The EX60 has 503 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Volvo is pushing past its own boundaries with the launch of its all-new electric EX60. This milestone SUV introduces a maximum driving range of 640 kilometres and is Volvo’s fastest-charging EV yet – capable of adding 270 kilometres of range in 10 minutes on a 400-kilowatt fast charger.
Unfortunately, in Canada the fastest charger available is 350 kilowatts.
It’s also the first Volvo with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for rapid charging at Tesla Supercharger stations. It has the lowest carbon footprint of any Volvo and the most tech-advanced features, highlighted by the introduction of built-in Google Gemini, an AI-personal assistant that redefines how you connect with your car.
The 2027 EX60 midsize SUV is the electric version of Volvo’s best-selling XC60 plug-in hybrid. In Canada, it will be offered with two powertrain options: the P10 AWD, with up to 514 kilometres of driving range, and the P12 AWD with up to 640 kilometres of range.
The base EX60 Plus model starts at $77,500 plus freight and pre-delivery inspection ($81,419 all in). That’s the same price as a comparable XC60 Plus trim, which is positioned just above the base model’s $68,539 price tag.
Measuring four inches longer than the XC60, the EX60 offers superior interior and cargo capacity, more cutting-edge technology, and a increased towing capacity.
The cupholders slide forward and back and the tunnel below is ideal for a purse. The 15-inch curved touchscreen is the centrepiece and while many functions have to be done using the screen, there is a volume dial.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Volvo officials expect the EX60 will convince buyers to go electric, even if it cuts into sales of the XC60, which will remain in production.
“They will sell in parallel,” said Lorina Gewargis, vehicle product lead for the EX60 at Volvo Cars. “The XC60 plug-in hybrid has been a very successful car so far and will most likely continue for customers who are not fully ready to go electric. But they can still choose the XC60 plug-in hybrid or the electric EX60. They will be there together.”
At the heart of the EX60 is the SPA3 platform, Volvo’s most advanced electrical architecture. It uses cell-to-body technology, which boosts energy efficiency, reduces weight, uses less resources and takes up less space in the vehicle, making it more efficient with faster charging and a 37-per-cent reduction in its CO2 footprint. The next-generation dual-electric motors are developed in-house and have a new battery cell design and mega castings, which replace hundreds of smaller parts with larger recycled aluminum casts, reducing material, time and cost while maximizing range.
For our drive in Spain, only the P10 AWD Ultra top trim was available to test. Starting our 200-plus kilometre trek with a 99-per-cent charge, the Volvo estimated 580 kilometres of range. Its motors deliver 503 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque, which translates in a zero-to-100-kilometre-an-hour time of 4.6 seconds.
Off the line, it was quick – pinning you to your seat when you nail the throttle. On sweeping roads, there was no body lean. It was composed, quick and quiet. An accidental turn in the wrong direction down a one-way street required a quick U-turn, which the vehicle executed effortlessly. It never felt big or cumbersome to drive or park.
The more squared-off rear means more headroom in the back seats.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Even Barcelona’s bustling downtown core – packed with cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles – proved no match for the EX60. It navigated the urban obstacle course effortlessly.
To pass the time while idling in traffic, we turned to Google Gemini. This next-gen onboard AI understands human dialogue flawlessly, and is capable of holding casual conversations with anyone in the vehicle. It answered the “Hey Google, let’s talk” prompt immediately with “What’s on your mind?” – even translating English phrases into Spanish within seconds and coaching the driver on proper pronunciation. Impressive.
Also new is a large horizontally mounted 38.1-centimetre curved OLED centre touchscreen delivering ultra-sharp graphics directly inside your field of vision, replacing Volvo’s traditional vertical screen orientation.
However, some functions are unnecessarily complicated. With no physical buttons and dials, tasks like changing the side-view mirrors, for example, require time and patience. It’s a multi-step process where you must tap through the centre screen to find the side-view mirror icons and then use the toggle switch on the steering wheel to set the position. Traditional buttons are so much easier. Volvo’s logic seems to assume you will save your setting once and never need to change them.
On a brighter note, we arrived at our destination with 340 kilometres of range remaining; the driving distance was accurate to the distance travelled.
The EX60 will be built at Volvo’s factory in Torslanda, Sweden. Canadian deliveries begin this fall. The P12 AWD model will arrive later, followed by the 2028 EX60 Cross Country next year.
Looks
It is an attractive, clean design. I’m not a fan of the rear sloping roofline and rear-quarter window, but it does translate into excellent rear-seat headroom. The 20-inch, five-spoke diamond cut wheels and cool green metallic paint are sharp.
The EX60 carries over much of the design language from the smaller EX30.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Interior
It’s clean, uncluttered Scandinavian design with few buttons to be seen, but thankfully there’s a volume dial. Front and rear seats are comfortable and roomy. A repositioned glove box between the driver and front passenger is easy to access. It opens down, manually and wires for the phone charging can be fished out through a slot for a clean look. Dual cupholders slide forward and back. A tunnel below the cupholders is ideal for storing a purse.
There is a convenient spot for your phone and the wires for charging can be fished out through a slot for a clean look.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Performance
Smooth, powerful and fast acceleration. It also has one-pedal driving; if you’re not a fan, it’s easy to disengage. It can also tow up to 2,401 kilograms.
Technology
Loaded with cutting-edge technology, including over-the-air software updates, Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving assistance system and Volvo’s multi-adaptive seat belt, a first in safety innovation that offers better protection in the front row, adjusting to the size of the passenger.
Cargo
Spacious cargo area with 634 litres of room and smart, flexible storage compartments. It also has an extra 85 litres hidden in the front trunk.
The EX60 has 40/20/40 folding rear seats and under the floor of the trunk is more innovative storage.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
Volvo’s latest EV has a lot going for it – long range, innovative technology and a spacious cabin that should give its competitors in the luxury electric space a serious run for their money.
Tech specs
2027 Volvo EX60 (P10 AWD)
- Base price/as tested: P10 AWD Plus base model – $77,500/$81,419 including freight, pre-delivery inspection and fees; P10 AWD Ultra model –$84,000/$87,919
- Motor/battery: Dual motor, 95-kWh total; 92-kWh usable
- Horsepower/torque (lb-ft): 503/524
- Drive: AWD
- Power consumption (NRCan ratings, Le/100 km)/charging capacity: To be announced/can be charged to a range of up to 270 kilometres in 10 minutes
- Charging time: Level 2 - 9-14 hours; Level 3 - approximately 18 minutes from 10-80 per cent (400 kW).
- Curb weight: 2,115-2,330 kilograms
- Range (claimed): up to 514 kilometres
- Alternatives: Cadillac Lyriq, Tesla Model Y, Audi Q6 e-tron, Genesis GV60, Volvo EX40, BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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