Battery size: 18.8kWh
Company car tax: 9% (2025-26)
Range: 49 - 51 miles
Emissions: 22-23g/km
Introduction and model history
To say the Volvo XC60 is popular would be an understatement. It’s not just a big-seller for discerning Brits, either; in June 2025, it surpassed the legendary Volvo 240 to become the Swedish brand’s best-selling model ever, reaching 2.7 million sales globally. Admittedly, the XC60 took two generations to achieve that feat, but nevertheless, for many it's a go-to premium, mid-sized SUV that comes with efficient plug-in hybrid power.
Rather amazingly, the current car has been with us since 2017 so, for 2025, Volvo thought it was high time it was updated. It’s not a massive overhaul, but a few tweaks here and there to keep it sharp just in time for the arrival of the electric EX60 that's due in 2026..
So, what’s new? Not loads, but enough to notice. There's a fresh face, slicker infotainment, and subtle design tweaks. It's all about keeping things current while maintaining that clean, Scandinavian vibe that Volvo does so well.
Range, battery and charging
Volvo’s still offering both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the XC60, but we're all about plugging in at Electrifying.com, so we’re focussing on the latter. There are two Volvo XC60 Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models – the T6 and T8. Both use a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to an 18.8kWh battery, but the T6 packs a total of 345bhp and the T8 449bhp. That extra wedge of power allows the T8 to dash from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, while the T6 takes just 0.8 seconds longer.
The T6 manages to eke out a claimed 51 miles of pure-electric range, and the T8 a couple of miles less, which is okay(ish) but a bit behind the electric range you get in the Mercedes GLC, VW Tayron and Omoda 9 PHEV models. That means that you'll potentially spend more time on electric power in those rivals and, crucially for the company car drivers that account for a lot of PHEV sales, they'll also qualify for cheaper Benefit in Kind company car tax. More on that further down the review, though...
The Volvo XC60 Plug-in hybrid's on-board 6.4kW charger allows a home wallbox charge in around three hours, and (just like on earlier XC60 PHEV models) you can even charge on the move. Select ‘Charge’ in the driving modes menu, and the petrol engine and regenerative braking work together to juice up the battery.
It works rather well – we saw about seven miles added in just 15 minutes. It is the most inefficient way to add power to the battery, though, and won’t allow you to reach anywhere near the claimed 282.5mpg fuel economy figure. To achieve numbers like that, you will be needing to charge wherever you can – at home, at the office and in the supermarket car park, and only engage the petrol engine very rarely.
Practicality and boot space
The XC60 is a family-friendly SUV, but it’s not without its flaws. Boot space, at 468 litres (1,395 litres with the rear seats folded), is decent, though not class-leading, and unlike on other Volvo models there’s no nifty pop-up divider in the boot floor to separate luggage or any underfloor storage. The back seats also fold 60:40, not 40:20:40 like in some rivals, and the seats are fixed while the Audi Q5 PHEV, for example, has sliding seats for greater flexibility.
Space for back seat passengers is good, though, while up-front the XC60 has some of the most comfortable and supportive seats in the business.
Interior, design/styling and technology
Inside is where the XC60 really shines. Volvo’s interiors have always been a strong point, and this version doesn’t disappoint. The materials feel properly premium, the layout is minimalist and logical, and there are some nice new touches like Quilted Nordico and Navy Herringbone Weave trim options. It's like travelling in a boutique hotel.
Taking centre stage is the new 11.2-inch portrait-style touchscreen. It’s the same one used in the XC90 and it’s fast, clean, and powered by a Snapdragon chip that makes lag a thing of the past. The interface is powered by Google, so there’s Google Maps and Google Assistant functionality, and you get over-the-air software updates. The system has been redesigned to make it easier to use while driving, and it works well; Apple CarPlay is also present, and there’s a new and improved wireless charging pad for smartphones.
All XC60s get a Harman Kardon sound system as standard, but our test car had the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins unit. The level of sound quality is exceptional, and is no doubt improved by better sound insulation for this updated XC60.
Styling-wise, there’s a new grille design, dark-tinted rear lights, new wheels and colours, but it’s all pretty subtle. It goes to show how the current generation XC60 really hasn’t dated despite being on sale for eight years.
Motors, performance and handling
The XC60 has never been concerned with giving a sporty driving experience, leaving rivals like the BMW X3 to concentrate on that. The Volvo is more focussed on pampering passengers with a cosseting ride, and the air suspension does a good job at smoothing out the ride.
I drove the T8 for this test, and naturally, with it packing almost 450bhp, it’s fast in a straight line, but there’s little enjoyment to be found here. This updated model is certainly quieter under hard acceleration, with the 2.0-litre engine now being relegated to a quiet hum in the background. In normal driving it’s quieter still; in Hybrid mode, the handover between petrol and electric is barely noticeable, and the electric motor alone is perfectly capable of handling town driving.
Running costs and pricing
The plug-in hybrid XC60 starts from just over £55,000, and stretch to almost £70,000 if you go all-in on the T8 Ultra Black Edition spec. This puts the XC60 roughly in line with rivals like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, which are its key rivals.
In terms of fuel economy, Volvo claims up to 282.5mpg for the PHEVs – which is optimistic unless you’re really disciplined about charging. But keep the battery topped up and do short trips, and you’ll probably get excellent efficiency.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a comfortable, well-built, tech-forward premium SUV that doesn’t shout about itself, it’s still one of the best around. It’s not the sportiest, but it nails the brief for calm, refined family motoring.
The updates for 2025 might not be revolutionary, but they keep the XC60 feeling up to date – especially inside, where that new infotainment setup really lifts the whole experience. The PHEV options are strong, especially if you’re after silent driving, potent performance (in the case of the T8), and low running costs.
With the all-electric EX60 on the horizon, this might be the last big hurrah for the petrol-powered XC60 – and honestly, it’s a great note to end on.
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