Volvo XC60 (2026) Review

Introduction

They always say the middle child misses out – not the first born or the baby of the family, the one in-between. But that’s certainly not the case with Volvo’s SUV line-up. The recently-refreshed XC60 sits between the flagship XC90 and more compact XC40, but it still holds the title of most popular Volvo globally with more than 2.7 million sales..

The XC60 has been around for a while now having been initially launched back in 2008. We are now in just the second generation of the car which arrived in 2017 and has already undergone one facelift in 2021.

But last year, it gained a number of significant upgrades that make it even more appealing. The five-door SUV gets a new-look grille, interior upgrades, plus a larger touchscreen infotainment system that’s also much quicker.

The choice of powertrains is extensive with a mild-hybrid version called the B5, alongside two plug-in hybrid units titled the T6 and T8. All cars feature a 2.0-litre petrol engine, but the power outputs differ. The B5 can deliver 250hp, the T6 PHEV has 350hp while the T8 boasts 450hp.

All cars are all-wheel drive and customers can choose from generously-equipped trims called Core, Plus, Plus Pro and Ultra, with Black Edition upgrades adding extra tech and styling cues for a fee.

Prices for the petrol B5 start from £49,810 while the T6 PHEV starts at £56,760. The higher-powered T8 PHEV is only sold in Ultra grade and starts from £70,860.

We opted for the top-of-the-tree XC60 T8 Plug-in hybrid AWD Ultra model for our 400-mile-plus test drive.

Pros

• Best-selling Volvo of all time
• All models are all-wheel drive and generously powered
• Refined and assured ride quality
• Minimalist Scandinavian styling

Cons

• Not cheap, particularly with a PHEV powertrain
• Exceeds £40,000 expensive car tax threshold
• Styling might be a little too vanilla for some tastes
• Electric EX60 has just arrived - and may turn people away from the XC60

What are our first impressions of the Volvo XC60?

The Volvo XC60 is a good-looking , mid-size, five-door family SUV. There are no outlandish design cues or overtly-aggressive styling traits, but instead it has a no-nonsense appearance that looks great when approached from any angle. At the front are the trademark Thor’s Hammer headlights and these now flank a new-look grille that is larger and boasts a diagonal mesh pattern and houses the distinctive Volvo emblem.

The side profile is elegant with sweeping lines, rear privacy glass, black pillars and black mirror caps, while at the rear, there are the instantly-recognisable upright light clusters, plus the VOLVO name in chrome lettering along with the model and trim.

There are new air intakes, a fresh choice of alloy wheel designs, along with some extra colours, which include Mulberry Red for the first time on the XC60. This was the shade of our test car which also featured a panoramic roof.

What are the key features of the Volvo XC60?

The line-up of XC60 models is fairly straightforward with four trim levels to choose from called Core, Plus, Plus Pro and Ultra. However, customers can personalise their model further by opting for a Black Edition specification which can be added to the Plus, Plus Pro and Ultra line-up.

The entry-level Core is supplied with an 11.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, 12.3-inch driver display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, Google Automotive Services with Google Maps navigation and voice recognition, wireless phone charging and heated front seats. It has adaptive cruise control, adjustable steering force, a rear park assist camera, 18-inch alloys, plus a wealth of safety features and driver assistance aids.

Step up to the XC60 Plus and it gains a 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a powered driver’s seat, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 4-Zone climate control, a parking camera with 360-degree surround view and side proximity sensors, lots of additional interior lighting features, a luggage scuff plate, some extra safety features such as blind spot information with steer assist, Pilot assist, along with rear collision warning and mitigation. The Plus trim also gains larger 19-inch alloys.

The Plus Pro is the bridge trim level between Plus and Ultra. It adds active bending headlights, headlight cleaning, tinted windows, 20-inch wheels, Nappa leather, front seat powered side support, a Crystal Orrefors gear knob and driftwood inlays.

The top-of-the-range Ultra grade gains a head-up display, adaptive dampers, a powered tilt and slide panoramic roof, a tailored instrument panel with contrast stitching, massaging front seats, power-folding rear headrests and a 14-speaker Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system.

How does the Volvo XC60 perform on the road?

Powering our Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-in hybrid AWD Ultra SUV was a 2.0-litre petrol engine working with electric motors and a 14.7kWh battery to deliver 455hp and a whopping 709Nm of torque. That translates into some impressive performance figures with the 0-62mph dash completed in a rapid 4.9 seconds and top speed of 112mph.

The acceleration through the eight-speed automatic gearbox is smooth, responsive and the car has ample zip to overtake at short notice or join fast-moving motorways from slower slip roads.

Additionally, the XC60 PHEV features Volvo’s excellent Pilot Assist system that utilises the adaptive cruise set-up to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, whilst adjusting the speed and also assisting with steering to keep the car in the centre of its lane.

The XC60 is nicely balanced on more challenging B roads with lots of twists and turns and any body movement is kept well in check – no matter how enthusiastically bends are attacked. It’s composed, refined and even manages to smooth out the bumps and dips along the way with adaptive dampers resulting in impressive ride and handling levels.

In busier town centres, the elevated driving position is an added bonus offering excellent all-round visibility, and the nicely weighted steering helps make light work of weaving through the traffic.

There are drive modes called Hybrid which maximises the battery and engine efficiency to its full potential, Power for the liveliest performance, Pure for electric-only driving provided there is enough charge, along with Off-Road and AWD for maximum grip when tackling adverse weather conditions or rougher terrain.

There is also a B setting on the gearstick which increases the strength of the regenerative braking and is really handy in busy towns with lots of stop-and-go driving. It’s also possible to hold the battery charge for when pure EV driving may be needed.

What are the running costs and emissions of the Volvo XC60?

The 2026 Volvo XC60 line-up is priced from £49,810 for the entry-level B5 petrol-powered version in Core specification. The cheapest plug-in hybrid, also Core trim, costs from £56,760 (OTR). At the other end of the scale is the most powerful T8 PHEV in Ultra Black Edition guise which has an asking price of £71,860. So, not particularly cheap then, but the XC60 is competing against premium vehicles such as the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, both of which carry expensive price-tags.

Our test car, the XC60 T8 PHEV in high-end Ultra trim, had a starting price of £70,860 , although metallic paint in the new Mulberry Red shade, added a further £795 to the cost.

As is the way with plug-in hybrids, the official WLTP-tested fuel efficiency figure is pretty impossible to match. In this case, it’s a combined 201.5-282.1mpg. However, if the electric-only range of almost 50 miles is used to the max and the car’s 14.7kWh battery is charged regularly, you will see impressive figures, although nothing like the 200mpg mark. We were seeing high 40s on our extensive test drive.

But, running a plug-in hybrid does bring with it a number of financial rewards. For example, the low carbon emissions figure of 23g/km will result in a Benefit in Kind tax rating of just nine per cent (10 per cent after April 2026), which is great news for business drivers. Additionally, the road tax for the first year is set at just £110, although this will increase to the standard £195 fee after 12 months.

But it’s not all good news as the car exceeds the £40k Expensive Car Supplement threshold set by the government. That means an extra £425 will be added to the annual tax bill from years two to six.

For added peace of mind, the Volvo XC60 PHEV comes with a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty package, increasing to eight years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) for the battery.

What interior & tech does the Volvo XC60 have?

The interior of the XC60 is typically Volvo and that’s a good thing in our book. It’s not flashy or packed with gimmicks and gadgets that will never be used. Instead it’s a comfortable, elegantly-styled cabin that has everything you could possibly need.

The seats, crafted from the finest Nappa leather upholstery, are powered, can be heated or ventilated and even offer a massage function which is a treat on longer journeys. The steering wheel can also be warmed against the winter chill along with the outer rear seats.

The main focal point and nerve centre of the vehicle is the user-friendly 11.2-inch portrait infotainment screen offering access to the wealth of on-board technology. The screen is twice as fast as the system on the outgoing car with 10 times faster graphics generation.

Our range-topping Ultra test model boasted full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a DAB radio, Bluetooth, reversing camera, Google services with Google Maps navigation and the Google Assistant, plus a pitch-perfect Bowers and Wilkins audio system with 14 speakers and Dolby Pro Logic surround sound.

There are quick access icons along the bottom of the touchscreen and these can be personalised with your own favourites. Elsewhere, all the important driving data, such as speed, fuel and battery levels, and navigation directions are viewed on a 12.3-inch driver display screen that can easily be customised to taste. And there is a head-up display too to keep a watchful eye on that speed.

Light floods into the cabin via the panoramic sunroof and expect to find elegant fixtures and fittings throughout such as soft touch surfaces, natural wood trims and subtle Swedish flags on the seats.

How practical is the Volvo XC60 and how big is the boot?

Any mid-size SUV has to be ideally proportioned to cope with the everyday needs of an active family, without being so large it becomes cumbersome to drive. The Volvo XC60 does just that. It stretches 4,708mm in length, is 2,117mm across with mirrors extended, 1,656mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,865mm.

Those dimensions result in a spacious cabin with bundles of room for two tall adults to sit comfortably up front and a further two in the back. There is enough space for three adults, although it will be a bit of a squeeze. It is ideal for a trio of youngsters though.

The slightly elevated seating arrangement makes entering or exiting the XC60 easily for anyone with mobility issues, and this will also be popular with parents needing regular access to a child seat - there are Isofix anchors on the outer rear seats.

The boot is accessed via a wide-opening, powered tailgate that can be operated using buttons inside the cabin or on the key fob. And it is well sized with a capacity of 483 litres, increasing to 965 litres with the split-folding rear seats lowered. These are the figures up to the window line, but if you really need to pack the car up to the roof, the limits rise to 613 and 1,543 litres respectively.

There are numerous practical storage compartments throughout the cabin too, including a glovebox, seat back nets, door bins, a central cubby, front and rear cup holders, some trays, plus front and rear USB-C ports to keep devices connected on the move.

Speaking of charging, the XC60’s 14.7kWh battery can be charged from zero to 100 per cent in three hours using a 6.4kW charger.

And, with family breaks in mind, the XC60 PHEV can tow a braked trailer or caravan weighing up to 2,250kg.

How safe is the Volvo XC60?

The Volvo XC60 was tested for its current Euro NCAP safety rating in 2017 and was awarded the maximum five stars. It achieved an unbelievable 98 per cent for adult occupant safety, 87 per cent for child occupants, 76 per cent for pedestrians and 95 per cent for safety assist. These are some of the highest scores we have seen for adult safety and safety assist, so Volvo is on course with its mission to eliminate fatalities or serious injuries in a new Volvo car.

The XC60 PHEV features a raft of safety systems and driver assistance aids with entry-level Core models fitted with the likes of city safety with steering support (which includes pedestrian and cyclist detection), front collision warning with full auto brake and rear auto brake. It has emergency brake assist, driver alert control, intelligent speed assistance, road sign information display, lane keep assist, run-off protection and plenty more besides.

The Plus models gain blind spot information with steer assist, cross traffic alert with auto braking, the 360-degree camera with side proximity sensors, pilot assist, along with rear collision warning with mitigation.

Plus Pro models add active bending headlight technology and a headlight cleaning system, while the Ultra grade introduces a head-up display with road sign information, distance alert, speed and navigation.

What are the Volvo XC60’s options?

In addition to the standard trims, customers can also specify the two design themes called Dark and Bright. The Dark theme introduces lots of high gloss finishes to the door mirrors, window surrounds, front grille and surround as well as the integrated roof rails. The Bright theme gains chrome finishing to the front and rear bumpers, window surrounds, front grille and roof rails. These themes are free of charge.

Additionally, owners can opt for the Black Edition which costs between £1,000 and £1,800 dependant on the trim and includes a number of upgrades, including 21-inch high gloss black alloys, charcoal headlining, dark tinted windows, a high gloss black front grille logo bar, metal mesh inlays, onyx black exterior paint and Nappa soft leather or textile contour sports upholstery.

Customers purchasing lower-specced models, can also consider a Climate Pack, costing £750, a Driver Assist Pack, priced at £1,495, upgraded alloy wheels with various prices, a retractable tow bar at £1,550, alongside a few other optional extras.

What are the main rival cars to the Volvo XC60?

The mid-size family SUV sector is highly competitive with some premium marques vying for sales. That means the Volvo XC60 PHEV will be lining up against the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5 amongst others.

Volvo XC60 - Verdict and next steps

With a sweet-spot blend of performance, luxury, comfort and practicality, the Volvo XC60 PHEV is a complete all-rounder and will meet the needs of any active family. The plug-in hybrid technology brings with it plenty of financial rewards to fleet drivers and the 50-mile range should easily cope with the average daily commute.

Admittedly, the high trims are not cheap, but Volvo customers tend to be very loyal to the brand, and that’s why the XC60 is the company’s global best-seller. It will be interesting to see if the introduction of the all-electric EX60 will draw sales away from this model though. 

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Volvo XC60

**Correct as of 02/02/2026. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 36 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to  monthly payments, or £5,364.24 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.