- Impressive range
- Premium specification
- Exceptional comfort
Volvo’s new EX60 combines impressive electric range with a premium interior, generous equipment and exceptional ride comfort to challenge established rivals.
Overview
Volvo has established itself as a major player in the premium SUV market, with the XC40, XC60 and XC90 all proving strong sellers against their German rivals. The EX60 is the latest step in that success story, taking the place of the XC60 as Volvo’s electric alternative in the premium mid-size SUV market.
It arrives at a time when buyers have plenty of choice, with the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX3 and Mercedes GLC all competing for attention. That means the EX60 needs to offer more than just an electric powertrain – it needs to deliver the quality, comfort and technology expected of a premium SUV.
Based on Volvo’s new SPA3 platform, the Volvo EX60 combines hardware and software into a single architecture, allowing the car to be developed through over-the-air updates.
For Volvo dealerships, its biggest selling points are likely to be its strong specification, premium cabin, impressive ride comfort and, particularly in the P12, a claimed range of more than 500 miles.
The styling is recognisably Volvo, although the EX60 sits lower and looks sleeker than the XC60. Inside, it feels considerably more spacious than its predecessor, with particularly generous rear-seat accommodation.
The minimalist cabin won’t appeal to everyone, but the quality of the materials and build is convincing. The standard heated and electrically adjustable seats are comfortable and supportive, while Volvo’s Nordico upholstery provides a convincing alternative to leather. Nappa leather is available as an option.
One area that may divide buyers is the steering wheel. Its unusually small, square design is a significant departure from Volvo’s traditionally conservative approach and feels rather at odds with the rest of the cabin.
Overall, though, the EX60 makes a strong first impression. It feels like a genuinely premium electric SUV rather than simply an electrified version of an existing model.
Pricing and spec
The Volvo EX60 range starts at £56,860 for the single-motor P6, making it more expensive than the entry-level BMW iX3 and Mercedes, although Volvo counters this with a generous standard specification.
There are two trim levels – Plus and Ultra – across three powertrain options.
The P6 develops 374PS and uses an 80kWh battery, with a claimed WLTP range of 379 miles. The dual-motor P10 costs just under £60,000 and combines 510PS with all-wheel drive and a 95kWh battery, giving up to 410 miles of range.
At the top of the range, costing £64,860, the P12 combines a 112kWh battery with 680PS and dual motors. It offers the headline attraction of a claimed 503-mile range, while its 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds gives it genuine performance-car pace.
The standard specification is one of the EX60’s strongest selling points. Plus models get matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control with self-steering, a 360-degree camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose sound system and ambient lighting.
Ultra – starting at £62,360 for the P6 – adds further luxury touches, including an electrochromic glass roof, ventilated front seats and a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
For retailers, that generous equipment list should make the Volvo EX60 relatively straightforward to position as a premium proposition without requiring customers to work through a lengthy list of expensive options.
Technology
The EX60 represents a significant change in direction for Volvo’s interior technology.
Gone is the brand’s familiar portrait-oriented central display, replaced by a 15-inch OLED landscape touchscreen. It runs Volvo’s latest operating system and incorporates Google services, while Google’s Gemini AI provides additional voice-control functionality.
The interface is simpler than previous Volvo systems, with key functions easier to access. Smartphone integration is also standard through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There are some compromises to the minimalist approach. Physical controls are scarce, with much of the car’s functionality being accessed through the touchscreen. Even the door mirrors and steering column are adjusted through the screen rather than conventional controls.
The EX60 also dispenses with a traditional key, using a proximity-sensing system with either a key tag or paired smartphone.
The digital instrument display sits ahead of the driver and Volvo describes it as operating in a similar way to a head-up display. In practice, however, it doesn’t feel as revolutionary as the concept suggests.
For buyers who like technology, there is plenty to explore, but those who prefer conventional controls may need some time to adapt.
Safety
Safety remains one of Volvo’s strongest selling points and the EX60 continues that tradition with an impressive array of technology.
A key innovation is Volvo’s new multi-adaptive front seatbelts, which can assess an occupant’s weight and size and adjust the belt force accordingly.
There are also systems designed to help the driver regain control if the car leaves the road, alongside a range of collision-avoidance technology designed to help protect occupants and other road users.
The standard 360-degree camera should also prove useful when manoeuvring the relatively substantial SUV in tight spaces.
For retailers, Volvo’s established reputation for safety remains an important part of the EX60’s appeal, particularly among buyers who may be moving into an electric SUV for the first time.
Driving Experience
The Volvo EX60 range offers a choice of three powertrains, with the single-motor P6 likely to provide more than enough performance for most buyers.
Its 374PS output gives a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds, while the P10 increases output to 510PS and adds all-wheel drive.
The P12 takes things considerably further, with 680PS and a 0-62mph time of just 3.9 seconds. Its combination of performance and more than 500 miles of claimed range makes it the flagship of the range.
All versions use an 800-volt electrical architecture and can charge from 10-80% in less than 20 minutes.
Our driving experience was in the P10, which, along with the P12, gets Volvo’s adaptive 4C dampers as standard. They are a major strength of the car.
Ride quality is exceptional. The EX60 deals with potholes and bumps with impressive composure, while body roll is well controlled. Three suspension settings – soft, normal and firm – allow the driver to alter the character of the car, although even the firmest setting remains notably comfortable.
The steering is light and quick, giving the EX60 an agile feel for a car of this size, while power delivery is smooth and effortless.
Braking performance is strong, although there is slightly less pedal feel than we’d ideally like when first applying the brakes.
Our testing returned 3.6 miles per kWh, suggesting a real-world range of around 330 miles in the P10. That is close to the figure achieved from the BMW iX3 50 in similar conditions.
The P6 should be even more efficient, with an expected 4.0 miles per kWh potentially giving it a real-world range of around 320 miles.
Practicality
Despite its sleeker appearance, the EX60 is a very practical SUV.
There’s generous passenger space, particularly in the rear, while the lower seating position compared with a traditional SUV doesn’t compromise visibility or comfort.
The boot provides 523 litres of capacity, supplemented by a further 58 litres beneath the bonnet. That’s competitive within the class, although the Tesla Model Y offers more space.
The cabin also makes good use of storage space, with a sizeable area between the front seats, a pop-out cupholder and a large glovebox positioned below the infotainment screen and wireless phone charger.
The combination of strong passenger space, useful luggage capacity and a premium, comfortable interior means the EX60 should appeal to buyers looking for an electric SUV that can perform everyday family duties without sacrificing refinement.
For Volvo dealers, that could be one of its biggest strengths. The EX60 doesn’t rely solely on its electric credentials to sell it – it is a capable, comfortable and well-equipped premium SUV in its own right.
