All variants in the Volvo XC60 range have been renamed for the new model year, with extra features and higher prices.
The 2023 Volvo XC60 has received new features and a renamed range for the new model year – but the changes come with price rises across the range of between $3000 and $3500.
Mirroring the rest of the company’s Australian range, the XC60 switches to Volvo’s new model names – a year after the car’s mid-life facelift a year ago, which saw it gain a revised look, new tech, and mild-hybrid systems across the petrol-engined line-up.
The B5 Momentum is now called the Plus B5, the B5 Inscription becomes the Ultimate B5 Bright (referring to its chrome trim), the B6 R-Design becomes the Ultimate B6 Dark (as it has black trim), and the Recharge Plug-in Hybrid now wears the long Recharge Ultimate T8 Plug-in Hybrid badge.
Prices have increased for Model Year 2023 by $3500 for the three mild-hybrid petrol models, and are up by $3000 for the plug-in hybrid – pushing the base price to $72,990 plus on-road costs.
It means the most affordable petrol Volvo XC60 costs $10,000 more than it did five years ago – even though is now built in China rather than Sweden.
However, the model now comes with a mild-hybrid system, a five-year warranty (rather than three-year coverage), and a host of new features including rear auto emergency braking, illuminated door handles, power rear headrests, traffic sign recognition, and more.
New features to coincide with the 2023 price rise to the entry-level Plus B5 include power-folding rear headrests – previously a $350 option – and USB-C ports.
Industry guide Redbook indicates a boot cargo net and a new leather-look steering wheel are now included. Drive has contacted Volvo Australia to confirm, and will update this story with its response.
The power headrests and USB-C ports feature across the range. Higher-spec B6 and plug-in hybrid variants are no longer fitted with sports pedals, in the switch away from R-Design branding.
Option prices have also changed for the new year. The Climate and Lifestyle Packs are up to $250 cheaper – while standalone options, such as air suspension upgraded sound systems cost more, with 21-inch wheels on the Ultimate B5 Bright now $650 dearer than before.
Standard features on the entry-level XC60 Plus B5 include a 9.0-inch touchscreen running Google software – now with Apple CarPlay – plus a 12-inch instrument display, four-zone climate control, 19-inch wheels, heated seats and leather-accented trim.
The mid-grade Ultimate B5 Bright adds 20-inch wheels, heated rear seats, a head-up display, heated steering wheel and more, while the Ultimate B5 Dark gets a higher-output engine, sports body kit, and 21-inch wheels.
Features exclusively standard on the range-topping Recharge Ultimate T8 Plug-in Hybrid – though optional on other models – include 22-inch wheels, a Bowers and Wilkins sound system, panoramic sunroof and rear privacy glass.
Powering B5 models is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 183kW and 350Nm, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive for a 6.9-second 0-100km/h time, and claimed fuel use of 6.9 litres per 100km in mixed driving.
It’s fitted with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which claims to use a small battery and an 'integrated starter-generator' to save fuel under low loads, and improve performance under acceleration – however it’s a step short of a full Toyota-like hybrid system, or a plug-in hybrid.
B6 models add an electric supercharger to the 2.0-litre mild-hybrid engine, pushing outputs to 220kW and 420Nm, for a 6.2-second 0-100km/h time, and an 8.0L/100km combined fuel economy claim.
The flagship plug-in hybrid pairs a 233kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder powering the front wheels with a 107kW/309Nm electric motor at the rear, with an eight-speed automatic and an 18.8kWh battery.
Volvo claims combined outputs of 340kW and 709Nm – but this is seemingly derived from adding the peak outputs of engine and electric motor together, even through they don’t produce their maximum outputs at the same point in the rev range.
Up to 81km of all-electric driving range is claimed, along with a 1.6L/100km fuel economy figure (derived from lab testing in combined driving, and a 4.8-second 0-100km/h time.
Mild-hybrid petrol models offer space-saver spare wheels, weigh between 1830-1886kg and is rated to tow 2400kg braked, while the plug-in hybrid offers a tyre repair kit only (with no spare wheel), weighs 2146kg, and can tow 2250kg braked.
The 2023 Volvo XC60 range is on sale now. A full list of the standard and optional features available is included at the bottom of this story.
Note: All prices exclude on-road costs.
The Lifestyle Package is available with a Harman Kardon sound system for $3700 on the Plus B5, Ultimate B5 and B6 models, or with a Bowers and Wilkins sound system for $6100 on the Ultimate B5/B6 variants. It also adds a panoramic sunroof with both sound systems.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines as a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
Find New cars by type
Cars for Sale by location
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
DAP Pricing– Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs.