The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge AWD Ultimate Dark Theme Premium SUV

What is a XC60? The XC60 is a compact sized premium luxury SUV, now in its second generation, built in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is one of Volvo’s most popular models. Sandwiched between the smaller XC40 and the larger XC90, the Volvo XC60 offers safety, style and superb build quality, in an attractive and well rounded package.

The XC60 has one of the biggest cargo areas in the compact premium luxury SUV class. It has 22.4 cubic feet of room behind the back row and 63.3 cubic feet with the back row folded down. With elegant styling, a beautiful cabin and an excellent plug-in hybrid option, it is a solid value. The 2023 Volvo XC60 is the bread & butter SUV for Volvo as it’s in the very popular compact premium luxury SUV segment.

This week Volvo sent me a 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge AWD Ultimate SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this Dark Theme edition is $66,950. The options on the test SUV are: the climate package for $750, the metallic paint for $695, the power operated tailgate for $200, a Bowers and Wilkins Premium sound system for $3,200 and the 4 corner air suspension system for $1,800. The MSRP manufactures suggested retail price, including the $1,095 destination charge is: $74,690.

After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door in your garage total purchase price came to: $84,026. At $84 Grand this XC60 is $9,000 over the luxury entry level price of $75,000 and it’s a lot of car for the money.

First up is it’s a PHEV, a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, that gets 63 MPGe and can be charged up on a 240 volt level II charger in only 5 hours. The gas engine gets 28 MPG in combined driving, with a greenhouse gas rating of 8 and a smog rating of 7; both out of 10 and the electric driving range is 36 miles on a full charge. All good numbers for a compact sized premium SUV, with AWD all wheel drive, and a PHEV hybrid driveline.

As most people drive less than 30 miles a day, you can drive the XC60 on the battery all day, every day, and charge it up at night. The total gas and electric combined driving range is 448 to 560 miles, so you can save your gas money for your next nonstop trip to LA and then on to Vegas.

This XC60 Recharge Ultimate model has a 2.0L liter turbo charged direct injected 4 cylinder engine and an electric motor, that combined, make 455 HP horsepower and 523 lb-ft pounds of torque. The electric power is supplied by a 18.8 kWh high voltage extended range battery. Charging can be done with either a 110 volt level I charger, a 220 volt level II charger, or on a 400 volt DCFC Direct Current Fast Charging super charger.

Power is then sent to an 8 speed Geartronic automatic transmission, with auto start and stop, bolted to an eAWD electronic all wheel drive transfer case, with adjustable terrain drive mode settings. Traction is assisted with electric power steering, on a set of diamond cut alloy wheels, with all season 20″ high performance tires.

The Ultimate Edition features start with: a high gloss black mesh front and outer grill assembly, high gloss black window trim and mirror caps, Nappa leather seats and a tailored wood interior, a 360 degree surround view camera, pilot assisted driving, adaptive cruise control, a high level interior illumination system, home link garage door transmitters, power rear door child locks, front and side parking assist, front seat cushion extensions, a tailored dashboard, a graphical head up display, 12 volt charging ports and an air purifier system. These are all the things that make driving safe, fun, and ultra comfortable.

So, when you’re ready to buy a new compact sized premium SUV, the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge AWD should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s rated as one of the most safest and most luxurious SUV’s for sale in the entire compact premium luxury class.

As this is a brand built on safety, Volvo’s slogan is “For Life.”  This slogan can not only imply the life saving safety ability of all Volvo’s vehicles, but also for their longevity as reliable vehicles, since you could drive one literally “For Life.”

Call, click or visit your local Volvo dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the new 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge Ultimate AWD SUV. And remember that the base price for a new XC60 starts at only $57,200. Volvo – For Life.

Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today”.

This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a “Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense” editorial  provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net