Volvo EX60 First Drive Review: 400 Miles of Range, 670 Hp, Gemini Navigation. Fixes The EX30 & EX90's Mistakes

Volvo EX60 First Drive Review: 400 Miles of Range, 670 Hp, Gemini Navigation. Fixes The EX30 & EX90's Mistakes

The launch of Volvo's first two bespoke-EVs did not go to plan. The EX30 was disturbed by tariffs, arrived late and at a much higher price than planned, leading to a quick death. The EX90 was delayed by software and quality issues, which persisted much in the first year of sales. As a result, Volvo burned a lot of goodwill and even more cash to roll its electric ambitions. Now, the future of that EV depends on the EX60. The midsize crossover will have to correct the mistakes of previous attempts while fighting tough competition with cars like the Mercedes GLC EV, BMW ix3 and Rivian R2. Driving around Barcelona for more than five hours in the backcountry and city, the Volvo EX60 was very smooth, almost quiet and utterly charming. I haven't driven the R2 or IX3 yet, so I can't say it's best in class. But it's an EV that ultimately feels like a true Volvo.

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Volvo EX60: Main Specifications

There is a war of ranges in this segment, and the EX60 is the right one. Or, at least, the Range Champion all-wheel drive model, the P12, will not be available until later this year. It offers up to 400 miles of EPA range with 20-inch wheels, thanks to a large 117kWh pack (112kWh ready to use). Its top-end model delivers 670 horsepower and sprints to 3.8 in 60 seconds. All of this should shatter the expectations of Scandinavian minimalism. But the launch model will be a little more reasonable. The base trim is the rear-wheel drive P6 Plus, with a starting price of $59,795. If you want four-wheel traction, you can step up to $62,145 P10 Plus. Volvo notes that although this comes standard with the AWD is cheaper than the plug-in hybrid version of the comparable size XC60, which starts at $62,545, however, the base XC60 mild hybrid is still about $8,000 cheaper than the cheapest EX60.

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However, choosing a base model does not give you a tight power or range. The P6 comes with 369 hp and 354 lb-feet of torque, clipping to 60 in 5.7 seconds and surpassing 112 mph at the same speed as every other Volvo. The RWD powertrain and lightweight battery make it an efficiency leader with its 83kWh battery (80kWh available out of the range, squeezing up to 307 miles). But its standard all-wheel drive offers only a small price premium for the dual-motor version, which offers 503 hp and 322 miles of range on the base wheel, sure for luxury crossover shoppers, whether they're planning to leave the pavement or brave heavy snow. It's okay here, because there is a system. All three EX60 configurations charge 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes, so the additional range of P12 is not really necessary for the majority of shoppers. You'd save less than 20 minutes a few times a year, but if 400 miles is a safety blanket, it's a good idea, because you need to involve you in an all-electrified life.

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Volvo EX60: Interior Review

I'm going to start with the highlight, the miserable, window switch design from the EX90 is gone and there are 4 individual switches that control 4 separate windows at the disposal of the driver banished to the hell to which it belongs. What a breakthrough. This is a good stand for the approach Volvo has taken in general, a balance between a real ergonomic need and a new desire for button reduction and efficiency, so there are no hard buttons for climate control, but the temperature setting is persistent on the screen, adjustable with one tap, and there is enough temperature regulation, and I never felt the need to fiddle with it. It was not. Of course, all the music will appear on the screen, but there are physical buttons for skipping tracks, turning on/off power and volume control. 

I lose some points here by having software-controlled vents, a trend that I can neither understand nor support. I have not heard a convincing reason for the expensive and grumpy power vents you drag into position using the touch screen; while throwing away the button saves at least some money. A Volvo spokesperson said some customers like being able to direct the airflow to where they want it, but the easiest way to do that is to install the vents yourself.

Volvo EX60: Software & Technology

The EX60 also featured a new generation of Volvo UI, a large landscape-oriented touch panel and tide driver information display with a head-up display in the windshield. The menu here is smooth and intuitive, with quick animations and no noticeable bugs over my five odd hours of testing. The system is powered by Google's Android Automotive, with Google built in for voice commands and mapping. The big news here is the introduction of conversation navigation using Google Gemini, an honestly divine breakthrough for in-vehicle navigation. You can say things like "Stop charging along my route at speeds over 350kW and let my dog walk in a nearby park "or" Find a Tesla supercharger near a restaurant where vegetarian options are good" and the car will comply almost instantly.

I'll have a full review of it soon, but it's enough to say that it will wind up planning an EV road trip with the EX60. I can't glaze too many Volvo here, though, as the technology has also come to Mercedes EV, a slew of General Motors products, and a bunch of other Volvo models. However, this car's technology for Volvo's overall approach introduced, and emphasizes the importance of a good thing. EX60 incredibly refined about it, almost humble. Modern house trim Mercedes gets, it is always the “Energizing Comfort” feature to try from your phone, so don't forget to remind you that a lot of Volvos are to bonging, and the beep sound stops for hyperactive driver of the monitor and the safety system.

Technology is polished, but it is almost out of the way. Pulling away EX60, one-pedal driving behavior and powertrain response can be changed with a simple toggle in the most ordinary car feel like it is a myriad of chassis settings and alarm and dazzle. Your Swedish companion as you want, it is quiet, collected, smart.  Most of the time, at least for me, you can enjoy Bowers & Wilkins stereo, the centerpiece of the tech suite. This is a beautiful device that comes standard with the Ultra trim of the P6, P10 or P12 models. Bumping the Dolby Atmos mixed track on its 28-speaker array while cruising the Spanish back road was one of the biggest car experiences of my 10-year career, really reviewing the car. For my money, when I played "Come Away with Me," one of the best mixes of all time, it felt like Nora Jones was whispering in my ear. The speakers attached to the headrest allow for one of my favorite party tricks on the EX60. If you are cruising with sleeping children, you can set the music to play only from the speakers. Most cars can do some sort of balance adjustment, but I've never rode anything so completely separating the sound to one passenger, it was lovely.

Volvo EX60: Driving experience

The EX60 is compliant, accurate and could be quiet on the road, but because its real magic lies in how the whole package comes together. The combination of minimalist cabin, unobtrusive technology and silent drivetrain makes the EX60 almost disappear around you. Driving through the Spanish countryside, I just couldn't get more than how sophisticated the whole felt. It must be said that Volvo was one of the strengths of the EV market. The company was born with such a good natural unity and the benefits of its brand identity. Volvos, a quiet and capable companion, was always at his best when it melted for miles. The course improves the phenomenon that electricity may be applied. The cabin is better, more spacious and more sophisticated because it is inside a truly software-defined vehicle, and the reliability is better because the car is simpler accompanied by all the advantages of cost and packaging. And there is no safer car than a car without an engine, where the entire front end can be a crumpled zone.

Volvo EX60: Early Verdict

In the luxury market, however, the moment has arrived. Medium-sized crossovers like the iX3 and EX60 are not only closer to price parity but are also better cars than gas-powered ones. No matter how much you spend on the XC60, you will get something with this smooth, this fast, this quiet, or almost as sophisticated technology as these cars hit a lot, especially given that wealthy buyers here have almost all owned their homes, this segment is a good place to start.  I still can't say that the EX60 is the best electric midsize luxury SUV on sale — in my view it will automatically be the best midsize luxury SUV overall. But it is certainly competing for the title. And while driving enthusiasts may want the iX3, and adventure-minded people may lean toward the Rivian, the EX60 offers what Volvo buyers are looking for. It may not be flashy, or the fastest, but it's a calm place to spend time. That's exactly what Volvo is supposed to be.