Arguably Volvo’s most important launch of the decade, the EX60 is the brand’s mid-size electric SUV, targeting the heart of an automotive segment that has recently picked up steam with a host of new entrants. Roughly the same size as its combustion- and hybrid-powered XC60 stablemate, the EX60 adopts the chic styling of its larger EX90 sibling, along with a similarly minimalist interior and a generous helping of Scandinavian luxury. Competitively priced at $77,500 for the EX60 Plus and $84,000 for the EX60 Ultra, it goes head-to-head with the BMW iX3 50 xDrive ($75,900), Audi Q6 e-tron ($81,000), and Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 electric ($78,400).
Regardless of trim, the EX60 comes generously equipped, with a 95 kWh lithium-ion battery, dual electric motors, standard all-wheel drive, and a combined output of 503 hp and 524 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to propel this family-sized SUV from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. Oddly enough, that’s quicker than the BMW iX3 50 (4.9 s), Audi Q6 e-tron (5.1 s), and Porsche Macan 4 Electric (5.2 s). Whoever bet on the Volvo being the quickest deserves a plate of IKEA meatballs. Range is respectable too, with the EX60 claiming up to 531 km on 20- or 21-inch all-season tires, but dropping to 502 km with the optional 22s. Our own testing yielded a more conservative 465 km on the larger wheels and Pirelli Scorpion MS rubber, although this was during single-digit Canadian autumn weather.
While we didn’t anticipate the speed, we certainly anticipated the ride comfort, and the EX60 provides a wonderfully soft, cloud-like experience that makes the iX3 and Macan feel wooden and overly firm by comparison. We drove the Volvo immediately after stepping out of the BMW, and the transition felt like trading a pair of New Balance runners for a set of fluffy white slippers. For such a heavy SUV, let alone an EV, the EX60 manages vertical oscillations with remarkable composure, soaking up even the nastiest bumps and potholes with the grace of an S-Class.
Volvo clearly prioritized a calm and collected drive over the engagement and driver involvement of its German counterparts. The EX60 is more reluctant to rotate, and any semblance of cornering agility quickly disappears when you start carrying speed into a bend. There’s also a noticeable lack of body control when pushing it through faster corners, but that won’t concern its target audience, nor us, for that matter. Dial back the pace, put on your slippers, crank up the fantastic Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system, and let the EX60’s serene ride and driver-assistance systems do the heavy lifting. That’s the EX60 experience.
Stepping inside feels like being ushered into a five-star hotel suite. Gentle shapes, soothing colours, and soft-touch materials give the cabin an unmistakable sense of warmth and tranquillity. It’s the sort of environment where you actually want to spend time, almost like one of those hyperbaric ASMR chambers. For the globetrotters and jetsetters, if these electric SUVs were hotels, the BMW iX3 would be the swanky and youthful W Hotel, the Porsche Macan would be the dependable and familiar Four Seasons, and the EX60 would be the Park Hyatt with its more understated and intimate approach to quiet luxury.
The first point of contention will likely be its unusually small steering wheel, which is flat across both the top and bottom, and reminds us of the Nissan Sentra’s. Like the BMW iX3, Lincoln Nautilus, and Subaru Solterra, the unconventional shape is intended to provide an unobstructed view of the digital displays behind it. It takes some getting used to, but the arrangement generally works well. The smaller wheel also gives the EX60 a surprisingly nimble feel when turning, while the integrated switchgear thankfully relies on physical buttons rather than fiddly haptic controls.
Materials are predominantly matte and feel suitably premium, and the cabin is considerably cleaner and less visually cluttered than its German rivals. We’re particularly glad Volvo has brought back the use of crystal for the volume knob, with wood trim and recycled materials scattered elsewhere, reinforcing the EX60’s distinctly Scandinavian, sustainability-minded character.
Volvo has also been quick to address some of the functionality criticisms levelled at the EX30 and EX90. There are now dedicated switches for each window, although drivers must still navigate the touchscreen to adjust the steering column and side mirrors. Opening the rear tailgate is another function that requires a trip through the display. That said, we’re pleased to see Volvo carry over the clever centre-console arrangement from the EX30, complete with hideaway cubbies and a generously sized centre tunnel capable of swallowing large backpacks, purses, and other everyday essentials.
These thoughtful improvements to storage and everyday usability help offset a few minor technological annoyances. Satellite radio occasionally drops out without warning, while Apple CarPlay connectivity can be inconsistent. And even after a solid week behind the wheel, we’re still not entirely accustomed to reaching for the slim door handles that protrude just below the windowsill, much like those on the Ford Mustang Mach-E. They contribute to a sleeker, more aerodynamic exterior profile, but leave the doors looking somewhat naked. We’re not entirely convinced they’re preferable to the finicky pop-out handles found on the Range Rover, iX3, and GLC, either.
Despite a handful of ergonomic and technological quirks, the EX60 is a compelling showcase of what Volvo does best. It combines a wonderfully plush ride with surprising straight-line performance and respectable road manners, while pampering occupants with soft textures, five-star hotel-grade comfort, and understated Scandinavian styling. The family resemblance to the EX40 and EX90 is unmistakable, and both have been successes in their respective segments. But it’s the EX60 that could prove to be the most important of the three, raising the bar for what a modern electric family SUV should be.
Specifications:
Model: 2027 Volvo EX60 Ultra P10 AWD
Paint Type: Aurora Silver
Base Price: $84,000
Price as Tested: $85,500
Wheelbase(mm): 2,970
Length/Width/Height (mm): 4,803 / 1,908 / 1,635
Powertrain: 95 kWh lithium-ion battery, two electric motors
Horsepower: 503 hp
Torque: 524 lb-ft
Drive Configuration: Dual electric motors, AWD
Claimed Range: 531 km
Observed Range: 465 km
Tires: 255/40R22 front; 265/40R22 rear; Pirelli Scorpion MS
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