It is believed that there is a keen interest among Malaysians when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs). However, many are still understandably hesitant about relying on EVs as their primary mode of transportation.

With EVs, you’d have to tweak your habits from those associated with combustion engine cars in order to align with the EV lifestyle.

Generally, you’d be treating the EV just like your smartphone (if you want to prolong the battery life, that is) – avoid extreme ends of State of Charge (SoC) and top off regularly.

The latter is the most important part in this litmus test of the suitability of EVs for you. Like your smartphone, you would plug in your EV to charge just about every night, depending on usage.

To find out if you’re able to make this a habit without actually plunging into an EV, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Ultimate would be the perfect candidate for this.

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Ultimate - Exterior

The facelifted Volvo XC60 was updated towards the tail end of 2022. The range-topping Recharge T8 Ultimate now wears the R-Design trim instead of the Inscription previously. If you ask me, I prefer the classier look of the Inscription.

With the R-Design, it basically gets a ‘chrome delete’. The front bumper showcases an "X-wing" profile, complemented by a square-mesh grille insert, while the rear bumper looks a little more aggressive as well.

But my gripe with the exterior is the choice of wheels. It’s a five-double spoke black diamond-cut design and it’s used in some variants of the XC40 and C40 as well.

To my eyes, they look somewhat entry level when they should be giving the impression that you’ve bought the top-of-the-line XC60.

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Ultimate - Interior

Inside, it’s largely similar to the facelift introduced in 2021 and the pre-facelift XC60. The main difference would be the black headliner and the silver trim pieces, replacing the “Driftwood” inlays. Again, I prefer the Inscription’s wood trim as it looks and feels more special.

Also read: New 2023 Volvo XC60 launched in Malaysia - 2 new variants, starting from RM 320k

The updated infotainment system that runs on Android Automotive OS is a mixed bag. It’s crisp, relatively responsive, and loads up quick enough on startup to not cause frustration. 

Here comes the but - as someone who has gotten familiar with the previous Sensus Connect system, the new OS isn’t as intuitive at first.

There’s now an app drawer that new users wouldn’t immediately take notice of, and the settings menu bundles everything from the vehicle settings to the system itself. The previous system was straightforward with three pages - left for apps, right for car settings. Simple.

Now, there isn’t even a scroller for the drive mode like in the pre-facelift model. You’d have to go through menus to change the drive mode. Are drivers supposed to do this on the move or is this a statement that they shouldn’t bothered with it?

Also, while Apple CarPlay is supported, Android Auto still isn’t. Some might point out that you can install selected apps like Waze and Spotify, but the thing is that it’s not able to read your messages or lets you reply via voice command, hence Android Auto would still be beneficial.

As for the rest of the interior, it’s still a nice place to be in. From the supple leather adorning the dashboard to the metal grille on the remarkable Bowers & Wilkins sound system, not to mention the crystal gear knob that enhances the atmosphere of the cabin.

Speaking of the Bowers and Wilkins, it’s still the best sound system under RM 400k. The highs are remarkably airy and crisp, offering clarity without any harshness or sibilance. Bass is undeniably weighty and extends deep, but never gets overpowering and complements the rest of the frequency range.

What truly sets this sound system apart is its ability to create an immersive listening experience. The soundstage is expansive, allowing you to discern the precise location of each instrument within the music.

The audio imaging is so precise that it can genuinely feel as if the band is performing right on the bonnet of the car, making the sounds nearly tangible. This level of sonic precision brings music enjoyment to the next level.

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Ultimate - Driving Experience

Cruising along in pure-electric mode whilst listening to your favourite tunes, that’s when you get maximum enjoyment from the XC60 T8 is. It matters not that the XC60 T8 leans around corners and its weight becomes perceptible, all you’d want to do is just relax.

Volvo has done a great job in the calibration exercise of the driving controls to make the XC60 feel effortless. Throttle response is linear and tractable, steering is featherweight, and the brake pedal modulation is decent for a regenerative system. For a daily driver, this is ideal.

The 462 PS/709 Nm available on tap is a little overkill, clocking 0.3 seconds quicker from 0-100 km/h than before at 5.3 seconds. But it’s the ease of getting up to speed that counts, it makes driving less of a chore.

2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Ultimate - Ride Comfort

Further elevating the daily appeal is the quiet cabin, supportive seats, and decent ride quality. It’s not the best-riding premium SUV as it doesn’t quite iron out the worst of our roads, sending the occasional shimmer to the cabin, but it’s far from harsh and overall ride is still comfortable. 

The larger 18.8 kWh battery is claimed to provide an electric driving range of up to 81 km but realistically, it’s around 60 km or so, which is nearly doubled of what it achieved before.

With the larger battery, XC60 T8 offers ample charge to cater to most daily commuting needs - the typical day-to-day errands and short trips - without requiring the combustion engine to kick in. Should you charge it every day, you’d be using it like an EV.

And that’s the litmus test. If you find yourself going for months without having to refuel, then you are ready for the EV lifestyle. Conversely, if you’re using the combustion engine to charge up the high-voltage battery most of the time, then an EV is not for you.

Some may argue that PHEVs fall short in delivering the advantages of both internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and EVs, making them less appealing options for certain individuals.

But it can serve as a stepping stone for those who are not ready to go EV just yet, which is where the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Ultimate chimes in.

Also read: The silver bullet to solve low EV adoption in Japan - almost successful if not for one silly reason