The 2026 Volvo XC60 Is Here—9 Cool New Features to Know About
New Exterior Colors
In the case of the 2026 Volvo XC60, barely any of that lipstick went on the exterior. All the sheetmetal is unchanged, although the rear lights are darker.
Even the face (often tweaked during a model refresh) and all the exterior dimensions are identical, except the grille now consists of diagonal slats, replacing the horizontal and vertical cross-mesh.
But there are redesigned alloy rims available and eight exterior paint colors to consider, including three all-new ones: Mulberry Red, Aurora Silver, and Forest Lake (green metallic).
Meaningful Interior Upgrades
Most of Volvo’s design and functionality tweaks were focused on the cabin with improved sound insulation and new premium materials.
The nine-inch center touchscreen that was neatly integrated between two vertical vents on the previous instrument panel has been replaced by a larger, 11.2-inch free-standing screen that floats in front of the instrument panel, tilted toward the driver, for MY ’26.
This new configuration is not objectionable, especially if you like a larger screen that’s easier to reach, and it now looks like a tablet that’s been mounted to the dashboard.
The overall shape and flow of the instrument panel are unchanged, and old-school shoppers will appreciate the single row of climate and audio controls—especially the chunky, knurled metallic volume knob—positioned below the new screen, as well as front and rear defrost buttons for quick access (handy in Scandinavian winters).
Still Some Actual Hard Buttons
Volvo has integrated this simple, ergonomically placed horizontal control bar in its internal-combustion models for quite a while (starting with 2015 Volvo XC90), and this is one way to quickly determine what kind of powertrain is in the Volvo you’re looking at through the window: The battery-electric EX30 and EX90 don’t have it—those controls are baked into the screen and steering wheel, for better or worse.
It's really not so bad navigating the central touchscreen for most of your vehicle controls, if you have the patience.
Just Tap It In
Tap the fan icon at the bottom and you’ll go to a screen that lets you direct airflow, recirculate air, adjust seat heat and fan speed, check air quality, and turn off climate controls completely.
Tap the vehicle icon in the lower right corner and you can turn on (or off) driver-assistance tech like lane-keeping and change your audio settings.
The Android-powered infotainment system continues relying on Google built-in apps and services (like on your smartphone), and voice-activated Google Assistant worked fairly well during our drive north from Volvo’s hometown of Gothenburg to Orust, which is part of the archipelago (on the west coast, facing Denmark and Norway) where Swedes spend their leisurely summer weeks.
Snapdragon for Snappier Processing Speeds
Processing speeds are now twice as fast, thanks to the next-generation Snapdragon cockpit platform from Qualcomm, which initially launched with EX90 and EX30 and will come equipped on all Volvo cars from MY 2026 onwards.
As expected, you can run Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the 2026 Volvo XC60, or use the native navigation and audio systems, which worked well during our test drive.
Powertrains Carry Over
Under the hood, the refreshed XC60 offers the same all-wheel-drive powertrain options: the B5 mild hybrid or T8 plug-in hybrid, each relying on 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines mated to an eight-speed automatic and rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Output is unchanged as well, with 455 hp and 523 lb-ft for the T8 PHEV variant and 247 hp and 258 lb-ft for the B5 mild hybrid. In the T8, Volvo says you can sprint to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while the B5 needs 6.5 seconds.
If you opt for the more capable T8, you can plug in (even into a garage wall socket) and get 35 miles of all-electric range, which is a good way to reduce fuel consumption if you drive short distances.
Need the Ohlins Dampers?
We drove only a T8 variant on highway and rural roads along Sweden’s west coast, and the 2026 XC60 performed well on all fronts. Shifting and acceleration are smooth, to the point that driver and passengers will barely notice the powertrain doing its job. It’s probably how the engineering team wants it.
There are three trim levels (Core, Plus, and Ultra), but you can step to the front of the line (and spend $81,095 with destination) if you want the XC60 dressed up for the most aggressive driving: the Polestar Engineered T8 AWD plug-in hybrid.
That range-topping model comes with adjustable Ohlins Dampers and Akebono Brakes, plus a ‘Polestar’ drive mode to tune the engine for sportier gearshifts and more responsive throttle mapping.
Pricing Starts at $51k
Otherwise, here’s the pricing breakdown, including $1,295 destination charges:
- XC60 B5 AWD mild hybrid, Core $50,995
- XC60 B5 AWD mild hybrid, Plus $55,595
- XC60 B5 AWD mild hybrid, Ultra $60,945
- XC60 B5 AWD mild hybrid, Ultra, Black Edition $62,095
- XC60 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid, Core $62,445
- XC60 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid, Plus $66,895
- XC60 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid, Ultra $72,245
- XC60 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid, Ultra, Black Edition $73,345
XC60 Assembly Coming to USA
For now, Volvo is allocating US-bound XC60s from Torslanda, Sweden (the same plant building XC90 and V90 Cross Country).
But Volvo Cars, perhaps looking for a way to sidestep Trump administration tariffs on imported vehicles, announced this week it will begin producing the XC60 at its plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina, beginning late next year.
Volvo has a lot riding on this refreshed XC60, which is on sale now and remains its best seller. Having sold 2.7 million XC60s since 2008, it surpasses the iconic Volvo 240 wagon as its all-time best-selling model.
Thoughts on the 2026 Volvo XC60? Please share in the comment section below.
