Established in 2016, Lynk & Co is a rapidly rising name within the Geely group. The brand draws on Volvo’s safety heritage while integrating Geely’s technology expertise, delivering great cars at attractive prices. That combo is helping it steadily expand its presence across Europe.
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With a focus on electric mobility, the entire Geely group focuses on more sustainable transportation, yet they don’t limit themselves to EVs only. Such is the case with the Lynk & Co 08 PHEV, which is a plug-in hybrid with both electric and petrol powertrains.
Today we’re testing the Lynk & Co 08 in the More trim, which is the higher of the two available equipment levels. There are optional extras to be added except for winter tires and a tow hook. This streamlines production, but limits customization options and all you get to pick is the exterior color. The good news is, all colors available look fantastic with great depth and saturation.
The two powertrains combine for 345 hp and 428 lb-ft, which are all sent to the front wheels for the European models. The family SUV doesn’t surprise with extraordinary acceleration figures or sporty appearance but it promises to cover over 620 miles when both battery and tank are full.
Lynk & Co 08 PHEV 2023 –
Dimensions: 189.8 inches x 84.1 inches x 66.3 inches, 112.1 inches wheelbase.
Drivetrain tested: PHEV – FWD 257 kW (345 hp), 428 lb-ft, 39.6 kWh nominal battery capacity, 2.12 ft³ fuel tank capacity
Charging: 85 kW CCS
Range: 124 miles WLTP, over 620 miles combined range
Weight: 4,656 lb unladen, 5,758 lb gross
Other features: PHEV, EREV, Face ID, OTA updates.
Exterior
Lynk & Co is a brand that combines Swedish minimalism with Chinese practicality so the exterior of the 08 is restrained and subtle. It is deprived of any distractions and makes the car easily blend with traffic.
From the front we notice what is turning into Lynk & Co’s trademark headlight design. The dual LED strips can be seen in all three of the brand’s models. If we have to be honest they don’t look particularly good on any of them, but manage to add some character to an otherwise bland exterior.
The headlight unit itself looks like an art piece with crystal-like inserts and a slightly off-balance image that looks great in the dark.
European models lack the front LED strip that spans between the two headlights. That would’ve given the 08 an even more recognizable face.
Lynk & Co 08 headlights
The side profile of the Lynk & Co 08 is stately and doesn’t try to hide the large dimensions of the model. Even though it is not the largest SUV on the market, the black underlining trim, flat surfaces, narrow windows and lifted rear end make the 08 appear even bigger and mightier than it actually is.
Undoubtedly the most important reasons behind this visual illusion are the wheels and tires and their enormous size. The More trim comes equipped with 21-inch wheels that change the look, but inevitably take their toll on ride quality and range. However, even with those the side design remains restrained and somewhat lacking in depth.
The wing mirror is a wonderful touch on the side of the 08. Lynk & Co borrowed Volvo’s wonderful frameless mirrors and put them into one of the most extravagant mirror housings on the market. This housing starts from behind the wheel arch and lifts gradually to present the mirror in all of its glory, creating the only notable design element on the entire exterior.
We are usually not delighted by cars with flush door handles but the 08 utilizes them well and they pop out of the body before you reach the car. They’re easy enough to use and don’t require adjustements.
Lynk & Co 08 side accents
The rear end of the Lynk & Co 08 is once again restrained to the point of being generic and the only significant detail is the taillight LED bar, which is divided into multiple small sectors that light up individually.
Lynk & Co 08 rear
Interior
The atmosphere inside the Lynk & Co 08 is a great one and that is due to the ergonomic styling, mixed with wonderful materials used throughout the entire cabin. The materials used are faux-leather and plastic (most of it recycled), yet every detail feels solid and premium.
Ambient lighting is a big theme as a lot of surfaces light up and you can select multiple different colors at once or even more impressively – sync up the lights with the beat of the music you’re listening to. That is a truly enjoyable experience, but we advise using it when stationary as it can be quite distracting while driving.
Lynk & Co 08 ambient lighting
On the door panel we notice Volvo’s window controls that are somehow better in the Lynk & Co than in Volvo cars themselves. Here they are made up of better plastics with more solid feel and, most importantly, you don’t use the same controls for the front and rear windows but instead get separate ones.
Lynk & Co joins the trend of reinventing the steering wheel. And as it often happens what you get is less confortable than a traditional circle. However, it does help with the rectangular display behind.
The buttons on the wheel are big and intuitive to use. They look as though they are capacitive touch but are actually regular buttons and are easy to use while driving.
Behind the steering wheel is the indicator switch, which is among the worst in the industry. The stalk always returns to its neutral position and doesn’t stay locked up or down at any time. This is rather unintuitive and even BMW abandoned this integration after trying it in the early 2000s.
On top of the steering column is the face-tracking sensor. It tracks your eye movement and alerts when it senses fatigue. It can also scan your face and adjust the settings based on the driver if you have an existing account in the vehicle, which can prove quite useful for family or company cars.
Lynk & Co 08 steering wheel
Drivers get their own gauge cluster display, which is wide but short. It displays a lot of useful information and can be customized in multiple ways. Sadly the font used is too small and you must take your eyes off the road for a while in order to decipher everything that is being presented. Sadly, there is no head-up display option on the 08.
Lynk & Co 08 driver’s display
The middle of the dashboard is dominated by a 15.4-inch display. It is surrounded by faux leather accents, ambient lighting strips and air vents to create quite the atmosphere. With Lynk & Co being the affordable brand in the Geely family, we’re pleasantly surprised to see so many upscale elements here.
The center console is utilized in the most convenient way possible. In its deepest part you get a padded wireless phone charger and a padded phone storage space.
Lynk & Co 08 center console
Immediately after is a slidable tray that hides the cup holders underneath. For even more (and very well hidden) storage you push the cup holders aside and reveal another layer to hide the items you don’t want anyone to find.
The arm rest opens up to reveal even more storage up front.
More center console storage
An important note should be made for first-time drivers of the Lynk & Co that go for their first refueling stop. On the driver’s side is the port to plug in the battery, whereas on the same spot on the passenger’s side is the fuel cap. The charge port opens up normally but in order to open the fuel cap you have to press a release button near the steering column.
It is so well-hidden and out of sight that one can easily get confused on how the cap functions. Next to it is a small hidden compartment to store stuff you don’t want anyone finding.
The seats are comfortable and look great with the gold accents that complement the blue hues in the leather very well. There are speakers mounted in the headrests to ensure a better atmosphere. When taking a call via Bluetooth, only the driver hears what’s being said as only their headrest speaker works and the others remain muted.
The speakers themselves are slightly disappointing in terms of sound quality. Harman/Kardon is written everywhere to emphasize the partnership with the high-end audio company, but the end result is mediocre.
Lynk & Co 08 seats
No matter the trim level the roof is panoramic with an opening section, which creates a wonderful sensation of space and allows passengers to better enjoy sunny day rides.
The rear has few niceties. There are no particularly interesting features outside the heated seats, which cannot be controlled from the rear. Instead the passengers must ask politely someone up front to turn on the rear heated seats. Same goes for the operation of the A/C in the back.
On the upside, space is pretty generous with lots of headroom and kneeroom even for our reviewer who stands at 1.95 m (6’4”) tall. The seating position is normal and comfortable, unlike some pure EVs where the seat bottom is too close to the foot rests due to the batteries below.
Lynk & Co 08 rear seats
Storage & practicalities
Spacious interior, two powertrains and a large battery pack mean storage space is bound to suffer, though things certainly aren’t bad. The main trunk opening has a volume of 19.1 ft³, which is on the lower end for the segment, but sufficient for most use cases.
Underneath the main cargo floor is a small pocket to store some items you rarely use.
With the rear seats folded down you don’t get the significant increase of storage space one might expect, which is a shame and also strange given how much space the rear passengers have.
Lynk & Co 08 storage space
Since it is a plug-in hybrid, the Lynk & Co 08 doesn’t have a frunk (front trunk) as the engine and its supporting systems occupy the entire front bay.
Driving experience
SUV are rarely fun to drive and eager to be pushed to their limits. In fact, Lynk & Co want in the exact opposite direction by accentuating comfort and calmness. This is the better approach in our eyes for such a big vehicle and makes it pleasant on the long journeys it’s intended to go on.
Steering lacks feedback in normal settings, but can be stiffened a bit. It still doesn’t translate much of the road surface to the driver but the wheels turn more swiftly into your desired direction.
At higher speeds in corners you quickly feel the limit of the 08 is not that high. The body leans and the tires squeal under the weight. This big by is not made to conquer canyons, but rather cruise through them and get to far away destinations in comfort.
Despite having most of its components stacked up front and being only FWD, the Lynk & Co 08 is highly maneuverable, which makes it potent in the city as well.
The PHEV soul of the Lynk & Co 08 is one of its main differences compared to solely EV or ICE rivals. Using only the electric powertrain for commuting on a daily basis is pleasant and relaxing. Power delivery is smooth and even though it is only FWD, the 08 rarely spins its wheels when jumping off a standstill.
The 1.5-liter engine can be set to only charge the battery or help the electric powertrain in delivering even more power for quicker acceleration. The way the engine works can be controlled through the menus and adjusted based on your personal preferences.
Lynk & Co 08 drive mode menus
No matter which mode you’re in, the feedback you get from each powertrain is predictable and linear. At very high RPM the engine starts making a lot of noise and even causes some vibrations in the cabin, but in all other scenarios the cabin remains smooth and quiet.
Driving while using only the petrol engine feels like a compromise as it is underpowered for the bulky 08. It is clearly intended to be used primarily as a generator for the battery or just to help you reach the next charger, instead of being the main power source in most occasions. The transmission further underlines this impression by only providing three gears with varying ratios.
The ADAS systems are not as easy to disable as on some European rivals. They are all situated in the same menu but turning them off happens individually and requires multiple touches and confirmations. At this point it becomes a chore and we’ve seen so far that most manufacturers manage to integrate those settings in a more sensible way.
The camera system outside the 08 is among the greatest in the industry and makes maneuvering the big 08 a very easy task that anyone can manage. They helpy you adjust the exact angle and the system works just as well even at night.
Lynk & Co 08 has a wonderful camera
Ride comfort
The suspension settings of the Lynk & Co 08 are on the softer side, but not extremely so. Small bumps and potholes remain almost unnoticed inside but larger ones shake the body and disturb the quiet interior quite noticeably.
Tech features
Technological advancement is a major topic in the Lynk & Co 08 and that is true beyond the innovative powertrain. The big 15.4” center display handles the majority of the vehicle’s tech.
The main home screen offers a lot of settings with quick access to multiple menus for optimal user experience. It is well laid-out and intuitive, taking you directly to most of the vehicle’s most used features.
The main menus offer easy access to most menus
A great feature is the drop down menu, which works just like a shortcut widget menu on a smartphone and allows quick access to more features. Some of them are unnecessarily complicated like the sunroof controls that are six separate buttons but most of them are well laid-out.
The glove box can be opened from the display or with a button hidden next to the glove box itself. It is also lockable, so you can put valuables there when leaving the car.
Something weird that is available is “refresh mode”, which starts blasting the air conditioning, increases music if you have it on and starts flashing the ambient lights to wake up and refresh the driver and passengers. We suggest just stopping for a break if you’re that tired while driving, but having the option doesn’t hurt we guess.
We are always happy when a manufacturer incorporates games into the infotainment. That allows drivers and passengers to enjoy themselves while waiting inside the vehicle. The game catalogue is not huge, but is continuously expanding and the games are engaging and interesting.
Several mood settings are available for your interior with different themes displayed on the screens and changing ambient lights.
There is a selfie camera inside to let you make videos while driving or simply take photos. It will also likely prove useful when using the 08 PHEV as a shuttle or taxi, monitoring the rear passengers.
Sadly, the exterior lights are also controlled via the display, making them a few clicks away at all times, instead of being a physical button like in most other vehicles. Thankfully, the automatic lights feature is adequate enough to not necessitate frequent changes but it would be better if all lighting settings were always at your disposal.
Another not so great integration is the air conditioning, which relies solely on display inputs to operate and physical controls are nowhere to be found. Even the direction of the vents is controlled via the screen, whereas the rear passengers must ask the front ones to control the separate A/C zone for the rear as there are no controls in the back.
Some not-so-great integrations.
A nice feature enabled by the battery is the dog mode, which allows you to leave your pet inside the car while you’re running errands and it will stay safe and cool no matter the outside temperatures.
Usually at night most car displays dim and adopt darker colors to be easier on your eyes, but the Lynk & Co 08 allows you to select dark mode even in broad daylight.
Cabin noise
Lynk & Co did a good job with the sound insulation of the 08 cabin. It is quiet at all speeds, even though some competitors manage to stay slightly quieter. The results we show are when driven in EV mode but when the engine kicks in solely as a generator there are no changes in the decibel levels. When revved up, the engine can increase the dB levels inside but ever so slightly.
Sound level tests are carried out with a specialized sound level meter placed in the car’s cupholders. The test is conducted with air conditioning and radio off and while maintaining a steady speed.
Acceleration and braking
The 08 has no ambitions to be a sporty car, but it’s no slouch either. In our testing it accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in 7.02 seconds, which is slightly slower than the manufacturer’s stated value of 6.8 seconds.
Braking is important for any car no matter its purpose, but Lynk & Co has neglected that aspect a little bit. With a 62 mph to 0 stop taking 40 m (131’3″) it is far from the best performers. The testing conditions we had were optimal, but the factory Gripmax winter tires have certainly contributed to the unispiring showing.
On the upside, stopping in normal conditions is good and one can hardly notice the switch from regen braking to regular braking. The regen functions are not as crazy as in most EVs but you still get to touch the brake pedal seldomly with recuperation on.
Acceleration and deceleration are measured with a RaceBox device inside the car. Testing is done with a single person inside the car, with air conditioning and traction control off.
Consumption
Consumption as far as petrol goes is unimpressive with 5.9l/100km (39.9 mpg) at the 37 mph tempo. At 56 mph consumption rises to 7.5l/100km (31.4 mpg) and lastly at 81 mph it reaches 9.9l/100km (23.8 mpg). Those are not great figures, especially for a 1.5 l turbocharged four cylinder, but the primary purpose of the engine is to help with range and eliminate anxiety instead of acting as the primary source of power.
As far as electric consumption goes, the Lynk & Co 08 performs surprisingly well for its size. When compared with fully electric rivals it stands its ground and doesn’t consume more than them as is often the case with PHEVs. It is not the best in that category, but certainly doesn’t disappoint.
The main appeal of the Lynk & Co 08 compared to EVs or ICE rivals is that it combines the two powertrain options into a single package and offers the ability to roam around in the city under electric power but then, without having to stop, go on a long journey and never experience range anxiety. PHEV and EREV technologies are still relatively niche and manufacturers continue experimenting with them and adapting them to customer demands, but the Lynk & Co 08 certainly has one of the better implementations we’ve experienced.
We measure consumption by driving at constant speeds on an identical test route during the day. Testing is conducted with air conditioning, all safety systems and radio on. The data comes from the vehicle’s board computer. Specific testing parameters such as ambient temperature are mentioned in the text on a case by case basis.
You can use the widget below to find out the Lynk & Co 08’s range in every combination of speed and temperature you might need. We’ve used our real world tests and a complex model to provide an estimate that should be as close to the actual performance as possible.
Charging speed
PHEV vehicles rarely have great DC charging capabilities, but the Lynk & Co 08 offers fairly quick charging times from 10 to 80% in about 30 minutes. Despite the very low ambient temperature and lack of heat pump, the 08 charged as advertised, allowing us to enjoy the gaming features while waiting.
Refueling is as easy as on any other ICE vehicle, as long as you find the opening tab hidden to the left of the steering wheel to actually open the fuel door flap.
Competition
The Lynk & Co 08 finds itself in a lone space in Europe, surrounded by either purely electric vehicles or weaker hybrids. It is unique with its powertrain, which has helped it achieve solid sales. We wouldn’t be surprised to see more similar models to join the segment based on that success.
The closest rival, which we’ll soon review as well, is the Voyah Free REV. It comes with RWD or AWD options that will likely offer more fun behind the wheel but also a bigger and bulkier size. The engines are similar, but the electrical architecture is much more advanced in the 08 with quicker charging times and better efficiency.
The other alternative to the Lynk & Co 08 is the Wey 05, which is a subbrand of the Great Wall Motors company and was arguably the first large battery PHEV model in Europe. It has more power than the Lynk & Co and a real 9-speed transmission but also a higher price tag and slightly bigger size. The electric component of the 08 is once again superior, but the engine of the Wey is more capable and refined, and you get an AWD option.
Voyah Free REV RWD 2024 –
Verdict
In a world transitioning from ICE to EV, Lynk & Co decided to unite the two worlds and created a wonderful combination. The Lynk & Co 08 can easily cover 620 miles with both of its battery and tank full and thus offer greater versatility.
For urban needs the 08 allows solid range on a single charge, whereas on the highway you can rely on the big tank to reach faraway destinations, practically eliminating range anxiety.
The 08 may not really be outstanding in any category, but is highly competent in many. Jack of all trades? Not quite, as the Lynk & Co 08 simply tries to fill a different gap and it’s thus unwise to directly compare it to the cars either side of it.
If you’re in the market for such a vehicle and want to combine the efficiency of an EV with the range of internal combustion, we strongly suggest you book a test drive for the Lynk & Co 08.
Pros
Long range on a single charge.
Big battery for a PHEV.
Lots of passenger space.
Well-insulated cabin.
Great material and build quality.
Great exterior color options.
Highly maneuverable.
Innovative powertrains combination.
Cons
Bland styling.
Lack of configuration.
Overcomplicated functions.
High fuel consumption.
Difficult to disable ADAS systems.
Underwhelming audio system.
