## The 2027 Volvo EX60: A Calculated Gamble on Electrification
For a brand steeped in over a century of automotive heritage, Volvo is betting its future on a calculated risk: the all-new 2027 EX60. As the Swedish automaker approaches its centennial, this midsize electric luxury SUV arrives at a critical juncture. It must not only replicate the staggering success of its internal combustion counterpart, the XC60—which reigned as Volvo’s global bestseller in 2025—but also navigate a treacherous landscape of intensifying competition and the lingering shadows of the EX90’s troubled launch. Can Volvo’s progressive leap into the EV era truly pay off, or are the headwinds of change proving too strong for even the most established brands?
To gain clarity on the EX60’s potential, we traveled to Volvo’s proving ground in Sweden for an exclusive first ride in a 503-horsepower prototype of the 2027 EX60 P10. What we discovered was a vehicle that encapsulates both the triumphs and tribulations of Volvo’s ambitious electrification strategy.
### Defining the Electric Vanguard: Where the EX60 Fits
Volvo’s EV strategy has, until now, been defined by two distinct bookends: the diminutive EX30 and the flagship EX90. The EX30, positioned as an accessible entry point into the brand’s electric future, starts below $45,000, offering a compact footprint and urban-focused appeal. Conversely, the EX90 commands a premium starting price above $80,000, serving as a technological showcase and a three-row electric luxury SUV.
The 2027 EX60 carves a crucial middle ground, slotting neatly into the midsize luxury segment. With a projected starting MSRP around $60,000, it enters direct competition with established EV players like the BMW iX3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology. However, the economic equation shifts when compared to its gasoline-powered sibling. A base-engine Volvo XC60 currently retails for approximately $51,000, positioning the electric EX60 with a premium of roughly $9,000. This pricing strategy immediately presents a challenge: convincing loyal XC60 buyers to embrace the electric transition, especially when lease cycles approach their end.
While the 2027 EX60 boasts impressive specifications, including a manufacturer-estimated range of up to 400 miles and a novel horizontally oriented touchscreen, its ultimate success hinges on this very demographic. Can the allure of cutting-edge technology and sustainability overcome the established familiarity and lower entry cost of the XC60?
### The Art of Entry: A Study in Design Compromise
Even before stepping inside, the 2027 EX60 signals its departure from Volvo’s traditional design language. The vehicle eschews conventional door handles in favor of what Volvo terms “wing grip” handles, subtly integrated into the bodywork just below the window line. This design choice, while aesthetically striking and contributing to the EX60’s aerodynamic efficiency, represents a clear departure from the user-friendly, pull-out handles of the XC60.
During our time with the prototype, the black finish of the wing grip handles proved to be a point of contention. While they are a decided improvement over the flush-mounted handles found on the Tesla Model Y, which often require a frustrating combination of pushing and pulling, they lack the intuitive ease of the XC60’s standard handles. In the context of a vehicle prioritizing range optimization—where every aerodynamic advantage counts—this design choice underscores the inherent tension between form and function in EV development. It is a compromise that speaks to the lengths manufacturers must go to shave fractions of a percent off drag coefficients, even if it means sacrificing a degree of everyday usability.
### The Interior Experience: Scandinavian Minimalism Meets Technological Sophistication
Upon entering the 2027 EX60, the contrast with its gasoline-powered sibling becomes immediately apparent. While Volvo has retained the comfortable seating position and overall proportions of the XC60, the interior environment of the EX60 feels entirely distinct. The cabin is imbued with an air of spaciousness, largely attributable to a multifunctional center console that creates a sense of openness and liberates valuable storage space. This design philosophy is likely to be a significant draw during showroom visits, offering a tangible demonstration of the packaging advantages inherent in electric vehicle architecture.
Crucially, the EX60’s interior manages to strike a delicate balance between minimalism and luxury. Unlike the spartan interiors of some early EV entrants, which risked feeling cold or unfinished, the EX60’s cabin avoids the trap of blandness. It retains the tactile quality and understated elegance that have become synonymous with the Volvo brand, ensuring that the transition to electric power does not necessitate a compromise in perceived value.
The technological centerpiece of the interior is a pair of displays that redefine the driver-vehicle interface. The 11.4-inch instrument panel, positioned closer to the windshield than in the EX90, provides critical driving information in a clear, unobtrusive manner. However, the most significant innovation is the 15.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, which finally adopts a horizontal orientation. This long-awaited design choice is a welcome departure from the polarizing portrait-style screens of other Volvo models, allowing for more natural interaction with maps, media controls, and vehicle settings.
The intuitive nature of the interface is further enhanced by the integration of Google’s Gemini AI assistant. This advanced voice command system enables drivers to execute complex tasks—such as searching for a nearby restaurant or planning a route with specific dietary considerations—simply by speaking. The seamless integration of AI into the driving experience represents a significant step forward in automotive convenience, transforming the cabin into a truly connected and intelligent environment.
Despite these advancements, the desire for greater physical control remains palpable. The current layout necessitates a significant reliance on the touchscreen for even basic climate functions. A simple toggle for fan speed, for instance, requires navigating through multiple on-screen menus. In moments of peak driving engagement, such as when a particularly captivating song is playing through the audio system, the interruption caused by voice-activated commands can be jarring. This highlights the ongoing debate in automotive design regarding the optimal balance between touchscreen dependency and the retention of physical controls, a challenge that Volvo has yet to fully resolve.
### Performance Dynamics: Electrifying Acceleration Meets Everyday Usability
Even in its mid-level P10 configuration, the 2027 EX60 demonstrates an electrifying turn of speed. Multiple throttle jabs in the passenger seat confirmed that this electric SUV possesses more than sufficient power for confident acceleration and overtaking maneuvers. The claimed 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.4 seconds is, frankly, staggering for a family-oriented Volvo, offering a level of performance that can only be described as “bonkers.” It serves as a compelling demonstrator of the instant torque delivery that defines electric powertrains, providing a ready source of amusement for passengers.
One of the most encouraging observations from our initial ride was the absence of the significant wide-open-throttle delay that plagued the early production of the 2025 EX90. This suggests that Volvo has addressed the software and powertrain calibration issues that undermined the launch of its flagship EV. However, the ultimate verdict on the EX60’s performance will only be rendered after it undergoes our comprehensive testing regimen, which evaluates real-world acceleration, braking, and handling dynamics.
The driving experience is further refined by a revised steering system that offers a 10 percent quicker ratio compared to the XC60. This change, reminiscent of the approach taken by Tesla to impart a sportier feel to its vehicles, reduces the amount of steering wheel input required for tight maneuvers. While this quickness can enhance agility in dynamic driving situations, it also necessitates a period of adjustment for drivers accustomed to more traditional steering ratios. The opposite extreme, exemplified by the slow steering of Cadillac’s electric models which can make parking lot maneuvers feel like a chore, serves as a cautionary tale of how such calibration choices can impact the everyday usability of an EV.
### The Freedom of Control: A Nuanced Approach to Regenerative Braking
Complementing the EX60’s potent acceleration is a sophisticated approach to regenerative braking, offering drivers an unprecedented degree of customization. Mirroring the adaptability of the EX90, the EX60 provides a spectrum of one-pedal driving experiences, allowing drivers to tailor the deceleration characteristics to their personal preferences.
The system offers a standard braking feel with minimal regenerative resistance, providing a driving experience that most closely approximates that of a traditional internal combustion vehicle. For those seeking a greater degree of energy recuperation, a light one-pedal driving mode gradually increases the level of regeneration, ultimately bringing the vehicle to a smooth stop without the need for the brake pedal. A more aggressive mode, seemingly inspired by the regen-heavy driving style of Rivian vehicles, allows for maximum energy capture and even more assertive deceleration. Finally, an auto mode dynamically adjusts the level of regeneration based on the driving conditions and the behavior of surrounding vehicles, providing a seamless and adaptive experience.
This commitment to offering choice in a fundamental aspect of the EV driving experience is precisely what discerning buyers desire. Based on our limited passenger experience, the various modes appeared to be exceptionally well-tuned, offering a range of options that should satisfy even the most particular drivers. This flexibility is a testament to Volvo’s understanding that the transition to electric mobility is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, and that drivers should have the freedom to configure their vehicles to match their individual preferences.
### The Refinement of the Ride: Quiet Luxury and Adaptable Dynamics
From a passenger’s perspective, the cabin of the 2027 EX60 proved to
