2026 Volvo XC60: Advanced Safety and Connected Technology

The 2026 Volvo XC60 continues its position as Volvo's best-selling SUV globally, combining practical mid-size dimensions with advanced safety systems and integrated technology. For drivers in Hamilton and throughout Ontario, the XC60 delivers a five-seat layout equipped with the latest iteration of Volvo's protective and preventive safety features alongside Google built-in connectivity.

This mid-size SUV balances capability with efficiency through two powertrain options: the B5 mild hybrid with all-wheel drive, and the T8 plug-in hybrid that offers electric-only driving for shorter trips. Both configurations include Volvo's comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies designed to reduce collision risk and support driver awareness.

Safety Architecture: Protection Before and During Impact

Volvo's approach to vehicle safety operates on two levels: preventing collisions before they occur, and protecting occupants when impacts cannot be avoided.

Structural Protection

The XC60's passenger compartment uses high-strength steel in strategic locations to create a rigid safety cage. This structure maintains its integrity during collisions, preserving space for occupants while controlled deformation zones at the front and rear absorb impact energy.

Safety belts throughout the vehicle include pre-tensioners that tighten in detected collision situations, reducing occupant movement before impact. The whiplash protection system in the front seats includes headrests designed to support the head and neck during rear-end collisions.

Seven airbags provide coverage across multiple impact scenarios:

• Dual-stage front airbags for driver and passenger
• Side-impact airbags for front occupants
• Inflatable curtain airbags covering all three seating rows
• Driver knee airbag

The ISOFIX mounting points in the rear seat accommodate child safety seats with standardized attachment points, and the power child safety lock prevents rear doors from opening from inside the vehicle.

Collision Avoidance Systems

The XC60 includes multiple systems designed to detect potential collisions and either alert the driver or intervene with automatic braking and steering corrections.

Forward Collision Warning with Auto Brake

Radar and camera sensors continuously monitor the area ahead of the XC60, tracking vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals. The system operates during both day and night conditions, adjusting detection algorithms based on lighting and weather.

When the system detects a potential collision, it provides visual and audible warnings to alert the driver. If the driver does not respond and a collision appears imminent, the system applies automatic emergency braking. This intervention can reduce collision speed or, in some situations, avoid the collision entirely.

The system includes specific detection algorithms for:

• Vehicles in the same lane ahead
• Pedestrians crossing the road or walking along the roadside
• Cyclists travelling in the same or adjacent lanes
• Large animals such as moose and deer

Oncoming Lane Mitigation

When making left turns across traffic, the XC60's oncoming lane mitigation system monitors approaching vehicles. If the system detects insufficient gap time for completing the turn safely, it can apply automatic braking to prevent the vehicle from entering the path of oncoming traffic.

This system addresses a common collision scenario at intersections and driveways where driver visibility or judgment errors can lead to serious impacts with oncoming vehicles.

Lane Keeping Aid and Run-Off Road Mitigation

Two related systems help maintain proper lane positioning and prevent unintended departures from paved surfaces.

Lane keeping aid detects when the XC60 begins drifting from its lane without the turn signal activated. The system provides gentle steering corrections to guide the vehicle back toward the centre of the lane. This intervention operates subtly, allowing the driver to override the correction by applying steering input.

Run-off road mitigation expands this capability by detecting when the vehicle is about to leave the paved roadway entirely. The system applies steering corrections and, if necessary, braking force to help keep the vehicle on the road surface.

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)

BLIS monitors the areas alongside and slightly behind the XC60 where vehicles may not be visible in the side mirrors. When another vehicle occupies these blind spot zones, BLIS illuminates an indicator light in the corresponding side mirror.

If the driver activates the turn signal while another vehicle occupies the blind spot, BLIS provides additional warnings and can apply subtle steering corrections to help maintain safe lane positioning. This intervention operates gently enough that drivers can override it when necessary, such as during emergency lane changes.

Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake

When reversing from parking spaces or driveways with limited visibility, cross traffic alert monitors for approaching vehicles from either side. The system uses radar sensors that can detect vehicles even when the driver's view is blocked by adjacent parked vehicles or structures.

If the system detects an approaching vehicle while the XC60 is in reverse, it provides warnings through the dashboard display and audio alerts. If the driver does not respond and a collision appears likely, the system applies automatic braking to reduce impact speed or prevent the collision.

Driver Assistance Features

Beyond collision avoidance, the XC60 includes systems that reduce driver workload during routine driving tasks.

Pilot Assist

Pilot Assist combines adaptive cruise control with lane centring steering assistance. On highways with clear lane markings, the system maintains a set speed and following distance from vehicles ahead while providing gentle steering inputs to help keep the XC60 centred in its lane.

The system operates between 0 and 180 km/h, making it functional in both highway and stop-and-go traffic conditions. Pilot Assist requires the driver to keep hands on the steering wheel and remain attentive, as it provides assistance rather than autonomous driving capability.

Adaptive Cruise Control

The adaptive cruise control system adjusts the XC60's speed automatically to maintain a selected following distance from vehicles ahead. When traffic slows, the system reduces speed accordingly. When the road ahead clears, the system accelerates back to the set cruising speed.

In stop-and-go traffic, the system can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and automatically resume motion when traffic moves forward, reducing the need for constant brake and accelerator adjustments during congested commutes.

Park Assist

The XC60 includes front, rear, and side parking sensors that detect obstacles around the vehicle during low-speed manoeuvres. An optional 360-degree camera system provides a bird's-eye view of the area surrounding the vehicle, with dynamic guidelines that adjust based on steering input.

These systems help drivers navigate tight parking spaces and avoid low obstacles that may not be visible from the driver's seat.

Google Built-in: Integrated Connectivity

The XC60 includes Google built-in services integrated directly into the vehicle's infotainment system. This integration operates independently of smartphone connectivity, providing always-available access to navigation, voice assistance, and compatible applications.

Google Maps

Navigation through Google Maps provides real-time traffic information, automatic rerouting around congestion, and detailed point-of-interest data. The system displays directions on both the central touchscreen and the 12.3-inch digital driver display, keeping route guidance visible without requiring drivers to look away from the road.

Google Maps receives regular updates through the vehicle's data connection, ensuring map accuracy without requiring manual downloads or updates from the driver.

Google Assistant

Voice commands through Google Assistant allow drivers to control various vehicle functions, request navigation directions, make phone calls, adjust climate settings, and access compatible media services without removing hands from the steering wheel.

The system responds to the wake phrase "Hey Google" and processes commands through natural language recognition, allowing conversational requests rather than requiring specific command syntax.

Google Play

The Google Play store integration provides access to compatible applications designed for automotive use. Available apps include media streaming services, audio content providers, and other utilities that operate through the vehicle's touchscreen interface.

Volvo includes four years of data service with new vehicles, covering all data requirements for navigation, voice assistance, and application use. After this period, the service can be extended through subscription.

Digital Services and Remote Features

The Volvo Cars app provides remote access to several XC60 functions:

• Remote locking and unlocking
• Cabin pre-conditioning (heating or cooling before entry)
• Charge status monitoring (T8 models)
• Vehicle location services
• Service appointment scheduling

These remote services operate through the vehicle's integrated connectivity and require the Digital Services package, which includes four years of access with new vehicles.

Air Quality System

The XC60's air quality system includes an advanced air purifier designed to filter incoming air before it enters the cabin. The system targets PM 2.5 particles, filtering up to 95 percent of these fine particulates that can affect respiratory health.

The air purifier operates automatically, activating when the vehicle detects elevated particle levels in outside air. Drivers can also trigger the system manually through the climate control menu.

A pollen filter provides additional protection against allergens, and the system displays current air quality information on the touchscreen, showing both exterior conditions and cabin air quality measurements.

Remote Cabin Pre-Cleaning

Through the Volvo Cars app, drivers can activate remote cabin pre-cleaning before entering the vehicle. This function runs the ventilation system at high capacity while using the air purifier to cycle cabin air, reducing accumulated particles and odours before the drive begins.

This feature proves useful after the vehicle has been parked in high-traffic areas or during periods of elevated pollen counts.

Head-Up Display

The optional head-up display projects key driving information onto the lower portion of the windshield, positioning data within the driver's natural sightline. Displayed information includes:

• Current speed
• Speed limit information
• Turn-by-turn navigation instructions
• Adaptive cruise control status and following distance
• Traffic sign recognition

The display brightness adjusts automatically based on ambient light conditions, and drivers can customize which information appears on the head-up display through the vehicle settings menu.

Audio System Integration

Three audio system options integrate with the XC60's technology interface:

• High Performance: 10 speakers, 220W output
• Harman Kardon Premium Sound: 14 speakers, 600W output with air-ventilated subwoofer
• Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity: 15 speakers, 1,410W output with fresh air subwoofer and Room Transformation technology

All systems connect to media sources through Bluetooth, USB connections, or compatible streaming services accessed through Google Play.

XC60 Powertrain Options

B5 Mild Hybrid AWD

The B5 configuration uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A 48-volt mild hybrid system with integrated starter generator assists the engine during acceleration and recovers energy during braking.

Fuel economy measures 10.0 L/100 km city, 7.8 L/100 km highway, and 9.0 L/100 km combined.

T8 Plug-in Hybrid AWD

The T8 adds an electric motor to create a combined output of 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The 18.8 kWh battery pack enables up to 58 kilometres of electric-only range, and the system achieves 8.5 L/100 km combined fuel consumption in hybrid mode.

Charging takes approximately 5 hours using a 16-amp connection.

Dimensions and Cargo Capacity

The XC60 measures 4,708 mm long, 1,902 mm wide, and 1,655 mm tall (B5) or 1,651 mm tall (T8). Ground clearance reaches 209 mm for the B5 and 200 mm for the T8.

Cargo space provides:

• 613 litres with rear seats up (B5) or 588 litres (T8)
• 1,410 litres with rear seats folded (B5) or 1,395 litres (T8)

Maximum towing capacity reaches 1,580 kg when properly equipped.

Learn More at Volvo Cars Hamilton

The 2026 Volvo XC60 combines Volvo's safety expertise with current connectivity technology, creating a mid-size SUV that supports driver awareness through multiple assistance systems. Visit Volvo Cars Hamilton in Hamilton to experience the XC60's safety features, test the Google built-in interface, and explore how the B5 and T8 powertrains suit different driving needs.