Volvo South Africa has introduced a limited number of the new XC60 Black Edition units. Only 23 units will be available in South Africa; we spent some time in one recently.
Related: Volvo XC60 T8 R-Design AWD (2022) Review
Pros:
-Blacked-out aesthetics look fantastic
-A genuinely compelling premium mobility solution
-A strong balance of performance and frugality
Cons:
The model range is now 8 years old
-Charging can be finicky
Styling
The exterior of this XC60 garnered many compliments during our tenure with the car, with the Onyx Black exterior paint, gloss black grille, gloss black 21-inch wheels, and blacked-out badges all contributing to what has always been a very well proportioned and well-designed exterior.
Interior
Like the exterior, emphasis has been placed on the blacked-out theme, with the model tested featuring charcoal headlining and charcoal-ventilated Nappa leather. The inside of the XC60 has aged remarkably well, and indeed, the material quality, fit, and finish, coupled with famously comfy seats, make this a wonderful, minimalist cabin to spend time in.
The portrait-mounted infotainment system, digitised instrument cluster, and general layout are still fresh in 2024. I'm not the biggest fan of the Google operating system in these products, particularly when comparing them with systems from key German rivals. However, with Apple CarPlay in play, as with most modern systems, it becomes easy to live with. I'm not sold on adjusting the climate control and driving modes via the central screen either, and looking at the upcoming legislation, buttons appear to be making a mandatory comeback, a sweet victory for us all, I'd say!
Volvo XC60 hybrid vs mild hybrid
Let's compare the T8 plug-in hybrid version of the XC60 with its mild hybrid internal combustion-powered (ICE) B5 sibling, which, when specified in the same trim, has a roughly R265 000 price gulf in favour of the B5.
| Volvo XC60 T8 | Volvo XC60 B5 | |
| Power | 183kW/350Nm | 350kW/709Nm (combined petrol/electric) |
| 0-100 km/h | 4.8 sec | 6.9 sec |
| Fuel consumption (as tested) | 4.3 L/100km | 8.9 L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (g/km) | 37 g/km | 173 g/km |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 216 mm | 216 mm |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 2 158kg | 1 840kg |
| Boot volume (litres) | 468-litres | 483-litres |
| Braked towing capacity (kg) | 2 250 kg | 2 400 kg |
Drivetrain
Related: Volvo EX30 colours and price guide
Driving impression
The T8 derivative of the XC60 has always been an interesting vehicle to drive because it's staggeringly fast for what it is but isn't set up to be very dynamic to drive. While this may come across as a bit disjointed at times, it's the softer edge of the car that makes it so lovely to use as a daily. The steering is light, and the hybrid system is well-calibrated, so the transition from all-electric to combustion and back feels nearly seamless. Since there's air suspension, the ride quality is supple despite the 22.0-inch wheels with low-profile rubber!
When it comes to charging, I did encounter some issues. An AC cable was not provided with the test unit, so I had to make use of the home charging cable, which is not a problem; however, there were three instances where the car would initialise the charging and then state "Charging Paused", necessitating starting the process again, and eventually the car accepting the charge. Charging it at home cost me roughly R72 each time. It yielded around 62km of driving range, which, in combination with the petrol engine, meant that true hybrid driving to and from work was possible, which led to the solid fuel consumption I mentioned below. It isn't quite as straightforward as using a regular ICE or EV, though, since you have two power sources to manage, and you find yourself having to decide where and when to use both to maximise efficieny.
Fuel economy
Volvo claims a fuel consumption figure of 1.6 L/100km; however, our combined driving cycle reached a total of 4.3 L/100km, with a healthy mix of electric and petrol driving, which is impressive for a two-ton-plus SUV!
Pricing
The pricing for the XC60 Black Edition range includes a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan.
- XC60 B5 Plus Black Edition: R1 092 500
- XC60 Recharge Plus Black Edition: R1 364 000
- XC60 Recharge Ultimate Black Edition: R1 438 000
Verdict
Each time I drive a plug-in hybrid SUV, I'm reminded of how these vehicles make sense as a mobility solution for the short to medium term, particularly locally, where interest in all-electric cars is not as strong as in other markets. For those looking at transitioning from perhaps a diesel-powered SUV, a PHEV is a good place to start, but user beware, there's more admin associated with keeping tabs on two sources of energy than one.
