Volvo XC60 shows why plug-in hybrids are the way to go
The Volvo XC60 Recharge offers the best of both worlds. Picture: Volvo
The migration from internal combustion engine cars (ICE) to new energy offerings is gradually picking up speed in South Africa.
Hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) are finding more and homes each year as buyers start recognising their benefits. According to CleanTechnica, sales of PHEVs doubled in 2024.
A PHEV combines elements of both a traditional HEV and an BEV. Take the Volvo XC60 Recharge, for example. Under the bonnet is a turbo- and supercharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, supported by an electric motor and an 18.8kWh battery.
ALSO READ: Know the PHEVs from the BEVs in Volvo's new energy repertoire
Volvo XC60 packs a punch
It offers an electric range of up to 81km, which is more than the average commuter travels per day. If charging isn't possible, the engine serves as a backup. This eliminates range anxiety usually associated with EVs.
And just because PHEVs are greener doesn't mean they are slower than ICE cars. The XC60 Recharge produces 340kW of power and 709Nm of torque. It can 100km/h from a standstill in just 4.8 seconds which is quicker than many V8-powered SUVs.
But unlike thirsty ICE performance cars, PHEVs are renowned for its low running costs. While Volvo claim the XC60 Recharge will only sip 1.6 litres per 100km, it is a bit more complicated than that. First of all, the real-world number is higher, while electricity costs also needs to be factored into the equation.
Put to the test
So how does a PHEV's running costs compare to that of a similarly sized ICE SUV?
The Citizen Motoring tested the larger Volvo XC90 Recharge over a 100km route that included a mix of highway and urban driving, heavy traffic, and multiple passengers on board to mirror how most people use their vehicles. Charging the battery at domestic rates cost us R56.40, while filling up the fuel tank with Unleaded 95 after 100km worked out to R55.10. The total cost of 100km was R111.50 which worked out to R1.11 per kilometre.
An ICE SUV that achieves fuel consumption of 8L/100km will need R170.32 worth of fuel for every 100km. This works out to R1.70 per kilometre, which is more than 53% higher than the PHEV.
ALSO READ: Volvo XC60 refreshed again after combustion engine commitment
Best of both worlds
This is clear proof that PHEVs offer a compelling blend of efficiency, performance, and flexibility. Reduced running costs make PHEVs a smart choice for those looking to cut fuel expenses without sacrificing power or long-distance capability.
With rising fuel prices, the ability to drive on electric power alone for daily commutes adds even more value. As South Africans continue to embrace electrified vehicles, PHEVs stand out as a practical and cost-effective stepping stone toward full electrification.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
ES90 a surprise arrival as Volvo reveals rest of 2025 product range
Chinese-owned Swedish brand will have an even split of two hybridised and fully electric products coming to South Africa over the next five months. ES90 has been approved for South Africa before the end of 2025. Image: Volvo Volvo Car South Africa has revealed the remainder of its plans for 2025, with the roll-out of four new models over the next five months. Even propulsion split 'We are committed to offering South African motorists more choice as they make the transition to electric driving,' newly appointed Volvo Car South Africa Managing Director, Grant Locke, said in a statement. ALSO READ: Cross Country trekking Volvo EX30 en-route to South Africa 'These new vehicles, paired with our ongoing investment in our local operations and services, underline the fact that we are here to stay and grow.' Part of the Chinese-owned Swedish brand's reversal on going fully electric before 2030, a split in propulsion methods will be applied for the incoming models; two being hybridised and the other pair fully electric. Models planned EX30 Cross Country Debuting first, the all-electric EX30 Cross Country will make its market premiere next month as the first to wear the Cross Country nameplate since the end of V40 Cross Country production six years ago. EX30 Cross Country will formally debut in August. Image: Volvo Set to become available in flagship Twin Motor Ultra guise only, the EX30 Cross Country will have the same 315kW/543Nm outputs as the regular EX30, but with a reduced range of 427 km. XC60 and XC90 Next in-line, despite an official reveal date still being unknown, the revamped XC60 will make its debut as one of the two mentioned hybridised models. Restyled XC60 has been given the go ahead for the local market. Image: Volvo Likely to join it at the same time is the refreshed XC90 that premiered at the end of last year as the first model to form part of Volvo's decision not to go 100% electric before the end of the decade. As in Europe, both will be offered with mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains modelled around the stalwart 2.0-litre turbocharged Drive-E petrol engine. Facelift XC90 will arrive, seemingly, alongside the updated XC60. Image: Volvo In the case of the XC90, range positioning will below the electric-only EX90, while the XC60 will remain above the EX30 and the unchanged XC40. ES90 Rounding the year off, the all-electric ES90 will mark Volvo's return to the sedan segment for the first time since the end of S90 sales some two years ago. The spiritual replacement for the S40 and to some extent, the S60, the ES90 will become the second Volvo after the EX90 to have LiDAR in South Africa, along with a supposed range of 700km. Ruled-out Surprisingly, the facelift S90 has not been given the go-ahead for South Africa, most likely as a result of pricing, possible overlapping with the XC90 and the lack of demand in the premium D-segment. Facelift S90 won't be returning to South Africa soon. Image: Volvo Another no-no is the China-only EM90 based on sister brand Zeekr's 008, and the revived plug-in hybrid XC70 destined only for the People's Republic. NOW READ: Volvo settles upon hybrid and EV future for 10 incoming models
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Omoda C5 X Series doesn't just marks the spot, it hits the spot
New crossover SUV models swap out much-criticised CVT for dual-clutch transmission. Opinions vary over every aspect of Chinese carmaker from manufacturing to after sales backup. Except for one thing. The Chinese learn damn fast and apply what they've learned in no time. The Omoda C5 is just another case on point. The crossover SUV has been the cornerstone of Chery-owned Omoda & Jaecoo's local success since its debut just over two years ago. During this time, O&J twice introduced a lower-priced entry-level model to the C5 range. And more recently, two X Series models have joined the range below the S variants. These offer dual-clutch transmission (DCT) as an alternative to the much-criticised CVT gearbox. At a reduced price nogal. Omoda C5 X Series arrives The Omoda C5 Lux X DCT and Elegance X DCT have replaced the standard Lux CVT and Elegance CVT models. At R425 900, the Lux X DCT is R52 000 cheaper than before and the Elegance X DCT R42 000 less at R465 900. The Citizen Motoring recently sampled the Omoda C5 in Elegance X DCT guise. Lowering pricing usually goes with cutting some fat, but in this case, O&J actually found a way of adding a whole lot. These come under the skin, styling, space, spec and after sales backup. Apart from the gearbox upgrade, the X Series also features hardware enhancements in the form of improved brake pedal response and replacing of the torsion beam rear suspension with a multi-link setup. Improved looks The front end, which futuristic styling helped the Omoda C5 make a grande local entrance in 2023, now features a redesigned matrix grille and headlights and new bumper. The LED daytime running lights motif is also more in line with its bigger C9 sibling. No changes were made to the rear, while we thought new 17-inch black alloy wheels adds to C5 X Series' overall appeal. Inside, the materials on the doors have been upgraded, along with the addition of a more powerful 50-watt wireless charger. These features alongside the carried-over set of goodies which includes dual 10.25-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Hello Chery voice recognition system. The comprehensive set of safety features also stay unchanged. The Omoda C5 Elegance X rides on 17-inch black alloy wheels. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe Designers have also somehow managed to eek out more boot space in a structure featuring the same architecture. It has gone up from 378 litre to a very respectable 442 litres. Omoda C5 X sticks to familiar mill The service plan, which is standard alongside a five-year/150 000km warranty and 10-year/one-million km engine warranty for the first owner, has been upgraded. It goes from a two-year/30 000km plan to a five-year/70 000km contract. ALSO READ: Omoda C5 range adjusted again to include new X Series pair Besides all these valuable additions, the real hardcore deal breaker for Omoda C5 X Series – besides its price – is the six-speed DCT gearbox. Like the CVT, it is mated to a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine which sends 115kW of power and 230Nm of torque to the front wheels. The drive mode selector also now include Normal mode alongside the Eco and Sport modes. While a DCT box over a CVT must be regarded as an upgrade all day every day, is it by no means perfect. Our biggest gripe with it the shuddering when coming to a stop. The Omoda C5 Elegance X features two 10.25-inch digital screens. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe Slow to react But to be fair to the box, it is not solely to blame for drivetrain annoyances. Loads of low-down turbo lag and typical Chinese throttle calibration issues do not help its cause. A much-delayed response during acceleration from a standstill, followed by too much power, is all to familiar. And that is sadly something that no driving mode software or gearbox mechanism can fix. ALSO READ: Omoda C5's price drops below R350 000 with new Street variant Omoda claims the DCT will sip 6.9 litres per 100km compared to the CVT's 7.4L/100km. But as we've seen so many times with this mill in various models regardless of transmission, our consumption just dipped under 10L/100km after a week of city traffic. All in all, the Omoda C5 Elegance X DCT is a very appealing package at a very competitive price. Even if your heart isn't completely sold because of the drivetrain issues, your head is likely to overrule it taking into account what is on the table.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Chery Tiggo Cross hybrid serious threat to Toyota Corolla Cross
Chery takes on Toyota's star performer in terms of price, performance and fuel economy. We predicted that the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) was going to be a disruptor, based only on the car's on-paper credentials. The caution was because the normal Tiggo Cross minus hybrid did not receive a favourable review from the Citizen Motoring team. The throttle calibration was woeful, the DCT gearbox jerky and the brakes were non-existent. Besides the car's better price, that put it above VW's T-Cross in the pecking order, there was no way one could recommend this model derivative in good faith. This negative sentiment has been comprehensively undone after spending some time behind the wheel of the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV. It's like the two cars came out of different factories. It's so much smoother and more refined than the normal Cross. And this one now also has the firepower to gun down the big dog, the top-selling Toyota Corolla Cross HEV. ALSO READ: Hybrid Chery Tiggo Cross declares war on Toyota Corolla Cross Big undercut in price Coming in at R469 900 for the top-of-the-range Elite spec, the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV is comfortably better priced than the Corolla Cross HEV in XR spec at R545 200. A R75 300 difference in sticker price within this budget-sensitive part of the segment is a massive win in favour of this Chinese offering. A value-for-money offering Chery is backing up by offering their Tiggo Cross HEV with a five-year/150 000km warranty, 10-year/unlimited mileage (for first owner) battery warranty and five-year/60 000km service plan. The Toyota Corolla Cross HEV is offered with a shorter three-year/100 000km warranty and eight-year warranty on the battery. But the Toyota comes with a substantially longer, six-services/90 000 m service plan. And funny first owner small print stuff. The next big talking point is without a doubt the performance of the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV. When you first read that the car comes with 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine that develops a mere 71kW of power and 118Nm of torque, you would think it is dead in the water. But you need to read a bit further and then the picture changes dramatically. The addition of a battery powered electric motor, shoots the claimed numbers up to 150kW and 310Nm. The Chery Tiggo Cross HEV means business. Picture: Mark Jones Almost too good to be true, right? Are the Chinese taking a chance in overstating their numbers here? Can a small 1.83kWh battery make this much of a difference? Chery Tiggo Cross HEV packs a punch The Corolla Cross HEV has a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated mill that Toyota rate at 72kW. With electrical assistance, the numbers only marginally increase to 90kW while the torque stays quoted at 142Nm. Don't ask me why. It's just how they do it. ALSO READ: PODCAST: Chery Tiggo Cross takes fight to Toyota Corolla Cross Now, all I can tell you is that I don't know what is inside of that Chery battery, but the Tiggo Cross HEV destroys the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV in a sprint and everyday driveability. The Tiggo is over four seconds quicker to 100km/h and hits the national limit a full seven seconds earlier. Even more decisive is the 12-second gap when the cars accelerate from 60km/h all the way to 140km/h. They are honestly not in the same league when it comes to aspect of the road test. One anomaly, and there are always some when road testing Chinese cars, the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV would not go over 150km/h. I couldn't find a claimed top speed anywhere, so you are going to have to accept that doing top speed runs is not in your future. And that you will be on the speed limiter in less than 500m of road anyway. Kind of bizarre, but who needs more from a car like this? The Tiggo Cross features two digital screens. Picture: Mark Jones Fuel consumption on par with Toyota Where they are very much in the same league though is when it comes to fuel consumption. We got a figure of 5.4 litres per 100km when we spent a few months in the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV. And I managed the exact same number in the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV. My wife on the other hand came home and bragged that her day spent in Sandton traffic saw this number drop as low as 4.7 litres per 100km. Either way, both these cars offer exceptional fuel economy, with the Chery's bigger 50-litre tank to the 36-litre tank of the Toyota, allowing you to go a lot further between refills with the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV. Is the Tiggo Cross HEV perfect? Of course not. The steering is ridiculously light. The car also had a few rattles right off the bat and it just didn't feel as solid as the Corolla Cross HEV. Will you regret your decision in a few years' time? Who knows. Probably more importantly right now, does your wife care for all this? No. Why? Because at the price point and with the performance on tap, the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV is impossible to ignore. Chery Tiggo Cross HEV road test results
