The best-selling Volvo in history is being renewed to keep dominating the SUV segment: this is the new Volvo XC60

s

The Volvo XC60 was launched in 2008 and, in nearly 17 years on the market, more than 2.7 million units have been sold, making it the best-selling model in the Swedish brand’s history, surpassing the Volvo 240. And this is no coincidence. Generation after generation, and with many updates along the way, the XC60 has remained one of the favourite SUVs for drivers looking for a family vehicle that stands out for its quality, technology and safety, and for offering a driving experience that has nothing to envy from, and even improves on, many premium brands.

As an interesting detail, the first-generation XC60 was the first production vehicle, back in 2008 when it was presented, to incorporate City Safety, an automatic emergency braking assistant that was initially designed to help avoid, or at least minimise the consequences of, a collision at speeds of up to 30 km/h. Almost 10 years later, in 2017, it debuted another world first with a new assistant, in this case capable of intervening on the steering to bring the vehicle back into its lane when it detects a drift into oncoming traffic.

But safety was not the only reason it earned the “World Car of the Year” award in 2018. The truth is that the XC60 has adapted to the times, with a few touch-ups to remain fully up to date in terms of design… and also technologically in connectivity, equipment and powertrain systems. The plug-in hybrid version, for example, was the best-selling PHEV model in Europe in 2024. Among its most premium rivals, which it confronts without complexes, are some of the calibre of the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC.

What changes in the 2026 Volvo XC60

The new Volvo XC60, presented as Model Year 2025, is in fact the second-generation model that was launched in 2017, and which has already received several updates, the most recent in February of this year. Volvo has barely needed to touch up the grille, redesign the bumpers and incorporate new wheel designs and three new body colours, named Mulberry, Aurora Silver and Forest Lake. The rear light clusters have also been darkened. And the truth is these are touch-ups that have suited the XC60 perfectly, which has a design that seems immune to the passing years.

Inside, there are not many changes either. The most important affects the infotainment system, whose screen has grown considerably, from the previous 9 inches integrated into the dashboard between the two central air vents, to now 11.2 inches with a well-resolved floating position so the dashboard did not have to be completely redesigned. The operating system it is based on remains Android Automotive, with Google integrated, but a higher processing speed is now promised, to the point that, according to the brand, the system is twice as fast and has a graphics generation capacity 10 times greater.

Other interior improvements affect the materials used in the decorative inserts, new cup holders, a flexible storage compartment in the centre console and a more powerful wireless phone charger. Small changes that do not alter at all the sensations the XC60 conveys when you sit behind its controls, which remain the same: a car with a high-quality finish, outstanding adjustments and, at the same time, a sense of a “durable” car.

Behind the wheel of the new Volvo XC60

Under the bonnet there are no changes; the range continues with the B5 version, with the 2.0 turbo four-cylinder petrol engine producing 250 CV as the entry variant. An engine that features 48-volt MHEV mild hybridisation and which, therefore, qualifies for the DGT ECO environmental label. And the truth is you will hardly miss more power or greater responsiveness: it is an engine that moves the XC60 with ease even on mountain roads or when travelling with the car loaded, and with which you can achieve consumption between 8 and 9 l/100 km if you are careful with the accelerator pedal. This version is available from 56,850 euros in the Essential trim, and goes up to 70,317 euros for the B5 Ultra, the top of the range. It is also offered in the special editions Black Edition Plus and Black Edition Ultra, reaching 72,409 euros in the latter case.

Above it is the XC90 T6 plug-in hybrid, which starts directly in the Core trim, at a premium of 8,000 euros over the B5 with the same equipment level. It produces 350 CV of system power and a maximum torque of 660 Nm, with acceleration capability noticeably superior to that of the B5 despite the weight increase due to the hybrid system and battery, which in total adds around 250 kg. As I said, if it is performance, thrust or general driving enjoyment you are after, the B5 is more than sufficient.

But it is true that resisting the extra “power” the T6 displays is difficult and, above all, the smoothness it offers in town when running in electric mode, although it is not the PHEV in its segment with the most range. The 18.8 kWh gross battery capacity, around 15 kWh usable, is enough to homologate more than 80 km on the WLTP cycle, which “translates” into roughly 60 km in real-world day-to-day use. The good thing about the T6 is that it barely loses boot capacity; with 468 litres it is not among the largest in its category, but it is more than sufficient for travelling without having to worry too much about which suitcases to choose. It is the version that can be driven the most, especially on motorways, where the XC60 demonstrates that, despite being “one generation” behind its rivals, it performs wonderfully when it comes to refinement and ride comfort, which in this model always take priority over agility. By the way… how I love these seats for covering kilometres without getting tired!

The top of the XC60 range is the T8, available only in the Polestar trim, priced at 87,450 euros. Power here rises to 455 CV, and the equipment is near-exceptional. But I find the T6 much better balanced, for which you can choose between three trim levels -Core, Plus and the very complete Ultra- and, in addition, personalise it with the optional Black Edition packs.

Volvo XC60 MY26 – Image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadVolvo XC9010 versions · from 82,200 €