber hue when turn signals activate. In back, Vertical red taillights framing the hatch serpentine down from top to bottom in an Alpine-like ski slope fashion. Exterior colors include: Vapour Grey, Thunder Grey and our Crystal White.
Unlike ICE model, the V60 PHEV adds a plug socket behind a circular swing out door on the driver’s side front fender. Gas fill ups pump through a lead behind a passenger rear fender circular doorway. The wagon’s compact size permits overnights in smaller-sized garages.
The V60’s minimalistic interior mimics that of many other Volvos and remains relatively unchanged from its second-generation redo for 2019. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission shifts via a rectangular bejeweled crystal-like stubby clear shifter between the front buckets. A gentle tap forward summons reverse while a move backward connects to drive. Park engages via a push square left of the RNDB column. Below, the well-marked electronic start/stop tactile, ornamental knob that summons via a quick twist to the right. Dual inline beverage holders stand at the right while an electronic parking brake activates from a small tab at the back end of the transmission shifting region.
For those wondering what the “B” signifies in the RNDB transmission sector, think ‘Braking’ as in Regenerative Braking. This recycling process captures kinetic energy produced during the stopping process when the foot hits the brake pedal and repurposes it for delivery back to the sizeable lithium-ion battery pack. Choose from different resistance levels within the ‘B’ selection by moving the bejeweled handle left or right to increase/decrease friction levels. Increased levels contribute to one pedal driving, as the brake pedal seldom needs activity as the intense friction brings the vehicle to an eventual halt.
Regenerative braking, utilized in Electric Vehicles, PHEVs and mild/full gas-electric hybrids add back to fuel economy numbers especially during stop-and-go city travel when braking demands increase. It’s one of the less discussed but notable advances of the ‘electrified’ experience delivering instant feedback.
Slip behind the rather low positioned, yet marvelously supportive front bucket seats and the avant guard dashboard catches one’s eye with the portrait-style, in-dash, nine-inch multi-function touch screen front and center. Screen interworking’s include Google-branded tech. Framing the sides; large vertical air vents with hints of brushed aluminum down running down the central panel. Vents at each end of the dash opt for a square design and include the brushed aluminum center slat. The three-spoke steering wheel deserves a power boost but for now, it moves manually.
The digital instrument panel includes block style graphics in the lower right corner along with digital numbers detailing the estimated number of electric miles and hybrid miles available.
The smooth dashboard minimizes buttons, scrolls and tabs as HVAC commands build into the bright, busy-as-a-bee touch screen. Along the screen’s bottom is a horizontal HVAC mini-menu A simple press of this region summons a full-screen view. The only dial found is a single, large tactile orb below the screen controlling on/off and volume flanked by a couple quick- trip buttons summoning front/rear window defrosting.
One item noticeably absent this 2025 Volvo that many rivals now include standard is the wireless charging pads eliminating the need to plug the Smartphone into area plug ports in when charging. Also, the V60 lacks many storage opportunities found in other rivals. For those ‘Jonesing’ for the old-school AM radio band, the soundtrack of the ‘50s. 60s and 7os, well… some extra homework is necessary since Volvo’s in-dash unit comes standard with only FM and satellite radio. Ways around this include downloading AM station APPs to a Smartphone, and playing through Apple Car Play/Android Auto compatibility…or, express displeasure to Volvo’s customer service folks.
Four drive modes select from the multi-function screen via the omni-present ‘settings’ menu in the lower right corner, and selecting ‘driving’: Pure (EV only), Hybrid, Polestar Engineered and Constant all-wheel drive. Selecting Pure prioritizes the electric/traction motor. Polestar Engineered (think performance mode) peps up acceleration while constant all-wheel drive works well in wet and/or snowy situations.
The well-designed cargo area swallows three medium-type 27x18x11 roller suitcases plus a carry-on bag for good measure, impressive for a compact-style vehicle. The wagon design provides a lower lift height when compared to conventional crossovers easing the loading of all those suitcases. The power tailgate may be programed with different maximum opening heights and operates hands-free with the swat of the lower leg/foot. The cargo door opens via a key fob, dashboard button or under door button. Fold down the split back seat for 60.5 cubic feet of room and an additional compliment of suitcases.
All four exterior door strap-like body-colored handles illuminate at night. Front doors swing open with plenty of entry/exit leg room but back row doors offer a much tighter entry way. Two adult riders occupy row two with maximum comfort due in part to the floor hump down the vertical center, part of the lithium-ion battery pack below.
Charging the large traction Direct Current battery pack involves one of two options: Level One or Level Two. A Level One charge refers to electricity sourced from a common household 120-volt alternating current (AC) outlet. For all intents and purposes, PHEVs survive just fine utilizing this option. In the EV world, these ‘Level 1’ outlets (also known as ‘trickle chargers) supply between 3 and 5 miles of electric travel per hour, workable for a PHEV.
During our week’s testing, approximately 13 hours were required to reach 31 miles of pure EV driving utilizing a Level One 120-volt outlet. All V60 recharge vehicles come with a 22.9-foot J1772-style pistol-grip trigger plug connecting together the wagon A/C port and a three-prong 120-volt plug.
While Volvo promotes 41 miles of estimated EV range, our tester arrived in December with temperatures below freezing for several consecutive nights. Outside temperature plays a huge roll with such ranges. Large lithium-ion DC battery packs, like humans, operate more efficiently between 65 and 85 degrees. Our electric range improved as the weather moderated, reaching 35 miles of estimated pure electric travel after another overnight session. On the flip side, recharge during a mid-summer night and range could be expected to reach beyond the mid-40s.
Level Two represents a 240-outlet, used commonly for household furnaces and washer/dryers. Level Two charging necessitates special garage wiring and EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) wall-mounted units with varying price and ampere output. This investment lowers recharging time to under five hours. The V60’s Recharge’s relatively small 3.7-kilowatt on-board charging module converts household AC current into DC current for storage into the DC large battery pack.
Costs associated with a ‘Level Two’ 240-volt wall unit (or EVSE) vary. The unit itself costs between $350 and $900 depending upon the amperage level selected while labor rates vary widely depending upon several factors including the home’s circuit breaker box location. The closer the circuit breaker is to the garage the lower the cost. Generally, factor between $400 and $1,700 for a certified electrician’s handywork. In February of 2024, Com Ed announced a $5 million EV Charger and Installation Rebate Program awarding up to $3,750 to Illinois residential customers to offset costs when implementing at-home ‘Level Two’ wall units when utilizing a certified/approved subcontractor. Some hoops to jump through but worth a look. More information and details are found at ComEd.com/about-us/clean-energy.
Most PHEV vehicles, including the Volvo V60, do not accept DC fast charging, a process where Direct Current feeds directly into the in-vehicle DC battery pack bypassing the on-board charging module. The PHEV’s onboard lithium battery’s relatively smaller size remains a key reason. Commercially available DC fast chargers are located along Interstate Highways and select Wal-Marts. Consumers pay for this convenience as DC Fast Charging costs double that of Level Two charging.
The DC fast charging network assists pure EVs during long hauls adding approximately 80 percent of charge from a near depleted state in about 35 minutes depending upon battery pack size, kilowatt output of the DC charging port (anywhere between 50 and 350 kilowatts) and in-vehicle constraints determined by the vehicles own battery management system.
2025 Volvo V60 e-AWD Polestar T8 Recharge
Price as tested: $72,835
Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder
Engine Horsepower: 312
Electric Motor Horsepower: 143
Pure EV mileage estimate: 41
Total Horsepower: 455
Wheelbase: 113.1 inches
Overall Length: 188.1 inches
Overall Width: 75.4 inches
Overall Height: 56.3 inches
Curb Weight: 4,495 pounds
Hybrid fuel economy: 31 mpg combined
Hybrid/Electronics warranty: 96 months/100,000 miles
Assembly: Torslanda, Sweden
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