- A camouflaged XC60 prototype was spotted testing in Europe
- The current generation of the SUV has been around since 2017.
- An updated XC60 could join the electric EX60 in the global lineup.
The XC60 is old, and Volvo does not care. Despite a model cycle stretching back nearly a decade, it remains the brand’s best-selling vehicle, and a freshly camouflaged prototype caught testing in Europe suggests Gothenburg is getting ready to give it yet another refresh. The timing is also interesting, given that the most recent facelift only arrived for the 2026 model year.
The current, second-generation XC60 first arrived in 2017, with a mild refresh in 2021 and a more thorough facelift in 2025. Volvo pulled the wraps off the all-new electric EX60 earlier this year, but the tech-heavy newcomer is not being asked to push its combustion-powered sibling out of the lineup.
More: Volvo’s New EX60 Lands In America $3,100 Under BMW’s iX3
Our spy photographers caught the prototype in Spain wearing minimal camouflage. The front end has been reworked more than the disguise suggests, with slimmer headlights flanking a more intricate grille. The bumper has been retouched too, losing the triangular side intakes that defined the outgoing look.
The profile appears to be carried over from the 2017 original. At the back, the Swedish carmaker has applied black tape to hide the LED taillights, which gain longer horizontal extensions on the redesigned tailgate. The latter has a slightly smaller pocket for the license plate and a simpler design. The rear bumper also appears to be cleaner, with provisional tailpipes sticking out from the bottom.
SH Proshots
The dashboard of the prototype appears to be covered, though major changes inside the cabin are unlikely. The recent facelift already brought new materials, a larger 11.2-inch touchscreen, and a faster processor for the Google-powered infotainment, among other upgrades.
More: Volvo’s Entry SUV Gets A Successor, But Dealers Aren’t Sure It’s The Right Priority
The real headline of this third mid-lifecycle update may very well sit beneath the skin. According to the latest reports, Volvo is preparing the XC60 to meet Euro 7 emission regulations.
A heavily reworked plug-in hybrid setup is rumored to deliver an EV-only range of 200 km (124 miles). Take the figure with a grain of salt, but it would be a significant leap from the current 82 km (51 miles), edging closer to the Chinese-spec XC70 with its range-extender powertrain.
The updated XC60 is expected to break cover in the first half of 2027. Production currently runs in Sweden and China, and from late 2026, the automaker will add XC60 assembly to its Ridgeville plant in South Carolina.
