- Volvo's updated XC60 and XC90 will be the longest-range plug-in hybrids in the U.S.
- Owners can cover most of their driving needs just using battery power.
- The XC60's EV range is more than the original Nissan Leaf.
Office commutes, everyday errands, and even weekend getaways can now be handled purely on battery power in the 2028 Volvo XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). That's because both SUVs are getting more than double the all-electric range of their current versions, thanks to larger, floor-mounted battery packs, Volvo said Tuesday.
The updated XC60 will cover 78 miles on a single charge before its gas engine kicks in, up from 35 miles today. That's more range than the first-generation Nissan Leaf, which had an EPA rating of 73 miles. And that car was all electric. The larger XC90 PHEV's all-electric range is now 73 miles, up from 32 miles on the current model. That makes the XC60 and XC90 the two longest-range PHEVs sold in the U.S.
Gallery: 2028 Volvo XC60 T8 Long Range PHEV
The range increase reflects real advances in battery technology and energy density, but it's also a reminder of Volvo's retreat from its original EV ambitions. The automaker pledged to fully ditch combustion engines by 2030 at the start of the decade, then walked that back in 2024 as EV sales growth slowed more than expected, especially in the U.S. Volvo says it's still committed to EVs, but it's clearly doubling down on plug-in hybrids too.
“The XC60 is our best-selling model of all time, while the XC90 marked the beginning of our premium journey,” Hakan Samuelsson, the CEO of Volvo Cars, said in a statement. “Now, as long-range plug-in hybrids, they build on those legacies and, together with the all-electric EX60, give us our strongest-ever electrified offering in the mid-size SUV segment. This means a path to full electrification for every customer.”
Volvo says the median round-trip driving distance for its U.S. customers is just 22 miles, and the vast majority of its drivers here cover less than 30 miles a day. That means most owners could drive entirely on electric power for most of their needs, whether that's dropping the kids at school or a slightly longer weekend trip. You could also do more things with fewer charging sessions, thanks to the larger battery pack.
Gallery: 2028 Volvo XC90 T8 Long Range PHEV
With gas prices soaring due to the U.S. war in Iran, owners could lean on cheap residential electricity for most of their driving and skip the pump on most days. That could also potentially mean less wear on the gas engine and lower repair bills down the road. For longer trips, the XC60 delivers 590 miles of total range on a full tank and a full charge, while the XC90 is good for 560 miles.
Both cars will continue to be powered by their turbocharged four-cylinder engines which are now paired with larger 37.9 kilowatt-hours of usable battery capacity, more than doubling from 14.7 kWh before. They will continue to get standard AWD and the same 455 horsepower of peak combined output, though the rear electric motor is more powerful than before, while the 2.0-liter gas engine under the hood outputs less power than the outgoing model. Volvo didn’t say if the PHEVs could fast charge, but added that despite doubling the capacity, they will charge in under six hours on a Level 2 charger, which is only a 14% increase in charging time. If you have a more powerful home charger with 16 amps of output, the battery can juice up in four hours.
The XC60, the automaker’s best-selling model globally and in the U.S., is also getting a minor facelift. The front end design is now sleeker with a smaller and more squared off grille and more chiseled headlamps. The Thor’s hammer daytime running lights also get updated signatures. The tailgate and taillamp now look cleaner than before whereas the overall silhouette stays identical.
PHEVs have made some real strides over the past few years, too. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e can cover up to 54 miles on a single charge from a 24.8 kWh battery. And the 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV also gets up to 54 miles of EPA-rated all-electric range with a larger 22.7 kWh battery. Both the Mercedes and the Toyota are among the few PHEVs that can also DC fast charge, with a 10-80% time of just about 30 minutes. The Mercedes peaks at 60 kW of maximum charging rate whereas the Toyota is rated for 50 kW.
But again, all this is based on the assumption that owners will actually charge their PHEVs and not be lazy about it. If they don’t, they’ll just be lugging a really heavy battery pack around and burn more gas. Some previous studies have shown that most PHEV owners don’t really plug in their vehicles, leading to more emissions and fewer savings at the pump than what the automakers advertise.
However, a newer peer-reviewed study from Toyota concluded that PHEV owners in North America were actually pluggin in their vehicles most of the time, taking advantage of the all-electric driving range as intended.
Both the XC60 and XC90 long-range PHEVs will enter production this fall and go on sale in the U.S. in early 2027.
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