Volvo has refreshed two of its most popular models, the XC60 and the XC90, and the story is not about how they look. The story is about what powers them.
Battery Capacity Jump
When Volvo first launched the XC60, the PHEV version we tested in 2018 came with a 10.4 kWh battery. That gave the car 17 miles of electric driving. The model’s first refresh, which we drove in 2023, pushed that to 14.9 kWh and 35 miles of range.
Now the XC60 T8 moves to nearly 27 kWh (net). The increase is not small. It more than doubles the real-world electric range compared to the original launch model, and it puts the car in a far stronger position for daily driving.
Exterior Updates
The visual updates are smaller. Volvo has trimmed down the front grille and made tweaks to the bumpers, wings, and other body panels. The “Thor’s Hammer” headlights keep their distinctive running light signature but now hide matrix LED projectors inside them.
Interior Changes
The cabin gets a new ventilated leather interior option. Like the XC40, both SUVs pick up a new 11.2-inch infotainment screen. That screen runs on an android automotive OS-based system and comes with a Gemini personal assistant for voice control.
Voice Assistant Test
The Gemini assistant is a step up. The report notes that some brief testing shows it performs a lot better than the previous version, which had degraded in ability over the past few years.
That is a welcome fix. The new Gemini assistant appears to address a degraded assistant.
XC60 Sales Numbers
Volvo has sold more than 2.7 million XC60s worldwide by the end of last year. That makes the car a central product for the brand.
| Model | Original Battery (kWh) | First Refresh (kWh) | New XC60 T8 (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XC60 | 10.4 | 14.9 | Nearly 27 (net) |
The table shows the path from launch to now. The XC60 has moved from a modest electric helper to a car with real electric range.
Range Increase Impact
The battery gain is the story. A near doubling of electric range means the XC60 T8 can cover longer distances on electricity alone.
For buyers who want low running costs and fewer stops at the pump, this is a meaningful change.
The styling updates are pleasant but not the main draw. The bigger question is whether the new Gemini assistant lives up to its promise beyond brief testing.
Volvo has clearly set its sights on making its plug-in hybrids more useful day to day. The XC60 T8’s battery jump is a strong step in that direction.
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