Volvo’s Quiet Powerplay

Subtle on the outside, seriously advanced underneath – Volvo’s EX60 wants to redefine the everyday electric SUV, writes James Stinson

Volvo is calling the new EX60 its most important electric model to date – and for once, the marketing hyperbole might not be far off. Unveiled in Stockholm in January, the allelectric, fiveseat SUV enters what is now the world’s most competitive EV segment, slotting between the compact EX30 and the flagship EX90.

With rivals from BMW, Audi and Mercedes circling, Volvo must deliver something genuinely compelling. On paper at least, the EX60 does just that, promising classleading range, blisteringly fast charging and a calmer, more sophisticated take on Scandinavian luxury.

At the heart of this new SUV is Volvo’s SPA3 dedicated electric platform, a fresh architecture built around a structural battery pack and featuring weightsaving “megacasting” — a process that replaces hundreds of smaller components with large aluminium sections, improving rigidity while cutting waste. Volvo says this helps give the EX60 the lowest carbon footprint of any Volvo EV to date, matching even the much smaller EX30.

The headline numbers, however, are what will turn most heads. In its longestrange P12 AWD configuration, the EX60 can manage up to 503 miles on a single charge, a figure that eclipses not only its stablemates but also many premium competitors. Even the more modest P10 AWD claims around 410 miles, while the rearwheeldrive P6 delivers up to 385 miles. Volvo pairs this with ultrarapid charging: the EX60 can add up to 211 miles in just ten minutes using a 400 kW charger – assuming, of course, that you can find one.

Performance is equally confident. The P12 AWD variant pushes out 670bhp, good for a 0-60 mph sprint in under four seconds, while the more balanced P10 AWD offers 503bhp and slightly softened responses for everyday use. Even the entry P6 RWD serves up a muscular 369bhp, making this a stronger performer than many mainstream rivals.

Visually, the EX60 is unmistakably a Volvo: clean surfaces, softened edges, and the now iconic Thor’s Hammer lighting signatures.

Inside, the EX60 showcases Volvo’s new “softwaredefined” cabin philosophy. Gone is the upright touchscreen; in its place sits a more integrated digital layout running an updated Android Automotive OS. A new AIpowered assistant and cleaner instrument graphics reflect Volvo’s techforward direction, without overwhelming the simple, Scandinavian aesthetic that existing owners value.

That said, the EX60 is not without imperfections. Despite being marketed as a mainstream premium EV, pricing from around £56,000 puts it squarely in competition with strong German rivals offering similar performance and longerestablished EV families.

Still, the broader picture is one of confidence. The EX60 is roomy, refined and deeply considered – exactly the sort of smart, elegant EV Volvo needs. Beneath its quietly sculpted exterior sits some of the brand’s most advanced engineering yet, and its mix of range, safety tech and understated charm ensures it will be a serious contender in one of the sector’s most competitive segments.