## 2027 Volvo EX60 First Ride: Inside One of the Most Important Volvos in 100 Years
In some corners of the automotive world, the arrival of the 2027 Volvo EX60 EV is being watched with an intensity usually reserved for major sporting events. For a brand on the cusp of its centennial celebration, Volvo’s success hinges heavily on this new midsize electric luxury SUV. It needs to capture the same magic that made the gasoline-powered XC60 Volvo’s runaway bestseller in 2025.
However, the path forward is anything but clear. Fierce competition from legacy giants like BMW and Mercedes is intensifying, threatening to dilute Volvo’s global market share. Meanwhile, the enduring appeal of familiar internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles continues to lure buyers seeking comfort and predictability. Coming off the heels of the widely publicized technical glitches that marred the launch of its flagship EX90 electric SUV, one has to wonder: Is Volvo advancing too rapidly? Or is this bold, progressive pivot about to pay significant dividends?
To gain clarity on these pressing questions, we accepted an invitation to experience the 2027 EX60 P10—a 503-horsepower variant—during a preliminary ride-along at Volvo’s proving grounds in Sweden. This firsthand look provided crucial insights into whether this newcomer can truly carry the weight of Volvo’s esteemed reputation into the electric era.
### The Volvo EX-What? A Strategic Sizing
Volvo’s current electric lineup is thoughtfully structured, with the EX30 and EX90 serving as the entry and premium endpoints, respectively. The EX30 is ingeniously compact, offering an accessible starting price below $45,000. In stark contrast, the EX90 commands entry above the $80,000 threshold, representing the pinnacle of Volvo’s electric luxury in a capacious three-row configuration.
It is the **2027 Volvo EX60** that strategically slots into this widening gap. Aimed at the heart of the market, this sensible midsize SUV is projected to commence its pricing strategy around the $60,000 mark, complete with standard all-wheel drive. This positioning places it directly in contention with established EV competitors such as the BMW iX3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC equipped with EQ Technology.
However, when cross-referenced with its gasoline counterpart, the base-engine Volvo XC60, the EX60 presents a significant price premium—approximately $9,000 more expensive. This initial cost differential is a critical factor for potential buyers to weigh.
While the 2027 EX60’s impressive projected range of up to 400 miles and its innovative, horizontally oriented touchscreen are undoubtedly noteworthy features, the ultimate arbiter of its success will be its ability to convert existing XC60 owners whose leases are expiring. The true test lies in convincing these loyal customers to embrace the electric transition.
### First Impressions: Design and the Cabin Experience
Before one even crosses the threshold of the **2027 Volvo EX60**, its contemporary design ethos makes itself known through a striking set of stubby “wing grip” door handles. These unique elements are subtly integrated, positioned just below the beltline of the side windows. While certainly easier to operate than the flush-mounted handles found on the Tesla Model Y, they fall short of the sheer practicality offered by the XC60’s traditional pull-out handles. In the ongoing pursuit of optimal aerodynamics to maximize range, every design decision carries weight.
Volvo has wisely maintained the seating position in the EX60 remarkably similar to that of the XC60. This familiarity allows drivers to feel immediately at home. Yet, the interior environments themselves are worlds apart. The all-electric EX60 exudes an unmistakable sense of airiness, largely attributable to its multifunctional center console. This design innovation creates a remarkably open spatial experience, promising to be a significant draw for potential customers visiting dealerships.
Furthermore, the interior successfully strikes a delicate balance between modern minimalism and genuine luxury. It avoids the pitfalls of being so spartan as to feel sterile or bland—a criticism sometimes leveled at earlier iterations of Tesla’s design philosophy. Instead, the EX60 feels curated and refined.
The driver’s interface is anchored by an 11.4-inch instrument panel display, which is thoughtfully positioned closer to the windshield than its counterpart in the EX90. Dominating the center stack is a generously proportioned 15.0-inch touchscreen. Significantly, this marks the first instance where Volvo has adopted a standard horizontal orientation for its primary infotainment display, moving away from the vertical layout that has characterized recent models. This horizontal configuration promises significantly easier interaction, even before engaging the integrated Google Gemini AI assistant to handle complex requests, such as sourcing a recipe for BBQ wings ahead of a major sporting event.
However, a notable point of contention remains the relative scarcity of physical controls. Even a dedicated set of toggles or buttons for adjusting fan speed would be a welcome addition. Eliminating the need for three separate on-screen taps while navigating at speed would greatly enhance the driving experience. After all, sometimes a favorite song is playing, and the desire to simply turn up the volume without navigating menus is a deeply human impulse best served by tactile controls.
### Performance Under Pressure: Punching Above Its Weight
Even in this initial passenger-seat evaluation of the 503-horsepower EX60 P10, the vehicle’s latent quickness is undeniable. Multiple, firm jabs of the throttle pedal are met with immediate and assertive acceleration. From the perspective of a front-seat passenger, the experience never feels chaotic or unnecessarily dramatic. Nevertheless, the sheer force generated by that 503 horsepower is palpably felt. The EX60 P10 possesses more than sufficient passing power, serving as an excellent demonstration of its capabilities for passengers. This is further underscored by its manufacturer-claimed sprint time to 60 mph of just 4.4 seconds.
A key differentiator in the **2027 Volvo EX60**’s performance credentials is the consistency of its power delivery. Whether the driver selects the standard or performance driving modes, the full 503 horsepower is available without restriction. This contrasts sharply with some electric vehicles that throttle back peak output in standard modes or reserve the full force for a temporary boost function lasting only ten seconds. This unwavering availability of power contributes to a more confidence-inspiring and predictable driving character.
Looking further down the model line, Volvo has detailed the specifications for the forthcoming variants. The base-level **2027 Volvo EX60** P6 will deliver 369 horsepower, achieving a 0-to-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the yet-to-be-released P12 will unleash a staggering 670 horsepower, capable of launching the SUV to 60 mph in a mere 3.8 seconds. While faster electric luxury SUVs certainly exist within the competitive landscape, the performance metrics of the EX60 family are nothing short of exceptional for a vehicle designed with family-oriented buyers in mind.
During our passenger-seat evaluation, we did not detect the same kind of brief delay in initial acceleration that was reported during early testing of the 2025 EX90. However, it must be emphasized that the definitive assessment will only come when we can subject the EX60 to our comprehensive internal testing regimen.
Prior to that rigorous evaluation, we can report on the revised steering system implemented in the **2027 Volvo EX60**. It features a ratio that is ten percent quicker than that of the XC60. This engineering adjustment means that executing tight maneuvers, such as navigating a parking lot, will require a slightly smaller rotation of the steering wheel. This approach is not dissimilar to the strategy employed by Tesla to imbue its vehicles with a sportier, more agile feel. Conversely, we have previously expressed frustration with the sluggish steering response in Cadillac EVs, which can make routine parking lot maneuvers feel unnecessarily laborious. The EX60’s refinement in this area appears to strike a more effective balance.
### Tailoring the Drive: Customization and Comfort
Mirroring the functionality of the EX90, the **2027 Volvo EX60** offers a suite of distinct one-pedal driving experiences, providing drivers with a significant degree of control over the regenerative braking system. The EX60 presents four distinct modes. The first is a standard braking feel characterized by minimal regenerative braking, allowing the vehicle to coast relatively freely. The second is a light one-pedal driving mode, which gradually increases the regenerative force, eventually bringing the vehicle to a relatively smooth stop. The third is a more aggressive mode, tailored for drivers accustomed to the strong regenerative characteristics of vehicles like the Rivian R1S. Finally, an intelligent auto mode dynamically adjusts the level of regeneration based on the behavior of the vehicles detected ahead.
This degree of choice and configurability in the regenerative braking system is precisely what discerning EV buyers should expect from a modern electric vehicle. Based on our limited passenger experience, all of these modes appeared to be well-calibrated and intuitive to operate.
Furthermore, the cabin maintained a commendable level of quietness throughout our ride-along. Volvo has invested substantial engineering resources into noise reduction for the EX60. Even when riding on the vehicle’s 22-inch wheels wrapped in summer tires, the interior remained remarkably hushed. For drivers transitioning from a non-plug-in hybrid XC60, the quietude of the EX60 will be immediately striking and deeply appreciated.
The ride quality, from what we could discern, was also excellent. The suspension effectively filtered out most road imperfections, yet it allowed enough tactile feedback through
