---

With a reputation for boxy styling, brown paint, and a general association with geography teachers fading far into the company’s history, Volvo has been working hard to develop a new reputation as an electric-focused brand with a European namesake.

Originally planning to offer an all-electric lineup by 2030, Volvo now plans for 90-100 per cent of its vehicles to be either dedicated electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids, with the remaining 0-10 per cent of vehicles being mild-hybrids. 

It is unlikely that Volvo will ever develop a new dedicated-combustion vehicle platform. In light of unstable EV sales, many outgoing mild-hybrid Volvo cars will receive a cosmetic and/or technological overhaul for a 2025 and beyond re-release. 

Evidently, Volvo is hoping to secure interim MHEV sales whilst the global market composes itself, and accepts the brand’s electric offerings with open arms. 

XC90 – Facelift

Vehicle type: Large premium SUV, MHEV / PHEV
Launch: May 2025

Volvo has confirmed its large flagship SUV, the XC90, will receive a substantial facelift in May 2025. 

Volvo’s comprehensive facelift covers both the interior and exterior of the XC90, with key upgrades including EX90 inspired exterior styling, a new 11.2-inch central touchscreen, and vertical air vents which adorn an overhauled horizontal dashboard.

The XC90 also receives new standard equipment, along with adaptive dampers and optional air suspension that automatically adjusts vehicle ride height to suit driving conditions. 

The air suspension has a maximum travel of 40mm up or 20mm down.

The facelifted Volvo XC90 will continue to be offered in three variants: The base model B5 MHEV, mid-spec B6 MHEV, or the range-topping T8 PHEV – which offers around 70km (WLTP) of EV-only driving range. 

Expected pricing to range between $100,000 – $130,000 based on current MSRP for outgoing models. 

Read more: Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV review
Watch: Still The Greatest Family SUV! (Volvo XC90 Hybrid review)

Volvo XC60 – Refresh / facelift

Vehicle type: Midsize SUV, MHEV / PHEV

Launch: August / September 2025

Volvo has revealed its global best-seller, the XC60, will be receiving a comprehensive upgrade to both its exterior styling and interior design.

Rather than building a new ‘ground up’ XC60, the model coming will be a heavily revised version of the current generation, which was launched globally in 2017. 

The 2026 facelift of the Volvo XC60 features new front and rear bumper bars, a new grille akin to the XC90 facelift and electric EX60 and EX90 models, and three new colours: Forest Lake (a heavily muted green), Aurora Silver and Mulberry Red.

Inside, the XC60 gains new cupholders, and an upsized 11.2-inch infotainment screen (previously 9.0-inches) which promises faster processing and better graphics.

Keen-eyed readers will note that this second-generation XC60 has already undergone one makeover in 2021. The main changes were to the infotainment system and various cosmetics.

The upcoming facelift will aim to keep  the XC60 competitive against premium mid-size SUV rivals, primarily the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLA, Mazda CX-60 and more.

Read more: Volvo XC60 Ultimate B5 Bright 2024 review

Volvo ES90 – new model

Vehicle type: Large premium lift-back sedan, electric

Launch: Late 2025

Australia’s large sedan market is a far cry from the once incessant sales of the Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore and Toyota Camry. Largely overshadowed by the growing SUV market (57 per cent), sedan sales made up just 11.6 per cent of sales in 2024.

But Volvo believes its new ES90 dedicated electric large sedan still has its place on the showroom floor. Its secret? It’s barely a sedan at all. The ES90 has design elements of both SUV and hatchback, with a five-door ‘liftback’ design straight from the early 90’s.

The five-metre long ES90 uses Volvo’s outgoing ‘SPA2’ 800 volt electronic architecture, and is expected to launch in three trim grades: 

A base model 245kW/480Nm RWD, with 88 usable kWh NCM battery, 650km WLTP range and 20 minute 10-80 time, mid-spec 330kW/670Nm AWD with 102kWh NCM battery and 700km WLTP range, and range topping 500kW/870Nm AWD performance.

The ES90’s largest rivals in Australia will be the $155,900 BMW i5 and $135,200 Mercedes-Benz EQE. In the UK, the base model ES90 costs £69,150, which translates to approximately AUD$140,000, but pricing will likely vary locally.

EX30 Cross Country – Unique model variant

Vehicle type: Small off-road focused SUV, electric

Launch: August 2025

Volvo’s compact electric SUV – the EX30, will gain raised suspension, all-wheel drive, and optional all-terrain 18-inch tyres in the signature ‘Cross Country’ trim. 

Built around a distinctive and quintessentially Swedish design brief, Volvo claims the EX30 CC is the perfect car to explore the unique forests and ice lakes of Luleå. 

Volvo claims a combined range of 427km WLTP for its off-road focused EX30 CC. An impressive feat for a dual motor, all-wheel drive powertrain which boasts 315kW and 543Nm. 

The EX30 CC uses a 65 kWh usable NMC battery. Combined consumption is quoted as 15kWh/100km, with a rapid 158kW DC charge expected to take 28 minutes.

Read more: Volvo EX30 2024 review

Volvo EX60 – new model

Vehicle type: Midsize SUV, electric

Launch: 2026

The Volvo EX60 certainly has a difficult act to follow. Volvo originally intended the EX60 to entirely replace its best-selling XC60, and serve as the Swedish brand’s new luxury midsize SUV. 

Recently, global appetites towards EVs have slowed, and Volvo’s pledge to electrification has lost some of its initial bite. Volvo now plans to market the EX60 alongside the XC60 as a midsize EV SUV which slots between fellow EX40 and EX90 electrics.

We anticipate Volvo’s EX60 to launch around Q3 or Q4 2026, with an Australian launch to follow in early 2027. Its biggest rivals will be the Tesla Model Y and Audi Q6 e-tron.

At large, the Volvo EX60’s powertrain remains a mystery. What is known is that the EX60 will premiere a new ‘SPA3’ modular electronic architecture platform. SPA3 will also serve as the underpinning of two additional unconfirmed models slated for 2027.

Volvo has additionally revealed what kind of seatbelt the EX60 will use. In a recent press release, Volvo proudly detailed its new AI adaptive seatbelts, which will debut on the EX60 and be fit to all future Volvo models.

Read more: Seatbelt safety breakthrough: Volvo’s new software updateable belts to debut on EX60 electric SUV

Unconfirmed for Australia

Volvo EM90 – new model

Vehicle type: Premium people mover, electric

Launch: Unconfirmed

The Volvo EM90 serves as a reminder that the Swedish company is now owned by China’s Geely. It bears a striking resemblance to the Zeekr 009, which is also nested under the Geely parent brand. 

In the Chinese market, the EM90 features a 200kW rear electric motor and 116kWh battery which can fast charge from 10-80 percent in 30 minutes. 

Despite its 2763kg kerb weight, Volvo claims the EM90 has a range of 738km, though admittedly measured on the far from reality CLTC testing standard. 

Other headlining features of the EM90 include a six seat ‘captains chairs’ interior, 21-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system, 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, and Volvo’s premium “Thor’s Hammer’ front LED headlights. 

Australia’s market for chauffeur driven luxury people movers is microscopic compared to that in China. Being that the $135,900 Zeekr 009 sells around 7 units per month, it seems highly unlikely that its Volvo EM90 twin will ever see Aussie showrooms.

Volvo XC70 – new model

Vehicle type: medium-large SUV, PHEV

Launch: Unconfirmed

Gone are the days of the quirky, off-road focused and unapologetic wagon. Volvo’s newly revealed XC70 is a plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV with an impressive 200km (CLTC) of EV driving range. 

Volvo’s new XC70 is built on an all-new ‘Scalable Modular Architecture’ platform, which centralises around extended range plug-in hybrid architecture. CEO Håkan Samuelsson claims the platform is an “attractive alternative to customers who are not yet ready for fully electric cars.”

Details surrounding the combustion-engine component of the XC70 have not yet been revealed. It will likely be a variant of Volvo’s B4204T turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, seen in the XC60 and XC90.

Currently, Volvo intends to market the new XC70 exclusively to the Chinese market, with initial orders to be taken at the end of the year. Volvo claims it is “exploring potential additional markets at a later stage.”