The Most Important Volvo in a Century: Inside the 2027 EX60 Electric SUV
For a brand approaching its 100th anniversary, Volvo is betting its future on the 2027 EX60. This midsize electric luxury SUV aims to replicate the global success of the gas-powered XC60, which was Volvo’s top seller in 2025. But the path to electrifying the mainstream luxury market is fraught with challenges. As premium competitors from BMW and Mercedes-Benz aggressively expand their EV lineups, Volvo faces a critical test: Can the EX60 overcome the lingering tech issues that plagued the launch of the larger EX90 and persuade skeptical buyers to ditch their familiar internal combustion engines?
We spent time with the 503-horsepower EX60 P10 variant at Volvo’s proving grounds in Sweden to assess whether this newcomer has what it takes to define the brand’s next chapter.
Positioning the EX60 in the EV Landscape
Volvo’s electric portfolio currently features the compact EX30 at the entry level and the flagship three-row EX90 at the premium end. The 2027 EX60 slots neatly between these two, offering a balanced size that competes directly with established electric rivals. With a starting price around $60,000 for the all-wheel-drive models, it directly challenges the BMW iX3 and the Mercedes-Benz EQ-badged GLC. However, compared to a base-engine Volvo XC60, the electric EX60 carries a notable price premium of approximately $9,000.
While the impressive range figures—up to 400 miles on a full charge—and the innovative new horizontally oriented touchscreen are significant technical achievements, the ultimate success of the EX60 hinges on a single metric: its ability to convert a substantial portion of XC60 owners whose leases are expiring to make the switch to electric power. This transition is crucial for Volvo to maintain its sales momentum and accelerate its broader electrification goals.
Design and Ergonomics: A Blend of Familiarity and Forward-Thinking
The contemporary feel of the 2027 EX60 begins before occupants even open the doors. The vehicle features distinctive “wing grip” door handles positioned flush with the bodywork, just below the window line. These handles strike a balance between the sleek minimalism of Tesla’s flush designs and the traditional usability of the XC60’s pull-out levers. While not quite as conventional as the XC60’s handles, they are significantly easier to operate than the sometimes-fiddly flush handles found on other EVs. From an aerodynamic perspective, this design choice reflects the obsessive attention to detail required to achieve ambitious range targets like the 400-mile figure.
Inside, Volvo has maintained the familiar, comfortable seating position that XC60 drivers know well. However, the interior architecture of the EX60 represents a radical departure from its gasoline-powered sibling. The electric platform allows for a multifunctional center console that creates a sense of openness and spaciousness, likely to be a major draw for customers during showroom visits. Crucially, the EX60’s interior avoids the overly spartan aesthetic that has characterized some Tesla models in the past. Instead, it successfully blends a clean, modern look with a genuinely luxurious ambiance, demonstrating that an EV cabin can be both minimalist and premium.
The driver’s display has been reimagined with an 11.4-inch instrument panel positioned closer to the windshield, providing a commanding view of critical driving information. Dominating the center stack is a new 15.0-inch touchscreen, which finally adopts a horizontal orientation. This layout is a significant improvement over the vertical screens found in other recent Volvo EVs, allowing for more intuitive interaction with navigation, media, and vehicle settings. Users can easily browse options or issue voice commands to the integrated Google Gemini AI assistant, which can handle tasks ranging from finding nearby charging stations to searching for local points of interest.
Despite the sophisticated infotainment system, there is a case to be made for the inclusion of more physical controls. While voice commands are useful for many functions, there are times when a simple button or knob is preferable. For instance, adjusting the fan speed currently requires navigating through on-screen menus, which can be distracting while driving. The ability to quickly tap a physical control for common functions like climate control or audio volume would enhance the user experience and reduce cognitive load for drivers who prefer tactile feedback.
Performance: Effortless Power Meets Refined Handling
Even in its mid-range configuration, the 503-horsepower EX60 P10 variant demonstrates electrifying acceleration. Multiple throttle jabs confirm that this SUV has an abundance of power on tap, providing a substantial confidence boost for merging onto highways or executing passing maneuvers. While the performance is undeniably potent, it never feels overly aggressive or out of control from the passenger seat. The claimed 0-to-60-mph time of 4.4 seconds places the EX60 firmly in the performance EV category, offering a “watch this” demonstrator for passengers that underscores its advanced powertrain.
Interestingly, Volvo has chosen to offer the same 503 horsepower across both the standard and performance driving modes. This approach differs from some manufacturers that reserve peak power for a specific boost function or sport mode. Here, drivers can access the full performance potential at any time, ensuring that the EX60 feels responsive and muscular regardless of the selected driving profile.
For those seeking even more exhilarating acceleration, the future lineup will include the EX60 P12, which is expected to deliver a staggering 670 horsepower and achieve a 0-to-60-mph time of just 3.8 seconds. Even the entry-level EX60 P6, with its estimated 369 horsepower, will complete the sprint in a respectable 5.7 seconds. While the EX60 P12 may not challenge hyper-EVs, its performance credentials are exceptional for a family-oriented SUV, demonstrating that electric powertrains can deliver both utility and thrilling acceleration.
From a chassis dynamics perspective, the EX60 benefits from a revised steering system that is 10 percent quicker than that of the XC60. This translates to more immediate turn-in response and requires less steering wheel input for tight maneuvers, providing a sportier and more agile feel. This tuning approach is reminiscent of Tesla’s strategy, which uses quicker steering to give its EVs a nimbler character. In contrast, some Cadillac EV models have been criticized for overly slow steering ratios, which can make parking lot maneuvers feel cumbersome. The EX60 appears to have found a compelling middle ground, offering the precision of a sport sedan with the stability required of a family SUV.
Regenerative Braking: A Spectrum of Choices
One of the most praised aspects of the 2027 EX60 is its sophisticated approach to regenerative braking. Like the EX90, the EX60 offers drivers a comprehensive suite of one-pedal driving experiences, catering to a wide range of preferences. The system provides standard braking feel with minimal regenerative resistance, ideal for drivers who prefer a traditional braking feel. For those transitioning to EV driving, there is a light one-pedal mode that gradually increases regenerative force, allowing drivers to accustom themselves to the sensation of slowing down via motor regeneration.
More experienced EV drivers will appreciate the aggressive one-pedal mode, which offers strong regenerative braking suitable for maximizing energy capture and enabling true one-pedal driving in many scenarios. Perhaps the most innovative option is the auto mode, which dynamically adjusts the level of regeneration based on the driving conditions and the behavior of surrounding vehicles. This intelligent system can anticipate the need for braking by monitoring traffic ahead, providing a seamless and intuitive driving experience. The freedom to customize the regenerative braking profile is a significant advantage, ensuring that every driver can tailor the EX60’s behavior to their personal preferences.
Ride Comfort and Cabin Quietness
During our initial ride, the 2027 EX60 demonstrated impressive cabin quietness. Volvo has invested significant engineering resources into noise reduction, and the results are evident. Even with the large 22-inch wheels and summer tires fitted to our test vehicle, the cabin remained remarkably hushed, effectively isolating occupants from road noise and tire whine. Drivers transitioning from non-plug-in hybrid XC60 models will notice a substantial improvement in refinement and acoustic isolation.
The ride quality also appeared to be well-sorted, effectively absorbing road imperfections while maintaining a sense of connection to the road. However, the experience of U.S.-spec models may differ slightly, as they will be fitted with all-season tires. These tires, while offering greater versatility in varying weather conditions, may alter the ride and handling balance compared to the summer tires used in our testing. It will be crucial to evaluate the EX60 on all-season tires to fully understand its real-world ride characteristics on American roads.
While the EX60 P10 features adaptive dampers that allow for suspension tuning, the more advanced air suspension system will be reserved for the later-release 2028 EX60 Cross Country variant. The current setup offers three distinct settings for both the steering and suspension, providing drivers with a meaningful range of adjustability. In our testing, the differences between the softest and firmest suspension settings were readily apparent, allowing drivers to select a profile that matches their preferences for that particular drive. This level of customization ensures that owners can fine-tune the vehicle’s dynamics to their liking and then rely on those settings for subsequent drives.
The Road Ahead: Navigating Challenges to Seize Opportunity
Our initial impressions of the 2027 EX60, based on a passenger ride in the P10 variant at Volvo’s Swedish test facility, suggest that this electric luxury SUV possesses significant
