In case you’re purchasing for a luxurious SUV in 2026, the Volvo XC60 probable lands for your shortlist—and for proper reason. It’s Volvo’s pleasant-promoting model of all time, these days surpassing the legendary Volvo 240. And now, the refreshed 2026 Volvo XC60 keeps its triumphing formulation whilst adding some smart updates for U.S. Shoppers who need consolation, performance, and simply the right amount of velocity.
So, what’s new? And is it nevertheless really worth it compared to opponents just like the BMW X3, Mercedes GLC, or Lexus NX? I flew to Sweden to check it and got here back inspired.
Diffused Styling Tweaks, Smarter Cabin Tech
At the out of doors, Volvo plays it safe—no drastic redesigns here. The XC60 receives a brand new grille stimulated by using the larger XC90, darkened rear lights, sparkling wheel designs, and 3 new paint options:
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- Mulberry crimson (a deep crimson borrowed from the EX90)
- Aurora Silver
- Wooded area Lake green (a steel finish that simply pops in daylight)
Seats are wrapped in Nordico, a recycled yet premium-feeling fabric that seems like leather but aligns with Volvo’s sustainability push. Pair that with new hues like light Cardamon tan, and the XC60 feels as costly because it does eco-conscious.
The actual movement is inner. The former nine-inch display screen is long gone, changed with the aid of a slick 11.2-inch infotainment machine powered by a snappy Qualcomm processor. The menus are cleanser, quicker, and easier to use—in the end solving Volvo’s biggest tech gripe. You furthermore may get a remodeled center console with greater storage, a better wi-fi charger, or even a clever three-cup front holder.
Driving the 2026 XC60: easy, quick, and Composed
Volvo didn’t contact the engines, but that’s no problem—the XC60 nonetheless provides.
- XC60 B5 (Base version)
- 2.0L turbocharged mild-hybrid
- 247 hp, 295 lb-ft
- AWD & 8-velocity computerized
- 0–60 mph: ~7 seconds
- 25–28 mpg combined
- Fee: From $50,995
Lots of customers in the U.S. Might be happy with this version—it’s brief sufficient, gasoline-green, and manner greater refined than most competitors at this price.
XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
- 455 hp mixed from fuel + electric powered motor
- 18.1-kWh battery, 35 miles of EV range
- 0–60 mph: underneath 5 seconds
- 28 mpg mixed + EV functionality
- Charge: From $s62,455
That is the only that inspired me maximum. It’s ridiculously quick—suppose Mustang GT acceleration in a luxurious SUV—but it also helps you to trip like an EV in case you fee in a single day. Round town, it feels just as smooth and quiet as a full EV, and regenerative braking permits one-pedal using for added performance.
Comfort, area, and ordinary luxury
American customers anticipate area, and the XC60 provides. Rear legroom is higher than you’ll locate in a BMW X3, Mercedes GLC, or Genesis GV70. Shipment space additionally beats maximum opponents, besides for the BMW, which edges it out slightly.
Journey first-rate is plush but no longer floaty, dealing with is composed if not sporty, and the indoors fit-and-end is among the first-class inside the section—richer and much less plasticky than an Audi Q5 or Lexus NX.
Oh, and right here’s a amusing truth: Volvo even sells a rooftop tent that the XC60 can assist (up to 660 pounds while parked). Perfect for weekend tenting trips without leaving luxury in the back of.
- The way it Stacks Up towards competitors
- BMW X3: extra athletic, but much less refined
- Mercedes GLC: Plush, but pricier and slower
- Lexus NX: green, however feels inexpensive inside
Genesis GV70: elegant, however much less efficient and roomier best in appears
The XC60 won’t be the sportiest, but it’s quick, green, high-priced, and extraordinarily properly-rounded. For American consumers who price consolation and tech as a good deal as performance, it’s nonetheless one of the pleasant alternatives in the segment.
Final Thoughts: The XC60 Is aging Like exceptional Wine
The 2026 Volvo XC60 isn’t a thorough reinvention, but it doesn’t need to be. With smarter tech, improved substances, and the identical delicate driving enjoy, it stays a top choose for every person within the U.S. Searching for a luxurious SUV or plug-in hybrid SUV.
Absolutely positioned: it’s Volvo’s nice-dealer for a purpose. If you’re pass-shopping in 2026, this SUV deserves a check force.
Also read: The 10 Quickest Gas-Powered Supercars of 2025