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By Jonathan Crouch

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

Ten Second Reviewword count: 75

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.

Backgroundword count: 228

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 Specword count: 371

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.

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