The Volvo XC60 Is Getting A Mid-Life Refresh And A Mild-Hybrid Petrol Engine In India

• Exterior gets subtle updates thanks to a reworked front bumper, front grille, and new alloys.

• Cabin updates include an Android-based infotainment system, and optional leather-free or textile fabric upholstery.

• The Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) have also been improved.

• The Mild-hybrid petrol engine will be a 2-litre motor combined with a 48v battery and KERS, though the state of tune is yet to be determined for India.

• It will rival the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, and the upcoming facelifted Audi Q5.

In March this year, Volvo had given the XC60 SUV a midlife refresh in markets abroad. Now, the facelifted SUV is coming to India, as the carmaker has teased the SUV ahead of a launch likely later this month. Crucially, the teaser confirmed that not only will the XC60 SUV get upgrades inside and out, but will also have a cleaner heart, courtesy a mild-hybrid petrol engine. 

So what’s new in the XC60? Well, going by the model sold abroad, the design will get subtle enhancements via a reworked front grille, as well as a new bumper and alloy wheels. The crux of the updates, however, are inside, with the SUV getting an Android-based infotainment system that first made its debut in the XC40 Recharge. This new infotainment system will allow access to Google apps and services via signing up to the carmaker’s ‘Digital Services’ package. Moreover, Google Maps can be operated from the head unit itself. 

The XC60 can also be specced with an optional leather-free upholstery with the regular textile fabric. The SUV’s  Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensor platform has also been improved, which consists of safety features like automatic braking and lane keep assist.

While Volvo has confirmed a mild-hybrid petrol powertrain, we’re yet to know which state of tune it’ll be in. The model sold abroad gets a 2-litre petrol engine combined with a 48v battery and KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) for better fuel efficiency, driveability and response. This petrol mild-hybrid motor can be specced in the 250PS B5 option with optional all-wheel drive or the 300PS B6 option with standard all-wheel drive.

The current pre-facelift model retails with only a sole conventional D5 2-litre diesel engine, making 235PS and 480Nm. There’s no word on whether this powertrain will be retained for the updated model, but we think it’ll be replaced with a mild-hybrid option as well. The international-spec XC60 gets a 2-litre motor in the 197PS B4 option with front-wheel drive as well as the 235PS B5 unit with all-wheel drive. 

Back home, the pre-facelift XC60 retails at a price tag of Rs 60.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Expect the updated SUV to garner a premium over its predecessor. Once here, it will rekindle its rivalry with the  Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, and the upcoming facelifted Audi Q5.