Jaguar F-PACE Plug-in Hybrid vs Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid

Plug-in hybrids have remained a rather niche product here in Singapore: The frequent access to a charger that is necessitated by their small batteries has simply eluded many residents of our sunny island.

But things are changing: The latest generation of plug-in hybrids have started to receive larger batteries with faster charging speeds, and the advancement of battery technology has also seen the prices of these cars come close to their combustion-only rivals. And to top it all off, there's more charging points here than ever.

If you're looking to get in on the action yourself, the two we have gathered here represent some of the latest options from the premium marques that are available here in Singapore.

The drivetrain in the Jaguar offers up a total of 398bhp while the one in the Volvo delivers a total of 449bhp, and the Volvo feels substantially more urgent from behind the wheel

New power

And there's now plenty of reasons why you'd want to get one. Consider, firstly, their price competitiveness. Finished in Aurora Silver and ready to deliver a total of 449bhp, the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid will set you back $358,000 (COE included). And if you'd cast your gaze over to the Jaguar F-PACE Plug-in Hybrid, you'll find that it delivers a total of 398bhp and could well be yours from just $237,888 (before COE).

Shop within this market segment and you'll be looking at alternatives including the 188bhp BMW X3 20, which can be had from $353,888, or the 201bhp and $368,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC200 (both prices inclusive of COE).

So, there's quite a bit more power to be had if you do opt for plug-in hybrid power, all without the need for any upfront premium.

The Jaguar F-PACE supports charging at a maximum power of 35kW when plugged into a direct current source, while the Volvo XC60 T8 can only be charged at 6.4kW via an alternating current charger

A new experience

And both cars offer quite a pleasant driving experience to boot.

The first thing you need to know about the Volvo is that it's a rather responsive number. Keen to launch forward with every stab of its accelerator pedal, the XC60 combines its keenness to put power on the road with good all-round visibility to make every drive just effortless.

And it has the ride quality to match. There's a detectable brittleness to affairs if you take it through some less-than-ideal surfaces, but it otherwise finds a happy balance between the comfort necessary of a family SUV and the body control of a vehicle blessed with 449bhp.

The combination of tan leather and aluminium-like trim pieces in the cabin of the Jaguar is outright classy, but the Volvo counters with a nice representation of Scandinavian minimalism with its use of driftwood decor and that Orrefors gear selector

But if comfort is your priority, make a quick pounce over to the Jaguar.

If drivetrain keenness is the leading feature of the XC60, cabin insulation and ride quality are the hallmarks of this F-PACE. It's utterly unbothered by road imperfections and astoundingly quiet even at highway speeds. 

Sure, its steering is lacking for feedback and could use a touch more accuracy, but all the driving controls here are pleasingly weighted and paced for a vehicle that, for the most part, you'd want to be driving along in a calm and relaxed manner.

The Jaguar F-PACE impresses with its sublime ride quality just as the Volvo is remarkable for its drivetrain responsiveness

Space to spare

And I really can't get too mad when driving along in the F-PACE. Not when its cabin is such a delight. 

The Siena Tan leather upholstery here is a perfect pairing for the Portofino Blue exterior paint and further set off by the classy use of aluminium-like accent pieces all throughout. And like an aristocratic summer house, build quality here feels impeccable everywhere you care to look and touch.

The cabin of the XC60 feels as if it's equally hewn from the best hides and steel that Sweden has to offer, but finds itself outflanked here when it comes to style. Design is always subjective of course, but to this writer, the Scandinavian minimalism applied here just doesn’t quite hold the same appeal as the cabin of the F-PACE.

Both the 11.4-inch Pivi Pro system in the Jaguar and the 11.2-inch infotainment system prove intuitive enough, but where the Jaguar brings better use of colours and graphics, the Volvo counters with its helpful Google Assistant built-in

And ditto its infotainment system. It's now larger (at 11.2-inches) and its pixel density has also been raised, and it's intuitive enough, but can't match the one in the F-PACE for sheer appeal when it comes to choice of colours and graphics employed.

Don't think that it's an easy win for the Jaguar though. Take the rear bench and you'll find the centre console and transmission tunnel protruding rudely into available space for the one seated at the centre. The cabin of the XC60 also feels the more spacious regardless of which seat you take, although the F-PACE does counter here with more space for luggage, with a total of 619 litres available next to the XC60's 468-litre item.

The passenger relegated to the middle of the rear bench will find the seating position more comfortable in the Volvo

And plenty more besides

Which leaves us with that final issue of economy. Both cars offer nearly similar battery capacities, which facilitate an electric-only range of 67km in the XC60 and 69km in the F-PACE respectively.

If running costs reign high on your priority list, you'll want to note that the Jaguar faired a touch poorer when tasked to drive with the remaining charge in its high-voltage battery locked away: It reported a fuel economy of 10.2km/L as opposed to the 12.4km/L that the Volvo accomplished under the same restriction.

Either way, the two here will still need to find a charger every few days if you want to keep their batteries topped up. And that right there really is the crux of the matter, isn't it? Rewind back a few years ago when plug-in hybrids were typically more expensive than their combustion-only counterparts and either car here would have been hard to justify, even before you throw in the fact that you'll need to find a charger to make the best out of either's drivetrain.

Both the Jaguar F-PACE and Volvo XC60 make for convincing premium SUVs when equipped with their respective plug-in hybrid drivetrains. But which will you drive home?

But these headwinds associated with plug-in hybrid technology are quickly fading: These two are now not only competitively priced next to their predominantly combustion-powered rivals but the charging points that they utilise are also becoming more commonplace here in Singapore. And even if you're not diligent with charging, both the Volvo and the Jaguar will still offer respectable fuel economy.

And what if you had to pick one? Given that they are priced so closely to each other, it's really hard to select one over the other. If I had to pick between the two, I'd walk away with the Jaguar. It's appealing design and accomplished ride proved irresistible during this drive. But the more practically minded really ought to find the greater space accorded by the Volvo's rear bench and its more eager drivetrain the greater benefits for the everyday drive. 

Either way, you'll still be getting a nice dollop of power for your dollar.

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