Test Car Specifications
Model: 2025 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD Plug-In Hybrid Ultra Black Edition
Price: XC60 from £54,530; T8 Ultra from £66,885
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor
Transmission: single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Battery: 19kWh
Power: 455hp
Torque: 309Nm (electric motor) and 400Nm (petrol engine)
Emissions: 25g/km
Economy: 256.8mpg
Range: 48.5 miles
0-62mph: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 112mph
Boot space: 468-1,395 litres
Styling
The XC60's styling hasn't really changed very much since its launch in 2017, yet it's still a lovely piece of design that really hasn't aged. The sharp lights, the grille, the proportions. It's all about as good as medium-sized SUVs get, and though it's inspired by the larger XC90, we reckon it's even easier on the eye. That said, there's a fair bit of customisation on offer, including the Black Edition variant seen here. The ultra-dark look, with black trim everywhere, won't be to everyone's taste, but Volvo will let you choose more conventional chrome brightwork if you wish.
Interior
Volvo cabins have long been a bit of a gold standard for minimalism, with just a few buttons and a big portrait-orientated touchscreen, but the Swedish company has changed things a little since the XC60's introduction. Key among the improvements are the new digital instrument display, which is still of the 'simple but effective' philosophy, but now looks more modern and sharper than before, while the touchscreen has been updated with Google Maps navigation as standard.
In fairness, the Google Maps tech works best in electric Volvos, where it can use battery data to plan charging stops, but it's still useful in the XC60, offering a more intuitive and cleverer navigation system than the old proprietary technology. Although, having said that, most customers will simply hook their phone up with the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tech anyway, so it may not get that much use.
But even if its Google Maps tech isn't used regularly, the Volvo does have a very high-quality cabin. The dependency on touchscreen tech is occasionally irritating, but the quality of all the materials and switchgear in there is laudable, and we're big fans of how easy it is to switch off the irritating speed limit warning technology. Other car makers, take note.
Practicality
Choosing a plug-in hybrid XC60 over a mild hybrid limits practicality very slightly, but the difference is only very minor. At 468 litres, the boot space is adequate without being exemplary, and it's only about 15 litres down on a mild-hybrid XC60. Admittedly, you'll get more space from some of the Volvo's rivals, but most customers will have no trouble at all with the XC60's capacity.
Especially as it's fairly roomy in the cabin. The cool design helps to make it feel spacious, as does the panoramic roof fitted to all plug-in XC60s as standard, but the fact is there's plenty of room for four adults in there. Rear head- and legroom are perfectly ample for even quite tall passengers, and there are child seat anchoring points for securing younger occupants.
Performance
The XC60 is offered with a choice of powertrains, with the basic B5 option representing the sole ‘mild hybrid’ offering. A 2.0-litre petrol engine with an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, it’s usefully powerful, offering 250hp, and it’s perfectly capable off-road, but it’s far from the most efficient engine in the range – at least on paper.
The alternatives are two plug-in hybrid options – the T6 and T8 – both of which also have a 2.0-litre petrol engine under the bonnet, but pair it with a rechargeable 19kWh battery, giving the cars an official electric-only range of just under 50 miles. In the real world, though, that range is more like 30 miles, and a little less in winter. Either way, it’s usable for short journeys, allowing you to keep fuel consumption to a minimum, assuming you can charge regularly. It’s also good news for company car drivers who want to keep emissions to a minimum.
But the other advantage is power. The T6 versions of the XC60 have an ample 350hp, allowing a 5.7-second dash to 62mph, but the T8 tested here has a whopping 455hp, and that’s enough for a 0-62mph time of less than five seconds. It’s impressive for an SUV with only a 2.0-litre engine.
And despite only having a four-cylinder engine, the hybrid XC60s are quite smooth. Sure, there’s a little bit of a drone if you really put your foot down, but it isn’t that loud, and most of the time there’s so much excess power that you never use full throttle anyway. And if you do, you’ll find such startling pace that you’re unlikely to do it again.
Ride & Handling
Volvos are usually thought of as big, comfy cars, rather than especially sporty things, but it’s clear the Swedish brand is trying to position itself somewhere between the two extremes. The XC60 is comfortable, but not exceptionally so, with a bit of bobble and bump from the undercarriage over undulations. But it isn’t jagged or sharp in any way – just a bit stiff – and it’s quite composed, which means it never feels unsettled by any of the bumps.
Similarly, the handling is a little too inert to be considered exciting, with little in the way of steering feel and reasonable (but not remarkable) levels of agility. Yet it’s very stable, there’s plenty of grip and body control is good, so while it doesn’t encourage you to throw it around, it will put up with a bit of use and abuse.
And if you’re choosing one of these for its off-road prowess, you’re in luck. While it doesn’t have the gizmos of a Range Rover Velar, it does have plenty of ground clearance and adequate axle articulation, so it’ll cope with the rough stuff as well as most of its rivals.
In short, the XC60 is good everywhere without being great in any one particular aspect, and while that might put it behind the likes of the BMW X3 and Range Rover Velar in some people’s minds, it makes the Volvo a great alternative for a wider range of buyers.
Value
The XC60 range starts at £47,615, which pays for a basic B5 mild hybrid version in Core trim. And while that sounds expensive, it's worth remembering that a basic BMW X3 will set you back almost £2,000 more. And the Volvo is hardly ill equipped. Even Core models come with two-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels and the digital instrument display. The touchscreen with Google Maps is included too, along with a reversing camera, leather upholstery and heated front seats.
Upgrading to the mid-range Plus trim adds some more tech, including a Harman Kardon premium sound system, while the range-topping Ultra gets front-seat ventilation and a Bowers & Wilkins audio system. There's also the option of the Black Edition model seen here, which gets all black paint, black upholstery and black roof lining, as well as high-gloss black 21-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Verdict
The XC60 is one of those cars that doesn’t necessarily excel in any given area, but it simply performs well in lots of areas. In fact, it’s hard to think of a major weakness at all. That makes it a great alternative to the established German premium options, and for many, it’ll be the premium SUV of choice. Not because it’s the best in any measurable way – it isn’t – but because it’s the most likeable and the easiest to live with. And that’s much more important than facts and figures.
