New Volvo EX60 says "New BMW iX3 is a game changer? Hold our beer!"

Shopping for a premium mid-size electric SUV this year? You’re in luck, given the arrival of not one, not two but three tempting propositions! We’ve already seen the Mercedes GLC and driven the BMW iX3 ‘Neue Klasse’ and been wowed by the tech in both. And here comes Volvo with its new EX60, an all-electric alternative to its ever-popular XC60 and taking an early lead over its German rivals in how far it’ll go on a charge.
• Like the EX90 to the hybrid XC90 the EX60 will offer an all-electric alternative to the XC60 • Clever construction – known as ‘mega casting’ – helps keep weight down and efficiency up • Maximum claimed range is a fraction over 500 miles, beating both the BMW iX3 and Mercedes GLC rivals … if not by much • The range-topping XC60 also outdoes both the iX3 and the GLC with its performace, packing a whopping 680 horsepower • No word yet on price but expect it to be there or thereabouts comparable with the iX3 and GLC it competes with

This is the first Volvo built on the latest generation of its SPA scalable platform, which was introduced with the XC90 and has formed the basis for various Volvo and Polestar models like the Polestar 3. This latest SPA3 iteration is more sophisticated and flexible than ever, Volvo says. Looks wise the XC60 closely resembles its siblings, sitting snuggly between the smaller EX30 and the larger EX90. Just like the EX30 there will also be a Cross Country version of the EX60 which gets slightly more rugged looks and a more outdoorsy vibe.

The EX60’s carbon footprint will be the same as the EX30 which has the lowest of any Volvo to date. Volvo is calling the EX60 a software-defined model and it says the car will evolve over time as over-the-air updates provide continual improvements to safety, connectivity and performance. The EX60 will come with built-in Google Gemini AI which should be able to interpret conversational requests quickly thanks to its ultra-fast processing capabilities. The EX60 will also feature Volvo’s lastest driving assistance tech which can steer and assist with lane changes. All this will be combined with Volvo’s signature Scandi interior which blends minimalism and comfort with sustainable materials.

The EX60 will have 800V architecture, which adds cost and complexity but opens the door to faster charging if you can find somewhere suitably powerful to plug into. At the maximum 400kW charging rate you’ll – in theory – be able to add over 200 miles of range in as long as it takes to get a coffee. The entry-level rear-wheel drive model will provide a range of up to 385 miles. This increases to just over 400 miles for the 510 horsepower all-wheel drive car, while the most powerful 680 horsepower EX60 will have the largest battery, all-wheel drive and up to 500 miles of range.

Once again we’ll have to wait and see, but don’t expect it to be cheap. For reference the equivalent BMW iX3 starts at a bottom line price of just under £60,000.

The EX60 is a hugely important car for Volvo and the focus of its full attention for the start of 2026. The platform it uses is flexible enough to support cars smaller than the EX30 and bigger than the ES90, though. So, expect more where this came from.

The BMW iX3 and Mercedes GLC are key rivals – we’ve driven the BMW already and will hope to get in the Mercedes soon with both German rivals coming to the market in 2026. There are plenty of other talented operators in this section of the market, though.