2027 Volvo XC60 and XC90 long-range PHEVs confirmed for Australia

Volvo will bring substantially longer-range XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids to Australia in the second quarter of 2027, followed by updated XC40 and EX40 compact SUVs.

Volvo is preparing a significant upgrade for two of its most important plug-in hybrid SUVs, with new long-range versions of the aged XC60 and XC90 confirmed for Australian arrival in the second quarter of 2027.

The headline improvement is their dramatically increased electric-only range.

Volvo claims the updated XC60 plug-in hybrid can travel up to 200km on electric power under the WLTP test cycle, while the seven-seat XC90 stretches to up to 160km.

That is more than two-and-a-half times the electric range of the existing plug-in hybrid variants, according to Volvo, courtesy of a new larger-capacity battery integrated into the vehicle floor and a more powerful electric motor.

Overseas specifications reveal a 41kWh battery for the new long-range PHEVs. The XC60 will be offered internationally in T6 and T8 forms, with the T6 rated at up to 200km WLTP and the more powerful T8 at up to 189km, depending on specification.

Volvo’s global announcement says the XC90 T8’s maximum range is up to 160km.

Australian powertrain grades and final specifications have not yet been announced. Volvo Car Australia says both the XC60 and XC90 will continue to be offered here with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, as they are currently.

Final Australian pricing will also be announced closer to their introduction.

The XC60 receives a substantial makeover alongside the new long-range powertrains, encompassing a redesigned grille, front bumper, bonnet and front guards, new wheels, and revised Thor’s Hammer Matrix LED headlights.

Changes at the rear include redesigned taillights, tailgate and bumper, while the cabin gains a new dashboard and door trims, new material choices and an 11.2-inch centre touchscreen running Volvo’s latest user interface with Google Gemini.

An upgraded sensor package brings Volvo’s latest active safety and driver-assistance technology, including automatic emergency steering and braking functions, Door Opening Alert, lane-change assistance and an available 360-degree camera with 3D view.

The XC90 does not receive the same exterior redesign, having already undergone a substantial recent update, but gains the new long-range plug-in hybrid powertrain and Google Gemini functionality.

Volvo Australia has also confirmed refreshed versions of the aged XC40 mild-hybrid and closely related EX40 battery-electric SUV will arrive during 2027, with exact timing dependent on existing Australian stock levels.

The makeover gives both models a substantially revised front end incorporating redesigned Thor’s Hammer Matrix LED headlights, grille, bumper, bonnet and front guards.

The XC40 and EX40 also receive redesigned LED taillights, an updated tailgate and rear bumper, while the XC40 adds new 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheel designs.

Inside, the existing centre display makes way for a larger and higher-resolution 11.2-inch touchscreen running Volvo’s latest user interface and Google Gemini AI assistant. An updated wireless phone charger and new upholstery and décor choices are also part of the changes.

More extensive changes have been made to the safety and driver-assistance hardware, including new front and corner radars, a new forward-facing camera, rear corner radars, 12 new ultrasonic sensors and new parking cameras.

The upgraded hardware supports functions including Door Opening Alert, an enhanced optional Pilot Assist system with lane-change assistance and an upgraded optional 360-degree camera with 3D display.

A new B3 powertrain will join the Australian XC40 line-up with the update. Volvo Australia has not yet confirmed its local specification, although the overseas B3 is a lower-output version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid used by the B4, producing 120kW and 265Nm.

Volvo has announced no global powertrain changes for the EX40 as part of the facelift. The global announcement quotes an electric range of up to 575km for the updated EX40, although final Australian specifications are still to be confirmed.

Australian pricing for the updated XC40 and EX40 will be announced closer to their local arrival.

Volvo’s latest updates to these models should help them stay relevant as they age. All three XC models went on sale in Australia last decade and have since gone through several updates, but never a complete generational overhaul.

The EX40 is the old XC40 Recharge rebadged, so it is also long in the tooth.

The new long-range Volvo XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids are currently scheduled to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2027, with both models continuing to be offered with mild-hybrid powertrains.

The updated XC40 and EX40 will follow during 2027, although their exact arrival timing will depend on existing Australian stock levels.

Final Australian pricing and specifications for all four models will be announced closer to launch.

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