Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid review – Interior & comfort

The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid helps cement Volvo’s reputation as a premium manufacturer. It’s beautifully built, tastefully designed and very well equipped. Yes, the Plug-in Hybrid is significantly more expensive than the rest of the XC60 range, but the trim levels it’s available with are very luxurious and shouldn’t leave you feeling short-changed.

Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid dashboard

If you’ve sat in or seen the normal XC60 – or its larger XC90 brother for that matter – you’ll know what to expect in the plug-in hybrid models: a luxurious and tasteful dashboard with excellent fit and finish, and high-quality materials throughout. For the 2021 facelift, a vegan leather-trimmed steering wheel and a touch-control overhead panel for the sunroof were introduced.  

For the 2021 facelift, a chunky, vegan leather-trimmed steering wheel and a touch-control overhead panel for the sunroof were introduced – the physical buttons on the steering wheel are more satisfying to use than those of a Range Rover Velar, although the plastic they’re made from doesn’t feel particularly expensive. A crystal gear selector made by Swedish glassworks Orrefors adds a little touch of glitz, but overall the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid gives a more understated feeling of luxury than you’ll find in a Mercedes GLC or Porsche Macan – that means it doesn’t feel obnoxious, which is part of the appeal for some buyers.

You start the engine by turning a pleasingly tactile knurled metal knob by the gearlever, but the physical driving mode selector has now been removed to clean up the centre console design and provide more storage space. We prefer a physical driving mode selector, however, as navigating through the infotainment’s submenus can make changing the setting very distracting on the move. This is a particularly important function on the Plug-in Hybrid models, where you may wish to adjust how the plug-in hybrid powertrain behaves.

Volvo’s Sensus portrait infotainment touchscreen has been reworked with a new Android Automotive operating system, which is a big improvement over the old software. There are still a few submenus but "Hey Google" voice commands work well, and can take care of most tasks like turning on heated seats, playing media and putting a route in the sat nav without the driver having to take their hands off the steering wheel.

The navigation is now taken care of with Google Maps, making it mostly user-friendly thanks to its familiarity, with a clear view of traffic problems in the area you’re driving. The only minor gripes are that the text and graphics aren’t as crisp and polished as you might find in a BMW or Mercedes, and the nine-inch display is smaller than that of cars like the Range Rover Velar, which means the onscreen keyboard that appears when typing in an address or postcode can be very fiddly.

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Equipment

From early 2022 the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid range was slimmed down from six to three main trim levels, which are restricted depending on the model chosen.

The entry-level Core model was originally only offered for petrol and diesel models, but in 2024 the trim was extended to include the T6 Plug-in Hybrid. That’s handy as it brings the base price down from £60,000 to just over £54,000.

Core gets 18-inch wheels, wireless phone charging, a panoramic roof, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors all round, a reversing camera, leather upholstery and lots more, so it’s hardly spartan. 

Plus builds on this with the Pilot Assist suite of driver assistance aids which make motorway driving a doddle, in particular. There’s also a premium Harman Kardon sound system, a hands-free powered tailgate and keyless entry, heated seats all round, a 360-degree camera, a heated windscreen and 19-inch alloys.

Ultimate is restricted to T8 Plug-in Hybrid and builds on the Plus version with Nappa leather upholstery, adaptive headlights, air suspension, a head-up display and a Bowers and Wilkins sound system with 14 speakers and a 1,100-watt output. This system is quite simply one of the best around, and is only really beaten by those offered in a couple of true out-and-out luxury cars, such as Bentley’s Naim setup.

Plus and Ultimate trims can also be had in a Black Edition specification with a distinctive classy black finish to the wheels and exterior.

Options

Along with the arrival of new trims in 2022 that replaced Momentum, R-Design and Inscription versions of the XC60, the number of options was also slashed. Buyers are now restricted to choosing the paint finish, different designs of alloy wheels and between a few types of upholstery for the seats. A retractable towbar, integrated child seats, a spare wheel and privacy glass are also practical options to consider.