Plug-in hybrids are supposed to offer a middle ground between gasoline and fully electric cars, but limited electric range can mean the engine fires up during relatively ordinary daily driving. Volvo thinks it can make that happen a lot less often.
The automaker has unveiled long-range plug-in hybrid versions of two of its most important SUVs, the XC60 and XC90. Both substantially increase the amount of driving owners can do without burning any gasoline.
According to a Volvo press release, the updated XC60 T8 can travel up to 78 miles using electricity alone, while the larger XC90 T8 manages up to 73 miles. Those figures are preliminary and based on EPA testing standards, but Volvo says they would give the SUVs the longest electric range of any plug-in hybrids available in America.
For the XC60 in particular, that’s enough range to fundamentally change how some owners use the vehicle. Someone with a relatively typical commute and access to regular charging could potentially spend most of the working week driving it like an EV while keeping the gasoline engine available for longer trips.
A Much Bigger Battery Makes It Possible
The previous XC60 T8 offered less than half the electric range of the new version. Volvo achieved the huge increase by installing a substantially larger floor-integrated battery and pairing it with a more powerful electric motor.
The new pack has 37.9 kWh of capacity, and the powertrain combines a 247-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors capable of contributing up to 208 hp.
Volvo continues to use an unusual layout, with the combustion engine driving the front axle and electric power handling the rear. A starter-generator can also provide electrical assistance at the front.
The result is a PHEV that could behave much like an EV during everyday use while retaining a gasoline engine for longer journeys. The XC90 receives the same long-range treatment, although its larger dimensions contribute to the slightly lower 73-mile electric estimate.
The XC60 Gets A Fresh Look Too
Volvo hasn’t stopped at the powertrain. The 2028 XC60 receives another substantial design update, with changes extending across the grille, bumper, hood, front fenders, and wheels.
Its signature Thor’s Hammer LED headlights have been redesigned, while revisions to the tailgate, rear lights, and bumper emphasize the SUV’s width. Inside, Volvo has introduced a redesigned dashboard and door panels alongside new wood trim and available Cardamom ventilated Nappa leather.
An 11.2-inch touchscreen runs Volvo’s latest infotainment interface and incorporates Google Gemini. Drivers can use the AI assistant for functions including journey planning, finding stops, and handling messages using natural-language commands.
Safety Tech Gets An Upgrade
The XC60 also gains an upgraded suite of cameras, radars, and other sensors supporting Volvo’s latest active-safety systems. Automatic emergency braking and steering can intervene when a collision is detected, while another system can warn occupants about approaching cyclists before they open a door.
Lane-change assistance and an upgraded 360-degree camera with a 3D view are included among the driver-assistance improvements. Volvo says the XC90 will also gain Google Gemini, building on the larger SUV’s more recent technology and design updates.
The new XC60 and XC90 T8 AWD Long Range plug-in hybrids are scheduled to enter production later this fall, with U.S. deliveries expected to begin in early 2027. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet.
A 78-mile PHEV won’t eliminate the need for gasoline altogether. For plenty of XC60 owners, though, visits to the gas station could become remarkably infrequent.