Volvo S60 - T8 Hybrid

[Casa1862]

I’ve started to look again at replacing ageing car, nothing wrong with it and drives absolutely fine and so low in value hanging onto it makes no difference to the value.

I was very close to buy a 2018 540, however last minute changed my mind as I just felt it was too big, Volvo has never been on my radar but this new S60 hybrid looks really good, performance with 0-60 of 4.4s is quicker than anything I’ve had, 25 to 30 miles electric range as well. £30k is a lot to put into a Volvo, a cheaper one at £26k but higher miles, some at £28k but a bit older, any reason this wouldn’t make a good buy...alternatives? I’d want something almost new, looking at something like this, cheaper I’d possible.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202004229...

Edited by Casa1862 on Sunday 25th April 17:13

[a311]

Depends what your driving profile OP IMO. The plug ins make sense in theory if you can plug it in either end, or on on a daily basis so you're running on electric only for short trips then have the full power when you need it.

If you're doing lots of medium distance journeys it might be better to look at a Diesel as you're probably going to struggle to be paid back for initial premium of the purchase price.

All that being said they're a lovely alternative to the German's. I've just ordered an XC60 in the same colour and a plug in hybrid. >95% of our journeys are <10 miles so I can see us running on pure electric for the majorty of the time.

I had a V90 T5. Lovely place to be and came into it's own on a long trips. Economy was slightly disappointing even given it's size. It's not a performance focused car in anywhere but was a bit guttless for something with 250bhp. Apparently a lot of people blamed the gearbox and a software update sorted it. I disagreed.

Overall I expect the equivalent German alternative are a bettet drive. But to waft about in something a bit different with a top notch interior I don't think you'll be disappointed.

ETA

I believe all the plug in hybrid batteries have an 8 year manufactures warranty.

[Casa1862]

Thanks for the prompt reply, I’d be surprised if I did 10k miles a year, I’d say 80-90% will be journeys less than 25 miles, also no problem charging.

I’m more liking the way hybrids drive, much prefer it to start stop, I can’t see getting that much power for that money. I know a M340 will be more driver focused car but my days of making use of it are behind me. Seems a decent all round package and good value at just over a year old. I did look at the T5 version and it saves about £8k, however this is more a purchase for me, I kept my last car 14 years, if I like it it’s likely to stay.

What’s the service cost like for Volvo? Is the extended warranty past 3 years good value?

My wife has a Lexus IS300H, Hated in most reviews but they miss the point of the car, extended warranty although probably not required is cheap. After allowing for two full AA memberships which are included I worked it out at about £250 per year, would be good if Volvo similar price.

[a311]

As a rule of thumb ~£250 for a minor and £480-£500 for a major service with Volvo obviously cheaper going to an indy.

Sounds like it will suit your driving profile. I'll report back once I've got mine hopefully get it late next week or ealry the week after.

One thing to consider which I got myself tied up with is the trim level. I also ended up with the R Design. The inscription seats are full napa and ventilated leather. The seats also are full electric with memory function. The R had a couple of things I really wanted and in a preferred colour so won out. I'd have a sit in a couple and see what you prefer.

[Casa1862]

Thanks for the info, I only looked at R-Design as most common and loads for sale, might have a look at the other one, Nappa leather is nice, dismissed it as didn’t like the wheels.

[LightningBlue]

These look great. I’ve had the two previous S60s and maybe one day I’ll get one of these - Volvos make compelling used buys at three to five years old because they tend to depreciate quickly, I don’t expect things to be any different with the new S60. The S90s are dropping like a stone and now make absolute bargains, but there aren’t that many petrols or hybrids for basement prices yet. But you can get an equivalent S90 R Design T8 for the same price as the S60 you mentioned.
Servicing costs are ok, check the service price indicator on the Volvo website for an idea. A years Volvo Assist is also thrown in and that’s a very good service if you need it.

[Casa1862]

LightningBlue said:

These look great. I’ve had the two previous S60s and maybe one day I’ll get one of these - Volvos make compelling used buys at three to five years old because they tend to depreciate quickly, I don’t expect things to be any different with the new S60. The S90s are dropping like a stone and now make absolute bargains, but there aren’t that many petrols or hybrids for basement prices yet. But you can get an equivalent S90 R Design T8 for the same price as the S60 you mentioned.
Servicing costs are ok, check the service price indicator on the Volvo website for an idea. A years Volvo Assist is also thrown in and that’s a very good service if you need it.

Thanks or the info, I've noticed the S90's are similar prices but it's just too big a car, the main reason I didn't go for the 540, I prefer the look of the S60 to S90. Even though these T8's have dropped a fair bit in 1-2, I still think they have a way to go, from £30k I can see that being £16 -£18k in another two years £500 to £600 pm deprecation, I can see the reason why you'd lease one. I might hold off for a bit to see where they land as they don't seem to shifting that quickly according to the AT listings, I assume that's to do with most buyers with that money would be going German.

I'd want an extended warranty if keeping long term, seems a complex can with the Hybrid and superchargers.

[Casa1862]

Just an update, found a S60 T8 recharge, 2020 70 Reg 2k miles, it’s a base car but they come with so much as standard I wasn’t too concerned, choice was either almost new car vs slightly older with a few options.

The only option I would have liked was an upgraded sound system, anyone know what the standard one is like?

Come with a free home charger, anyone know what chargers are being supplied?

[a311]

Standard is fine IMO but it's never been an options box I've ticked. The HK seems to be the only upgrade available on new cars thought they offered a Bowers & Wilkins previously too.

As you're buying and going to hold on to it for a while you may as well comapre and get what you want.

Newmotion supply and fit the chargers but don't seem to specify what make and model. I'll ask when I pick my XC60 up from the dealer on Wednesday.

[Casa1862]

Thanks, as I’m not buying new it difficult to get the spec you want so compromise required, there was a year older one with HK and some other options I didn’t want, however it was £1500 more for an older car, I’ll live with the standard sound system.

Even though this one was registered in late December 2020 its a MY20 not 21 like some others I’ve seen, I assume dealer must of had it in stock. Upside it’s not restricted to 112mph, downside you don’t get the all black grille which I prefer, might be able to change it, I’m sure they’ll be a way.

[Casa1862]

A311, good luck picking yours up this week.

[james6546]

I had a V60 hire car for a month last year when someone drove into my car and it was being repaired, it was an R-design and had the standard stereo. Other than lacking the low down bass of having a sub, the sound was miles better than the HK setup in my 3 series. Really punchy and clear.

I miss that car

[Casa1862]

Thanks thats helped as I know the standard Volvo systems have always been good. I’ve been told even though on paper the 0-60 is 4.4s it doesn’t feel that quick, I’m going to be racing it so sure it will be fine.

I might try to get a vinyl wrap for the grille, hopefully not too expensive.

[a311]

Casa1862 said:

Thanks thats helped as I know the standard Volvo systems have always been good. I’ve been told even though on paper the 0-60 is 4.4s it doesn’t feel that quick, I’m going to be racing it so sure it will be fine.

I might try to get a vinyl wrap for the grille, hopefully not too expensive.

I didn't really give the demonstrator too much of an opening up. Very smooth and deceptive up to speeds that will get you in bother.

I'm sure you mean you're not going to be racing it to get the most out of the performance you need to have some juice in the battery otherwise you're running a heavy car (battery) with 100bhp less with a turbo and supercharged engine.

I'm not sure how my ownership is going to go. I'm seeing it as a bit of an experiment in whether a plug in works for what I need from a car. I'll have it for 3 years, don't know if full EVs will come along enough at a price point to have one as our main car.

[Wagonwheel555]

a311 said:

I had a V90 T5. Lovely place to be and came into it's own on a long trips. Economy was slightly disappointing even given it's size. It's not a performance focused car in anywhere but was a bit guttless for something with 250bhp. Apparently a lot of people blamed the gearbox and a software update sorted it. I disagreed.

Yeah I was looking at a S90 with the 2.0 engine and I can't see how they are getting so little performance out of their engines considering what most other manufacturers get.

I can't justify £20-25k for something which takes nearly 8 seconds to get to 60.

For similar money I could get into a 330i/340i.

[a311]

Wagonwheel555 said:

Yeah I was looking at a S90 with the 2.0 engine and I can't see how they are getting so little performance out of their engines considering what most other manufacturers get.

I can't justify £20-25k for something which takes nearly 8 seconds to get to 60.

For similar money I could get into a 330i/340i.

I've no idea, maybe its 'gagged' so to speak to meet certain emissions etc. In comparison I had had a Jaguar XF which overlapped the the V90. It had 50bhp less but the engine was a lot more willing to be pushed while not exactly 'fast' it was a much better drivers car than the Volvo. I'd still take the Volvo though as a utility/main car.

[Casa1862]

a311 said:

I didn't really give the demonstrator too much of an opening up. Very smooth and deceptive up to speeds that will get you in bother.

I'm sure you mean you're not going to be racing it to get the most out of the performance you need to have some juice in the battery otherwise you're running a heavy car (battery) with 100bhp less with a turbo and supercharged engine.

I'm not sure how my ownership is going to go. I'm seeing it as a bit of an experiment in whether a plug in works for what I need from a car. I'll have it for 3 years, don't know if full EVs will come along enough at a price point to have one as our main car.

Yes, missed an important word, certainly won’t be racing it!

Are you sure you lose 100bhp with uncharged battery? I’ve found out that the hybrid battery never full depletes and you no longer have drive on the rear wheels, I think the battery when low and showing empty actually starts to get charge from the engine like a Toyota hybrid. This reduces fuel efficiency quite a lot but still maintains power and drive to rear wheels. I could be wrong though.

Used dealer stock really low at the moment, I’ve still not had a rear drive, mind you I purchased 3 cars blind and had no issues, I generally take the view I’ll get used to it, I’ll obviously test drive on the day I collect it.

[Casa1862]

Wagonwheel555 said:

Yeah I was looking at a S90 with the 2.0 engine and I can't see how they are getting so little performance out of their engines considering what most other manufacturers get.

I can't justify £20-25k for something which takes nearly 8 seconds to get to 60.

For similar money I could get into a 330i/340i.

Part of the reason I’ve decided on a T8 hybrid at a £10k premium, not read anywhere that near 400bhp is underpowered, certainly read it’s not as dramatic as some but not too bothered about that. Seems a very quick 0-60 (4.4s) time for a car with a weight near 2t, that’s near previous gen M4, 540 etc

[a311]

Casa1862 said:

A311, good luck picking yours up this week.

Collected it this morning. Very pleased with it overall will see how I get on with charging etc and maybe start a reader's car thread.

It pulls like a train when you want it too, it's smooth and deceptive getting to high speed....

I had some apprehensions going for the R Design but the ride is really good with minimal road noise. Hard to say without driving both back to back but think it's more comfortable than the V90.

[Marlin45]

Casa1862 said:

Just an update, found a S60 T8 recharge, 2020 70 Reg 2k miles, it’s a base car but they come with so much as standard I wasn’t too concerned, choice was either almost new car vs slightly older with a few options.

The only option I would have liked was an upgraded sound system, anyone know what the standard one is like?

Come with a free home charger, anyone know what chargers are being supplied?

If you are referring to the charge cable then I placed an order a few days ago for an XC40 Inscription hybrid and that will come with both a charger with a household 13A plug and also a Type 2 cable for most wall mounted chargers and public chargepoints.