MOTORS REVIEW: Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD

Volvo may now leave the more sexy, dynamic stuff to its all-electric sister brand Polestar, but that leaves it with a set of USPs which have successfully elevated it into territory previously dominated by German brands and stay there.

Safety and green credentials also factor highly on the Swedish premium carmaker’s list of priorities.

It is still pursuing a reduction in the number of people that are seriously injured or killed in road traffic accidents to zero and was among a handful of brands lobbying for an all-out end to non-EV sales across Europe by 2025.

But there is not yet a fully electric version of the XC60 tested here. Customers have a choice of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or electrically-assisted mild hybrid petrol and diesel drivetrains.

We got into the 48-volt hybrid system of Volvo’s B5 drivetrain, which recuperates energy under deceleration to offer some assistance to the two-litre turbocharged petrol engine in a bid to boost economy.

So mild is the assistance that it is barely perceptible on the move.

The XC60 is extremely smooth and refined, with an eight-speed gearbox that’s keener to shift up early and offer subdued progress than serve up accelerative thrills.

That said, Volvo claims a swift 6.9 second dash to 62mph and 112mph top speed for the all-wheel-drive version of its XC60 B5 Inscription tested here, which delivers a healthy 250PS and 350Nm of torque.

Economy is less impressive than you might expect, given the (mild) hybrid billing, though.

Fuel economy on the combined cycle is 31.7 to 36.7mpg, with CO2 emissions between 176 to 202g/km.

Company car drivers and those wanting greener stats and genuine zero-emissions driving will have to stump up nearly £8,000 to get into the range’s PHEV option.

As standard, the Inscription trim XC60 all-wheel-drive B5 petrol tested here is priced at £48,010 in an XC60 range which starts at £42,085, but a smattering of options took that to £52,745.

Volvo’s cabin quality is excellent.

Driving an XC60, with its ample leg and headroom and an ample 483-litre boot, it is hard to imagine the need for the larger XC90.

And the cabin architecture’s classy Scandinavian simplicity only adds to the feeling that this is a car that hits a sweet spot for subtle premium polish.

An illuminated crystal gear selector (inset, above) created by Swedish firm Orrefors is the only real hint of bling in a cabin that otherwise focuses on tactile quality.

After years of using Volvo’s portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment systems — now working on a new Google operating system — I still find it less than intuitive.

Swiping and scrolling through menu pages still feels a faff and takes some adapting to.

That said, the familiar Google Maps sat nav, crisp graphics and slick integration of apps like Spotify all look great.

As you would expect there is plenty of safety kit.

Volvo’s suite of tech includes pedestrian and animal recognition integrated into its automated emergency braking and Run-off Road Protection, which tightens the seatbelts should the car inadvertently leave the road.

Evidence that Volvo continues to present itself as one of the sector’s most progressive carmakers — one that prioritises transport that is safe and comfortable — is laudable.

The XC60 B5 is not the most driver-oriented premium SUV in the sector, nor is it even the greenest in its own range, but it is a car which oozes premium sector class and will look after its occupants.

In this market segment, I think that makes Volvo a fairly safe bet for success.