Volvo EX60 review: Think Scandi cool as Volvo launches its best electric car

​Built on a brand new electric SPA3 platform, the EX60 delivers both ultra-rapid charging and a significant range of up to 503-miles (Picture: Mark Eagleson Photography)

Think Volvo. Think Scandi cool. Up until now those haven’t necessarily been words you would have associated with the Swedish manufacturer’s electric line-up. There’s the slightly ageing EX40, plus the uber-tech-filled, near-£100k EX90. Now thankfully, Volvo has lifted the wraps on what could well become one of, if not THE best-selling car in its range. Say ‘hej’ to the new EX60. And yes, you guessed it, hej is Swedish for hello.

Volvo’s currently on something of a roll. Volvo Cars UK Managing director Nicole Melillo Shaw explained to me that private sales are up 21 per cent in the first half or 2026, with more than 35,000 registrations across the country. So far Volvo sales are up 4 per cent across the board, plus it accounts for a share of the UK market of just over 3 per cent. Volvo doesn’t give predictions, but given it sold 66,400 units in the UK last year, if the 4 per cent year-on-year increase continues, expect that figure to break through the 69,000 mark in 2026. Worth highlighting, the UK is Volvo’s third-biggest global market, only behind China and the US. Now it’s ready to go head-to-head with two of teutonic rivals – the Mercedes GLC Electric and the BMW iX3, the latter I drove recently – in what has become a super competitive premium electric SUV sector. There’s no denying the EX60 is a crucially important car for Volvo. The darling of the urbanite premium SUV buyer, the Volvo XC60, is now the company’s most popular model ever, surpassing the legendary 240. Since it launched in 2008 more than 2.7 million XC60s have left dealerships. So, as the company morphs into the electric world, can the Volvo EX60 really take on and beat the Mercedes and BMW? Only one way to find out. Tell me more about the EX60 Built on a brand new electric SPA3 platform, the EX60 delivers both ultra-rapid charging and a significant range of up to 503-miles. Plus there’s loads of new tech plus new batteries, the latter built in-house. The EX60’s arrival definitely takes the fight to the BMW iX3 which, when I drove it confirmed it had set new benchmarks for the sector. Buyers will have the choice of three variants and two trim levels, though the 503-mile range P12 AWD won’t arrive until next year. Prices start at £56,860 for the P6 Plus model, which has a range of 380-miles. Let’s cover the basics right from the start: the ‘entry-level’ P6 Plus carries more than enough quality and luxury kit as standard to turn the heads of most buyers. In addition to the classy 15-inch OLED central touchscreen, there’s a full-length glass roof, 20in alloys, wireless phone charging, three-zone climate control and heated seats front and rear, a Bose stereo, plus 360-degree parking cameras. Oh, and Volvo being Volvo, enough class-leading safety kit to set new benchmarks. They’ve even redesigned seatbelt technology. Finally, every EX60 gets a Google-powered infotainment system with Gemini conversational AI. Believe me, it’s very good. How much does it cost? There are three powerplants, each available with the choice of two trim levels, Plus and Ultra. The entry-level P6 RWD delivers 374hp with a range of 380-miles. In Plus trim it starts at £56,860 rising to £62,360 in Ultra Spec. The mid-range EX60 P10 AWD pumps out 510hp with a range of 410-miles and is priced from £59,860 in Plus, rising to £65,360 (Ultra). The range-topping P12 AWD develops an impressive 680hp and is the model which crosses the 500-mile threshold, achieving 503-miles on a single charge. It starts at £64,860 (Plus) and tops out at £70,360 (Ultra). All prices are on-the-road. OK, what’s it like inside? In typical Scandi and Volvo fashion, the cabin is minimalist, but with an intuitive layout. It’s a welcoming environment to enjoy. There’s a column-mounted gear shifter behind the pleasantly small and tactile, squared-off steering wheel, behind which the driver gets a clear and concise a fully-digital instrument cluster. The steering wheel also houses a select number of physical buttons, including a clever shortcut button which can be customised to suit. Centrally sits the 15in touchscreen which, despite its size, never dominates the space. And for those who are not fans of dark interiors, you’ll revel in the lightness of the palettes available in the interior. I’ve mentioned it before, but the Scandi-cool vibe dominates. It’s a relaxing place to be. That feeling is further enhanced by the fact unlike some of its rivals, there’s no display or screen specifically for the passenger. As you would expect at this price point, there’s a high level of refinement in the cabin, with top quality materials on show in the Ultra spec I drove. And oooh, it’s a quiet place to be, wafting through the Somerset countryside. The slim-line seats are comfortable and supportive, and covered in the standard-fit bio-attributed Nordico on the seats, door panels, and centre armrest, all of which again add to the premium feel. While you admire the lovely material on the dashboard, you’ll be pleased to learn it’s recycled polyester. The new EV-specific SPA3 platform ensures there’s plenty of space inside for adults in both the front and back, with good headroom despite the standard-fit panoramic sunroof. In the Ultra the pan-roof is electrochromic. The rear middle seat can be used comfortably thanks to the flat floor and recessed centre console. And you can pre-condition the interior via the Volvo Cars App. Practicality and bootspace Examine the bootfloor and you’ll discover an innovative split-fold function. It allows you to load, let’s say a heavy couple of cases or bags on one side, yet on the other side you’re still able to access the compartment under the floor. Clever, eh. The boot can stash 523-litres – that’s three-litres more than the iX3 – of goodies. Plus fold the rear seats down – they have a thee-way split – and stowage increases to 1647 litres. In addition there’s a 58-litre frunk. And in addition to a sizeable armrest there are two good-sized cupholders, with other stowage areas dotted around the cabin. Tech and satnav At its core is the Google-powered 15-inch OLED touchscreen which runs Volvo’s latest and upgraded software. Not only does it operate swiftly and efficiently, but it quickly becomes intuitive, plus the graphics are razor sharp. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard kit. Google Gemini is now also standard across the range. And as AI assistants go, it’s in a league of its own. It even understood by Scottish brogue first time, and I was able to have a ‘sensible’ conversation with it. Slightly eerie, but in terms of controlling car functions it works brilliantly. Behind the steering wheel the driver gets a 11.4-inch digital instrument cluster which, in typical Volvo styling is subtle and not in your face. Yet it delivers all the information, including full-screen mapping, you need at a glance. What’s it like to drive and performance? I drove the mid-range EX60 P10 AWD Ultra. With its 95kWh battery (92kWh usable), it delivers an impressive 510bhp and 710Nm of torque. It’ll scamper from standstill to 62mph in 4.6secs and carry on to a max of 112mph. Range? 403-miles. A heat pump is also standard across the range. What’s it actually like behind the wheel? In a word, sumptuous. This is an EV for the ages. It’s calm, quiet but quick, does everything without a fuss and is, of course, safe. If those are the boxes you need to tick, well the EX60 excels. And with all its cameras and sensors, manoeuvring in town and tight spaces is a dawdle. You totally forget how big the SUV is. Both the P10 and P12 models benefit from adaptive damping technology which smooths out the driving experience, especially around town. I’d go as far as to say it takes the ride quality to a new benchmark in its class. No surprise to learn the engineers involved in the EX60’s development tuned the EX60 in the UK. Head into the countryside and you’re rewarded with a magic carpet-like combination of comfort and speed. The ride is certainly premium class and despite its size the EX60 never feels unwieldy, even when you’re pushing through tight country lanes. The driving experience is further enhanced by the Volvo’s intuitive one-pedal drive function, one of the benefits of the car’s excellent multi-stage regenerative braking set-up. You access it via the control panel on the side of the central screen and can choose from a number of options. There’s an adaptive setting, high or low-strength one-pedal drive, or you can even turn it off completely which results in a near-frictionless coast. Again, the tech gets top marks. On the motorway the EX60’s refinement cocoons you in a world of delight. Even on my car’s 21-in alloys, the cabin was a serene place to be with hardly any road or wind noise. Combined with its long range, pace and smooth ride it’ll gobble up miles with ease. Though I didn’t drive it, it’s worth mentioning the base P6 covers 0-62mph in 5.9secs, while the flagship P12 with its 680hp will knock two seconds off that time. Bet it’s packed with safety? It’s a Volvo. What did you expect? For sometime now the company has committed itself to the view that no one should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo. That helps explain why the new EX60 is smothered in safety tech with up to five cameras, five radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors all contributing to a real-time 360-degree view of what’s going on outside. As if that wasn’t enough, the new Volvo also gets the Swedish carmaker’s Driver Understanding system. This uses two interior cameras and IR sensors, plus capacitive sensors on the wheel all of which combine to detect if the driver is distracted or drowsy. In addition the collision avoidance systems can be adapted for earlier intervention, and the EX60 will even stop itself in an emergency. Plus there’s Volvo’s latest multi-adaptive safety belt which not only offers more personalised protection in the front row, but gives you a ‘safety hug’ each time you set off after putting it on as it essentially measures the person it’s protecting. All of these are further supported by a hugely comprehensive suite of ADAS safety tech, details of which would require another section. But take my word for it … there’s loads of safety kit. Plus you’ll never be left behind thanks to Volvo’s over-the-air updates. And charging? The principal headline is all EX60 models use an 800-volt electrical architecture which allows drivers to add more than 200-miles of range in 10 minutes. Across the range there are different charging rates. The P6 single-motor entry-level can charge up to 320kW, but because of its smaller 83kWh battery a 10-80% charge takes just 18-minutes. And remember it has a full range of 380-miles. The P10 (95kWh) and P12 (117kWh) can charge at up to 370kW. That faster speed ensures 10-80% in just 20-minutes. Warranty Every Volvo comes with a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. In the EX60, the main 400+ volt EV battery is covered by warranty for 10 years or 150,000 miles, again whichever comes first. Verdict I was intrigued to see how the EX60 lined up against the BMW iX3. And I have to admit the outcome surprised me. The Volvo has loads going for it: luxurious interior space; rapid charging; a quiet cabin; attractive real-world range, plus it’s instantly comfortable to drive. The BMW ticks most of the same boxes, has a dynamism lacking in its Swedish rival, and it is without question the archetypal driver’s car. It’s more sporty. But is that enough to fend off the fast-charging EX60? As I returned to the roadtest centre with my EX60, I rolled down my driver’s window side-to-side with that of another journalist. “What do you think?” I asked. “It surprised me, but yes,” he agreed. Earlier in the day we’d both thought BMW’s new benchmark couldn’t be beaten. Well, it has. The EX60 is a handsome and refined premium SUV which basques in its calm, unflustered and relaxed approach to driving. Without question, this is Volvo’s best electric car to date, and it has set the new benchmark.

Fact box Volvo EX60 Price: From £56,860 (As tested, EX60 P10 AWD Ultra £67,845) Powertrain: 95kWh battery, 2x e-motor Power/Torque: 510hp / 710Nm Transmission: Single-speed automatic, AWD Top speed / 0-62mph: 112mph / 4.6secs Range: 403-miles (WLTP) Charging: 370kW (10-80% in 20 minutes) CO2: 0g/km Dimensions (L/W/H): 4803mm / 1908mm / 1635mm On sale: Now