Whether they’re called the T8, Recharge, or simply Plug-in Hybrid as they are now, Volvo’s plug-in hybrids are very good. They’re properly efficient when you expect them to be, they pack quite the punch when you want the power, and they offer decent electric-only range for something that’s inherently a compromise, albeit generally a good one
Thing is, it also felt like every Volvo we’ve reviewed for a while now has had a provision for a plug. Imagine our surprise, then, when we saw the badge on the back of this 2026 Volvo XC60 B5 — and only one fuel door on the quarter panel.
What’s new for 2026?
It’s hard to believe this is only the second-generation XC60. Volvo is really good at the style-is-eternal thing; this second-gen XC60 debuted in 2018, but you could never tell. Volvo’s tidy and unfussy styling aged well, and the bits you do regularly interact with — namely the tech and powertrains — Volvo has kept fresh with regular upgrades to stay competitive.
The 2026 model year sees another round of those updates. The XC60 features a new grille design that ties in with the updated XC90, new wheel options including our tester’s 22-inch dubs, and three new colours: Forest Lake, Mulberry Red, and Aurora Silver. The tail lights are supposedly a shade or two darker, too, though we’d be more excited if Volvo fitted amber turn signals instead. Inside, the key update is a new 11.2-inch touchscreen running the same Android Automotive software as other recently redone Volvos and Polestars.
More of the same, but that’s a good thing
I dig that Volvo didn’t mess too much with the XC60’s styling for this second mid-life update, only really changing out the grille. For a couple of model years now, Volvo has done away with its standard-look and R-Design split; all XC60s now wear the “sporty” styling by default, with your only options being colour and wheels. The more aggressive bumpers and blacked-out bits mesh well with Volvo’s simple lines, smooth surfaces, and signature design cues such as the “Thor’s hammer” headlights. This tester wasn’t finished in any of the new-for-2026 colours, but Forest Lake catches golden hour quite beautifully. I like that Volvo went for clean and simple lines instead of creases, folds, and big grilles that light up.
I also dig that Volvo didn’t cheap out with materials and overdo it with screens. Heck, I wasn’t sure about Volvo’s new 11.2-inch touchscreen setup at first in the XC90, but actually living with it here in the XC60, I softened on it. It’s responsive, it looks great, and the display doesn’t stick out that much from the dash. If I had one bone to pick, I couldn’t get CarPlay to work. No amount of plugging in, un-plugging, pairing, un-pairing, and re-booting remedied this issue. Frustrating.
Especially because the rest of the XC60’s environment is just so nice. Volvo does nice really well; everything feels well-put-together, the metal and wood trim are legit, the seats are some of the best in the business, and the crystal shifter is a classy touch. Visibility all around is pretty good, there’s plenty of headroom and legroom front and back, and the XC60 can haul up to 1,543 litres’ worth of your junk in its trunk with the seats folded.
Powertrain and driving impressions
Unlike what feels like every other Volvo we’ve tested for a while now, this XC60 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. And that’s it. Okay, there’s a 48-volt mild hybrid assist on board, but what isn’t mild hybrid these days in the luxury space? This base powertrain is good for 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired to an eight-speed automatic. It’s outgunned by rivals like the four-cylinder X3 and Genesis GV70, but the XC60 B5 builds power smoothly and gets out of its own way, even though it doesn’t sound too happy doing so.
Everything else about the XC60 B5 makes a much better impression. Its steering is numb but responsive and well-weighted, its air suspension filters out bumps and rough pavement incredibly well especially with the 22-inch wheels, and even fuel economy is reasonable for the middle of winter, averaging 10.5 L/100 km in the bitter cold.
Is the B6 worth it?
Pricing for the gas-only 2026 XC60 B5 kicks off at $57,600 for the base Core trim, running all the way up to $78,815 for our fully loaded Ultra tester with the important option boxes ticked — air suspension, dubs, massage seats, the incredible Bowers & Wilkins sound system — and then some. Alas, factor in another $2,150 for destination, and you’ve pushed past $80,000. For an XC60 with the base powertrain. It’s a hard sell when the last four-cylinder X3 and GV70 we reviewed topped out at under $70,000 and $75,000, respectively, with destination.
Thing is, at that price point, you could also get into an XC60 PHEV. Granted it’ll be the one-step-below Plus trim, but once you tick all the important option boxes, you’re only really missing Nappa leather, cooled front seats, slightly more adjustability to said front seats, and the option to spec the B&W audio. Other than that, the meatballs-and-mashed-potatoes are still there. The Plus trim is still very well-equipped, it’ll look nearly identical, and you’ll have 455 horsepower to play with, along with the fuel economy benefits. If you’re stuck on an Ultra, though, that value proposition vanishes. A PHEV version of our tester is about $91,000.
Final thoughts
The thing about the hybrid spend is, you have to do enough driving and keep the car long enough to amortize the initial outlay based on fuel savings. That $10,000 price difference between a gas and PHEV Ultra isn’t nothing, so if you like the look but don’t drive enough to justify the price bump, going gas-only is a good way to take advantage of the look and feel while saving a few bucks on the cost of entry. Besides, with the updates and upgrades Volvo’s doled out over the years, the 2026 Volvo XC60 B5 is one of the best-kept secrets in the segment. Just go easy on the options.
