Volvo’s 455-HP Plug-In SUV Is All About Subtle Power
All right, all packed up, about to head out. We’re on a trip from Dallas area to Austin for driving something a bit special that won’t be in this video. The video should already be out actually by the time this one comes out. But, uh, got to head to Austin. And while we do, we’re going to talk about the car I’m driving here. Yes, this week I’ve been driving the new Volvo XC60. This is the 2026 XC60. A lot to cover here, but like I said, we are on a road trip. I do got to hit the road. We are on a bit of a time crunch. So, let’s go. Let’s start with what this one actually is. The XC60 lineup for 2026 comes in three main trims, core, plus, and ultra. You get it as a mild hybrid or this the T8 plug-in hybrid. This Ultra trim sits right at the top. Base price starts just under $71,000, but this tester adds a few goodies, the air suspension, Bowers and Wilkins premium audio, 21-in wheels, and front seat massage. Bring it all to about 79,395 as tested. It’s a luxury SUV, no question. But it is still a Volvo understated, confident, and focused on the details that make driving easier, not just flashier. So, the last time I actually drove and reviewed a Volvo was way back in 2014. That was also an XC60. That was the XC60 T6R design. A lot of numbers that don’t really mean anything anymore. This one, like I said, is the XC60 T8 Ultra all-wheel drive. So, our design was their performance line. Volvo has killed that off. The T6 was about the engine spec. Now it’s T8, which is about the hybrid technology in it. But it’s definitely nice to be back behind the wheel of a Volvo, really putting it through its paces. The design language here is pure Volvo, clean, sculpted, and unmistakably Scandinavian. The 2026 model carries over from the 2025 refresh with a slightly modernized front grill, darker tail lights, and this deep forest lake paint color that just glows in the sunlight. The proportions are right, too. It’s athletic without trying too hard with crisp lines and a confident stance. Those 21inch diamond cut wheels finish the look perfectly. Elegant, a little sporty, and very Volvo. It’s the kind of design that doesn’t age fast. You can park this next to a BMW or Audi, and it doesn’t shout. It just looks like it belongs. Outback, the XC60 gives you around 17 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Plenty for groceries, gear, or luggage for a weekend trip. Fold those seats flat and you open up more than 63 cubic feet of total cargo room. It’s wide, easy to load, and the power tailgate makes life simple. Even after hauling bags and camera gear between Dallas and Austin, I still had room to spare. Under the hood, Volvo’s T8 plug-in hybrid setup pairs a 2.0 0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder with a rear-mounted electric motor and an 18.8 kWh battery. Together, they make a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound- feet of torque. That power goes through an 8-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive, giving you quick, seamless acceleration. electric only range about 35 miles on a full charge and when you’re out of battery it runs just fine as a traditional hybrid. Plug it in overnight on a 240 volt charger and you’re good to go in about 5 hours. This is easily one of the smoothest hybrid systems out there. Quiet when you want it to be, punchy when you need it. All right, we’re just outside of Temple, Texas. Really close to our destination, about an hour and something. Just stopping at our second BIES for the trip and uh getting a drink and relief. Then we’ll come back in, talk about some of the new interior in this Volvo XC60. All right, inside here, this ultimate trim is all about comfort. The blonde Nappa leather seats are heated, ventilated, and even have massage. The driving position is excellent. You sit high, visibility is great, and everything feels solid. The new 11.2 in vertical touchscreen runs Google builtin, so you’ve got Google Maps Assistant and the Play Store right in the dash. It’s not the flashiest interface, but it’s functional, responsive, and easy to use once you’re familiar with it. Behind the wheel, a crisp digital cluster can show navigation directly in front of you, and the head-up display adds a nice touch. The Bowers and Wilkins sound system is phenomenal. One of the best you’ll hear in any SUV at this price. Even small details stand out. that crystal gear shifter, ambient lighting, and laminated glass that keep the cabin whisper quiet at highway speeds. This has been the perfect road trip vehicle from Dallas down to Austin and back. The XC60 T8 has been smooth, quiet, and surprisingly powerful. The air suspension automatically raises up while driving and lowers back down when you park. It caught me off guard at first, but it’s such a cool touch. On the road, it soaks up bumps like nothing, yet stays confident through curves. The lane keeping and radar guided cruise control have been fantastic on this long road trip all the way down I35. It doesn’t fight you. It just takes the load off. You still feel in control, but it’s easier, less tiring. in the city. It’s just as good. Tight parking lots, garages in downtown Austin, traffic back in Dallas. It’s all handled with ease. It’s quick when you need it to be and calm when you just want to relax. I think that’s the best way to describe it. Calm power. It never feels like it’s trying too hard, but it’s always ready. As we talked about before, the vehicle that I’m in is just under $80,000, and that puts it right up against some strong players. The Lexus NX450H Plus offer similar plug-in setup, but doesn’t feel quite as premium inside. The Audi Q55TFS is a strong competitor in tech and refinement, but has less range and power. And the BMW X3 X Drive30E is more sporty, but not as smooth or quiet. Where the XC60 stands out is in personality, and it’s not trying to be sporty or flashy. It’s just beautifully balanced. All right, guys. After a long week with this vehicle and a long road trip to Austin from Dallas and back, finally back. Obviously, it’s a different day than when I started this video in different clothes and everything. Uh, we went and drove a whole another car. The video on that should already be out. It was the Polestar 4. Very cool. Go check it out if you’re interested. But the Volvo was a fantastic chariot for my entire week and the road trip. Like I said, getting on the highway, putting it into cruise with radar guided cruise control, lane keeping assist made the trip down 35 just uh a bit less effort and made getting to the hotel or getting home, you’re really less fatigued when you finally get it your destination. So, it’s fantastic for that. I really did enjoy the vehicle. It’s kind of the sweet spot for a midsize crossover. It’s got a lot of luxury to it without being obnoxious. Like I said, really in a sweet spot. Definitely worth driving if you haven’t driven a Volvo in a long time like me. Definitely worth getting in one today. They’ve changed a lot. Not that they weren’t good before, but they have changed a lot. With that, I hope you enjoyed the video. If you did, please hit the thumbs up button. and Leave me a comment down below. Let me know what you think about the Volvo XC60. Subscribe to the channel if you’re not already. We do a different review every week. But also check out txgar.com where we’ve got a lot of written reviews as well as event and news coverage from a lot of great authors over there, not just myself. Really worth checking out. txgar.com. With that, it’s all I got for this one. Thanks for watching, guys.
The 2026 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid Ultra is a masterclass in subtle sophistication — blending 455 horsepower with a serene, Scandinavian sense of luxury. Finished in Forest Lake green and packed with thoughtful details like air suspension, massaging seats, and a crystal gear shifter, it delivers quiet confidence rather than loud performance. With around 35 miles of electric range, advanced driver aids, and a beautifully refined interior, this XC60 shows just how far Volvo has come — proving that power doesn’t have to shout to make an impression.
Check out the full review and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. If you enjoyed the video, be sure to hit that like button and consider subscribing to the channel.
Thanks for watching!
Merch Store:
https://my-store-11543218.creator-spring.com
Articles, News, Reviews, and Events at:
Check out Epidemic Sound:
https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/sg46cs/
TXGARAGE is an online magazine dedicated to Texas culture and the Texas automotive consumer. Our tagline – News. Events. Reviews. Passion. from Texans by Texans – isn’t just a cute saying, it’s what we’re really striving for. We are made up of many great authors. Some with lots of experience and some just getting started but all bringing a unique perspective and a Texas focus. Texas Automotive News, Texas Automotive Events, Texas Automotive Reviews, and a Passions for Texas. That’s TexasGarage.
