Volvo’s best-selling XC60 is the brand’s flagship mid-size SUV. It has been on the market since its second generation, launched in 2017. In its ninth year, the XC60 maintains a strong presence in the automotive market. Volvo introduced a facelift in 2021 and followed up with a second update that included subtle exterior and interior changes.
The XC60’s refreshed exterior adopts design elements from the updated XC90. The front grille reflects Volvo’s latest design language, with a bolder diagonal pattern that gives the vehicle a more assertive appearance. The taillights have darker lenses. Volvo also added new wheel designs and exterior colors that give customers more options for personalization.
The facelift includes interior enhancements and an improved appearance. Volvo replaced the previous 9.0-inch center display with a larger and clearer 11.2-inch screen. The system is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, which doubles the processing speed and increases graphics performance more than tenfold. This improvement enables a smoother and more responsive interface. The vehicle also runs on a Google-based infotainment system. Volvo plans to roll out the same user interface to older XC60 models (produced from 2020 onward) through over-the-air (OTA) software updates.
The powertrain options remain unchanged. The XC60 B5 features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with mild-hybrid technology that produces 247 horsepower. The XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) retains a peak output of 455 horsepower. Volvo is also introducing a new XC60 T6 PHEV variant equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system that delivers 345 horsepower. The XC60 PHEV models offer strong performance while supporting electric-only driving despite being mid-size SUVs.
Volvo is preparing to begin rolling out its next-generation electric vehicle (EV) models, such as the EX60 and EX90, in 2026. This indicates that the newly updated XC60 may be the final version with an internal combustion engine.
The XC60 remains one of Volvo’s most reliable and best-selling models, representing a unique value proposition. The vehicle combines fuel efficiency and high performance through mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems. The XC60 includes advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard features and also receives regular OTA updates that keep the vehicle’s technology current.
Volvo faces challenges, including transitioning to EVs and intense competition from rivals like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. The company has not yet announced official pricing for the updated XC60, but it is expected to remain close to the current model. Volvo plans to launch sales in Europe and North America in the second half of 2025, followed by global availability in early 2026.
