Volvo Invited Roadworks to an early first look at their new mid-size SUV, the EX60
Suprisingly Normal Looking
Making an EV look pretty isn’t exactly the easiest task for designers these days. Things like battery packs, pedestrian impact compliance, aero goals, and other aspects all contribute to the wonky silhouettes we’ve seen from some other manufacturers. Miraculously, Volvo hasn’t traded looks or comfort in the name of efficiency. That part is already baked into the car. EX60 looks EV-ish, but not for the sake of looking futuristic. It’s more timeless, it’s handsome. It’s the type of philosophy more manufacturers should adopt. We don’t need flash-style products that age themselves out within a generation. EX60 is a fresh way to do the future of automotive tech.
Simple design choices like the frameless, but double-pane door windows add to the aesthetics in a modern fashion. The taillights look sleek, but quintessentially “Volvo”. There aren’t arbitrary panels or vast expanses of black plastic hiding the mass of the car. The only weird aspect is the satellite headlight craze is in full swing, and Volvo, unfortunately is not immune. What looks like headlights on this car are actually DRL/light signature elements. The real headlights sit slightly below and off to the side. It’s weird, I know, but at least they gave it (sort of) a shape. Elegant looking split five-spoke wheels are a refreshing return to form since everything EV seemingly has torque-twisty multispoke wheels nowadays.
Pick Your Power
The car we previewed was a “P10” dual motor model. In Volvo speak this translates to about 320 miles of range and 503 horsepower. P10 sits in the middle of the EX60 trims with a lesser P6 model providing around 307 miles of range and 369 horsepower. You can, of course, go for the big boy, labeled as a P12. This version gets the same dual motor AWD set-up as the P10, but it’s tuned for a higher 670 horsepower output and may crack the 400 mile range barrier. After our experience in the EX90, there are no doubts this smaller EX60 will feel plenty nimble and quick.
A Dreamy Scandinavian Interior
There are a few aspects to the new EX60’s interior that stand out. First, it’s the material choice. The colored woods, extensive use of soft-touch cloth-like materials, and soft leathers or leather alternatives all combine to create a cozy welcoming space. Then there’s the use of recycled materials like denim and flax. complimentary of the interesting materials in EX60 is the overall neat and tidy design, which Volvo is famous for. There is a minimal, but clever integration of different elements that all create a modern, but timeless flow within the cabin. An example of this is the minimal door handles that are simple crevices within the door.
The feeling of floating and airiness is a common theme often found within contemporary Volvo products. The electrochromic glass roof, stellar sound system, and soft touch everything are all efforts to calm passengers in a cozy environment. This has always been a Volvo strong suit, and it’s definitely continued here in the EX60, but in a more sculptural way. It’s not all show, either, as the interior is quite practical. There’s tons of space for occupants in all dimensions, and the configurable rear cargo area with a low floor makes storage a breeze. There’s also a frunk for added storage.
Is Electric Still The Way Of The Future?
Volvo seems to think so as they continue to take on the challenges of EV adoption. In fact, Volvo has an entire sister brand which is all-EV, remember. Don’t think all that Polestar development won’t be trickled down to Volvo products. The EX60 is proof of that, and honestly, this is a great byproduct of those efforts. Funny enough, the EX60 uses an all-new, Volvo-first architecture that will be used in future Polestar models. It was time Volvo continued to build on their colorful history of proprietary technology. Technically the new SPA3 platform achieves that, but don’t expect it to stay within the Volvo portfolio only. Polestar and Volvo will be continually collaborating as both EV tech improves, and market trends change. It’s a shame Polestar has since pulled out of the US market, but this allows Volvo’s EVs to take the stage for more of a presence.