Introduced in 2008, the XC60 has been Volvo's best selling car since 2009.

The XC60 concept was a preview of the production XC60. It included a glass roof and a newly styled grille, with a much larger Volvo logo along with the 'V' which is shaped on the Volvo, this was the first of Volvo's new 'DNA' which they are slowly implementing throughout the model range.

The XC60 concept also included a new shifting mechanism, electronic bootlid, and 20 inch wheels.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

The production vehicle was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Sales began in Europe in the third quarter of 2008. North American models went on sale in early 2009 as a 2010 model.

The XC60 shares technology with the Land Rover Freelander of 2007, using a modified version of the Volvo Y20 platform.

In April 2010, an R-Design variant of the XC60 became available, featuring a color-matching body kit, stiffer chassis and damping, and other unique exterior/interior trim.

The Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid concept was unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

The XC60 also introduced a new technology feature that Volvo has named City safety.

In February 2013, Volvo debuted a refreshed version of the XC60, to be released for the 2014 model year.