Volvo XC60 T8 Plug In Hybrid Review

Editor : Mark K | Cars&TechSG

Volvo's ever-popular XC60 gets a meaningful facelift for 2025, and while it may look familiar at first glance, a closer inspection reveals a bolder and more refined update both inside and out. The Swedish brand continues to blend minimalistic design with cutting-edge hybrid tech — and this refreshed XC60 Plug-in Hybrid (T8) is no exception.

When we first saw the 2025 XC60 in person, the darker exterior theme immediately caught our attention. It gives the car a stronger, sportier stance without trying too hard. The new "crisscross" grille looks sharp and modern — a small change that really freshens up the front end. Combined with Volvo's signature Thor's Hammer LED lights, it all comes together to create a cleaner, more confident look. 

The new wheel design fits the refreshed look perfectly — stylish without being over the top. From the side, the proportions remain spot-on, with those clean, sculpted lines that Volvo is known for. It's elegant, simple, and timeless — the kind of design that will age gracefully.

Around the back, you still get the signature vertical tail lamps, but the new darker trim details give it a more sophisticated finish. Even the subtle chrome elements have been toned down for that "black edition" vibe, which we think suits the XC60 really well.

Overall, the exterior looks more mature, more premium, and frankly, better than before. Volvo didn't reinvent the car — they refined it, and it works. 

Step inside, and you're immediately greeted by that unmistakable Volvo ambience — clean, airy, and beautifully put together. The two-tone beige and white interior brightens the cabin nicely, and the Nappa leather seats are genuinely plush. The seats are ventilated and incredibly comfortable, perfect for long drives or just sitting in traffic.

We do wish it had an easy-entry function for the driver's seat, but once you're seated, everything feels natural. The steering wheel — with its two-tone design — looks really good and feels great to hold, with just the right thickness for control and comfort.

The driver display is crisp and easy to read, and the upgraded 11.2-inch touchscreen is noticeably quicker and smoother than before. Nothing overly flashy here — just a clean interface that gives you everything you need. You get Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, though we're still waiting for the wireless version to come along soon. 

As for audio, the 14-speaker Harman Kardon system doesn't disappoint. Sound quality is excellent — crisp highs, balanced mids, and strong bass. For those who enjoy their music, it's one of the better systems in this class.

The air-conditioning works really well too. Volvo cleverly placed the rear vents on the door pillars, which helps cool down the entire cabin evenly. You also get three cupholders (one small one perfect for slimmer cans) and a 15W wireless charger, which is fast and reliable.

And yes — that Orrefors crystal gear knob remains a highlight. It lights up beautifully at night and feels premium every time you use it. It's one of those small details that make you smile. 

Hopping into the back of the XC60 T8, the first thing you notice is how plush and comfortable the seats feel. The Nappa leather extends to the rear with the same ventilated design as the front — soft, premium, and great even for longer rides. Legroom and headroom are solid, easily fitting taller passengers, though that slightly raised middle tunnel means the centre passenger might have to compromise a little on leg space.

One thing I really liked — the rear aircon vents are mounted on the B-pillars instead of the usual centre console. This makes the airflow a lot more even, keeping the rear cool no matter where you're seated. Combine that with Volvo's improved sound insulation, and you get a calm, quiet space to relax.

The panoramic sunroof also adds a nice touch — it brightens up the cabin and gives the interior a more spacious, airy vibe. Close the powered blind when it gets too sunny, and you've got the perfect balance of comfort and class.

Overall, the back seats are a really nice place to be — comfortable, quiet, and premium all around.

That said, one thing I wished for — if there were rear air-conditioning controls for the passengers, that would have made the experience even better.

Volvo has done a solid job keeping the XC60's boot practical despite the hybrid system. Official figures put it at around 468 litres with the seats up, and it expands to about 1,395 litres when you fold them down. But figures aside — in real life, it's genuinely usable space.

The floor is completely flat, which makes loading big items much easier. The low loading lip also helps when you're sliding in heavy luggage. During our review, we managed to fit two large check-in suitcases, two cabin bags, — and still had a little space left over on the sides.

Overall, for family trips, IKEA runs, or the occasional weekend getaway, the XC60's boot space is more than enough — well thought out and very usable. 

On Road Performance: 

Now, this is where the XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid really shines. It packs a whopping 455hp and 709Nm of torque, which is plenty for a midsize SUV. 0–100km/h takes just 4.9 seconds, which is seriously quick for something this practical. You get a 67km pure electric range and a 19kWh battery that can be fully charged in about 3 hours on AC (6.4kW). Around town, you can drive in full EV mode most of the time, and when the petrol engine kicks in, it's smooth and seamless.

We noticed a tiny bit of turbo lag if you floor it from a stop, but once it gets going, it's instant power. Overtaking is effortless, and cruising on highways feels composed and solid. The hybrid system works smartly in the background — you barely feel it switching between petrol and electric.

Ride comfort is excellent. It soaks up bumps easily, and the improved sound insulation means the cabin is much quieter now.  The cabin now feels more sealed and cocooned, especially at higher speeds. According to Volvo, they've added extra acoustic foam in key areas like the A- and B-pillars, as well as thicker door seals and improved underfloor damping. In practice, this translates to much less wind noise around the mirrors and pillars, and noticeably reduced tyre roar on rougher roads.

Steering is light and precise, making it easy to handle despite the SUV's size. Could it be sharper? Maybe. But overall, the XC60 feels planted and confident. It's a car you can drive for hours without getting tired.

With the hybrid system, range anxiety isn't an issue. In Hybrid mode, you can easily manage long drives without worrying about running out of charge. It's efficient, and if you do plug in regularly, you'll find yourself using petrol far less often. For those who occasionally drive longer distances, it's a perfect balance between electric efficiency and petrol convenience. 

Charging the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid is pretty straightforward . A 7 kW AC charger will easily give you a full charge in roughly three hours. The XC60 doesn't do DC fast-charging (and honestly, it doesn't need to), since the 67 km electric range is more than enough for daily errands or commutes.

With this system, during our media drive, we clocked about 332KM and the remaining fuel was about 3/4 remaning, else we believe it can hang on till about 800KM before your visit to the petrol station!

In short, if you charge regularly at home or at your office carpark, you'll be running on electric most of the week without touching a drop of fuel. Plug it in nightly, and you'll get the best out of this plug-in hybrid system.

The Bottom Line:

After spending time with the 2025 Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid, it's clear that Volvo didn't need to reinvent the formula — they just made it better. The new dark styling looks fantastic in person, the cabin feels more luxurious, and the tech upgrades make daily driving easier.

What really stands out is how the XC60 blends power, comfort, and serenity in such an effortless way. You get performance when you need it, quiet refinement when you want it, and that distinctive Scandinavian charm that never feels overdone.

If you're looking for a premium mid-size SUV that's fast, comfortable, and beautifully built, this facelifted XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid deserves serious consideration. It's one of those cars that quietly impresses you the more time you spend with it.

Add to your shopping list? For Sure!

Check out more images of the ride at our Instagram Page!

For more information, visit https://www.volvocars.com/sg/cars/xc60/ or contact us via email or Instagram DM!