Volvo XC60 and XC90 long-range PHEV update confirmed for Australia

Volvo Car Australia says the updated XC60 and XC90 long-range plug-in hybrids are due in the second quarter of 2027, with larger batteries, higher reported electric range and final local pricing still to come.

DriveAgent NewsroomPublished 22 September 2026 at 8:54 pm

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Concept illustration for: Volvo XC60 and XC90 long-range PHEV update confirmed for Australia — AI-generated contextual editorial illustration inspired by this story. People and settings are illustrative, not a depiction of a manufacturer vehicle or the reported event. DriveAgent · AI illustration · AI-generated editorial illustration2027 Volvo XC60 and XC90 gain new long-range PHEV options, Australian timing confirmed 2027 Volvo XC60, XC90 get longer range 41kWh PHEV batteries Volvo XC90 | Large plug-in hybrid SUV | Volvo Cars Australia

Volvo confirms Australian timing for long-range PHEV update

Volvo Car Australia has confirmed that updated long-range plug-in hybrid versions of the XC60 and XC90 are planned to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2027, covering April to June. In the same announcement, the company said both models will continue to be offered with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, as they are now, while final pricing and final specification will be published closer to vehicle introduction. The change is significant because it brings a new battery and drivetrain package to both SUVs, while the XC60 also receives another exterior refresh. ¹²

Battery growth lifts reported electric range

The headline engineering change is the move from the existing 19kWh plug-in hybrid battery to a much larger 41kWh unit. On the figures reported by CarExpert and Cars24, the XC60 T6 Long-range PHEV is claimed to reach up to 200km WLTP on electric power, while the XC60 T8 Long-range PHEV is listed at 189km WLTP. The XC90 T8 Long-range PHEV uses the same battery and drivetrain combination, but its larger body reduces the reported electric range to 164km WLTP. NDTV Profit, quoting Volvo’s announcement and Reuters, likewise described the XC60 and XC90 as long-range PHEVs with up to 200km and about 160km of electric range respectively, but that report did not give the Australian timing or local-spec detail found in the Australian coverage. ¹²⁶

XC60 gains second facelift and extra equipment

The XC60 update is not just mechanical. CarExpert and The West report a redesigned front end with a new bonnet, fenders, bumper and flatter grille, plus a two-part version of Volvo’s Thor’s Hammer lighting signature. The rear is also revised, with a new tailgate, flatter tail-lights, a reshaped rear bumper and fresh alloy wheel designs. Inside, the changes are described as limited to new trim and materials, with an 11.2-inch infotainment touchscreen running Volvo Car UX. The same coverage says the updated safety package includes the brand’s latest radars, cameras and sensors, with available features such as automatic emergency steering assist, autonomous emergency braking, cyclist detection when opening doors, a 360-degree camera with 3D view and lane change assist. ¹²

Current Australian pages show the outgoing specification baseline

Volvo’s current Australian product pages for the XC60 and XC90 still describe the 2026 model-year plug-in hybrids. Those pages list the XC60 T8 AWD Plug-in hybrid at up to 89km WLTP electric range, 340kW/462hp and 4.8 seconds for 0-100km/h, while the XC90 T8 AWD Plug-in hybrid is listed at up to 77km WLTP, 340kW/462hp and 5.3 seconds. The XC90 plug-in hybrid specifications page also lists a 19kWh nominal battery, 3-hour charging from 0 to 100 per cent on a 2-phase 16A charger, a 7-seat layout and 2,400kg trailer maximum. Those figures are the present Australian baseline, not the yet-to-be-released long-range update. ³⁴⁵

What remains unconfirmed for Australia

Volvo has not yet published Australian pricing or the final local equipment list for the updated XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids. The company’s current Australian pages also caution that range and charging figures are preliminary, based on estimates and calculations, and that outcomes can vary with driving style, temperature, traffic, road conditions, battery condition and accessories. That means the new WLTP numbers should be read as announced targets for the revised models rather than guaranteed real-world results for every journey. ¹³⁴