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By Jonathan Crouch

The Volvo XC60 makes sense in B5 mild hybrid petrol guise. Jonathan Crouch looks at the improved version of this mid-sized SUV.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 55

Volvo's elegant and beautifully crafted second generation XC60 offers proof that in Sweden, they build SUVs just a little differently. Here, the second generation version of that model's been usefully revised, underlining this Scandinavian maker reputation as a credibly prestigious automotive brand. Many customers choose the B5 mild hybrid petrol version; let's find out why.

Backgroundword count: 149

For some time now, the majority of Volvo's business has been done in selling SUVs - cars like this XC60. This second generation version arrived in 2017, replacing an extremely successful predecessor, then in 2021 was lightly updated before in early 2025 being updated again to create the car we're going to look at here. It'll certainly need to be good, given that the premium-badged segment of the mid-sized SUV market has changed beyond all recognition in the last few years. BMW's X3 and Audi's Q5 remain the default competition, but in the last decade, other desirable brands have piled into this segment and cars like the Mercedes GLC, the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Lexus NX and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio all represent tempting alternatives in this class. So what can this Volvo offer to set itself apart in its volume B5 mild hybrid form? Let's find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 283

Volvo's softened up the passive dampers and worked on refinement for this updated XC60 (it reckons this is its quietest mid-sized SUV yet). Otherwise, nothing significant has changed in terms of the engineering of this car. Which means this B5 petrol variant (diesels have long been dumped in XC60s) has the same four cylinder 2.0-litre 250hp mild hybrid engine it used before, with 360Nm of torque, capable of 0-62mph in 6.9s en route to the limited 112mph maximum that these days all Volvos share. Like all mild hybrids, this one has a tiny battery that infills acceleration and runs the engine start/stop system. As you'd expect in this segment, there's standard AWD to facilitate a 2.4-tonne braked towing capacity. If you were to place entertaining driving dynamics as a priority for your premium-badged mid-sized SUV, then let's be honest, this Volvo probably wouldn't be the first model you'd turn to. But you shouldn't gauge from that an expectation that this XC60 will be a complete duffer when the road turns twisty. It's very far from that, this model described as 'confident and predictable', which is what we've found it to be and precisely what most likely buyers will want it to be. There's unruffled poise and exemplary refinement, plus you get supple standards of ride comfort from the multi-link rear suspension and at the top of the range, there's an 'Active Four-C' adaptive damping and air suspension package if you want it. Cornering body roll is also decently well controlled. A standard 'Drive Mode Settings' driving dynamics system allows you to tailor throttle response, steering feel and shift timings from the standard 8-speed auto gearbox to suit the way you want to drive.

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