2026 Volvo XC60 Follows Big Brother’s Lead With New Looks and Tech
Inspired by the XC90’s update for 2025, the Volvo XC60 is getting a refresh of its own for 2026 as the current generation prepares to enter its ninth year on the market. Mild styling revisions, increased comfort and a new user experience await drivers.
Before we go any further, we’d like to remind you that this compact luxury SUV is the best-selling product from the Swedish brand, which last year achieved record sales in Canada.
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Can You Spot the Changes?
Similar to its big brother, the XC60 gets a new front grille design with intersecting diagonal lines for a more premium appearance. There are new wheel options and darker taillights, too, not to mention three additional body colours to choose from including Forest Lake (grey), Aurora Silver and Mulberry Red.
Inside, a mix of refreshed interior decors, inlays and new premium materials such as Quilted Nordico and Navy Herringbone Weave jazzes up the cabin. Volvo has also revised the cupholders, redesigned the speaker grilles of the Bowers & Wilkins audio system and improved the wireless phone charger.
Technology at the Forefront
The biggest change to the 2026 XC60 can be found in the technology department, starting with Volvo’s next-generation, new-look user experience featuring a larger infotainment touchscreen (up from 9 inches to 11.2 inches) and several Google services built-in for more focused and personalized interaction than before.
Pixel density is increased by 21 percent, resulting in an even crisper display, while the infotainment system itself is more than twice as fast as its predecessor, Volvo claims, with ten times faster graphics generation. This should reduce the amount of time drivers have to turn their attention away from the road.
By the way, over 35,000 Volvo customers in Canada will get the new UX on their vehicles built as early as 2020 via an over-the-air update later this year.
Same Powertrain Options
What else? Look for a more comfortable driving experience courtesy of an even quieter cabin and optional air suspension. The refreshed XC60 is also equipped with an available state-of-the art air purification system.
Under the hood, well, it’s business as usual. The entry-level B5 model (247 hp, 258 lb-ft) is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a mild hybrid system, while the mighty T8 model is a plug-in hybrid (455 hp, 523 lb-ft) with up to 58 km of zero-emission range.
Canadian pricing for the 2026 Volvo XC60 will be announced closer to launch around mid-year.
