The 2026 Volvo XC60 embodies the awesomeness of their 850 Estate that they entered in the British Touring Car Championship. The unsuspecting Volvo has definitely been the surprise of the year for me.

Starting with the outside, the Forest Lake color gives off a grey green color that really comes to life in the sun. The black accents on the grilles, mirrors, and window framing, helped with the unsuspecting theme of this Volvo XC60. I was loving the optional 21” wheels that they label as the 5-V spoke. The side profile has to be my favorite design, since it has like a CUV/wagon/hatchback vibe that gives it a unique shape.

On the inside, I was greeted by their blond perforated Nappa Leather. I’m usually not a fan of lighter colored interiors, but it made the interior feel light and spacious. You’ll want to opt for the massage option, because I was relaxed every time I drove. I was a little disappointed in the lack of options for the digital gauge cluster that offered a map or no map views. The other disappointment came in the form of only a wired Apple CarPlay. The Bowers & Wilkins premium sound did redeem the infotainment by delivering a great quality sound. The center of attention was definitely the Crystal Geartronic Gearshifter by Orrefors.

Under the hood, the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid engine was delivering an astonishing 455 horsepower and 523 lb.-ft. of torque! The 8-speed auto and AWD system were in charge of receiving and delivering that power. I applaud Volvo for being able to offer such an incredible everyday drivability, with that much available power. I was glad to see that the Volvo has the option to control the usage of the electric power, whether you want to be full electric, gas only, or use the engine to charge the battery.

Overall, my family and I were surprised with how incredibly subtle the 2026 Volvo XC60 was at its excellence. Volvo is now on my radar for a future vehicle, but will be a challenge when this had a tested price tag of $79,395.