2022 Volvo XC60 detailed: Facelifted BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5 rival goes all hybrid

The Volvo XC60 2022 facelift has been revealed, with the Swedish brand’s midsize luxury SUV adorning a new look, gaining new tech, and adopting a hybrid-only powertrain range, too.

Volvo’s rival to the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC will normalise petrol-electric power as part of the 2022 facelift, though the entry-level powertrains are “mild hybrid” systems, while there will be a wider range of petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options, too.

The current XC60 range consists of T5 and T6 petrol, T8 PHEV and D4 diesel. The diesel engine is set to be phased out with the facelift, while some models in the rest of the range will see some name changes.

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The mild-hybrid models run a “B” suffix, and those are petrol engines that are bolstered by a 48-volt battery pack that is teamed to a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), adding electric take-off power through an integrated starter generator. These B models are teamed with four-cylinder petrol turbo engines.

So, theoretically, instead of a T5 and T6 you can expect to see B5 and B6 models in Australia. If that’s the case, there will be a 184kW/350Nm B5 model offered alongside a 220kW/420Nm B6. It is expected that all models will be all-wheel drive, as is currently the case, and they’ll run an eight-speed automatic.

At the moment there is only one PHEV option offered, but it is possible that the brand will add a second PHEV variant.

Volvo has given the XC60 a subtle styling tweak with revised front and rear bumper designs.

The T8 model sold currently - which runs a 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine with a 10.4kWh battery and rear electric motor - produces combined outputs of 288kW and 640Nm. An additional T6 model could arrive, too, with slightly less combined grunt (251kW/590Nm). 

As for other changes to the range, the brand has given the XC60 a subtle styling tweak with revised front and rear bumper designs. Wheel designs will see some tweaks, and there’ll be up to 22-inch rims available.

The cabin of the XC60 runs the same 9.0-inch media portrait-style screen but it gets updated Android Automotive software running the show. There have been other interior changes: the centre console has lost the scroll wheel for drive mode selector, there has been a wireless phone charger added, there are new graphics for the instrument cluster, and there are new trim options (including a leather-free option made of a wool blend). 

Inside is a 9.0-inch media portrait-style screen.

It is expected the XC60 will remain available in entry-level Momentum, mid-range Inscription, sporty R-Design and top-spec Polestar Engineered styles for 2022.

Full details, as well as updated pricing and specs, are due in the coming months, with the facelifted XC60 expect to arrive in Australia around August or September as a 2022 model.