Jonathan Crouch reports on the further improved version of Volvo's second generation XC60 mid-sized SUV.
Ten Second Review
Think of a premium-badged mid-sized SUV and you probably think of something German -maybe also a Land Rover or Lexus product. We'd also suggest though, that you should be looking at the car we're going to test here, the further improved version of Volvo's elegant and beautifully crafted second generation XC60, now featuring a fresh look inside and out. And a dramatically improved PHEV drivetrain. It's proof that in Sweden, they build SUVs just a little differently. Safe, efficient, clever, practical and stylish, it's yet another model that re-establishes this Scandinavian maker as a credibly prestigious automotive brand.
Background
Market indecision about EVs has prolonged the life of this car, the second generation version of Volvo's mid-sized premium SUV, the XC60. This MK2 model was first introduced back in 2017 (replacing an extremely successful predecessor originally launched in 2008). Then facelifted first in 2021. By 2025, the company should have been easing this combustion model out of the showrooms to make way for the all-electric EX60. Instead, this XC60 got a stay of execution - and a second facelift. Followed for the 2027 by the further update we look at here.
Once, Volvo was a car maker primarily specialising in spacious estates and solid, safe saloons. It isn't true any more. The brand now builds fewer cars of that sort and today, the majority of its business is done in selling SUVs - cars like this XC60. So successful has the XC60 model line been that in 2025, it surpassed the brand's iconic Volvo 240 to become the best-selling Volvo model ever, with over 2.7 million examples sold.
Today, it's still built at Torslanda in Sweden and Chengdu in China. And continues to use the 2.0-litre 'Drive-E' engines and 'SPA' 'Scalable Product Architecture' platform that Chinese brand owner Geely bankrolled as part of its brand takeover in 2010 for all ongoing mid and large-sized Volvo models to use. But much has changed about this car in recent times - as we're about to see.
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 one of the two powertrains on offer anyway. The most affordable B5 mild hybrid petrol unit, Volvo's long-running 'Drive-E' 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder engine, putting out 250hp and embellished with 48V mild hybrid tech, hasn't been changed at all.
All the effort's gone into the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain, which 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 always 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
XC60 prices start at around £50,000, which gets you the mild hybrid B5 petrol model. There's always been quite a premium to pay to upgrade to the PHEV version (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. If you really don't want to plug your XC60 in (or, more likely, don't want to have to stump up for the PHEV's version's considerable extra premium), then you'll want the efficiency stats for the alternative mild hybrid B5 petrol model - bests of 37.6mpg on the combined cycle and 170g/km of CO2.
Surprisingly, Volvo says that the PHEV version's 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
This second generation XC60 has long needed a Unique Selling Point other than quality and a cool sense of 'Swedishness'; it now has exactly that in the form of the PHEV version's class-leadingly long range drivetrain. It's a pity Volvo could have introduced this as part of the previous 2025 facelift but even with this delay, rivals have still nothing like this car's impressive EV range to offer. And as before, there's still more power than most of them can deliver.
There are other attributes too. The upgraded cabin has a refreshing quality Scandinavian feel we think you'll like and its upgraded Google Android infotainment system is cutting-edge. And in summary? Well this car still might not please magazine road testers, but we can't help feeling that it's been cleverly perfected for the actual priorities of its targeted market. This then, is the Swedish SUV. Evolved.
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