Volvo EX60: First Look at Design, Tech, Range, Charging and Prices

The Volvo EX60 arrives at a very particular moment for the Swedish brand. It is the first model to benefit from the huge investment Volvo is making on several fronts: manufacturing, technology and product. I explain all of that later on - see the featured video.

This is a 100% electric SUV that will go head-to-head with the usual rivals: Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. And for this fight, Volvo has brought everything: an in-house 800 V platform, a completely new electric motor and fresh in-cabin tech as well.

Is there any room to miss the mark? None. The Volvo XC60 will continue its commercial run, but the Volvo EX60 will have to take over as its successor. And as the rightful heir, it will need to sell… a lot. This segment has been Volvo’s “golden goose”.

Early signs are encouraging. We travelled to Sweden to see it in person and captured everything in this video. It was filmed in a warehouse right next to the production line at Volvo’s Torslanda plant in Sweden, where the EX60 will be built.

Typically Scandinavian design

On the outside, Volvo has kept things fairly conservative. The EX60 does not try to break with what the brand has been building in terms of image. The proportions look right, the surfaces are clean, and the dimensions sit exactly where you would expect for this segment - very close to its direct German competitors.

Even so, the identity is unmistakable. Up front, the “Thor’s Hammer” lighting signature remains a strong visual cue, while at the rear you get vertical lights integrated into the D-pillars - a subtle but effective detail that works well in daylight and at night.

Aerodynamics have clearly been worked on, without sacrificing presence. The EX60 does not pretend to be anything other than a family SUV. There are no unnecessary lines and no attempt to over-dramatise the styling.

As I explain in the featured video, there is a new platform, known internally as SPA3. It has been developed entirely by Volvo - it is not an adaptation of an existing platform like the EX30 or EM90 - and it is almost certain the Geely Group will want to use it again. For now, though, you will only find it here.

And it is not just a new platform; it represents a new industrial chapter for the Swedish brand. Volvo has invested hundreds of thousands of euros to modernise the Torslanda factory in Sweden, adding mega casting technology to support EX60 production.

But it is not all about metal. Software and processors also sit at the heart of this new phase. As you will see later, the EX60 feels like a computer with 680 hp.

Natural light is everything in the Volvo EX60

We will get to the technology - but I still believe the cabin atmosphere remains the key part of any model, no matter how much tech manufacturers try to shove down our “throat”. And there is good news here: the EX60 is nicely appointed.

Space is ample, the sense of light is immediate, and the overall vibe is distinctly Scandinavian. It does not feel intimidating, yet it carries a clear sense of sophistication.

The end result is a refined but calm interior. Materials feel well judged, quality comes through to the touch, and the ergonomics make sense from the first minute. That said, it would not hurt to have more physical controls - particularly for the climate settings.

Volvo insists that will not be necessary. With Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence integrated, the promise is simpler controls and interactions, without turning the car into a pure tech exercise. You can speak naturally to the car and it will understand. “We’ll see…”

It is worth remembering that the launches of Volvo’s last two electric cars (EX30 and EX90) were marked by software issues - something the Swedish brand does not want, and in my view cannot afford, to repeat.

Now, the technology

The EX60 also debuts Volvo’s Superset technology stack, where hardware and software are designed as a single system. It is built around the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin supercomputer and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255 processor, which keeps the infotainment running smoothly.

In effect, there are two “brains”, capable of millions of operations per second, dedicated entirely to driver assistance systems and passenger entertainment.

In practical terms, it is Volvo’s first software-defined vehicle. For anyone who has no patience for tech (but still likes benefiting from it…), that means a system designed to improve over time through remote updates (over-the-air). It is not something you will notice in a quick demo, but it can make a real difference day to day and for the product’s long-term lifespan.

Range and charging with a real-world focus

Volvo is quoting up to 810 km of range (WLTP combined cycle), depending on the version. Even allowing for the usual real-world correction, the EX60 clearly sits among the strongest in the segment. The figures are not final yet, but it may end up being the longest-range SUV in its class.

But as I mentioned in the featured video, forget absolutes. When the mid version and the entry version (P6 and P10) already offer more than 620 km of range, I think that says almost everything.

When the battery runs low, the 800 V architecture enables fast and consistent charging. In ideal conditions, you can recover around 340 km in 10 minutes and charge from 10% to 80% in about 19 minutes. More important than the peak number is repeatability - and the underlying hardware helps here.

The most powerful version will offer 500 kW (680 hp). In my view that is over the top, but these things sell. At the bottom of the range, I expect more sensible figures: 275 kW (374 hp) in the P6. It is still a lot - and, like every other Volvo, the EX60 is limited to 180 km/h.

Is the sweet spot in the middle? All the details are in this table:

Volvo EX60 prices ready for the fight

In Portugal, the EX60 arrives with a positioning that is worth paying attention to. The entry version sits between 7000 euros and 10 000 euros below the direct German competition. It is a clear strategic choice for a model that must take on a central role in the Swedish brand’s line-up.

There are still no prices for the Cross Country version, which follows the familiar formula: an extra 20 mm of ground clearance, specific protective elements and a tougher stance. The air suspension allows the ride height to be adjusted to suit the situation, helping both off-road and on the motorway.

First Volvo EX60 units in Portugal

Orders are already open. If you visit Volvo’s website, you can configure the EX60 now. The first units will arrive in the summer.

Later on, another version will join the range with an even lower price (for the segment, naturally), called Core. Volvo expects the Volvo EX60 to become one of the segment’s best-selling cars.