Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra Dark review: air and grace

Volvo is on a roll in New Zealand: sales for the first quarter of the year were up 67%. As they often are in our tiny market, the actual registration numbers were still small (185 cars), but growth is growth, right?

Volvo NZ is keen to shine a light on its larger models and the strength of its electrification, the latter following a near-identical sales growth trajectory of 67%. The company recently announced price parity between the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and new pure-electric EX90, for example: both $149,990.

But the car that's doing most of the heavy lifting in the sales charts is this one: the familiar XC60, which was facelifted last year and comes with mild-hybrid (MHEV) and PHEV powertrains.

XC60 accounts for exactly one-third of Volvo's Kiwi sales and the model you see here, the B5 MHEV, is the single most popular version. Being an MHEV, that means it's also contributing towards that increase in electrified sales.

Mid-2025, XC60 also became Volvo's global biggest-seller ever, overtaking the classic 240 with 2.7 million registrations since its introduction in 2008. It's arguably the least obvious thing in a Volvo showroom these days, but probably still the most important... at least until the all-new EX60 pure-electric equivalent arrives later this year.

The XC60 B5 comes in Plus and Ultra models for NZ; ours is the latter.

On the outside: what are the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra Dark's main design features?

Did we say "facelifted"? The big exterior change last year was a different grille, with intersecting lines to bring it into line with the look of the larger XC90, and reshaped air intakes. The revised model also has darker tail-light lenses, a crafty way to give any car a fresh look without actually changing too much.

XC60 accounts for exactly one-third of Volvo's Kiwi sales and the model you see here, the B5 MHEV, is the single most popular version.

But the main upgrade is inside, where a key piece of technology has been given a boost. Let's go there.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra Dark cabin like?

The 2025 facelift brought a new infotainment screen to the XC60, upsized from the previous 9.0 inches to 11.2in, still portrait-shape but now lifted away from the dashboard to appear more freestanding. Plus it wouldn't fit in the old hole anyway.

Volvo was one of the first brands to ditch physical buttons and throw almost all cabin controls into the infotainment screen. That's still the template for the XC60.

Volvo claims the new display is much sharper-looking with 21% higher pixel density and much quicker to respond thanks to a new Snapdragon processor. Yep, Volvo's family SUV is down with the latest tech, kids.

Volvo was one of the first brands to ditch physical buttons and throw almost all cabin controls into the infotainment screen, with the 2nd-generation (still-current) XC90 in 2015. That's still the template for the XC60.

It's all been refined over the years and it works pretty well in this model. The screen is still fairly small by 2026 standards (some might say elegant or appropriate), but the display does indeed look crisp and the layout is intuitive: there's a permanent dock at the bottom for vehicle settings and climate, but another "contextual" one above that, which changes according to what the car is doing and what shortcuts the system thinks you might need. Clever.

The XC60 was also famously the first car in the world to have a fully integrated Google Assistant. So you have access to the world of Google even if your phone is not tethered (ask it anything, go on). Sign in with your Google credentials and it can be fully personalised. 

The phone is paired in the conventional manner for calls of course, but unlike the first-gen models the XC60 now also has full Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, albeit with a cable. Much less need to use that for the Android people of course, although you might have projection-apps on your phone that aren't included in the Volvo OS.

The cabin architecture is old-school Volvo-elegant: minimalist with a beautiful blend of materials/textures. Hard to fault in luxury-car terms, really - but if we must, there's a lot of shiny trim bordering everything. We'll give a pass to the Orrefors crystal gear selector, though, which is cool and understated (take note, BMW).

There are various cabin trim options available. This car is the standard Nordico (non-leather) Charcoal, but you can option the same with Caramom highlights (brown, basically), full Nappa leather in Charcoal, or a mix of the same with Blond. The latter ($3700) keeps the dark trim for the dashboard but the console and upholstery are all-Blond and it's by far the best look for that shiny trim. And the best look generally; very Scandinavian.

The rear seats feel firm-ish compared to the excellently comfortable and supportive front chairs (it is a Volvo, after all), but special mention to the rear-occupant dual-zone climate control (with its own digital control unit) and high-set ventilation outlets. 

The XC60 also boasts the trad-Volvo integrated booster seats, which simply click up from the existing base.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra Dark like to drive?

The segment USP for the B5 Ultra is air suspension, which comes standard on this sub-$100k model (it's a $5k option on the $113k Audi Q5 TFSI, for context). Take a look under the cargo floor and you'll see not only some MHEV hardware mounted around the spare wheel, but also canisters for the suspension's pressurised air. It looks like a bit of a science experiment under there.

It's telling that the default setting is named Soft rather than Normal. The XC60 is a car unashamedly built for comfort and that's how it should be driven.

Anyway, the air suspension is configured in a very... Volvo way. It can lower the car for easier occupant exit when parked, or you can kneel the back down separately via a button in the boot, for loading.

Volvo is not big on drive modes generally, so there's none of the usual Eco/Normal/Sport sport biz for the powertrain and chassis; it just it what it is.

The air suspension is adaptive in normal driving, but you can opt for Soft or Firm via an infotainment menu (you can do the same with the steering, by the way), and there's also a separate Off Road setting (as if...) that raises the car by 40mm. 

It's telling that the default setting is named Soft rather than Normal. The XC60 is a car unashamedly built for comfort and that's how it should be driven. It's composed and perfectly capable rushing from A to B if you insist, but there's little to be gained from throwing it into tight corners: it leans on the outside-front wheel and loads up the steering, even in Firm mode. Just relax and enjoy the cabin ambience.

That's the vibe from the powertrain, too. The 2.0-litre MHEV is smooth in urban running and refined at speed, as long as it's not pressed too hard. But it's a bit vocal at high revs and in what's been a long-standing Volvo gearbox-calibration thing, the 8-speed transmission does not like to be surprised with sudden changes in throttle.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra Dark warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle is covered for 5 years/150,000km. Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km; Volvo NZ offers a 3-year scheduled servicing plan with unlimited kilometres.

On the whole: what do we think of the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra Dark?

The XC60's focus on comfort and refinement is a refreshing change of pace from most premium SUVs in this segment, which err on the side of sportiness. And for a luxury model, the Volvo feels pleasingly unpretentious, especially when you factor in those super-practical touches.

The powertrain and chassis aren't packed with character, but the MHEV tech can deliver reasonable thrift if you drive it appropriately (we averaged 7.8l/100km in a mixed week) and air suspension is a standout feature at this level.

The XC60 knows exactly what it wants to be: luxurious, calming and a cool way to get the kids around. As long as you're on board for that, you'll be very happy. 

Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra Dark FAQs

What kind of car is the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra?

A medium-sized luxury SUV.

Does the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra have hybrid or EV technology?

It's a 48-volt mild hybrid.

What’s the fuel economy of the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra?

It returns 8.6l/100km in the NZ 3P-WLTP protocol.

Is the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra safe?

The current XC60 has not been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. It carries a 5-star rating under NZ's VSRR protocol.

What safety and assistance features does the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra have?

What are the Volvo X60 B5 Ultra Dark's main rivals?

• Audi Q5 TFSI S line ($112,990): One of the German big-three in this segment; renewed last year.
• BMW X3 20 xDrive ($99,400): Another of that big-three, and also new last year.
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 ($102,200): Big-three etc, but the oldest of this bunch.
• Lexus NX 350h Premium ($98,700): The most logical rival for the XC60? It's all about luxury and quality.
• Porsche Macan T ($142,900): If you decide you to be sporty after all; but wow, it costs.