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New Volvo XC60 Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info
Sharper looks and a bigger battery give the plug-in version of the updated XC60 incredible range along with Scandi style
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 17 September 2026 | 0 min read
Having launched the all-electric EX60 to some acclaim Volvo has also been working on further updates for the hybrid-powered XC60, which plays to a similar sector of the market but is considered a standalone model. A successful one at that, given it’s become the biggest selling Volvo of all time. This current one has been on sale for a bit, had a fairly significant update last year and has now been back in for a further glow-up with sharper looks on the outside, faster tech on the inside and an incredible new plug-in hybrid with EV-chasing electric range.
- The XC60 is the sweet-spot for Volvo, given it lands bang in the middle of the profitable and desirable mid-size premium SUV sector and remains the part-combustion alternative to the EX60 for those not ready for full electric
- Overall, it’s a refinement of what went before, so sharp Scandi styling, family-friendly practicality and understated luxury
- New plug-in option combines a monster battery with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, not that you’ll be using the latter much if you plug in and enjoy the 120 miles it can do on electric power alone!
- There’s still an entry-level mild-hybrid but the T6 and T8 plug-ins are the big news here
- Pricing likely to be confirmed closer to the on-sale date of early 2027
Design and models available
Volvo sticks with its models longer than most manufacturers, opting for incremental improvements over clean-sheet designs. And why not, the XC60 a relatively old car at heart but still as handsome and desirable as ever. Updates for this latest facelift include new tail- and headlights, these using the latest LED tech for a cleaner, smoother shape and sharper and more distinctive visual signature via the latest ‘Thor’s Hammer’ design. Bumpers, bonnet and a wings have also been changed, with a slimmer grille and slightly more assertive stance. A new Heather Bronze colour has also been added.
Interior and tech
The latest 11.2-inch Google-powered screen was added in last year’s update, and while it boosts functionality looks a bit of an afterthought compared with the smaller, more integrated version of before. It also includes Gemini AI to enable what Volvo describes as ‘natural conversation’ with the system, as if chatting with your car could ever be described as a natural thing to be doing. Each to theirs on that. Beyond that the changes are detail, and amount to new colours and trims but there wasn’t much wrong with it to begin with so why mess with a winning formula?
Batteries/range or engines
Plug-in hybrid tech has been coming on in leaps and bounds, bigger batteries and greater range on electric power now making them a more viable halfway house for those not ready, willing or able to yet go full electric. The new Long-Range plug-in (PHEV) versions of the XC60 take this to new heights as well, the 42kWh battery as big as that in some purely electric cars and meaning you can go well over 100 miles without need of firing up the petrol engine at all. With a combined range of nearly 800 miles on a full tank and battery stopping for charging or petrol is going to be a rare event indeed…
Price and release
We’ll have to wait and see on pricing for the moment, but expect it to be there or thereabouts on a par with the existing XC60.
What other cars from Volvo are due this year?
Well, we’ve already had the EX60 and Volvo has also added a similar round of styling changes and technical updates to the smaller XC, EX and EC40.
What other cars that are upcoming will this compete with?
Volvo is following a different engineering path but the increased scope of the PHEV versions of the XC60 are likely a reaction to a focus on similar tech by the Chinese manufacturers it competes with.
