Elegance with an Edge – Volvo’s XC60 T8 Shows How Far the Brand Has Come

It’s been a while since I’ve had a Volvo key in my pocket. The last time was a 2014 XC60 T6 R-Design — turbocharged, a little rowdy by Volvo standards, and clearly a brand in transition. Fast-forward to today and we’re in the 2026 XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid, Ultra trim, finished in Forest Lake green with Blond Nappa inside. The badges have changed — “T” now means electrified, and R-Design has left the catalog — but the mission has sharpened: quiet power, clean design, and a cabin that makes the miles disappear. I road-tripped this XC60 from Dallas to Austin and back in one shot, then lived with it a full week. Here’s what stood out. (For the full visual story, the video review is the companion piece to this article.)

The Lineup, In Plain English

Volvo keeps the naming simple: Core, Plus, and Ultra. You can get an XC60 with a mild-hybrid gas engine, or step up to this T8 plug-in hybrid with standard AWD. Ultra sits at the top. Base for a T8 Ultra is $70,950; our tester adds air suspension, Bowers & Wilkins audio, 21-inch wheels, front-seat massage, the climate pack, and destination for a sticker of $79,395. This is the spec that puts every Volvo idea on the table — design, comfort, tech, and a wallop of electrified torque.

Understated, Not Shy

Volvo’s design language doesn’t chase fads. The XC60’s sheetmetal is crisp and confident, with just enough muscle over the fenders to look planted. The recent refresh brings a cleaner grille texture and darker rear lamps without messing with proportions. Forest Lake is the right color for it — a metallic green that swings from deep pine to bronze in late sun. The 21-inch diamond-cut wheels add a little edge but don’t shout. Park it next to the usual German suspects and the Volvo looks like it belongs without begging for attention.

The Practical End: Hatch, Space, Use

The cargo area is wide and easy to load, with a low liftover and a floor that stays mostly flat when the second row folds. If you’re into the numbers, you’re in the right ballpark with roughly 17 cubic feet behind the second row and a bit over 63 with seats down. Manufacturer and retailer specs vary a tick depending on how they measure and trim, but in practice I packed camera gear, weekender bags, and still had space to spare. Power tailgate, quick fold levers — it’s as straightforward as it should be.

Powertrain: Quiet Muscle

The T8 setup pairs a 2.0-liter turbo four with a rear electric motor and an 18.8-kWh battery. Together: 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft. An 8-speed automatic does the shifting; AWD is standard. On a full charge, you can do about 35 miles on electricity alone. On a Level 2 (240V), a full charge is roughly five hours. When the battery’s done, the XC60 runs as an efficient hybrid without drama. EPA numbers peg it at 63 MPGe combined and 28 MPG on gas alone. Translation: it’s quick when you want it, serene when you don’t.

The Cabin: Scandinavian Calm

Open the door and the noise of the day drops a few decibels. The Ultra’s Blond Perforated Nappa seats are heated, ventilated, and add massage — with an extending lower cushion that taller drivers will appreciate. The driving position is right where it should be: high enough for a clear view, low enough to feel connected.

The 11.2-inch vertical touchscreen runs Google built-in. It isn’t flashy for the sake of it; it’s quick and predictable. Maps, Assistant, the Play Store — all onboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay is here too. The cluster can put your route directly behind the wheel, and a crisp head-up display keeps the basics in sight. Material choices and details feel expensive without the jewelry store vibe — the crystal shifter is the one deliberate flourish, and it works.

Our car’s Bowers & Wilkins system is a showstopper: clean, powerful, and detailed. If audio matters to you, this box is worth checking.

The Drive: Dallas ➜ Austin ➜ Dallas

This is where the XC60 earns its keep. On the highway, it’s calm and unbothered — wind noise muted, road harshness filtered, engine a background actor unless you call it forward. The air suspension helps; it breathes with the pavement but keeps the body in check on long sweepers. Around Austin’s curvier bits, the electric torque fills in the gaps, and the 8-speed keeps you in the meat of the power without hunting.

Volvo’s driver assistance is the kind that cuts stress rather than adds it. Radar-guided cruise and lane centering kept the long I-35 stints relaxed, and when traffic stacked up, the system’s gentle steering nudges and smooth following distances felt natural. Worth noting: the air suspension party trick — the car rises a bit on the move for a confident stance and squats when you park. The first time it did it, I noticed. The second time, I smiled.

City duty? Easy. The XC60 fits garages, threads tight lots, and never feels cumbersome. This isn’t an SUV that only makes sense on a spec sheet; it’s one that makes sense at the end of a long day.

Tech That Stays Out of the Way

The best compliment I can give Volvo’s interface is that I stopped thinking about it. Google Maps in the dash, route mirrored in the cluster, voice control that actually hears you — that’s the loop. Most of the USB-C ports you’ll use are charge-only; CarPlay is wireless, and Android folks are basically at home out of the box thanks to the native Google stack.

Efficiency, Charging, and Real-World Range

I’ll be honest: on this trip I mostly ran it like a gas SUV and still saw north of 500 miles on a tank with some battery mixed in. If you can plug in at home or at the office, the T8’s 35-mile EV bubble will cover a lot of commutes without using gas at all. On road trips, it works as a seamless hybrid. The trick is simple: charge when you can, let the car handle the rest.

Safety, Because Volvo

Volvo’s safety pitch doesn’t need a billboard. You get the full suite: collision avoidance that can spot cars, cyclists, pedestrians, even large animals; blind-spot monitoring with steer assist; lane-keeping aid; and a robust airbag roster including a driver knee bag. Laminated glass helps both with security and with keeping the cabin calm at speed.

Price & The Short List

As tested at $79,395, the XC60 T8 Ultra swims with strong company. The Lexus NX 450h+ brings a reputation for bulletproof ownership and a quiet ride. Audi’s Q5 55 TFSI e is an excellent all-rounder with a more businesslike cabin. BMW’s X3 plug-in leans sportier. The Volvo’s advantage is personality: understated design, a soothing interior, and power delivered without theatrics. It doesn’t try to be a performance crossover. It tries — and succeeds — at being a great one to live with.

What’s Changed Since 2014 (Without Living in the Past)

Back then, “T6” meant turbo power and “R-Design” meant sport trim. Today, “T8” means plug-in hybrid with serious output, and R-Design has left the building. The through-line is Volvo doing comfort and safety its own way; the difference is how refined and electrified that promise has become.

Verdict: Quiet Confidence Wins

A week with the 2026 XC60 T8 Ultra makes the brand’s direction clear. This is luxury done in a different language — less shout, more substance. It’s quick when you ask, calming when you don’t, and thoughtfully put together in a way that makes the daily grind and the long haul better. If that sounds like your speed, start here.

If you want to see the Forest Lake paint in changing light, hear the Bowers & Wilkins system, and watch that air suspension rise and settle, catch the video review — it builds on everything here with the sights and sounds that words can only hint at.