Volvo EX60 (2026 - ) Electric review

Like any premium SUV the EX60 doesn’t come cheap. Although its starting price is in line with the Volvo’s plug-in hybrid XC60, the mid-grade P10 EX60 looks expensive compared to the BMW iX3, which promises more range for the money. However, the EX60 shouldn’t cost much to run if you can charge at home using a dedicated EV electricity tariff. Public charging will inevitably be pricier, but if you can find a powerful 370kW DC charger the EX60’s massive battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in under 20 minutes. We’ve not yet tried the range-topping P12 model with its headline-grabbing range of up to 500 miles but, judging by the efficiency of the P10 and P6 versions we’ve driven, we’d expect you’re more likely to achieve a respectable 350 to 400 miles in the real world. Other considerations include the Expensive Car Supplement which will apply to all models and bump up your annual VED for five years after initial registration, but company car drivers will gain the Benefit in Kind advantages for choosing an EV.

Volvo has an average record for reliability, but in recent surveys it has ranked in the lower half of the table compared to other brands. The EX60 is a new model, so we’ll have to wait to see how it fares in the long run. As it is the ‘brainiest’ Volvo to date with its ultra-fast processing power, we hope lessons have been learnt from the EX30 in which we experienced several niggles when we tested it recently. Our pre-production EX60 test car didn’t get off to the best start when it wouldn’t turn on because it couldn’t detect the app on the iPhone we were given instead of a regular key. However, turning the Bluetooth off and on again resolved the problem and we didn’t encounter any further glitches. For peace of mind Volvo offers a standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty and the battery has its own 10-year cover.

Volvo’s entire reputation is built around its dedication to safety – it did, after all, invent the three-point seatbelt. The EX60 takes this a step further by using data collected from the car’s many sensors to adapt the force applied by the seatbelt during an accident depending on the size of the passenger and the severity of the crash. While you’ll hopefully never need to put this to the test, you will notice the seatbelt hug you into your seat each time you set off. As you can imagine, the EX60 is brimming with advanced driver safety aids, including the most useful features like blind spot monitoring and 360-degree cameras. The multitude of systems remained unfazed by the chaos of our test drive through central Barcelona and, despite mopeds pulling out left, right and centre, there were no overzealous interventions. Out on the motorway the Pilot Assist system competently guided us around corners and changed lanes smoothly. While we’d expect nothing less, this hasn’t always been our experience of Volvo’s self-driving technology, so we are relieved the software has improved since we drove the ES90.

Volvo has become an expert in quiet luxury and the EX60’s interior creates a real sense of calm. It’s comfortable, stylish and practical with signature Volvo seats, an uncluttered design and plenty of storage cubbies. All models get a heated steering wheel with powered and heated front seats, plus even those in the back can enjoy powered reclining backrests and heating for the outer two seats. The totally flat floor provides plenty of legroom even for the middle passenger and headroom is also generous. The EX60’s boot is a very good size, too, with the 40/20/40 split in the rear seats adding flexibility, plus the space is larger than you’ll get in the BMW iX3’s or the Mercedes GLC’s. There’s a choice of upholstery colours and materials ranging from 100 per cent recycled polyester, to soft leather or a wool blend which adds a truly Scandinavian touch. We particularly liked the chic neutral fabric in our Ultra trim test car which, paired with a large electrochromic panoramic roof, made the interior feel even more airy. Out on the road things remain equally serene. While the all-wheel drive P10 and P12 models get fancy adaptive suspension with three drive settings which can be adjusted for performance or comfort, the standard set-up in the P6 car is more than capable of keeping things under control.

Family buyers are clearly the EX60’s target market and we love the playful yet useful features like a 60/40 spilt in the boot floor with a built-in bucket hidden beneath – perfect as an impromptu storage bin or for a day out at the seaside (spade, sadly, not included). The interior’s main feature is the large central touch-screen, which does intrude on the feng shui by protruding from the dashboard. At least Volvo has made the interface more logical than the EX30’s by adding larger icons and a landscape configuration. This puts most of the functions you’ll need regularly at your fingertips, though it can still be tricky to use whilst driving. To help alleviate this, Volvo has integrated Google Gemini AI, which understands conversational commands and promises to become increasingly useful as over-the-air (OTA) updates provide more features over time. The driver gets a clear digital display, and the compact steering wheel greets you with its smiley shape and tactile physical buttons. Optional extras include a pair of built-in children’s booster seats on the outer rear seats and range-topping Ultra models gain a pitch-perfect Bowers & Wilkins sound system. For outdoorsy lifestyles a more rugged-looking Cross Country version will arrive in due course, with slightly more ground-clearance than the standard version and chunky rubber cladding too.

At launch there’ll be a rear-wheel drive P6 model and a more powerful all-wheel drive P10 with a larger battery. A range-topping P12 model with 680 horsepower, all-wheel drive and an official range of up to 500 miles will follow later. While we’re sure the sports car rivalling acceleration will provide a novel thrill, we are less convinced it’s necessary in a family SUV. The P10 already packs more than enough punch with its effortless acceleration and graceful handling. The steering is on the lighter side, but it inspires confidence around corners and, unlike many large electric SUVs, the EX60 doesn’t feel bulky on twisty roads. The entry-level P6 may not as quick off the mark, but it has ample power and it is perfectly capable of joining busy motorways and overtaking. We would be wary of the official range, though, as our experience of the P6 and P10 versions suggests a figure in the region of 300 miles is more likely in the real world. Still, this should be more than enough for most journeys. Overall, whichever EX60 you choose you’ll enjoy a silky smooth and relaxing driving experience.