Volvo has faced challenges with its recent electric vehicle launches. The EX90 debuted amid numerous software issues that delayed its introduction, while the EX30 arrived at a higher price point than anticipated, as the planned $35,000 version clashed with unstable international tariffs.
The company is now presenting a fresh lineup of electric vehicles, including the EX60, which incorporates innovative elements like a gigacast chassis, an advanced high-density battery system, and substantial computing and engine power to appeal to discerning car buyers. Equipped with processors from NVIDIA and Qualcomm, along with Google's Gemini artificial intelligence, this model promises strong capabilities on specification sheets. Following an initial viewing during its reveal in Sweden, it appears positioned to challenge upcoming offerings from BMW's iX3 and Mercedes-Benz's GLC.
Fundamentally, the EX60 fits into Volvo's range next to the XC60, the brand's top seller in the United States. This compact two-row SUV accommodates five passengers, making it suitable for compact households or pet owners with larger animals. It comes in three primary variants: the rear-wheel-drive single-motor P6 with 369 horsepower and a 310-mile range; the all-wheel-drive dual-motor P10 offering 503 horsepower and 320 miles; and the premium P12 with 670 horsepower and 400 miles.
The 670 horsepower figure feels quite powerful for a vehicle of this category, especially considering its substantial curb weight of 5,137 pounds for the P12. This stems largely from its 112-kilowatt-hour battery, which is roughly 50 percent larger than the Tesla Model Y's pack. The P6 weighs 4,663 pounds with an 80-kWh battery, and the P10 uses a 91-kWh unit.
In addition to powertrain options, the EX60 offers various trim levels with different features, such as the Cross Country variant that includes air suspension and an extra 20 millimeters of ground clearance. Entry-level pricing begins near $60,000 for a P10 Plus equipped with a 21-speaker Bose audio setup, though an upgrade to a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system supporting Dolby Atmos is available for audiophiles.
To enhance audio quality, the EX60 marks Volvo's debut integration of Apple Music directly into the vehicle. This integrates with the Android Automotive operating system on a 15-inch curved OLED display, driven by a Qualcomm 8255 processor. It also features a compact, expansive instrument cluster positioned low and rearward on the dashboard beyond the steering wheel.
The EX60 introduces Google's Gemini AI as a core feature, one of the earliest automotive applications of this technology. Users can query it for everyday information like weather updates or philosophical insights into René Descartes' ideas on dualism. According to Volvo's Chief Technology Officer Anders Bell, future updates will connect it to the vehicle's external cameras, allowing queries about visible surroundings ahead.
Volvo's software-defined platform and supporting hardware, dubbed HuginCore after the Norse mythological raven Huginn symbolizing Odin's perception, handle these functions. Qualcomm manages the entertainment system, while NVIDIA's Drive AGX Orin chipset oversees active safety features. Differing from the EX90, the EX60 omits a LiDAR unit.
Bell minimized concerns over the lack of LiDAR, noting, 'We have determined that numerous essential and secure autonomous capabilities are now possible without it, surpassing what was feasible previously.' He added that LiDAR was never intended for this model, a choice that seems prudent following the recent insolvency of Luminar, Volvo's previous LiDAR collaborator.
The EX60's cameras and radars integrate seamlessly into its updated body design, which echoes elements of the EX90 and the existing gasoline XC60 but adds distinctive bulges on the front wheel arches for added character on its restrained form.
Central to the EX60 is the SPA3 platform, employing gigacasting to form the aluminum underbody, which reduces part count through high-pressure molding of large sections. Volvo claims this results in a smaller environmental impact compared to the more compact EX30.
Its battery assemblies adopt the popular cell-to-pack approach, combining cells into one module to increase energy density, though this often complicates repairs—a balance many automakers accept for improved efficiency and affordability. Bell explained that Volvo has improved serviceability by rearranging supporting components. 'Over 90 percent of battery repairs involve electronic parts,' he stated. By placing these under the rear seat, the design cuts weight and expenses while easing access.
The EX60 adopts the NACS charging connector popularized by Tesla, with the larger batteries in the P10 and P12 capable of 370-kilowatt rates, and the P6 limited to 320 kilowatts.
In real-world use, charging performance is comparable across variants. All achieve 10 to 80 percent capacity in under 20 minutes, gaining 160 to 173 miles of range during a 10-minute session. This trails slightly behind the BMW iX3's 200-mile addition in the same period but remains competitive.
The BMW iX3 stands as the EX60's primary rival when reservations begin this spring. With the EX60's mid-tier P10 Plus starting at about $60,000, it aligns closely with BMW's projected $60,000 for the iX3. Mercedes has yet to announce U.S. prices for the GLC, but it will likely attract similar interest from buyers.
Driving experiences with the iX3 and GLC have already proven engaging. Although Volvo did not permit a test drive of the EX60 at the event, further evaluations are anticipated to assess its performance against these peers.