The Volvo XC60 has been around long enough to have passed through your gated community several times. You might know it as the polite, cardigan-wearing Swede of the luxury SUV segment. But in MY25 guise, eight years into its current generation, and now with its second facelift, Volvo wants you to take a second look. Because while this update may not revolutionise the XC60, it finesses it just enough to make you pause, reflect, and consider if this is the luxury SUV that actually fits your lifestyle. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The XC60 slots right into the mix with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. But where those Germans push technology, dynamics or chrome-grilled aggression, the Volvo leans into serenity, safety and that oh-so-Scandinavian luxury.
Safety First, Always
Volvo’s Pilot Assist has been refined further for 2025. It now reacts more naturally to traffic flow and interacts better with smart infrastructure and mapping. The full ADAS suite is present: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and collision mitigation with steering support. The XC60 will also steer away from hazards if it detects you swerving into danger using one-sided braking to keep things tidy. Every Volvo remains limited to 180 kmph, and the XC60 is no different. It's a symbolic move, sure, but in India, it's also wildly practical.
Verdict:
So where does that leave the updated XC60? If you want the sportiest SUV, buy the X3. If you want the flashiest with tech, maybe the GLC. But if you want an SUV that calms your nerves, soothes your senses and quietly gets on with the job, this is the one.
It’s not going to be cheap, and it’s not exciting. But the Volvo XC60 Mild Hybrid is perhaps the most socially acceptable SUV you can buy. It works like a really well-made Ikea chair.
The Same Mild Story
The India-spec XC60 continues with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol mild-hybrid powertrain. It makes 247 bhp and 360 Nm of torque and is paired to an 8-speed torque converter automatic. All-wheel drive is standard. There's no diesel anymore, and plug-in hybrids remain reserved for international markets. While it covers the basics of refinement and day-to-day usability, the engine doesn’t feel particularly energetic. 0 to 100 kmph takes about 7 seconds, and though it cruises effortlessly, sudden overtakes or quick highway merges expose its limitations. It also tends to sound strained under hard acceleration. The mild-hybrid system is more of a background helper. It makes low-speed stop-start transitions smoother and adds a pinch of efficiency. Volvo claims 12.6 kmpl, but our mixed-use test hovered around 10.5 kmpl. The transition from petrol to electric assist is seamless, but you'll mostly forget it exists unless you’re watching the energy flow screen. There are no conventional drive modes, but you can dive into the menus to tweak steering weight. It’s not intuitive, but it exists.
Suspension of Disbelief
This is where the XC60 shines brightest. The ride is exceptionally well-judged, thanks in part to additional sound insulation and damping updates for 2025. The default suspension setup is comfort-oriented, and it shows. Over Pune’s patchwork tarmac or highway expansion joints, it remains unfazed. Body control is excellent, too. There’s a sense of fluidity to the way it handles corners, not enthusiastic, but well-balanced and drama-free. The steering is light at first, but firming it up via the touchscreen makes it feel more natural. It’s no corner-carver, but the XC60 delivers a more mature, controlled drive than many of its rivals. The 8-speed gearbox is generally smooth but can be slow to react under pressure. With no paddle shifters, manual overrides happen via a slightly odd side-to-side gear lever. It works, but doesn’t invite enthusiastic use.
Space and Practicality
Boot space can be increased by folding the seats flat to get 1,410 litres. The boot is wide and usable, with a low loading lip. Rear seat comfort remains a strong point, and a clever through-loading hatch. Cabin storage is thoughtfully executed. There are deep door pockets, a practical centre armrest bin, and a neat wireless charging pad that actually holds your phone during sharp corners. Visibility is top-notch, helped by large windows and the panoramic sunroof that bathes the cabin in light.
Calm Inside, Not Comatose
If the outside plays it safe, the interior evolution pushes things forward. In 2022, the XC60 was already minimalistic. In 2025, it goes all-in on digital restraint. The 11.2-inch vertical infotainment screen now has a pixel density that's 21% sharper than before and runs on the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, which makes it slick and fluid in operation. It gets a revamped graphical interface, too. Google integration continues to be a highlight with Maps, Assistant, Play Store and Apple CarPlay is present for those who prefer Cupertino to Stockholm. Physical buttons are nearly extinct now, aside from a large play/pause and volume knob, and while we miss tactile climate controls, the UI mostly makes up for it.
The driver’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster keeps things clean and legible, with no flashy gimmicks. Speed on the left, revs or battery flow on the right, and sat-nav or trip data in the centre.
Cabin quality? The India-spec model uses supple Nappa leather for the seats, soft-touch materials throughout, and subtle Driftwood trim inlays that elevate the cabin ambience. The speaker grilles of the 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system now sport a cleaner design, and the sound is nothing short of spectacular. Rear-seat passengers get their own climate zone, retractable sunblinds, and a panoramic roof that adds a generous splash of light. The seats themselves are Volvo’s signature orthopaedic thrones, heated, ventilated, and equipped with massage functions up front. You sit high, yet nestled. Even the rear bench is thoughtfully shaped, with excellent cushioning and legroom. Two ISOFIX points and Volvo’s clever integrated child booster seat further add to its family-first appeal. Storage is generous: large door bins, a deep armrest console, well-designed cupholders, and a wireless charging pad that actually keeps your phone in place even during spirited driving. Every touchpoint feels minimalist, refined, and deeply relaxing.
To the untrained eye, the facelifted XC60 may seem identical to the predecessor, but park it next to a 2021 model and you’ll start noticing the nip and tuck. There’s a fresh grille now, which is larger and painted mostly in black with diagonal slats replacing the vertical ones. The bumper houses revised air intakes, while the rear tail-lamps get a new darker treatment. The headlamps retain the iconic Thor's Hammer signature running across the brand's lineup but now feature a slimmer, more modern look.
New alloy wheel designs lend it a touch more presence, and three fresh colours, Aurora, Mulberry Red and our test unit finished in Forest Lake. It’s still no visual revolution, but this facelift lends the XC60 a fresher, more modern air. And crucially, it continues to reject off-road cosplay. There are no faux skid plates or rugged cladding. It looks like a station wagon jacked up, and I like it.
Spec:
Engine 2.0-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid
Power 247 bhp
Torque 350 Nm
Transmission 8-speed torque converter automatic
Drivetrain AWD
Fuel Economy (Claimed) 12.6 kmpl
Boot Space 483 litres
Infotainment 11.2-inch portrait touchscreen w/ Google built-in
Price (Ex-showroom) ₹69.9 lakh (expected)
