2025 Volvo XC60

Anyone in the market for a luxurious SUV with style at the forefront and strong safety scores, but haven’t been inspired by the usual American, German, and Japanese suspects, then the decidedly Scandinavian Volvo XC60 might be a good fit. Like the cabin, the exterior is sharp and stylish without bravado. It’s a good size for most uses, offers a plug-in hybrid variant, and it’s excellent on the highway. We’ve found the Volvo XC60 to be a well-balanced, multi-purpose luxury SUV.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury SUVs, including the Volvo XC60.

The 2025 Volvo XC60 sees no significant changes. The Ultimate trim line is renamed Ultra, and the Recharge variant returns to its former “T8 AWD Plug-In Hybrid title.

Somewhat more substantive are tweaks to the equipment set of the Plus trim, which gets laminated glass and standard simulated leather (with an option for the real stuff), and to the Core trim, now fitted with power-folding rear headrests. The Thunder Grey paint color is deleted for 2025.

The starting prices of the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, and BMW X3 are all close to the XC60’s, and each offers similar levels of equipment. At the top end of the range, the XC60 plug-in hybrids are more expensive than most in the class. Before buying a new XC60 luxury SUV. check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase price to see what you should be paying. The XC60’s resale value is just a touch below the class average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

With 247 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and a 6.5-second zero-to-60 mph time, even the base B5 powertrain gives the XC60 ample pep and passing power. This mild hybrid system isn’t quite as beefy as some rivals like the Genesis GV70 or Lincoln Corsair, but it’s on par with most of the class.

The XC60 T8 AWD Plug-In Hybrid (renamed from the previous model’s XC60 Recharge moniker), on the other hand, is among the most muscular of compact luxury SUV PHEV drivetrains. The T8 generates a stout 455 hp and can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. It’s also capable of 36 miles of all-electric driving. The Audi Q5 PHEV, by comparison, makes 362 hp and hits 60 mph in about five seconds.

Both models exhibit excellent ride quality, with a preference for comfort over sportiness, although the optional air suspension broadens the XC60’s ability, adding both comfort and sportiness in equal measure.

Fuel Economy

The base B5 gets 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving, just 2 mpg less than the T8 plug-in hybrid –  once the T8 PHEV is running on gasoline alone. With the battery pack charged, the T8 PHEV can go 36 miles just on electricity and achieves a combined 63 MPGe. These figures put the B5 XC60 on equal footing with the best of its rivals, and the T8 at the head of the class among competitive luxury PHEVs.

Scandinavian design, premium materials, and wonderfully comfortable seats are just our first impressions of the XC60’s cabin. The base Core trim gets simulated leather as standard, while offering a wool fabric that’s both soft and durable. This fabric doesn’t retain heat or cold the way leather does, making for greater year-round comfort.

The second row offers 38 inches of legroom, which is typical for the class. Likewise, the XC60’s 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, or 49.8 cubic feet with the second row laid flat, are also about average for the segment.

Naturally, more premium touches are available in the higher trims, including ultra-smooth and unusual Driftwood inlays in the Plus trim and above.

The XC60 is one of the older models in its class, and while the exterior design is elegant and premium, it is also somewhat out of step with the style of newer competitors. Each trim has individual design elements, including chrome or black exterior accents. The high-performance XC60 Polestar Engineered comes with a limited monochromatic exterior, but the rest of the range has more colorful options.

The XC60 is Volvo’s medium-sized crossover, slotting between the smaller XC40 and larger XC90. It’s comparable in size to its main rivals, such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Acura RDX.

Google infotainment
Apple CarPlay is standard in the 2025 XC60, but the Google Built-In infotainment system is more up to date and seamless than CarPlay or Android Auto. It can use apps, sync with the user’s Google account, enable over-the-air updates, and more.

Pilot Assist
This advanced driver assistance system isn’t quite hands-free driving, but it can help carry some of the burden of long journeys or distraction. This system is standard from the Plus trim level and up.

Bowers & Wilkins audio
Audiophile-grade sound in the form of 15 speakers and 1,400 watts make the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system, an upgrade from the Ultra trim’s already excellent Harman Kardon system, an easy two thumbs up.

Adaptive air suspension
Available only with the Ultra trim, this feature makes the 2025 XC60 both more comfortable and sportier, depending on the mode selected.

Surround-view cameras
The XC60 is neither large nor unwieldy, but all cars have some form of blind spot or limited sightlines, and that’s where surround-view cameras come in. The XC60’s system is layered on top of front and rear parking sensors, further improving safety when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. The system is standard in Plus and higher trims.

Front seat comfort
The Volvo XC60’s front seats are supportive and comfortable even on longer trips, but for taller drivers, the real favorite seat feature is the ability to extend the thigh bolster to provide more support. This is standard in the Ultra.

The base B5 unit is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder  engine enhanced with a mild hybrid system. It’s rated for 247 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The T8 plug-in hybrid system develops a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains have standard AWD and an 8-speed automatic transmission.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage are both good for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. That’s in line with most of the luxury sector. Volvo also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. The XC60 PHEV’s battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, per the federal standard.

Safety Ratings

In crash testing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2025 Volvo XC60 its highest overall score of five stars.