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Volvo XC60 and XC90 Get Long-Range Plug-In Hybrid Powertrains

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Volvo Cars has introduced new long-range plug-in hybrid versions of its XC60 and XC90 SUVs, bringing significantly greater electric range, updated styling and the latest in-car technology to European and American markets.

Volvo is giving its two most important SUV nameplates a substantial electrified upgrade. The new Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid can travel up to 200 kilometres on a single charge, while the larger Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid offers up to 160 km of electric range. Both figures represent more than two and a half times the range of their existing plug-in hybrid counterparts.

The new variants are part of Volvo’s strategy to maintain a strong plug-in hybrid offering while the company continues its transition towards an all-electric future. For drivers who can complete most daily journeys on electric power but still want the flexibility of a petrol engine, the new XC60 and XC90 could represent a compelling middle ground.

Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid: More Electric Range, Sharper Design

The XC60, Volvo’s best-selling model of all time, receives the most comprehensive visual update of the two SUVs. The exterior changes are designed to give the mid-size premium SUV a more contemporary and dynamic appearance without abandoning the restrained Scandinavian design language that defines the brand.

The redesigned front end features an upgraded grille, a new front bumper, revised bonnet and front wings, and new wheel designs. The familiar Thor’s Hammer Matrix LED headlights have also been refined, giving the XC60 a more technical and sophisticated light signature.

At the rear, Volvo has redesigned the tailgate, LED lamps and bumper, with stronger horizontal lines creating a wider, more confident stance.

Inside, the XC60 benefits from a redesigned dashboard and door panels, wood décor and available Cardamom ventilated Nappa leather. Volvo says the upgraded interior illumination is intended to create a calmer, more sophisticated atmosphere, reinforcing the SUV’s Scandinavian luxury credentials.

Up to 200 Kilometres of Electric Driving

The biggest change is beneath the floor. The new XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids feature a larger-capacity, floor-integrated battery and a more powerful electric motor. The petrol engine remains available when additional range or performance is required.

Volvo has not yet disclosed every technical specification of the new powertrains, including battery capacity, charging times or total system output. However, the claimed electric range is a major improvement over the current plug-in hybrid models.

For many owners, that could mean completing school runs, commuting and local errands without using the petrol engine at all. Longer journeys remain possible without the need to plan around charging infrastructure.

Both SUVs will continue to be offered with mild-hybrid powertrains, giving customers several electrification options within the same model families.

XC60 Gets Volvo’s Latest Safety and Infotainment Technology

The updated XC60 also introduces Volvo’s latest active safety technology. When a potential collision is detected, the vehicle can warn the driver or intervene to help avoid or reduce the severity of an impact.

The system can assist with automatic emergency steering, apply automatic emergency braking and alert occupants to an approaching cyclist before a door is opened. Volvo says the technology is designed to help select the safest possible response in real time.

An upgraded sensing system, combining radars, cameras and other sensors, supports a range of driver-assistance features. These include lane change assist and a 360-degree camera with 3D view, helping drivers maintain better awareness around the vehicle.

The XC60 also gains an 11.2-inch infotainment screen running Volvo Car UX, the company’s latest user interface. Google Gemini, Google’s next-generation AI assistant, is integrated into the vehicle, allowing drivers to use natural language to plan journeys, find stops and manage messages while on the move.

Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid: Seven-Seat Luxury with Greater Electric Capability

The Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid retains its position as the brand’s large premium family SUV, combining seven-seat practicality with Scandinavian luxury and advanced safety technology.

With up to 160 km of electric range, the XC90’s new plug-in hybrid powertrain is designed to make everyday driving quieter and more efficient while preserving the flexibility expected from a large SUV.

The cabin continues to focus on comfort and relaxation, with premium materials, natural light and smooth wood décor creating an environment Volvo describes as restorative. An optional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system is available for owners who want a more immersive listening experience.

Like the updated XC60, the XC90 also features Google Gemini, bringing the same conversational AI capabilities to the larger SUV.

A Strategic Bridge to Volvo’s Electric Future

Volvo Cars describes the new long-range plug-in hybrids as an important bridge towards full electrification. The company is investing in its existing SUV line-up while expanding its range of electric vehicles, including the upcoming all-electric EX60.

Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, said the XC60 and XC90 build on the legacies of two of the company’s most important models and, alongside the EX60, provide Volvo with a stronger electrified offering in the mid-size SUV segment.

The strategy also has a commercial rationale. By extending the appeal of established models, Volvo aims to maintain sales and profitability while customers gradually move towards fully electric vehicles.

Over-the-Air Updates and Black Edition Models

As with Volvo’s newer models, the updated XC60 and XC90 will benefit from regular over-the-air software updates. The company says this will allow vehicles to gain improvements and new capabilities over time rather than remaining fixed in their original specification.

Order books for the new XC60 and XC90, including Black Edition versions, are open from today in selected markets. Production is scheduled to begin later this autumn.

Volvo XC60 and XC90 Plug-In Hybrid: Key Highlights

ModelElectric rangeKey updates
Volvo XC60 plug-in hybridUp to 200 kmNew exterior design, upgraded interior, 11.2-inch infotainment screen, enhanced safety technology
Volvo XC90 plug-in hybridUp to 160 kmSeven-seat luxury SUV, long-range hybrid powertrain, Google Gemini, optional Bowers & Wilkins audio

The new Volvo XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids offer a significant increase in electric range, combining everyday zero-tailpipe-emission driving with the long-distance flexibility of a petrol engine. For buyers not yet ready to go fully electric, they could become some of Volvo’s most versatile SUVs.

Source: Volvo

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Volvo recorded a drop in sales in January

2024 was the most successful year ever for Volvo, but the beginning of 2025 does not show continued sales growth. According to the company, in 2024 the Swedish brand sold 8% more cars than in 2023.

The start of the year for Volvo was not expected, at least that is what the sales results for January show. Although the Swedish brand expected continued sales growth, the opposite happened, and in the first month Volvo managed to sell only 50,820 vehicles worldwide. However, the company hopes that hybrids and EVs will play a major role in the future, which can be inferred from the growth in demand for these cars.

In January, Volvo delivered 22,398 hybrids and EVs, which is 17 percent more than in the same month a year earlier. Customers mostly chose PHEV models (12,693 units), which accounted for 28 percent of total sales. On the other hand, EVs were less in demand, but still registered a growth of 5% (9,705 units).

The best-selling mmodel was the XC60 (18,972 units), followed by the XC40/EX40, while the least demanded was the XC90, which recorded a drop in demand compared to January 2024.

It should also be noted that the demand for cars with combustion engines and mild hybrids has fallen. They recorded a 17 percent drop in demand compared to 2024.

Volvo is one of those manufacturers that strongly believes in the future of EVs, and they showed that in October 2024 when they announced that the EU must not abandon the ban on the sale of ICE cars after 2035. They and 49 other car companies have signed a declaration with which they unreservedly support the EU decision, even though they announced that they will continue to produce cars with combustion engines after 2030, but they will have mild hybrid systems and will be produced in limited series.

Source: Volvo

News

Volvo won’t give up on the XC90

Three years ago, Volvo took big steps towards the complete electrification of its fleet, but problems with production and a drop in demand, confronted the Swedish company with reality. Customers still remained loyal to ICE cars, so Volvo decided to keep its largest SUV powered by an internal combustion engine in the range.

In September, Volvo revealed a refreshed edition of the XC90 SUV, which retained the design of its predecessor with the addition of some details such as redesigned “Thor’s Hammer” lights and diagonal slats of the radiator grille. The interior is also slightly improved, with a new 11.2-inch touchscreen instead of the old 9.0-inch one, optimized operating system, the center console provides additional storage space, while the wireless smartphone charger has been relocated.

Under the hood is a 2.0-L four-cylinder turbo engine combined with a 48-volt electric motor with a total power from 247 hp to 295 hp, and customers will also be able to choose a hybrid version with 455 hp. All versions come with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all wheels. It should be noted that the refreshed edition has better handling thanks to the optional air suspension, which provides a comfortable and isolated ride, but also coped well with most road situations.

Volvo has announced that it will continue to produce cars with internal combustion engines after 2030, but they will have mild hybrid systems and will be produced in limited series. This does not mean that they have given up on full electrification, as Volvo is one of the few European manufacturers that are still strongly advocating EVs.

Source: Volvo

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Volvo won't give up on the XC90