Overview
Nearly identical to its nonhybrid sibling, the Volvo XC60 T8 hybrid SUV takes the core elements of the standard XC60 and outfits it with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that's not only efficient but also powerful. Case in point: our test drivers managed a 4.2-second 60-mph time—pretty darn quick for a compact luxury SUV of any stripe. On the efficiency front, drivers who can charge at home will benefit the most thanks to its EPA-estimated 36 miles of electric-only range. In regular hybrid mode, our testing revealed 29 mpg combined, one better than the standard gas-only car. Otherwise, the XC60 hybrid springs from the same blueprint as its sibling: room for five in an understated and purposeful, yet well-appointed interior detailed with the brand's trademark Scandinavian touches. It features a large center screen running Volvo's Google-based infotainment system and a decent complement of driver-assist tech. The steering is responsive and accurate, and the cabin is quiet, but the ride can be quite firm with harsh wheel impacts making themselves known inside. Buyers looking for a little more urgency from the chassis can select the top-tier Polestar-engineered trim, which benefits from a skosh more power and even tauter suspension. While the XC60 Hybrid remains a stylish and sensible choice, it is beginning to feel dated, a situation that's sure to be amplified with the pending arrival of the all-new Audi Q5 PHEV, a chief competitor. As one of our favorites in its segment, the Volvo XC60 Hybrid has earned a spot on our Editors' Choice list for 2025.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The plug-in-hybrid XC60 T8 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor. Additionally, a starter/generator motor is mounted between the eight-speed automatic transmission and the gasoline engine that can also charge the battery and add torque when needed. Total system output is 455 horsepower. The standard all-wheel drive and firmly compliant suspension provide a well-planted ride that can sometimes be a bit harsh over poor-quality roadway. Steering is precise but devoid of any nuance or feedback. Confidence is the key word here, not aggression.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The 2025 Volvo XC60 Hybrid is rated to tow a maximum of 3500 pounds.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The plug-in hybrid model comes with a 14.7-kWh battery pack that's good for an EPA-estimated 36 miles of electric driving per charge; we managed 31 miles in our testing. Recharging the battery is a time-consuming affair, due largely to the slow 3.7-kW max charge rate of the onboard charger. As such, it requires between five and eight hours to refill the battery, depending on the amperage of the Level 2 charging station.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the 2025 Volvo XC60 T8 will return 28 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. With a fully charged battery, it earns an EPA rating of 63 MPGe. In Car and Driver testing, the XC60 T8 returned 29 MPGe combined, and 30 mpg in our 75-mph real-world highway fuel-economy test. For more information about the T8's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Even the base Core model looks upscale thanks to its adherence to Volvo's clean and logical design ethos. The tidy lines and high-quality interior materials add a distinctly Scandinavian flavor, and the cabin also provides adult-sized comfort in both rows. Cargo-hauling capability puts the XC60 mid-pack among its rivals in our testing with 22 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row or 63 with it folded; with its rear seats down, we fit 20 of our carry-on suitcases.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All XC60 models come with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display that runs Volvo's latest Google-based software interface. The system provides several personalization options and offers voice controls via Google Assistant. We've found the software interface to be quick to respond, but its menus require some familiarization and some of the icons are small. Redundant physical controls for volume and HVAC operation ease the strain. Standard audio is an 11-speaker setup, but a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon premium system is available on the Plus trim while a Bowers and Wilkens system is available on the Ultra and standard on the Polestar engineered.
