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2028 Volvo XC60 Preview: Range Matters, and It’s Doubled

2028 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Angular Front

John M. Vincent | U.S. News & World Report

Volvo’s all-time bestselling model gets refreshed looks inside and out, plus a more capable plug-in hybrid powertrain with dramatically more electric range.

LONDON — The 2028 model year brings some stylish changes to the look of both the Volvo XC60 and XC60 Plug-In Hybrid, but it’s what’s underneath the plug-in that makes it deserve a spot on your shopping list. A new higher-capacity battery pack and a more powerful electric motor provide up to 78 miles of electric-only driving per charge (Volvo-estimated). That’s the longest range of any PHEV currently available in the U.S. market.

The XC60, Volvo’s luxury compact SUV, is its most popular model of all time, beating out even the iconic Volvo 240, which seemed to be everywhere in the 1970s and 80s, cementing Volvo’s place in the U.S. market and its reputation for safety. Today’s XC60 competes in one of the most crowded segments in the marketplace, against a list of stalwarts that includes the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and the gas-only and plug-in hybrid versions of the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Lincoln Corsair.

Key Takeaways:

Updated looks, with a simple yet elegant update to the SUV's signature “Thor’s Hammer” running lights.
455-horsepower plug-in hybrid now has an all-electric range of 78 miles, up 35 miles from the 2026 model.
Expected in dealers in early 2027, the 2028 XC60 has an updated dash and now supports a Google Gemini-powered natural voice assistant.

While the better part of a decade has passed since the last full redesign of the XC60, Volvo has continued to tweak it, including a light update just last year. It has become a tale of two distinct vehicles. The base XC60, which carries over its rather meh powertrain but comfortable, elegant cabin, and the powerful, fuel-efficient XC60 Plug-In Hybrid (which we review separately), which gets a new battery pack and becomes even more compelling than before.

Volvo invited U.S. News to London to see the latest updates to many of its most important products, including the refreshed 2028 XC40 and an updated XC90 Plug-In Hybrid, which gets a similar battery and range update as the XC60 PHEV.

The 2026 XC60 will carry over into a very short 2027 model year this fall, before the new model arrives in early 2027 as the 2028 XC60. Some production of the XC60 will be shifting to Volvo’s factory in Charleston, South Carolina. Coincidentally, that’s the same state where BMW builds most of its luxury SUVs for the worldwide market.

2028 Volvo XC60 Exterior Photos

2028 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Front View

Pricing for the refreshed XC60 and XC60 Plug-In Hybrid has not been announced.

Like its smaller XC40 sibling, the updated XC60 gets a bit more upright and formal, though it doesn’t lose much of its sporty look. Its long nose is all new from the windshield forward, with a more sculpted clamshell hood, an updated grille and a new take on Volvo’s trademark “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. They’re now formed of solid blocks of light that don’t intersect. Though simpler, they’re no less elegant than before.

The tailgate has been penned with stronger horizontal lines, though its lighting design still climbs the rear pillars, giving it a uniquely Volvo look.

Bridging the EV Gap

Electric vehicles promise a low cost of operation, especially if you charge them at home or your office, and don’t rely on the sometimes pricey public charging infrastructure. Gas-powered vehicles, including traditional hybrids, offer the seamless driving experience we’re all used to, with a gas station around every corner. Plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles land somewhere in the middle, traditionally offering 20 to 40 miles of electric range, before reverting to traditional hybrid propulsion. That’s usually enough to cover your commute on cheap electric power, but you have to remember to charge it each night.

The 2028 XC60 PHEV changes the math dramatically. With more than double the 35 miles the previous PHEV provided, the 2028’s 78 miles of all-electric range is enough to cover several days of the typical commute or many weekend jaunts on electricity alone. Its 37.9 kW of usable battery capacity is far more than before (up from 14.7 kW), but it doesn’t take up any more cargo or cabin space, and it still can be fully charged overnight (5.7 hours on a Level 2 charging station, according to Volvo).

John M. Vincent | U.S. News & World Report

2028 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Running Lights

Though the XC60 PHEV’s rear-mounted electric motor now makes 208 horsepower (up from 143), the total combined output of it and the turbocharged four-cylinder engine powering the front axle remains at 455 horsepower. We’ve loved the previous powertrain in every Volvo model it has been in, and the extra instant power boost from the more potent electric motor in the new XC60 theoretically should make it even more responsive. Volvo, however, estimates a 4.5-second 0-to-60 mph sprint, which is identical to what we’ve experienced with the current model, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it's a bit quicker.

Volvo estimates that the new XC60 PHEV will achieve 67 miles per gallon equivalent in combined city and highway driving. That’s up from 63 MPGe with the current model.

The standard XC60 carries on with the same mild-hybrid turbo-four as before. It produces 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. With an estimated 6.5-second trip from 0-to-60 mph, it’s not slow, but load it up with people and all of their stuff, and you’ll be wishing for an extra team of horsies under the hood.

Both the standard XC60 and the PHEV employ eight-speed automatic transmissions and come standard with all-wheel drive.

Interior Nip, Tuck and Knowledge

Other than color choices, there are no significant changes to the XC60’s seats or cabin dimensions, and that’s not a bad thing, as we’ve found the seats all-day comfortable and the space generous for both the front and rear passengers. What has changed is the dash, which now features a slightly less curvy, more horizontally oriented layout and updated ambient lighting. The small changes make it look far more modern than before, without sacrificing any of its Scandinavian style. The materials are top-notch, except for the small bit of shiny black plastic around the crystal gear selector.

2028 Volvo XC60 Interior Photos

2028 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Dashboard

The 11.2-inch vertical infotainment touch screen carries over from the 2026 models, but the Google Automotive-based software behind it has been updated to Volvo’s latest standard and now includes natural voice recognition backed by Google Gemini. It can respond to a vast array of questions, including some very odd ones, though it is not able to control every vehicle system. The system can be updated over time via over-the-air patches.

While we’d prefer to see a few more physical controls for frequently used functions, Volvo has improved the touch screen’s menuing and layout, requiring fewer clicks to access the important things. There continues to be a physical volume knob and basic audio controls in a small cluster below the screen.

Smarter Safety Systems

Volvo’s relentless pursuit of protecting vehicle occupants during a collision and preventing the crash in the first place takes major steps forward with the new XC60. It features an array of new ultrasonic sensors, radars and cameras, backed by new computer hardware and software.

Updated features you’ll see every day include a surround-view camera system that now includes 3D views, a new door-opening alert and a lane-change assist update to the SUV’s Pilot Assist hands-on semi-automated driving technology. Automatic steering assist steps in when braking alone isn’t enough to help you avoid or mitigate an impending crash.

John M. Vincent | U.S. News & World Report

2028 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Gear Selector

Volvo’s trick new multi-adaptive safety belt, a technology that helps the belt adjust in the milliseconds before a collision occurs, is not included in the updated XC60. It’s currently only available in the Volvo EX60 electric SUV.

How Much and When?

Volvo expects to have the 2028 XC60 and XC60 Plug-In Hybrid in U.S. dealer showrooms early in 2027. Pricing has not been announced. With stubbornly high gas prices, the massively increased electric-only range makes the XC60 PHEV’s ability to travel a long distance on its battery as compelling as its energetic 455 horsepower.

The Basics

Type: luxury compact SUV
Seats: 5
B5 powertrain: turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with mild-hybrid assist
B5 horsepower: 247
B5 torque: 266 pound-feet
B5 fuel economy: 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined
T8 PHEV engine: turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
T8 PHEV electric motor: 174-horsepower, mounted on rear axle
T8 PHEV total system horsepower: 455
T8 PHEV fuel economy: 67 mpge (PHEV mode)
T8 PHEV electric-only range: 78 miles
Transmission (all models): eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain (all models): all-wheel drive
Length: 185.4 inches
Wheelbase: 112.8 inches
Width (incl. mirrors): 83.3 inches
Height: 65.2-65.4 inches, depending on options
Ground clearance: 7.9-8.2 inches, depending on options
Cargo area (behind rear seat): 21.6 cubic feet
Cargo area (rear seats folded): 54.5 cubic feet
On-sale date: early 2027
Price: not yet announced
Production: Torslanda, Sweden and Charleston, South Carolina
Primary competitors: BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Acura RDX, Genesis GV70, Audi Q5, Lincoln Corsair, Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz GLC Plug-In Hybrid