VOLVO XC60 ESTATE

The Volvo XC60 makes sense in B5 mild hybrid petrol guise. Jonathan Crouch looks at the further improved version of this mid-sized SUV.

Background

For some time now, the majority of Volvo's business has been done in selling SUVs - cars like this XC60. This second generation version arrived in 2017, replacing an extremely successful predecessor, then in 2021 and 2025 being updated, before in Autumn 2026 being improved again to create the car we're going to look at here. It'll certainly need to be good, given that the premium-badged segment of the mid-sized SUV market has changed beyond all recognition in the last few years. BMW's X3 and Audi's Q5 remain the default competition, but in the last decade, other desirable brands have piled into this segment and cars like the Mercedes GLC and the Lexus NX represent tempting alternatives in this class. So what can this Volvo offer to set itself apart in its volume B5 mild hybrid form? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Not much has been done to the engineering of this second generation XC60 in this B5 form as part of this update, but a few significant changes were made with the previous 2025 facelift. Then, Volvo softened up the passive dampers and worked on refinement (it still reckons this is its quietest mid-sized SUV yet). Otherwise, this B5 petrol variant (diesels have long been dumped in XC60s) has the same four cylinder 2.0-litre 250hp mild hybrid engine it used before, with 360Nm of torque, capable of 0-62mph in 6.9s en route to the limited 112mph maximum that these days all Volvos share. Like all mild hybrids, this one has a tiny battery that infills acceleration and runs the engine start/stop system. As you'd expect in this segment, there's standard AWD to facilitate a 2.4-tonne braked towing capacity. If you were to place entertaining driving dynamics as a priority for your premium-badged mid-sized SUV, then let's be honest, this Volvo probably wouldn't be the first model you'd turn to. But you shouldn't gauge from that an expectation that this XC60 will be a complete duffer when the road turns twisty. It's very far from that, this model described as 'confident and predictable', which is what we've found it to be and precisely what most likely buyers will want it to be. There's unruffled poise and exemplary refinement, plus you get supple standards of ride comfort from the multi-link rear suspension and at the top of the range, there's an 'Active Four-C' adaptive damping and air suspension package if you want it. Cornering body roll is also decently well controlled. A standard 'Drive Mode Settings' driving dynamics system allows you to tailor throttle response, steering feel and shift timings from the standard 8-speed auto gearbox to suit the way you want to drive.

Design and Build

The last two updates of this second generation XC60 (in 2021 and 2025) have been somewhat half-hearted. This facelift is rather more far-reaching, with a complete redesign for the entire front end that includes the wings, bonnet, bumper and grille. Plus the 'Thors Hammer' LED headlights also get an update, with Matrix tech and a more distinctive two-piece design. There are redesigned wheels (including an aero-optimised 20-inch set of rims aimed at maximising range) and the rear bumper, the tailgate and tail lights have also been updated. As before, it all sits on Volvo's usual Scalable Product Architecture platform and is sized to compete directly with premium rivals like Audi's Q5, BMW's X3 and the Mercedes GLC. Unlike those three models though, there's just a single boxy SUV body shape available. Inside at the wheel, the dashboard, instrument panel and door panels have all been redesigned and indirect ambient lighting incorporated into the cabin. The 11.2-inch centre screen added as part of the 2025 update has been retained, but now runs Volvo's latest interface, which is aided by Google's AI helper Gemini. Otherwise, it's as you were. High-quality materials, intelligent use of space and attention to detail work together to create a distinctly Scandinavian cabin that's simple and elegant. The supportive seats position you lower in the XC60 than you would in an XC90, there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument dial display and you get a CleanZone climate control system that removes harmful pollutants and particles from outside the cabin to deliver Scandinavian-fresh air on the inside. In the rear, there's decent space for shoulders and heads and the kind of room for knees and legs that you'd expect from an SUV 4.7-metres in length. Parents will like the fact that you can specify a pair of built-in fold-out booster seats. In this conventionally-engined B5 model, the boot capacity is rated at 483-litres - or 613-litres if you were to load up to the roof; that's about 45-litres shy of the prevailing class standard, though it's more than you get in comparably-priced Land Rover products.

Market and Model

XC60 B5 prices start at around £50,000, which is a substantial chunk less than the PHEV version. As before, trim is based around 'Core' and 'Plus' trim levels. Spec levels are much as before. So all versions of this Volvo have roof rails, front and rear parking sensors, auto headlamps and wipers, a power-operated tailgate and alloy wheels. Plus there are LED headlights that at night can bend with the road and dip themselves automatically. And of course a class-leading package of electronic safety equipment. Inside on all XC60s, there's a powered, heated driver's seat with lumbar support and memory settings, plus a new Google-powered 11.2-inch centre screen. You can also tick off 2-Zone Electronic Climate Control, an auto-dimming interior mirror, a rear view camera and a 12.3-inch Active TFT Crystal Driver's information display to replace the usual instrument dials. This will change in layout according to the Drive Mode settings you choose. Fresh options added as part of this update include an eye-catching 'Heather Bronze' metallic paint shade that changes in hue with the light. For the cabin, wood trim and Cardamom ventilated Nappa leather upholstery are now available. As you'd expect from a Volvo, safety is a priority and for this update, the radars, cameras and sensors have all been upgraded, improving the autonomous emergency braking and enabling new driver-assistance functions like lane-change assist.

Cost of Ownership

The efficiency stats for the mild hybrid B5 petrol model see bests of 37.6mpg on the combined cycle and 170g/km of CO2. The insurance group is 35 for the B5. And this variant is BiK tax-rated at 37%. Maintenance should be relatively affordable for a car of this kind, with intervals every year or 18,000 miles. Three or five year pre-paid servicing packages are available to help you budget ahead. If you pay extra for the useful 'On Call with App' remote connectivity system, this Volvo can be programmed to autonomously realise when a service is due, then automatically book it for you at a dealership of your choice. Finally, we'll tell you that the warranty is the usual three year, 60,000 mile package.

Summary

For quite a number of buyers, this further evolved XC60 will represent exactly the way a premium mid-sized SUV should look, should feel and should operate. And, like its larger XC90 stablemate, it delivers something refreshingly different to what's on offer from obvious rivals. So there's plenty to like. Especially in this relatively frugal B5 petrol guise. And in summary? Well you'd be forgiven for concluding that sales success is a virtual given for just about any new SUV launched these days: it seems that buyers just can't get enough of them. In some cases, that's merited - and this is one of them. This car might not please magazine road testers, but we can't help feeling that it's been cleverly perfected for the actual priorities of its targeted market. This then, is the Swedish SUV. Evolved.