Volvo is refreshing two of its best-known SUVs with a focus on electric driving and in-car tech. The 2028 XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrid models are getting bigger batteries, which should extend their battery-only range compared with previous versions. The update also brings new infotainment systems, and Ars Technica reports that Gemini will be onboard.
This is a notable update because it touches both the powertrain and the software experience in one move. For a brand that has long emphasized practicality and safety, improving electric range while also modernizing the cabin interface is a logical way to keep two popular SUVs competitive. The refreshed models are not being presented as all-new vehicles, but the battery and infotainment changes still make the update significant.
Longer electric range for the XC60 and XC90
The biggest change in the refresh is the battery upgrade. According to the supplied reporting, Volvo is increasing the batteries for both the XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrid models. The Verge says these updated versions are being positioned as Volvo’s first long-range plug-in hybrids, with preliminary EPA-based figures of 78 miles for the XC60 and 73 miles for the XC90.
That range matters because plug-in hybrid electric vehicles often spend a lot of time in a narrow band of electric capability. The supplied material notes that many PHEVs today average around 30 to 50 miles of battery-only driving range. Against that backdrop, Volvo’s updated numbers would place the XC60 and XC90 well above the typical PHEV range seen in the market today.
In other words, the refresh is designed to make the vehicles more useful for everyday electric driving. More battery-only range can reduce how often a driver needs to rely on the gasoline engine, especially during routine commuting or short trips. While the reporting does not go beyond the supplied figures, the implication is that Volvo is aiming to make the electric part of these plug-in hybrids more central to the ownership experience.
The specific figures also matter because the supplied reporting says they are preliminary and based on EPA testing standards. That means the numbers should be understood as early estimates rather than final consumer-ready ratings. Even so, the size of the jump relative to the average PHEV range is what makes the update stand out.
New infotainment systems with Gemini onboard
Volvo’s refresh is not only about batteries. Ars Technica reports that the updated SUVs also receive new infotainment systems. The reporting specifically mentions Gemini onboard, indicating that Volvo is pairing the plug-in hybrid update with a more modern in-car software experience.
That combination of expanded electric range and updated infotainment suggests Volvo is trying to improve both the efficiency side of the vehicle and the day-to-day interface drivers use most often. In practice, that means the refresh is aimed at the battery hardware and the digital cockpit at the same time.
For many buyers, the infotainment system is one of the most visible parts of a vehicle upgrade. It shapes navigation, media, connectivity, and the general feel of the cabin. By including Gemini onboard in the refreshed XC60 and XC90, Volvo is signaling that the update is not just about what happens under the floor of the vehicle, but also about how the driver interacts with it every day.
That matters because the best plug-in hybrid experience is usually a blend of efficiency and convenience. A longer-range battery helps on the road, while a more capable infotainment system helps in the cabin. The supplied reporting points to Volvo addressing both sides of that equation in the 2028 refresh.
What the update means for Volvo’s plug-in lineup
The supplied reporting frames the XC60 and XC90 refresh as a notable step for Volvo’s plug-in hybrid strategy. If the preliminary figures hold, these SUVs would stand out among PHEVs for their electric-only capability. The Verge notes that the figures are still preliminary and based on EPA testing standards, so the final numbers could change before the vehicles reach consumers.
Even with that caveat, the direction is clear. Volvo is using the 2028 refresh to push its plug-in hybrids toward longer electric operation, while also introducing a new infotainment setup. For buyers who care about time spent on battery power and an updated cabin tech experience, the XC60 and XC90 changes are central to the story.
The update also gives Volvo a clearer message in a crowded segment. Plug-in hybrids often compete on efficiency, range, and ease of use, and the supplied reporting suggests Volvo is leaning hard into all three by increasing battery capacity and modernizing the interface. That makes the refreshed SUVs easier to describe not just as updated versions, but as a more ambitious version of the same basic formula.
Conclusion
Volvo’s updated XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids are arriving with two major themes: bigger batteries and newer software. The reported range gains would give both SUVs a much stronger electric-only profile than the average PHEV, while the new infotainment systems with Gemini onboard show that Volvo is also reshaping the in-car experience. Together, the changes make the 2028 refresh an important update for two of the brand’s most recognizable SUVs.