Since the release of the first-generation Volvo XC60 in 2008, the mid-sized SUV has been the Swedish manufacturer’s best-selling vehicle, with sales increasing every year. The second-generation model range, introduced in 2017 and facelifted in 2021, continued this trend, and is still setting sales records.
The history of the Swedish stalwart is intriguing, as it was conceived and developed in the period when Ford owned Volvo (and Land Rover), and the original XC60 shared technology with the Land Rover Freelander. Its successor was the first model to be developed after Chinese giant Geely purchased Volvo, and it is based on the same Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform as the S90, V90, and XC90.
In 2012, this model also pioneered Volvo’s plug-in hybrid technology, with the unveiling of the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This model did not reach production, but it paved the way for the current PHEV models. The second-generation XC60 was also the first modern Volvo to only use four-cylinder engines, in various configurations and states of tune.
In August this year, another updated version of the second-generation XC60 was launched, with refreshed styling, an advanced user experience, updated design details and enhanced comfort, and these models, with a choice of mild hybrid (B5) or plug-in hybrid (T8) powertrains carried over from the preceding range, have now reached South Africa.
The B5 derivative, available in Core and Plus trims, pairs a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, a 48-volt battery and an integrated starter generator (ISG) for a combined output of 183 kW and 350 Nm of torque. The T8 plug-in hybrid, in Plus and Ultra trims, features a 340 kW/709 Nm ‘Twin Engine’ setup, combining a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 19kWh electric motor that channels power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
UPDATED EXTERIOR, REVISED INTERIOR
Exterior updates are slight, but they do give the refreshed XC60 a cleaner, more contemporary presence. A revised grille with criss-cross mesh and Volvo’s updated iron mark badge aligns it with the latest XC90, while darker rear lights and new wheel designs give it a more defined stance. Two new colours – Forest Lake and Aurora Silver – join the palette, and Mulberry Red, previously seen on the EX90 and XC90, is now offered on the XC60 for the first time.
LED headlights are standard, and wheel options vary by trim: the B5 Core comes with 18” wheels (upgradeable to 22”), the B5 and T8 Plus feature 19” alloys, and the T8 Ultra receives 20” wheels. Optional 21” and 22” wheels are available, and a panoramic sunroof is standard, except on the B5 Core. The B5 Core and T8 Plus trims feature a bright finish on the roof rails, grille, and side window trim, with the B5 Plus and T8 Ultra receiving a Glossy Black finish.
The interior décor (which can be personalised) has been updated with new premium materials complementing refreshed decorative inlays, but the heart of the update is Volvo’s new, faster and more responsive Snapdragon-powered system. Its larger 11.2” touchscreen has a sharper display and features Integrated Google services and over-the-air updates.
Connectivity features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB Type-C ports, and a wireless device charger. Several upholstery options are available, including ventilated Nappa leather for the B5 Plus, T8 Plus, and T8 Ultra. Navy Herringbone Textile and Nordico Vinyl are offered as alternatives. The B5 Core has a manually adjustable passenger seat, while the rest offer power adjustment and memory settings for both front seats.
Heated seats (front and rear), a power-operated tailgate, climate control, a heated steering wheel, and keyless entry are also standard across the range. The B5 Core features metal mesh inlays, while the rest can be specified with Natural Wood or White Wood finishes, and an Orrefors crystal gear selector enlivens the cabin on the B5 Plus, T8 Plus, and T8 Ultra models.
ON THE ROAD
On a short Western Cape test route, the first thing that stood out in the top-spec T8 Ultra model, besides the larger centre screen, was the quiet cabin environment, in part thanks to the laminated windows and the Ultra’s air suspension. It also enhanced the studio-quality sound from the Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system with a new mesh design (optional on the B5 Plus and T8 Plus), elevating the cabin ambience.
Although heavy (it weighs over 2 tonnes), the all-wheel drive T8 plug-in hybrid is quick off the mark, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The battery provides a range of up to 81 km on pure electric power, according to Volvo, but in terms of dynamics, there was no discernible difference between the refreshed XC60 and the outgoing model.
On our short test drive, consumption never dropped below 5 litres/100 km, although Volvo claims usage as low as 1.8 l/100 km (in town traffic conditions). Although we didn’t sample the B5 models, it does provide responsive and quite frugal propulsion, with a zero to 100 km/h acceleration time of 6.9 seconds, and a claimed consumption of 7.6 l/100 km.
Of course, safety is a non-negotiable value and the XC60 comes with a host of advanced driver assistance systems and passive safety features, including Driver Assist, Pilot Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Support, front, and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert, aside from Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) airbags, Inflatable curtain airbags, and whiplash protection (WHIPS) for the front seats.
LAST WORD
The new XC60 delivers clear, practical improvements in design, technology, and comfort, building on what has made this Swedish stalwart a global success.
With more than 1.5 million units sold worldwide – and a record year in 2024 – the updated range refines a proven recipe, and is poised to continue setting the benchmark for Volvo in terms of sales.
PRICES: VOLVO XC60
XC60 B5 Core R1,058,400
XC60 B5 Plus R1,116,300
XC60 T8 PHEV Plus R1,460,800
XC60 T8 PHEV Ultra R1,500,700
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © VOLVO CARS SOUTH AFRICA
