Volvo XC60 – What you need to know

Volvo is moving towards a full battery-electric future in Australia from 2026, but for now the Swedish brand’s popular Volvo XC60 mid-size luxury SUV soldiers on with hybrid powertrains.

Four permanent models make up the range: two mild-hybrids – the Plus B5 and Ultimate B5 Bright; and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) – the Recharge Plus T8 and Recharge Ultimate T8.

There’s also a limited-run model based on the Recharge Ultimate T8, known as the Recharge T8 Black Edition, featuring 21-inch gloss black alloy wheels, black exterior trim and, inside, metal mesh aluminium trim, a crystal gear shift knob by Orrefors and a 12.3-inch digital display with Google built-in.

The main power source for the electrified XC60 models, whether mild-hybrid or PHEV, is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Prices range from $73,990 to $103,990 plus on-road costs.

So which is the one for you?

With a starting price of $73,990 plus ORCs is the entry-level Plus B5 petrol-engined mild-hybrid that has the following standard features:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• 9.0-inch infotainment screen
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio
• Powered driver and front passenger seats
• Moritz leather upholstery
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Adaptive cruise control
• Four-zone air-conditioning

Several option packs are available on the Volvo XC60.

In the entry-level Plus B5 there’s a Climate Pack costing $654 that includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The Lifestyle pack bundles a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (with subwoofer) with an electric sunroof for $2923.

Tinted rear windows add $615 and a head-up display $2000.

Stepping up to the Ultimate B5 Bright lets you choose air suspension for $2800, tinted rear windows for $800, and a massage function for the front seats adding $1100.

The Lifestyle pack on this model brings together a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (also with subwoofer) and the sunroof for $4400.

Nappa leather upholstery in slate or charcoal is a no-cost option; however, perforated Nappa leather trim in amber/charcoal costs $3150, and if you go for a blond/charcoal combination it costs $3300.

Entry to the PHEV range is with the Recharge Plus T8, which has the optional Climate pack (heated seats/steering wheel) for $850 and the Lifestyle pack (14-speaker Harman Kardon audio) for $3800. A head-up display adds $1500.

If the Recharge Ultimate T8 is the one for you, perforated Nappa leather trim in amber/charcoal costs $3150 and an amber/blond/charcoal mix is $3300. Nappa leather in slate or charcoal remains a no-cost option.

Nine colours make up the exterior paint palette, which spans solid, pearl and metallic finishes. All are no-cost options.

All Volvo XC60 models have seven airbags and a host of driver assistance systems such as high- and low-speed crash avoidance with braking, rear collision warning and reversing collision mitigation with braking.

There’s also pedestrian avoidance with braking, rear cross traffic alert and a brake emergency display, along with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping, forward collision warning, road sign recognition, ‘pilot assist’, blind spot sensors, semi-autonomous parking and a 360-degree camera.

More familiar safety features such as anti-lock brakes, electronic traction and stability control, hill start assist, hill descent assist, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and automatic headlights are also on board.

The Volvo XC60 is nearing the end of its current lifecycle and has not carried an ANCAP rating since January 1, 2024, when the previous maximum five-star rating – based on testing conducted in 2017 – was deemed out-of-date.

That said, under the assessment protocols of the time, the XC60 was declared by European NCAP in 2017 as the safest car it had ever tested.

All Volvo XC60 models run a Google infotainment system and feature a 9.0-inch colour touch-screen accessing wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. AM, FM and digital radio is provided, played through the standard 10-speaker, 220-watt stereo.

All models come with wireless phone charging and satellite navigation, steering wheel-mounted controls, including voice commands, Bluetooth phone and music connectivity.

There are two USB-C ports under the front centre display and another two at the rear of the centre console.

Every Volvo XC60 model has a leather-accented steering wheel (heated from the Ultimate B5), cargo area lights, vanity mirrors in the sun shades, power windows with auto up/down, along with cup and bottle holders in both rows.

Aside from the Recharge Ultimate T8, all Volvo XC60 variants have four-zone climate-control air-conditioning with a humidity sensor, rear vents and rear temperature controls, a fold-down rear centre arm rest, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, tailgate lighting and personal settings for the power steering.

Are leather seats on the wish list? The good news is all Volvo XC60s come with Mortiz-accented leather seats in the front row as standard. The default colour is charcoal but you can opt for a two-tone blond/charcoal combo at no extra cost.

Stepping up to the Recharge Ultimate T8, you can choose Nappa leather for the front seats at no extra cost. Otherwise they can be had as part of an option pack.

Power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats are in all models, together with powered four-way lumbar support. Also standard are power-folding outer rear seat head restraints.

Heated seats? To get this feature as standard you must sign up for the Ultimate B5 Bright as a minimum.

What about a powered tailgate? This very convenient feature is across all models and is hands-free operated.

Stepping outside, every Volvo XC60 has LED headlights with see-around-the-corner function, as well as LED fog lights. Powered door mirrors are in the body colour and have a folding function. Puddle lamps are also standard.

How about a tilt and sliding sunroof? Tick the box marked Recharge Ultimate T8 and it’s yours, or go for the Lifestyle option pack on a lesser model.

Setting each model apart are its wheels: the Plus B5 runs on 19-inch alloy wheels; the Ultimate B5 Bright and Recharge Plus T8 use 20-inch alloys; and the Recharge Ultimate T8 (including Black Edition) feature 21-inch alloys. The hybrids have a temporary spare and the plug-in hybrids make do with a tyre repair kit.

At the heart of every model in the Volvo XC60 range is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with electric assistance.

At the entry level, the mild-hybrid system found in the Plus B5 and Ultimate B5 Bright sees the powerplant muster 183kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

Thanks to the boost from the 107kW electric motor from the plug-in hybrid system, the output of the Recharge Plus T8, Recharge Ultimate T8 and Recharge T8 Black Edition is up significantly to 233kW and 400Nm.

All Volvo XC60 models have an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Running a tape measure over the Volvo XC60 reveals an overall length of 4708mm, width of 1999mm and height of 1658mm. The wheelbase is 2865mm.

Ground clearance is 216mm.

Gross vehicle mass ranges from 2450kg to 2660kg, depending on the variant, while kerb weight similarly spans an 1867-2191kg range.

The maximum braked towing capacity is 2400kg, depending on the model.

Cargo capacity in the five-seater Volvo XC60 is 505 litres when the 60/40-split folding rear bench seat is upright. This increases to 1432 litres when the rear seat is dropped down.

The Volvo XC60 isn’t the newest kid on the block but can hold its own against many newer rivals.

Versatility, functionality and style are the best traits of the XC60, and from a value perspective the Ultimate B5 Bright delivers with a respectable level of kit, plenty of safety and driver assist features and infotainment tech.

If the budget allows, I’d stump up for the Recharge Plus T8 for the efficiency brought with the plug-in hybrid powertrain.

How much does the 2024 Volvo XC60 cost?
Plus B5 – $73,990
Ultimate B5 Bright – $80,990
Recharge Plus T8 Plug-in Hybrid – $92,990
Recharge Ultimate T8 Plug-in Hybrid – $101,990
Recharge Black Edition Plug-in Hybrid – $103,990
*Prices exclude on-road costs