2026 will be the year of reset. Car companies have learned some painful lessons on the road to going electric, and this year, they’re finally starting to apply those lessons to new cars.
BMW is resetting its electric model line with New iX3 And a new category platform. Mercedes offers All of the CLA class and GLC electric carsBoth represent huge leaps forward for the brand. And now Volvo 400 mile launch EX60trying to turn around its fortunes as electric vehicle technology becomes more competitive and faces an uncertain near-term future in the United States.
Photo by: Volvo
But Volvo may prove any doubters wrong. “The EX60 is a game changer, setting a new standard,” Volvo CTO Anders Bell said in Stockholm today. “The longest range, fastest charging of any electric Volvo, and born smart.” Let’s get into why.
Volvo EX60 2027: specifications and features
Volvo has launched two generations of electric cars. The first model was adapted from gas cars and had relatively small ranges, carryover programs and medium specifications. the EX30 and EX90 These problems were supposed to be solved, but the reality was less rosy: both cars were Suffering from problemsIn the case of the EX30 made in China, I ran into a problem Unfortunate customs situation Which reduced its value proposition in the United States
Either way, those cars’ rocky start has eaten up a lot of Volvo’s goodwill in this area. She couldn’t afford another escape either. Not when the competition continues to improve, and when its CEO, Håkan Samuelsson, He returned for his second tour of duty at Volvo To deliver an all-electric future.
EX60 is the natural solution. It’s at the heart of the compact/midsize luxury crossover market, competing not only with… Tesla Model Y But all the next-gen European competitors mentioned above.
To make this proposal a success, Volvo has reshaped its entire strategy for building electric cars.
The EX60 is the first car built on Volvo’s updated SPA3 platform. It features a more efficient cell-to-body battery design, a simplified structure that is lighter and more efficient, and an 800-volt electrical system. It is available in three variants: the P12 AWD with dual-motor power and a range of 400 miles, the P10 AWD with a range of 320 miles, and the rear-wheel drive P6 with a range of 310 miles. No matter which model you choose, the EX60 is a long-distance runner.
Photo by: Volvo
It’s good for more than just range, too. The EX60 gets charging speeds of up to 370 kilowatts, or more than double the average U.S. EV, all of that, plus Tesla-style North American Charging System (NACS) plug-in, two-way charging, and a 19.2-kilowatt, 670-hp onboard charger in the top model.
It is an advanced electric car by all standards. And perhaps most importantly, it shouldn’t cost much more than a gas-powered XC60. Volvo says a well-equipped P10 AWD Plus model with a 21-speaker audio system and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driving assistant will cost about $60,000.
Volvo EX60 2027: technology and software
Photo by: Volvo
The EX60 gets the same Nvidia Drive AGX Orin chip as the EX90, powering the company’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). In my experience, this is a perfectly adequate setup, but it doesn’t support any form of hands-free driving.
Like all new EX90s, it will also not have a lidar sensor. Despite the hype that the EX90 was the first car with a standard sensor, the company phased it out without ever turning it on. The company that supplies the Luminar sensor It filed for bankruptcy last year After losing the Volvo contract.
However, Volvo says the EX60’s ADAS systems will improve over time. The car was built from the beginning to support over-the-air updates, and Volvo controls all the software in the car. Executives stressed that the company will continue to update its products to offer new features, a perhaps indirect reference to the fact that although many vehicles today claim to support over-the-air updates, actual feature additions remain rare.
Photo by: Volvo
Volvo is also adding Google’s Gemini AI assistant not just to the EX60, but to all of its cars running Android Automotive OS-based software systems. This means you’ll be able to say things like “Find me a charging station along the way with good food options nearby” or “Search my email for the address of the hotel I’m staying at tonight,” and the car will detect that.
All of these programs are housed in a new landscape-oriented touchscreen that dominates the cabin. It’s the first Volvo since the 2015 XC90 to ditch the vertical-style integrated touchscreen that Volvo uses in every other car it makes.
Photo by: Volvo
Volvo EX60 2027: design
It’s also the first Volvo since the 2015 XC90 to get a truly new interior.
While the EX90 and EX30 have certainly advanced Volvo’s interior design language, the EX60 is the first true top-down redesign in a long time. The new setup looks like a cross between a Rivian and a Volkswagen ID.4, with an upright center console, a few buttons and a floating driver’s display.
Photo by: Volvo
On the outside, things look a bit familiar. The EX60 is where it belongs: somewhere between the EX30 and EX90 in design, borrowing the former’s short charm and the latter’s poise. Like all modern Volvos, it looks good, though I think the thick floor makes it feel less nimble than a gas-powered XC60. Either way, with the available panoramic roof, light upholstery, and Volvo’s famously cool seats, I think the EX60 will be a great place to spend some time.
Photo by: Volvo
Speaking of seats, this is the first vehicle to use them New multi-adaptive seat belt from Volvo. It uses internal and external sensors, as well as artificial intelligence features, to customize your seating position and level of protection in the event of an accident. “For example, a larger occupant in a serious crash will have a higher belt load setting to help reduce the risk of head injury,” Volvo said in a press release. “While a smaller occupant in a milder crash will have a lower belt load setting to reduce the risk of rib fractures.” Great, isn’t it?
Volvo EX60 2027: Range and charging
Volvo says the range-topping EX60 P12 AWD model will offer 400 miles of EPA range, thanks to a massive 117-kilowatt-hour battery. These are huge numbers even by the standards of today’s large batteries. Most people will be fine with the P6 RWD or P10 AWD, but the top model shows just how much EV range has evolved beyond the one-time 300-mile benchmark.
Photo by: Volvo
Volvo says a 10-minute charge for the EX60 P12 AWD should add a range of 173 miles in 10 minutes, thanks to a maximum charging rate of 370 kW. As Bell said today, the car promises to “put an end to range anxiety” thanks to its overall range and charging performance. No matter which model you choose, you’ll be able to charge from 10 to 80% in 19 minutes or less.
Even the slow-charging specs are impressive: the onboard charger can handle speeds of up to 19.2 kW, provided you can find a Level 2 plug capable of such power. This represents a greater benefit for European customers at the moment.
Volvo EX60 2027: Price and availability
Volvo hasn’t announced full pricing for the EX60, but says the mid-range P10 AWD model will cost “about $60,000.” This would make it comparable to the EQ-equipped BMW iX3 and Mercedes GLC-Class, both of which are expected to start at around $60,000. Deliveries begin this summer.
That means that by the end of the year, you’ll be able to buy three luxury midsize electric crossovers with AI assistants, huge ranges, all-new software suites, and powertrains. It’s a great time to be an electric car fan.
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Source: Volvo
Contact the author: mak.hogan@insideevs.com
