The 2024 Volvo XC60 Black Edition is possibly the most well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury crossover out there. It may not be top-of-class in any particular area, but it strikes a just-right balance of looks, performance, and efficiency, all in an overall package that feels a little more special than its main rivals. Plus, it’s a Volvo, so you can count on two things: a strong dedication to safety — and some of the best seats in the business.
Don’t look for any major updates for 2024, aside from our tester’s new Black Edition trim. It takes the top-of-the-line Ultra trim level and adds a number of blacked-out items, such as 21-inch wheels, a front grille, mirror covers, roof rails, and window trim. Your only exterior paint option here is Onyx Black, and inside, you can choose between full Nappa leather seats or Nappa leather with cloth inserts, but only in black.
As with any Volvo, safety is one area the XC60 doesn’t neglect. With every model scoring top safety ratings in crash tests being pretty much the norm for Volvo, you know that anyone inside will have some of the best protection you can count on. In addition, you get a number of driver and active safety assists standard, such as automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist, just to name a few.
Inside, the XC60 is what you’d expect from Volvo. This isn’t a bad thing: the XC60 is quite comfortable, ergonomically sound, and the materials used throughout are pretty high-standard. The overall look is a mix of modern and clean design that’s inoffensive if a little corporate — the XC60 pretty much looks like every other Volvo inside — but it all works. There is more than enough room for four full-sized adults, and of course, the seats are incredibly comfortable. Cargo space is a healthy 597 litres with the seats up and 1,395 L with them stowed. The non plug-in hybrid XC60 is a touch roomier, at 730 L seats up, on account of the lower cargo floor.
Like other models, the XC60 uses Google-based software for its infotainment. It has been improved from previous iterations, but can still be frustrating at times, and if you wish to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you still need to plug in your phone. The Black Edition comes fully loaded, meaning Volvo’s Bowers & Wilkins sound system is standard, and it’s one of the best in any vehicle at any price. You will find 1,410 watts and 15 speakers of clarity. Stepping up to the Black Edition is well worth the extra money.
I wouldn’t consider the XC60 Black Edition as sporty as something like a BMW X3, but it does hold its own. It takes a corner surprisingly well and with little drama, but the ride is stiffer than you’d expect, though still perfectly acceptable as a daily driver. Even on the large 21-inch wheels, the XC60 still eats up road imperfections with ease.
Under the hood, you’ll still find a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, working with two electric motors and a 14.9 kWh battery pack. In total, it puts out an impressive 455 and 523 pound-feet of torque, sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic. Volvo estimates a zero-to-100 km/h run in 4.8 seconds; that’s an impressive figure, but full EVs like the all-wheel-drive Hyundai Ioniq 5 are quicker in a straight line for less money, if you’re into that. Otherwise, the XC60 Black Edition’s PHEV powertrain is quiet and transitions smoothly between gas and electric, and passing power is more than enough for most.
Volvo does not break down city and highway fuel efficiency figures, but the XC60 is rated at 8.5 L/100 km combined. I achieved a slightly higher 9.2 L/100 km, which is still not bad considering the power, the fact that I kept it in Sport mode, and my heavy right foot for most of the week. In electric-only mode, Volvo estimates 58 kilometres of range, but I noticed range drops significantly on the highway, and once you reach 48 kilometres, the gas engine kicks on. EV mode is best saved for driving around town.
One disadvantage I wasn’t expecting was charge time. Volvo says a zero-to-100 per cent charge on a Level 2 charger will take up to five hours. This is to get 58 km out of a 14.9 kWh battery. By comparison, the Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV fully charges up in just over two hours, and gets about 60 km of EV range.
The XC60 plug-in hybrid starts at $59,950 for the base Core trim, but our 2024 Volvo XC60 Black Edition tester is considerably more, working out to $83,950 as-tested. While you could consider that on the high side, it does fall in line with everything else in the segment. If you’re willing to forego some blacked-out bits, you could save a few bucks and go with a “lesser” XC60 trim; you’d still get a comfortable and luxurious plug-in hybrid crossover that differs from the norm.
