2023 Volvo V60 Recharge

Wagons aren't commonplace, and so far, buyers haven't been inundated with electric or hybrid options in this segment either. This makes the 2023 Volvo V60 Recharge an interesting consideration against gas rivals that prioritize comfort and luxury over fuel efficiency - consider the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain or the sportier Audi A4 allroad. These are excellent wagons to contend with the Swedish offering, but neither comes with a thrumming 455-horsepower plug-in hybrid setup that also avails a useful 41 miles of all-electric range. While all three of these automotive rarities are gorgeous (in our opinion), comfortable, and classy, it's the V60 Recharge that leads the pack in terms of acceleration, power, and fuel efficiency - and it costs the same as the Merc E-Class!

There's just one price for the 2023 Volvo V60 Recharge as there's just one trim - the Polestar Engineered. It has a starting cost of $70,750, excluding a $1,095 destination fee and any options. There aren't many extras to add and even if you tick all the boxes, you'll still spend under $75k all-in.

The new Volvo V60 Recharge wagon is the same excellent product it's been for a while. Thanks to the potent 455-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Volvo easily dispatches the 0-60 mph sprint in under 4.5 seconds, and it's also quite accomplished in the corners thanks to the grippy, all-wheel-drive setup. It comes with an adaptive suspension system that can be manually adjusted to your preferred setting, which is just as well considering the Polestar Engineered setup is naturally stiffer to lean into a sportier drive.

Wagons get an unnecessarily bad reputation because they are actually superb daily drivers, and we love the 2023 V60 Recharge for its delightful sedan-like handling. The ride is a little harsh over broken pavement, but not unbearably so, and passengers will be kept isolated and comfortable on even longer journeys.

It's one thing to recommend a car based on its brilliance in the segment, but it's another when it comes at over $70k - and doesn't really face off against any serious competitors. There aren't currently any rivals with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, so we can't exactly compare the 40-plus miles of all-electric range or the 74 MPGe combined. In comparison to the gas-powered V60 Cross Country, the Recharge naturally achieves better gas mileage, but it's a massive $20k more expensive. The Recharge does come with the range benefits mentioned above as well as a substantial increase in power: it makes 455 hp while the gas V60 CC puts out 247 hp. This alone will be worth it for some. And, for the hefty starting price, it's packed to the rafters with features, many of which contribute to the Volvo V60 Recharge's good safety review. Buyers in the USA intent on getting a wagon may want the step up from gas to PHEV before committing to an EV for good, and this is a great way of doing that.

There's only the T8 Polestar Engineered version of the V60 Recharge on offer for 2023, but it's very well-equipped to make it worth your while. Bolstering the already classy and plush cabin are dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated seats front and rear, road sign information, lane keeping assist, a graphical head-up display, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor, a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, and Polestar goodies that include a specially-tuned chassis and Brembo brakes. It's not cheap, but there's a lot of value on offer.