Review: Volvo XC60

In a world where politicians come and go and the shelf life of the average football manager is measured in games rather than seasons there is something reassuring about the longevity of Volvo’s XC60.

There are practicalities at play in its long service – notably the brand’s investment in electrification – but, nonetheless, Volvo backs its models to do the business for several years.

The handsome design of the current XC60 SUV has been with us since 2017 and still exudes an air of assured premium quality. It is a typically understated Swede.

In mid-2025 Volvo ushered in a modest design update, a tweak of its trim levels and updated infotainment. But is that enough to keep pace with fresher rivals like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC?

I set out on a family holiday in Cumbria, at the helm of the mid-range, XC60 T6 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Plus, to find out.

The 345bhp T6 is the lower powered of two plug-in hybrid options, the T8 serving up 449bhp. Nonetheless, 5.7 second acceleration is more than quick enough for a family SUV.

An 18.8kWh battery claims to offer up to 50 miles of electric driving, meanwhile, with a 71-litre fuel tank making for a whopping driving range.

I found fuel economy of around 45mpg is likely once the battery is depleted. That said, the rolling landscape of my test provided big swings in the trip computer’s indicated range.

The XC60’s design and build quality remains the class benchmark. The tasteful application of leather, wood and metal elevate it above the more plasticky German alternatives.

The brand’s crystal gear selector (not as blingy as it sounds) and the metal tweeter and speaker covers of the Plus-spec’s 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system are tasteful embellishments.

The only thing preventing the cabin from being truly faultless is the infotainment system.

A forerunner of screen-focussed controls, Volvo concentrates most functions into its 11.3-inch touchscreen. However, the portrait-oriented system is not entirely intuitive and, despite utilising a Google operating system, does not offer wireless smartphone mirroring.

Furthermore, it still irks that Volvo’s steering wheel-mounted controls are not clearly labelled.

On Cumbria’s undulating roads, the XC60’s all-wheel-drive chassis proved a reassuring partner.

The petrol engine’s timbre is well isolated from the cabin and, while the Plus goes without the air suspension of the range-topping Ultra, it rides comfortably, offering decent control.

That said, BMW’s X3 is still the pick of this class for driver appeal, the XC60 proving less agile and feelsome.

As the current XC60 approaches a decade in service, however, it remains a strong contender in the premium SUV class. Volvo’s continued faith that its key petrol-powered SUV is well placed.

Volvo XC60 T6 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Plus

Price: £62,055 (as tested)

Engine: two-litre turbocharged petrol

Power: 345bhp

Torque: 659Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Top Speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 5.7 seconds

Economy: 201.5-313.4mpg

Emissions: 22-32g/km