First Look: The New 2028 Volvo EX60 Hybrid Is More EVish Than EverMotorTrendAlex LeanseTue, September 15, 2026 at 7:00 AM UTCAdd us on Google2028 Volvo XC60 Goes Big on PHEV RangeVolvoDid Volvo get ahead of itself with its electrification commitments? Not long ago, it set 2030 as the year it would have a fully electric lineup. Its combustion powertrains—including hybrids—would be phased out along the way.But the market conditions Volvo predicted haven't transpired. It's had to backtrack on its EV targets and adapt its product strategy. It will build new EVs, but through this turmoil, hybrids have remained a steady theme. With the updated 2028 XC60, Volvo indicates how it sees hybrids as pivotal to its emissions-free aims.Biggest Update YetTen years is a long production run for any car, but the XC60 isn't giving way to a new generation yet. This version went on sale for 2018 and has received gradual updates over the years, most recently for 2026. These efforts made it Volvo's bestseller. Now, a more thorough refresh for 2028 extends its lifespan further.VolvoLooks Similar but BetterTen years is also long enough for any car to look stale, but the XC60 has stood the test of time. This year's updates revive its contemporary appearance. Fundamentally, it's the same SUV, retaining its basic structure and many body panels. Still, this is an attractive design evolution.AdvertisementAdvertisementEverything ahead of the front doors is new, with the fascia more obviously updated than the fenders and hood stampings. A slimmer grille sits in a bumper with more modern, edgy graphics. Most prominent are the headlights, which get revised, trademark "Thor's Hammer" accents that appear to float inside new, black-backed lenses. Functionally, the headlights gain Matrix LED projectors that adapt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.Around back, the taillights also gain black enclosures with slim inlaid red LEDs. Designers told us the goal was to look "drawn with a pen of light" onto the surface. The tailgate panel is slightly changed, as well, while the bumper is reworked for cohesion with the front. No emissions-spewing tailpipes are visible, as has been Volvo's practice for years.The 2028 XC60 looks familiar in profile, especially with the 18- or 19-inch wheels that roll over from last year. However, new 20- and 21-inch wheel designs become available, while new Heather Bronze paint balances being trendy and timeless.VolvoInside AdaptationsLike outside, changes in the cabin are subtle. Much of the dashboard is revised. Textile trim panels have reshaped wood decor below, bisected by an ambient light strip, and the treatment continues on the front and rear door panels, which gain illuminated wood trim near the release handles. Rather than the previous gloss black and chrome, the air vent surrounds are now matte black with a slim gloss-black insert. Light brown Cardamom Nappa leather remains available and can now be paired with ventilated front seats.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn its 2026 update, the XC60 gained a 11.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google Gemini AI voice assistant functionality. That remains for 2028 but is relocated by a few millimeters for better visibility. No functionality is added to the 12.3-inch driver info display, keeping it low-feature compared to other automakers' equivalents.Safety Tech EnhancementsA car can never be safe enough for Volvo, and the automaker continues its tireless pursuit in the 2028 XC60 update. New ultrasonic and radar sensors embedded in the front bumper enhance collision avoidance, especially with crossing traffic. The vehicle can also detect passing cars and cyclists and warn the driver before they open the door.Semi-automated lane change functionality is added to the available Pilot Assist driver assist suite. Additional exterior cameras enable a movable 3D view for the 360-degree camera.VolvoPHEV Pump-UpAs before, the 2028 XC60's base engine is the B5 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4, which sends 247 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard AWD.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe highlight change is the available T8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. It continues to use a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine to drive the front wheels and an electric motor to power the rear wheels. Although system output remains at 455 hp, that's now accomplished with a less powerful engine and slightly stronger motor.Most notable is the high-voltage battery. At 41.2 kWh (37.9 usable), the new pack has more than double the previous capacity. That gives the updated T8 more than double the previous all-electric range: up to 78 miles, versus 35 miles before.Rather than a long, boxy shape running through the center tunnel, the new pack is flat-mounted under the floor, like in full EVs. This required structural reengineering but, impressively, does not affect ground clearance or passenger measurements. In fact, the hump between the rear seats becomes smaller. Curb weight increases by about 200 pounds, however.Although Level 3 DC fast charging is not available, Level 2 home charging capacity increases from 3.6 to 7.2 kW. So even with the significantly larger battery, total charge time is only slightly longer.VolvoAll this is intended to give XC60 drivers a more EV-like experience. Needing to plug in becomes less frequent. The stronger rear motor is meant to make the XC60 T8 feel more electric; full one-pedal driving remains part of its capabilities. Yet with hybrid mode available, a full battery charge and fuel tank give the XC60 T8 up to 590 miles of total driving range.Twice as Nice?Had things played out as Volvo anticipated, this refresh might have never happened. Perhaps, at its dignified age, the XC60 would've been retired and replaced by the recently revealed EX60 as Volvo continued its all-electric transition.AdvertisementAdvertisementInstead, Volvo has had to adapt. EVs haven't taken over as anticipated, and Volvo isn't the only automaker adjusting to today's conditions. Updating the XC60 for 2028 could be seen as a backup plan. Nevertheless, it makes a nice SUV nicer and increases its capabilities in ways that support today's drivers and Volvo's long-term plans. B5 models will be built in Charleston, South Carolina, and T8 models in Torslanda, Sweden.Photo credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoPhoto credit: VolvoAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Volvo