2025 Volvo XC60 Facelift Review: Chill, Not Chasing

Volvo isn’t trying to impress you with Nürburgring lap times or off-road credentials. The refreshed XC60 is too self-aware for that. It knows its place. It knows its people. And it’s not here to flex. It’s here to relax, which is exactly what we did behind its crystal gear lever.

Instead, the XC60 has always done its own thing, prioritising comfort over cornering, elegance over excess, and a kind of quiet, thoughtful luxury that feels refreshing in this increasingly try-hard segment. Now in its second generation, and with a second refresh for 2025, it continues to refine that formula. The updates are subtle: a crisper face, sharper tech, and more refined materials, but the essence of the car remains beautifully unchanged.

Looks: Familiar Form, Fresher Finish

Let’s be honest, if you parked the 2025 XC60 next to last year’s model, most people wouldn’t notice the difference. But that’s kind of the point. This isn’t a car that needs to shout for attention.

What has changed? There’s a revised grille, a new front bumper, and tweaked LED headlights. The tail lamps now get a smoked finish, and the new alloy wheel designs offer a subtle update depending on trim. The refreshed XC60 isn’t chasing trends, it’s refining timelessness.

And yes, it still looks like a boil-washed XC90, as some have put it, but that’s hardly a criticism. The XC60’s proportions are tidy, the detailing is crisp, and it carries itself with an understated grace that sets it apart from the overly sculpted competition. You won’t find fake vents or fake exhausts here.

Interior: Still a Sanctuary, Now with Sharper Screens

Volvo interiors have always felt like the living room of someone who reads hardcover books and owns exactly two tasteful throw pillows. The 2025 update doesn't break this mould; it doubles down on it.

The most obvious update inside is the 11.2-inch portrait-oriented Android-powered touchscreen. It’s cleaner, quicker, and packs Google Maps, Google Assistant, and over-the-air updates. It looks a bit shoehorned into the existing dash, but the improved resolution and faster interface make up for the awkward fit.

That said, this is not the most intuitive system while driving. Basic controls like climate control, drive modes, and even ADAS settings sit behind multiple taps. Volvo’s love for minimalism means no rotary dials or shortcut buttons, so your fingers will need to learn a few muscle memories. If you’re an Android user, the Google-based system feels natural. If not, expect a learning curve.

Material quality remains high. There’s now more use of Nordico, which is a premium, sustainable, vegan leather alternative that looks and feels great. The interior is finished in a pretty "upmarket" looking white and black, and it does look refreshingly premium.

The dashboard trim, speaker grilles, and seat upholstery have been updated subtly. And in classic Volvo fashion, everything you touch feels expensive, but never flashy.

Interior Space: Scandinavian Simplicity, Spacious Sophistication

It’s not just the colour palette, pale wood, soft Nordic leather, and brushed metal, but also the layout. The dashboard is uncluttered, the materials are top-shelf, and the sense of space is unmistakable. The front seats are supremely comfortable.

At the rear, space is generous. There’s ample legroom and headroom even for taller adults, and the seat base is nicely angled for good thigh support. The large glasshouse, light colours, and panoramic sunroof make the cabin feel even airier. You may not get as many bells and whistles at the back as you would in some rivals, but the focus here is comfort, not gimmicks.

One thing to point out here would be the tall transmission tunnel, which does make it comfortable for just two occupants, and not three. This is something we have seen across the Volvo range of cars, and not just the XC60.

Features: Subtle, Sophisticated, And Just Enough

Volvo has a way of packing in features without making it feel like a showroom on wheels. The XC60 is generously equipped, but it doesn’t shout about it. You get a brilliant Bowers & Wilkins 15-speaker sound system that’s easily among the best in the segment, the seats are powered, ventilated, heated, and have a massage too. That’s your therapist, chiropractor, and favourite armchair all rolled into one. 

It gets a panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control, a crystal gear shifter, and beautifully executed ambient lighting. The digital driver’s display is crisp and even displays the maps, which is something very useful!

The 11.2-inch touchscreen runs on a Google-based OS with built-in Google Maps and Assistant is snappier to use than before, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which now powers the screen and makes it much smoother to use.

One thing to point out here is the lack of wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. This is something not exactly digestible at this price point. Everything feels cohesive and thoughtful, not tacked on for brochure bragging rights.

Practicality: Form And Function In Balance

The XC60 doesn’t just look good, it’s been thoughtfully designed to make daily life easier. The boot offers 483 litres of usable space with a low loading lip, wide opening, and split-folding rear seats. It’s not class-leading, but it’s more than enough for weekend getaways or airport runs. Inside, there are deep door bins, a decently sized central armrest storage, and clever details like a retractable hook in the boot to hang shopping bags.

The wireless phone charger is well-placed, the cupholders are useful without being intrusive, and the overall ergonomics are spot on. 

There's even a luggage cover for the boot, which can be adjusted according to the amount of luggage you are carrying to neatly conceal your belongings. Quite an example of Scandinavian functionalism.

Also worth mentioning: a 2.5-cup holder. One big cup, one small one, and a little half-slot for... your ego?

Performance And Ride Quality: Quiet-Er-Volvo

No changes under the bonnet. You still get a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, delivering 248 PS and 350 Nm. It’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard.

Now, this engine isn’t going to pin you to your seat, but that’s not the goal. The XC60 prefers gliding to galloping. Acceleration is brisk enough for overtaking and highway merging, especially with the mild-hybrid assist helping in the low to mid-range.

Push it hard, and the engine gets a little vocal above 4,000 RPM, but until then, it’s whisper-quiet. Even wind and road noise are impressively damped, unless you’re actively listening for it with the Bowers & Wilkins audio system turned off (why would you ever?).

Gearshifts are smooth, but not particularly sporty. You can shift manually using the gorgeous crystal gear shifter, but it’s more satisfying to look at than to use. The transmission is clearly tuned for smoothness, not speed.

Handling? Predictable and safe. The XC60 isn’t made to thrill. It leans into corners, and the steering, though accurate, stays light. There’s a dynamic steering mode, but it’s more weight for weight’s sake. A special mention to the off-road mode, which does a beautiful job of making the suspension softer and soaks in the undulations very well.

Enthusiasts will find more joy in a BMW X3, but those looking for effortless composure will feel right at home here.

Safety: Volvo’s Comfort Zone

This is where the XC60 really flexes. Volvo's reputation for safety isn’t just marketing fluff; it’s built into the car’s DNA. 

As standard, the XC60 gets Pilot Assist (Level 2 ADAS), which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist to make long-distance highway driving almost effortless. There’s also blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree camera, front and rear collision mitigation, and driver alert control.

The pre-facelift got a good 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests, whereas this one is yet to be tested. The build quality inspires confidence, and the suite of electronic aids works unobtrusively. The XC60 doesn't overwhelm you with constant beeps and warnings; it just steps in when it’s needed, and does it with grace.

Verdict: The Anti-Showoff SUV

The Volvo XC60 isn’t here to win drag races or dazzle you with stunts. It’s not the flashiest SUV in its segment, and it doesn’t try to be. What it offers instead is something far more enduring, a sense of calm, comfort, and confidence. It’s the SUV for someone who doesn’t need to announce their arrival but appreciates the journey getting there. 

From its rich cabin materials to its buttery-smooth ride and relentless focus on safety, the XC60 feels like it was designed with your well-being in mind, both physically and mentally.

Sure, enthusiasts might miss the thrill of a six-cylinder engine or the agility of something sportier, but for 90 percent of daily driving, commuting, errands, and weekend escapes, the XC60 is more than enough. And for the remaining 10 percent? You’ll probably be too comfortable inside to care.

In a world full of SUVs screaming for attention, the XC60 whispers luxury, and does so with class, intelligence, and a hint of Swedish stubbornness. It's certainly not a smart buy; it’s a soul-soothing choice.