One of the minor tweaks to the look is a new grille.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The XC60 is Volvo’s answer to the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Lexus RX and others that occupy the compact luxury SUV segment, one of the most popular for luxury brands. No surprise, then, that it has become Volvo’s best-selling vehicle of all time, beating the iconic Volvo 240 sedan and wagon last produced in 1993.
Compact luxury SUVs occupy the same space that compact luxury sedans did in the 1990s and early 2000s. The venerable 3 Series sedan, once BMW’s bread and butter, sells in small numbers now compared to the X3. It’s the same story over at Audi and Mercedes.
The current-generation XC60 came out eight years ago, which is a long time to go without a redesign, but Volvo’s elegant and contemporary styling has aged well. The “Thor’s hammer” headlights are as distinctive today as when they first debuted.
One subtle change is the darker tail lamp lenses.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The current version was updated in 2021 and again for 2026 with minor tweaks, including a new grille, darkened taillamp lenses and new wheel designs. But the biggest changes are on the inside.
There’s a larger screen, a new built-in Google-run infotainment system and an updated centre console with a new wireless phone charger. Because this is one of the “older” Volvo designs, the XC60 has a volume knob and a few physical buttons along with a twist-style ignition switch and optional crystal gear selector. It’s a bit of fanfare, but they are nice touches in a luxury product.
The XC60 comes with an optional crystal gear selector.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The cabin is another great piece of design, probably my favourite in this category, with its simple architectural lines, matte wood trims and stitched leather surfaces. Available wool blend seats are particularly nice and a welcome change from the typical leather options. If you appreciate this kind of detail, it’s one of the best reasons to pick the Volvo over BMW, Mercedes and Audi.
The big updates are inside with a larger screen, a new infotainment system and an updated centre console with a new wireless phone charger.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The powertrain options stay the same with a turbocharged four-cylinder in base models or the plug-in hybrid that we drove along Sweden’s western shoreline. Volvo’s T8 plug-in powertrain has been refined over the years and grown more powerful. A turbocharged four-cylinder powers the front wheels and a 143-horsepower electric motor powers the rear for a total of 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. An 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack in the centre tunnel provides about 56 kilometres of electric range.
The XC60 offers a balanced driving experience with a supple ride and confident handling. A BMW X3 is sharper to drive and more eager in the corners, where the Volvo is quieter and more relaxed. The rear seats are also very comfortable and there was enough room for me to stretch out in the back on a long drive to the airport.
There’s no shortage of power either. When you’re just puttering about, the rear electric motor does most of the work, provided the battery has enough juice in it, but when you step on the accelerator, the gas engine wakes up with a growl and triples your forward momentum.
If you want a bit more edge to the drive, there’s a Polestar-engineered version with Brembo brakes and a stiffer suspension, but you’ll be giving up some of the ride quality.
Tech specs
2026 Volvo XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid
- Price: $64,950 (Core) plus $3,589 for freight and other fees
- Engine: Two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder plus rear electric motor
- Transmission / drive: Eight-speed automatic
- Curb weight: 2,151 kilograms
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 8.5 city; 8.5 highway; 8.5 combined
- Alternatives: Mercedes GLC, BMW X3, Audi Q5, Acura RDX, Genesis GV70, Lincoln Nautilus, Lexus RX, Infiniti QX60
Looks
The changes to the design are subtle, with a new grille and darker tail lamp lenses. It’s a good thing because the XC60’s elegant lines and design features, such as the headlights, help it stand out in a competitive segment.
The Bowers and Wilkins stereo is only available in expensive option packages.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Interior
Volvo uses excellent materials and has great interior design that looks modern even after being on the market for this long. The screen has grown larger and floats on the console instead of being integrated into it, and there are new speaker grilles and a new wireless phone charger. The rear seats are comfortable with a good amount of legroom for taller adults. Many of the nicer features, such as the Bowers and Wilkins stereo, wool seats and wood trims, are locked away in expensive option packages.
The rear seats are comfortable and have enough room for adults to stretch out.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Performance
The T8 might be the most efficient version of the XC60, but it’s the quickest. Depending on the drive mode, it will prioritize either the engine or the electric motor. In Power mode, all 523 lb-ft of total system torque gets deployed and the XC60 can scoot to 100 kilometres an hour in less than five seconds.
Technology
Unlike some of the new electric Volvos, the XC60 is a design that’s been around for nearly a decade and has had most of the bugs and kinks worked out. There are still physical controls, such as a volume knob and an ignition key, and the key fob has buttons. (What a concept). Even with this supposed lack of tech, the XC60 feels modern and has all of the newest safety and driver assistance, a new Google built-in infotainment system and great sound systems.
Cargo
There’s 468 litres of space behind the rear seats, good for four medium-sized suitcases, according to Volvo. This expands to 1,395 litres with the rear seats folded. Both the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3 have bigger cargo areas but give up some rear legroom to the Volvo.
There is 468 litres of space behind the rear seats and 1,395 litres with the rear seats folded.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
The few updates to the XC60 keep it feeling fresh even eight years on. It’s one of Volvo’s best products and remains an excellent contender in the compact luxury space.
The XC60 looks similar to the previous year from the side with a profile that is aging well.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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