Image Credit: Captain Electro.
The electric mid-size SUV market is a bit like an Irish pub on a Friday night: crowded, noisy, and full of people shouting about how tough they are while spilling their drinks. Everyone from the Germans to the Americans is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at customers, hoping to sell more EVs. Amidst this chaos, Volvo has been curiously absent, presumably sitting in a sauna in Gothenburg, quietly sweating and plotting. Well, the wait is over. They've finally handed us a towel and unveiled the all-new 2027 EX60. And on paper, at least, it looks like they might have actually built a car to frighten the life out of Tesla.
But before we get too excited, let's address the moose in the sauna. Volvo's track record with software is patchy at best. The last two "software-defined" EVs came with more bugs than a tropical rainforest, but the Swedish engineers swear this time is completely different. The EX60 is built on a brand-new, dedicated platform called SPA3, all powered by "HuginCore." Fingers crossed it works, because if the screen goes blank on this one, you won't just lose your sat-nav; you might lose the will to live.
Image Credit: VOLVO.
Let's start with the headline numbers, because they are genuinely off the charts. The top-tier EX60 P12 AWD Electric has an EPA-rated range of 400 miles. In Europe, they reckon it'll do up to 503 miles, but European testing cycles are conducted on a downhill slope with a tailwind, so let's stick to the American figure. That is a massive number. Until now, 400 miles was an exclusive club for luxury barges that cost as much as a small island. For a mid-size family hauler to hit that mark is a proper result - well done, Volvo.
But range is useless if charging takes longer than the next ice age. Thankfully, the EX60 can swallow electricity at a rate of 400 kW. In the real world - where we actually live - that means you can shove about 173 miles of range into the battery in just 10 minutes. That's not enough time to grab a cup of coffee! Even better for my American friends: this is the first Volvo to ship with a native NACS port. That means you can plug straight into over 25,000 Tesla Superchargers without fumbling around with an adapter like a baffling toddler trying to solve a Rubik's Cube.
Image Credit: VOLVO.
You have three choices of powertrain, ranging from "Sensible" to "Have You Lost Your Mind?" The entry-level P6 Electric is a rear-wheel-drive affair with 369 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It'll do 0 to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds, which is already too brisk to be really called "sensible." It carries an 83 kWh battery good for about 310 miles.
Then there's the P10 AWD, which adds a front motor, bumps the power to 503 hp, and drops the sprint time to 4.6 seconds. But the one you really want, the one that makes no rational sense whatsoever, is the P12 AWD. This absolute beast puts down 671 horsepower, and it has a torque figure of 582 lb-ft. It rockets to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds. Three point nine! In a Volvo! That's faster than a lot of dedicated sports cars. Why does a school-run SUV need nearly 700 horsepower? I have no idea, but I'm absolutely delighted it has it. A jet engine in a shopping cart? I don't mind if I do…
Image Credit: VOLVO.
Inside, it's typical Scandinavian minimalism, which is code for "we hid all the buttons." But don't mistake empty for cheap. The cabin is dominated by tech that claims to work with you. This is the first Volvo to launch with "Gemini," Google's new AI assistant. Instead of shouting "HEY VOLVO" like a deranged drill sergeant, you can apparently have a natural conversation with your car. The system is powered by NVIDIA and Qualcomm silicon, so the screen should be lag-free. Should.
For the audiophiles, Bowers & Wilkins returns with a 28-speaker sound system. They've even stuck speakers in the headrests of all four main seats, creating a "personal sound bubble." Finally, I can listen to 80s synth-pop without my passengers judging me. It also supports Dolby Atmos, so you can really hear the disappointment in your mother-in-law's voice when she calls.
Image Credit: VOLVO.
Thankfully, practicality hasn't been sacrificed on the altar of speed. The 117-inch wheelbase gives everyone on board plenty of legroom. The trunk takes about 22 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats up, and it expands to a generous 58 cubic feet with them folded down. The "frunk" up front adds another 2 to 3 cubic feet, perfect for storing your charging cables or, if you're Scottish, a secret stash of haggis. See? Volvo nails it again.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Volvo without a safety obsession that borders on paranoia. The car is plastered in sensors, including a LiDAR unit on the roof that scans the world in 3D, and inside, Volvo introduced a "multi-adaptive" safety belts that adjust tension based on the size and weight of the occupant. It's a belt that hugs you back. I take their word for it, I don't really wanna test that.
Image Credit: VOLVO.
In what has become a classic part of many car unveilings, Volvo also showed off the EX60 Cross Country in a "one more thing" moment. It's a nod to their heritage of rugged wagons for people who like to pretend they go off-road. It sits about 0.8 inches higher than the standard car and has air suspension that can lift it another 0.8 inches. It comes with brushed stainless steel skid plates and plastic cladding, ensuring you look the part when you mount the curb at Whole Foods.
Now, the painful part: the price. Volvo says the EX60 will start from about $60,000 in the US. That sounds reasonable until you look at the European pricing structure and start doing the math. In Sweden, the base model is around $70,000. Want the dual motor? Add $4,000. The 671 hp monster needs another $12,000. Go for the top Ultra trim, and you're staring at a sticker price of $90,000, before you even look at the options. When it eventually lands in the US, I presume it'll be well over $80,000 with all the bells and whistles.
Image Credit: VOLVO.
Volvo claims the EX60 removes all excuses for not going electric. The range is massive, the charging is rapid, and it's fast - no doubt. They've even introduced a subscription model to make paying for it less painful. But $90k for a mid-size SUV? That's a lot of cheddar. If the software works, it might just be the best electric SUV on the planet. If it doesn't? Well… you'll have a very comfortable, 671-horsepower brick to sit in while you wait for the tow truck.
Image Credit: VOLVO.
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