2026 (26) Volvo XC60 2.0 T8 406 PHEV Ultra Black Ed 5dr AWD Geartronic

Jonathan Crouch reports on the further improved version of Volvo's second generation XC60 Plug-in Hybrid mid-sized SUV.

Ten Second Review

The Plug-in hybrid version of Volvo's XC60 mid-sized premium SUV now gains a class-leadingly-large drive battery for impressive efficiency returns, despite this Swedish crossover's eager power output. There's a significant price to pay for this technology and you'll need to tailor your motoring life to suit what this car can offer but if you can deal with these caveats, then this is a potentially very likeable package, now featuring a fresh look inside and out.

Background

Volvo's XC60 is at its cleverest - and priciest - in this Plug-in Hybrid AWD form. This PHEV premium mid-sized model is now on its third facelift and for the 2027 model year, gained its most significant upgrade to date as a result of which it can now offer EV range that's unrivalled in the class. The Swedish brand first introduced its Plug-in Hybrid powertrain for XC60 customers in 2018 in powerful T8 form, then in 2020 added a slightly more affordable T6 version of the same powerplant to sell alongside that flagship variant. In 2021, as part of a light facelift, both models got larger drive batteries and more powerful rear electric motors. And both cars were further improved in mid-2025, then upgraded again in Autumn 2026 to create the XC60 PHEV model we're going to look at here. Volvo was quicker to offer PHEV tech in the mid-sized premium SUV segment than its German rivals, but since then, Plug-in Hybrid versions of contenders like the BMW X3, the Mercedes GLC and the Audi Q5 have all appeared and been evolved to offer this plug-in petrol/electric XC60 stiff competition, though this Volvo's still remained one of Europe's best-selling Plug-in Hybrid premium mid-sized SUVs. To keep it current, the brand has updated the exterior look and redesigned the dashboard, creating the car we're going to look at here.

Engines and Tech Spec

Not much was done to the engineering of this second generation XC60 as part of the 2025 update; now we know why. The Swedish engineers were working on a class-leading step forward in this regard - or at least that's what you get from the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain we look at here anyway. It gains a massive increase in battery size - from 18.8kWh to 41.2kWh (37.9kWh usable). This facilitates an equally enormous increase in EV drive range - from 50 miles to a class-leading 124 miles. That's double what you get from most rivals, even all-new versions of the BMW X5 and Audi Q7. As before, the huge battery feeds a rear electric motor, which is now more powerful (up from 145 to 175hp) working in tandem with the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine this model's long had. As previously, there are two XC60 PHEV models, each now badged 'long-range PHEV'; the T6, with 350hp and the T8 with 455hp. Expect similar performance figures to before, which means 0-62mph in 5.7s in the T6 and 4.9s with the T8, en route to the 112mph top speed that all Volvos share. Nothing's been done to the drive dynamics, which were tweaked slightly as part of the 2025 facelift, when Volvo softened up the passive dampers and worked on refinement. So drive dynamics continue to be based towards comfort. But you shouldn't gauge from that an expectation that this XC60 will be a complete duffer when the road turns twisty. It's very far from that, this model described as 'confident and predictable', which is precisely what most likely buyers will want it to be. There's unruffled poise and exemplary refinement, plus you get supple standards of ride comfort from the multi-link rear suspension and top variants continue to have the desirable 'Active Four-C' adaptive damping and air suspension package. A 'Drive Mode Settings' driving dynamics system allows you to tailor throttle response, steering feel and shift timings from the standard 8-speed auto gearbox to suit the way you want to drive. If you do decide to push on a bit, grip and traction are actually quite impressive aided by the AWD system, while cornering body roll is also decently well controlled.

Design and Build

The last two updates of this second generation XC60 (in 2021 and 2025) have been somewhat half-hearted. This facelift is rather more far-reaching, with a complete redesign for the entire front end that includes the wings, bonnet, bumper and grille. Plus the 'Thors Hammer' LED headlights also get an update, with Matrix tech and a more distinctive two-piece design. There are redesigned wheels (including an aero-optimised 20-inch set of rims aimed at maximising range) and the rear bumper, the tailgate and tail lights have also been updated. As before, it all sits on Volvo's usual Scalable Product Architecture platform and is sized to compete directly with premium rivals like Audi's Q5, BMW's X3 and the Mercedes GLC. Unlike those three models though, there's just a single boxy SUV body shape available. Inside at the wheel, the dashboard, instrument panel and door panels have all been redesigned and indirect ambient lighting incorporated into the cabin. The 11.2-inch centre screen added as part of the 2025 update has been retained, but now runs Volvo's latest interface, which is aided by Google's AI helper Gemini. Otherwise, it's as you were. High-quality materials, intelligent use of space and attention to detail work together to create a distinctly Scandinavian cabin that's simple and elegant. The supportive seats position you lower in the XC60 than you would in an XC90, there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument dial display and you get a CleanZone climate control system that removes harmful pollutants and particles from outside the cabin to deliver Scandinavian-fresh air on the inside. In the rear, there's decent space for shoulders and heads and the kind of room for knees and legs that you'd expect from an SUV 4.7-metres in length. Parents will like the fact that you can specify a pair of built-in fold-out booster seats. In a conventionally-engined B5 model, the boot capacity is rated at 483-litres - or 613-litres if you were to load up to the roof; that's about 45-litres shy of the prevailing class standard, though it's more than you get in comparably-priced Land Rover products. The Plug-in Hybrid variant loses a bit from those figures because of its underfloor battery - 468-litres, or 598-litres if you load up to the roof. But this updated model's longer-ranging PHEV drivetrain hasn't taken up any more boot space than before.

Market and Model

Expect to need a budget starting from just under £60,000 for your XC60 Plug-in Hybrid. There's always been quite a premium to pay to upgrade to the PHEV version from the XC60 B5 mild hybrid (previously around £7,000) and you can expect that to rise a bit with the adoption of the latest long-range powertrain. As before, mainstream variants are based around 'Core' and 'Plus' trim levels; if you're able to stretch to top 'Ultra' spec with the PHEV (which means a spend substantially over £70,000), then your powertrain will be upgraded from the T6 to the faster T8 unit. Spec levels are much as before. So all versions of this Volvo have roof rails, front and rear parking sensors, auto headlamps and wipers, a power-operated tailgate and alloy wheels. Plus there are LED headlights that at night can bend with the road and dip themselves automatically. And of course a class-leading package of electronic safety equipment. Inside on all XC60s, there's a powered, heated driver's seat with lumbar support and memory settings, plus a new Google-powered 11.2-inch centre screen. You can also tick off 2-Zone Electronic Climate Control, an auto-dimming interior mirror, a rear view camera and a 12.3-inch Active TFT Crystal Driver's information display to replace the usual instrument dials. This will change in layout according to the Drive Mode settings you choose. The PHEVs come with a panoramic glass roof too. Fresh options added as part of this update include an eye-catching 'Heather Bronze' metallic paint shade that changes in hue with the light. For the cabin, wood trim and Cardamom ventilated Nappa leather upholstery are now available. As you'd expect from a Volvo, safety is a priority and for this update, the radars, cameras and sensors have all been upgraded, improving the autonomous emergency braking and enabling new driver-assistance functions like lane-change assist.

Cost of Ownership

As you can imagine, the adoption of the long-range PHEV drivetrain has a huge effect on total range. With a fully-charged battery, an XC60 PHEV is capable of up to 770 miles on a tank. Obviously that hugely improved EV driving range (up to 124 miles) will also hugely improve the CO2 stat, which in turn will of course lower your BiK tax liability. Surprisingly, Volvo says that the PHEV version's now much bigger 41.2kWh battery doesn't take much longer to charge than the previous model's 18.8kWh pack - around four hours for a full top-up from a home AC wallbox. You could take an hour or so off that with an 11kW three-phase AC supply. Connecting up to a normal domestic three-pin 10amp supply will take about 7 hours. Surprisingly though, unlike with keys rivals, you can't DC rapid-charge this XC60: Volvo's missed a trick there. We should also mention that it's possible to replenish the battery of your PHEV XC60 on the move, via a 'Charge' option you'll find in the 'Battery Usage' section of the centre screen. This forces energy into the battery on the move, but strains the engine to do it, increasing fuel consumption. The same menu gives you the option to 'Hold' the battery's charge for use later in your journey - say for town driving at the end of a long trip. Ultimately, to justify the XC60 PHEV model's price premium, you really have to try and plug it in at every opportunity, otherwise you'll simply find yourself running a heavy petrol-powered SUV and frequently replenishing the 71-litre fuel tank. If on the move, you want to prioritise all-electric progress, you can select a 'Pure' driving mode that prioritises electric-only operation and would be useful in an urban environment. In everyday use though, most T6 and T8 owners will be driving in the 'Hybrid' mode that the car's powertrain automatically defaults to, a setting in which the vehicle will automatically alternate between petrol and electric power. Maintenance should be relatively affordable for a car of this kind, with intervals every year or 18,000 miles. Three or five year pre-paid servicing packages are available to help you budget ahead. If you pay extra for the useful 'On Call with App' remote connectivity system, this Volvo can be programmed to autonomously realise when a service is due, then automatically book it for you at a dealership of your choice. Finally, we'll tell you that the warranty is the usual three year, 60,000 mile package.

Summary

The sort of sensible buyer likely to be considering an XC60 is, we think, likely to be sorely tempted by this Plug-in Hybrid version, especially in this further improved form. Inevitably given that this is a premium brand model, there's quite a high asking price to pay of course. Even if you regretfully set your sights on the 335hp T6 PHEV model rather than the 406hp T8 version, the sticker figures are substantial. And represent a big premium over the alternative B5 mild hybrid version of this car, so you'd have to be very sold on the plug-in remit here to opt for a XC60 in PHEV form. But that B5 can't of course offer the tax or silent commuting advantages of its PHEV counterparts and we can see why you might want those. Whether you might want them in this segment in an XC60 is of course another question, but this Plug-in Hybrid version's now class-leading EV range figure is a strong selling point against obvious rivals. Plus there are plenty of cool Scandinavian attributes you might value just as highly. This then, is the Swedish SUV. Evolved.