PHEV Road Test Review 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 R-Design First Drive Review

Exterior Styling: satin chrome details have been replaced by Metallic Black trim along the roof rails, windows and mirrors for a modern finish. The rear-end now features sportier tail lights and dual exhaust pipes. 

Interior Styling: new interior material and colour combos are available, such as maroon, blonde charcoal and amber colour palettes, offering refreshed design options for a tailored style. Genuine leather is now standard on all trims, with the premiere of a new slate grey colour option. The R-Design has high-grade Nappa leather with perforations and contrast stitching.

Standard Mirror Technology: offering much more than a reflective surface, the side mirrors are equipped with an auto-dimming feature, heating, turn signals and support blind-spot monitoring. A conscious touch, the side-mirrors fold inwards to be flush with the body when the engine turns off.

Driver-Assist Technologies: more involved prevention measures are in place, including pedestrian and animal detection and steering support to avoid hazards and obstacles. Reconfigurable gauges live on the digital display, now offered at and 12.3” now standard size.

Individual Comfort: new 4-zone climate control provides individual controls to extend tailored comfort to every passenger in both the front and back seats. Front seat climate is controlled through the Sensus system or steering wheel voice control function, while back seat passengers have separate controls affixed to the back of the centre console. Both are filtered through the Interior Air Quality System to remove any contaminants.

Increased Range: on par with sustainable initiatives, the 2020 XC60 T8 has an updated 11.6-kWh battery pack to power the electric portion of the powertrain, resulting in 29km of electric-only range. According to B.C. government news, there are more than 1,700 charging stations around the province. As Clean Energy Vehicles transform the market, the XC90 T8 is a convenient investment.

At the core of the XC60 T8 R-Design is a powerful hybrid-electric system paired with a turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder T8 engine. These systems collaborate to produce a combined 400 horsepower, 87 of which come exclusively from the electric motor and contribute to 472 lb-ft of road-gripping torque. All-wheel drive and an 8-speed clutch are standard and add to the noticeably sportier ride of the R-design trim.

The 2020 XC90 is equipped with an 8-speed clutch and standard all-wheel-drive. The ride is smooth with sharper braking, nimble steering and powerful acceleration. The supercharger is audible on acceleration so you can experience the power of the T8 engine, while the subsequent ride is quiet and peaceful from the comfort of the cabin. 

While you can feel the shift to Eco mode in some brands, Volvo has made Eco start and stop smooth and imperceptible. Shifting from Hybrid to Performance mode automatically lowers the air suspension for a noticeable difference in handling and improved aerodynamics for roll protection. The estimated EPA is 11 l/100km in the city and 11.5 l/100km on the highway when driving in the system’s default hybrid mode.

• Default Hybrid Mode: electric motor and fuel engine combine for optimal efficiency and performance.
• Pure Mode: full-electric, zero-emissions with automatic ECO Climate Control.
• Off-Road Mode: higher ground clearance, better traction.
• AWD: locks AWD for enhanced road-holding and balanced torque distribution.
• Power Mode: sportier performance, quick acceleration.

The R-Design is noticeably tailored towards your comfort from the earliest interactive moments. The R-Design is the sportier trim offered from Volvo, and the design language is not subtle in conveying these athletic cues: a low, sporty design profile, Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, an imposing black mesh grille, R-Design embossed sport seats with power-adjustable thigh-extension and R-Design steering wheel emblem including shift paddles for an immersive drive. 

While the XC60 is the more compact mid-size model, it still has 38 inches of second-row legroom, which is slightly more than the larger XC90. With front to back heated leather seating on the R-Design, the 2020 XC60 has clear intentions towards passenger comfort.

As one of the more high-end trims, the XC60 R-Design hosts a subtle, ornate crystal clutch as a nod to the brand’s Swedish ancestry. The ‘jewel’ of Scandinavian design, the Orrefors Sweden designed crystal clutch, is a specialist product created by the makers of crystal art glass from the Swedish village of Orrefors. With an established standard of premium features comes the Harman Kardon 600 watt premium sound system. You’ll feel the reverberations from the bass, and so will two cars back.

The 2020 XC60 T8 R-Design provides a seamless driver experience from the outset. Smart Entry system and leather key fob are standard on the R-Design, providing access at the lightest touch of your fingers. The convenience extends to the rear with a hands-free power tailgate.

The auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass symbols features three Homelink Universal remotes. The Homelink system uses radio frequency to connect to garage door openers, gates, and lighting to bridge the gap between your car and your home.

The panoramic sunroof is generously sized and easily adjustable, adding natural lighting to perfectly compliment the refined Scandinavian interior, which features a generously-sized glove-box with a button-activated cooler box.

The digital display is now offered at a standard 12.3 inches and functions as both an informative design feature. Via the 9” Sensus infotainment system, design options can be configured to Glass, Minimalist, Performance, or Chrome Ring themes, each with adjustable brightness. This particular R-Design is fully loaded with the Advanced Package. I was treated to the convenience of the Head-Up Display, which projects pertinent driver information such as speed and road signs across the front windscreen. 

The Advanced Package includes a 360-degree surround-view camera, and drivers can select from multiple cameras for an in-depth view of a certain area, handy for parallel parking. Blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors are standard in the R-design, while automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist are now standard across the range. Key safety features include lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking, and available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode.

While the 2020 XC60 T8 is undoubtedly a sportier model, it still has flexible cargo and utility. The center console storage has multiple compartments, with a USB port and removable insert for easy cleaning. Backseat passengers have their own center compartment with cup holders included. The flexible storage is easily accessed by a lever on the rear seats for 63 cubic feet with folded seats and 22 cubic feet of trunk space. In this segment, the XC60 sits comfortably amongst top competitors in cargo space.