VOLVO: FROM ROAD TO RUGGED, AND BACK AGAIN

To any careful observer, a curious trend reversal has become apparent in the design of today’s cars: conventional vehicles are striving to look more like SUVs, while SUVs themselves are becoming increasingly car-like. This contrast is impossible to ignore when looking at the latest developments from Volvo: the EX30 Cross Country and the refreshed XC60. The EX30 takes a bold step toward true off-road territory, part of the brand’s DNA since the 1990s, when Volvo introduced the V70 XC (later XC70), the very origin of the cross country movement. A philosophy that eventually shaped nearly all of the brand’s non-SUV models.

Announced alongside the car’s original debut in 2023, the new “XC” variant adds a welcome dose of character: the ride height is raised by 25 mm, the grille and rear panel are finished in black with a topographic map graphic in front, and the wheel arch and rocker trim gain protective, scratch-resistant cladding. Offered exclusively in Awd dual-motor configuration, the EX30 Cross Country rounds out the lineup with Volvo’s first all-electric vehicle designed for true off-road adventures.

For the XC60—the direct descendant of those early cross country pioneers, and now Volvo’s best-selling model of all time, surpassing even the legendary 240 series—the direction goes the other way. A subtle Model Year 2026 update introduces a new oblique-bar grille that echoes the brand’s classic radiator design and emblem, while all trim levels now lean into elegance and refinement. New body-colored details bring a more curated feel, paired with a broader palette that includes Forest Lake, Aurora Silver, and a new deep Mulberry Red. Inside, upholstery materials have been upgraded with the addition of Quilted Nordico and Navy Herringbone Weave among the available finishes. Most notably, the infotainment system has been overhauled with a new 11.2-inch display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-based operating system—faster, sharper, and more intuitive than ever.