Imagine a plug-in hybrid that feels more like a pure electric vehicle than a gas-guzzler—complete with lightning-fast DC charging to keep you moving. But here's where it gets controversial: Could this be the game-changer that makes traditional luxury SUVs obsolete?
If there's ever been a vehicle worthy of the title 'fuel miser,' it's the Lynk & Co 08 plug-in hybrid. This fresh crossover, born from the collaborative genius of Chinese and European automakers (much like the Volvo and Polestar lineage you might recognize from our recent Z20 review), packs a combustion engine that lurks in the shadows. Its massive battery delivers a remarkable electric-only range, keeping the gas engine dormant for the vast majority of your drives. And when that EV battery inevitably depletes, this powerhouse supports DC fast charging, letting you recharge swiftly and avoid burning fuel unnecessarily.
My experience testing it recently proved that a plug-in hybrid with a truly large battery isn't just viable—it's downright impressive. It mimics the smooth, silent operation of a full EV for most journeys, yet offers the reassuring fallback that you won't find yourself stranded with no juice left. I'm typically skeptical of plug-in hybrids; many in Europe go unplugged far too often, as studies on models like the Toyota PHEV have shown. But the 08 stands apart—it's no mere testbed for engineers. With its Volvo and Polestar roots evident in every curve, it drives like a mature, high-end machine, turning heads with an exterior design that's far more eye-catching than vehicles costing multiples of its price.
2025 Lynk & Co 08 Specifications
- Electric Range: 124 miles (WLTP)
- Tested Price: €57,600
- Base Price: €49,900 (with incentives)
- Battery Capacity: 39.6 kWh
- Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
- Power Output: 345 hp
- Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds
- Top Speed: 115 mph
- Charging Time: 10-80% in 33 minutes
- Charging Type: CCS at 85 kW
A Swedish Design That Breaks the Mold
Crafted in Sweden, this crossover ditches the usual minimalist vibe tied to Scandinavian aesthetics. Up front, it features a classic two-tier fascia, with fogged headlight projectors tucked into a sweeping wraparound line and daytime running lights perched above. I hate to dwell on DRLs, but the 08 demands it—the front looks like two horizontal LED strips, bridged by a third, with a fourth extending all the way back nearly to the B-pillar. It's over-the-top, yet from the admiring glances, folks are clearly loving it.
As you cruise by, attention shifts to the side mirrors, which cut sharply into the doors. Mounted low on a sleek gloss-black blade, they conceal the turn signal repeaters and a subtle Lynk & Co logo. Frameless like those on a Volvo or Polestar, they add a touch of elegance. The roofline dips toward the rear, merging into an angled rear windshield for a sporty fastback silhouette. Black C-pillar trim creates a floating roof illusion that harmonizes beautifully with the overall look. At the back, a high-mounted full-width light bar of vertical LEDs includes prominent ones flanking the Lynk & Co script on the hatch.
The 21-inch wheels on my higher-trim test model elevated the aesthetics, far outshining the standard 19-inch options. Their aerodynamic design, mostly closed-faced, balances sportiness and grace. Paired with the Sunset Copper paint on my ride, it's a cohesive, winning package that genuinely impresses.
Synthetic Luxury: Nappa-Free but Fancy
Stepping inside reveals Lynk & Co's ambitions for premium quality. It's not as plush as the Zeekr 7X from Geely's flagship brand, but it's tantalizingly close, with bolder styling that infuses more character than its sibling and complements the vehicle's flamboyant exterior.
No leather from animals here—everything's synthetic, yet it exudes an unexpectedly upscale feel. Mood lighting weaves through the door speaker grilles, and the metal doors themselves are a delight to touch. A full-width ambient strip across the dashboard echoes the vertical motif of the rear lights. The seats are superbly comfortable with top-notch adjustability. In the 'More' trim I tested (versus the base 'Core'), they're heated, ventilated, and massaging—offering a real back rub that's superior to the superficial inflations in other vehicles, feeling genuinely therapeutic.
Rear space is generous; someone my height (around six feet) enjoys ample knee room behind another six-foot driver. You can tilt the rear backrest manually (not electrically as in the Zeekr 7X), with heated seats and a plush armrest. One downside: for such a luxurious-feeling cabin, the absence of dedicated rear climate controls feels like an oversight.
The Engine: A Silent Spectator
The star of the show is the 08's 39.6-kilowatt-hour battery—bigger than those in some dedicated EVs. It promises up to 200 km (124 miles) of pure electric driving per WLTP cycle. In everyday use, without maximizing efficiency, expect around 160 km (99 miles)—still exceptional for a PHEV and sufficient for most daily commutes. For longer trips, the 15.8-gallon (60-liter) tank extends total range beyond 620 miles (1,000 km), as claimed by the maker.
With a charged battery, the car prioritizes electric propulsion. The front electric motor, rated at about 200 hp, handles the 4,700-pound (2,100 kg) vehicle effortlessly. Floor the accelerator, and the 1.5-liter turbo engine joins in for the combined 345 hp, hitting 62 mph from a stop in 6.8 seconds. But you rarely need it—the electric side suffices for most accelerations. When the engine activates, it's impressively quiet and smooth, thanks to its hybrid-specific design, the DHE15, which employs the efficient Miller cycle for better fuel economy.
With a drained battery, efficiency drops to 36 mpg (6.5 l/100 km), but keep it topped up, and possibilities expand endlessly. The three-speed transmission is unconventional but effective, enabling direct engine power delivery. Shifts are seamless in regular driving, only noticeable during hard acceleration with brief power dips up to the 115 mph limit.
To justify the large battery, DC fast charging is standard, peaking at 85 kW for 10-80% in 33 minutes—way faster than the 11 kW AC option, which takes nearly four hours. Bidirectional V2L charging, up to 3.3 kW, is also included.
Quiet Ride, Not a Sports Car
The 08 is blissfully silent, rivaling high-end luxury cars. Even at highway speeds, road, powertrain, and wind noise are minimized, with suspension balancing poise and comfort. Those hefty 21-inch wheels occasionally thud into potholes, but impacts are well-dampened.
However, pushing performance reveals weaknesses. Front tires slip easily under hard acceleration from rest, worsening in wet conditions with audible scrabbling for grip. In corners or on damp roads, power cuts out to regain traction, leaving you yearning for more—especially without all-wheel drive. Lynk & Co offers AWD in China, with dual motors delivering 584 hp, 667 lb-ft of torque, and a 4.6-second 0-60 mph sprint. This isn't built for spirited driving; it struggles with aggressive maneuvers. Plus, the steering wheel's slight rightward offset creates an awkward seating position, as if designed by someone with a quirky preference.
Swedish Safety: Vigilant and Vocal
While navigating a narrow street, a pedestrian suddenly appeared ahead. The 08 braked instantly, faster than I could react—though I'd have stopped safely, it eased the tension. This sets the tone for its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Autonomous emergency braking proved effective in real tests, alongside other safety features, earning a five-star Euro NCAP rating for strong electronic aids and crash protection.
Yet, intervention sounds are among the loudest and most irritating I've encountered. Even the turn signal chime feels like a shout through the car's speakers on the relevant side. At least the infotainment shines: a central 15.4-inch screen, plus a 10.2-inch driver display. Menus are intuitive, with swift Apple CarPlay integration—though occasional disconnections and audio stutters indicate lingering bugs.
The standard 360-degree surround view is top-tier, with sharp night-vision cameras that even attempt to show undercarriage views (handy for the light off-roading this SUV might see). Higher trims add matrix LED headlights that selectively dim for oncoming traffic—a useful feature that's visually striking. The Harman Kardon system, with 23 speakers (including headliner and headrest units), delivers immersive sound, though some crackling at high volumes might stem from trim vibrations.
Why This PHEV Succeeds
The Lynk & Co 08 goes head-to-head with rivals like the BMW X3 30e, Mercedes-Benz GLC300e, and Volvo XC60 PHEV. In reality, it has no true peer matching its EV range or value. Only the Mercedes includes fast charging as an option, but the 08 outclasses them in features, polish, and wow factor for the price. In Romania, where I drove it, prices start at €49,900 (with €3,000 manufacturer and government incentives for scrapping an old car), rising to €53,900 for the desirable 'More' trim. Competing premium PHEVs feel overpriced and under-equipped by comparison.
If this catches fire, Europe's elite plug-in hybrids could face extinction—and they might not even realize it until it's too late. But here's the part most people miss: Is this a bridge to full EVs, or just a clever way to keep gas engines relevant? What do you think—could affordable, range-extended PHEVs like the 08 disrupt the luxury SUV market? Do you agree that fast-charging makes PHEVs more appealing than ever, or do you see potential downsides in their complexity? Share your opinions in the comments below—we'd love to hear your take!
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