Volvo EX60 Performance Review: A Premium Electric SUV That Calms Range Anxiety

Verdict: Volvo’s Best EV Yet, But Not For Thrill-Seekers

The Volvo EX60 is a premium electric SUV built on a new platform and engineered to give family drivers long range, rapid charging and calm refinement without feeling like they have sacrificed everyday usability for the sake of going electric. This Volvo EX60 review finds that, despite a few ergonomic frustrations, it is the brand’s most convincing EV so far. The car is aimed squarely at buyers considering a BMW iX3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric, but who care more about comfort, space and range anxiety solutions than about razor-sharp handling. If you want an ultra-quiet, spacious EV that behaves like a traditional high-end SUV in daily life, the EX60 deserves to be near the top of your shortlist; if you crave driver involvement above all else, it may leave you cold.

Design, Cabin and Everyday Usability

Visually, the EX60 sits neatly between Volvo’s EX30 and EX90, with familiar ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights and a rear end that hints at classic Volvo estates while still looking modern. Inside, Volvo sticks to a reductive, minimalist philosophy; at first glance the cabin is plain, but closer inspection reveals careful detailing and clever usability tweaks. Perceived quality is high, with flowing layers of wood, fabric and leather-like materials giving the EX60 a bright, airy feel that comes across as plusher and of better build quality than the BMW iX3. Material quality is generally good and "it’s arguably a bit stark, but it feels posh enough." Practicality is a major win: there are endless cubbyholes, a neat slide‑out cupholder setup, a large storage area beneath the central screen, and a roomy rear with a flat floor to keep middle-seat passengers comfortable.

Usability, however, is a mixed bag. The 15in landscape‑oriented central display houses all key functions in a software development of the EX90’s system and works quickly and logically, helped by shortcut buttons along the bottom and side. Plus models also include a fixed panoramic roof, climate control, a heated steering wheel and a lengthy list of driver assistance technology, so the specification feels generous for a premium electric SUV. Volvo’s Google Gemini AI‑powered voice assistant can reliably find navigation destinations and chargers, but it is less helpful when you need obscure settings or more advanced queries. The real irritation is that virtually everything, including mirror and steering-wheel adjustment, is controlled through the touchscreen; even with some physical switchgear reintroduced, the lack of buttons turns simple adjustments into minor chores once you are on the move.

Performance, Comfort and Range Anxiety Solutions

On the road, the EX60 prioritises comfort over sportiness, and that decision defines its character. Anyone expecting an electric performance SUV will be disappointed, because the steering is not particularly engaging and the unusually small steering wheel can leave you feeling disconnected from such a substantial car. The upside is a serene driving experience: driven over a variety of roads, the EX60 is outstandingly refined, super‑hushed on the move and, with adaptive dampers fitted, offers genuinely sumptuous ride quality that makes it a very relaxing car to drive. Performance itself is not lacking. The P10 dual‑motor version with more than 500bhp is properly quick, while the single‑motor P6 is expected to be more than fast enough for most buyers who are cross‑shopping other premium electric SUVs. Improved driver assistance and a well‑tuned one‑pedal mode add to the sense of calm, even if the brake pedal feel is less appealing.

Where the EX60 stands out is its attempt to remove perceived compromises around EV range and charging. With three battery and motor configurations, the line‑up starts with the P6, offering up to 369bhp and 385 miles of claimed range, steps up to the P10 AWD with 503bhp and 410 miles, and tops out with the P12 AWD, which promises a whopping 503 miles between charges – the longest claimed range of any EV currently on sale. According to one road test, "the EX60 can accept up to 400kW, allowing a 10‑to‑80 per cent top‑up in around 16 minutes" when connected to a suitably powerful charger. Even the entry‑level P6 supports up to 350kW, which is far from slow. Together, these figures show buyers do not have to compromise on range and driving enjoyment when choosing a premium electric SUV, making the EX60 a strong answer to range anxiety concerns.

Positioning in the Premium Electric SUV Segment

The EX60 arrives in one of the most hotly contested parts of the new‑car market, where premium electric SUVs such as the BMW iX3 and Mercedes‑Benz GLC Electric are helping redefine expectations. These models show buyers increasingly expect long range, strong performance and family‑friendly practicality without EV‑specific compromises, and Volvo has clearly designed the EX60 to meet that brief. There is plenty that feels typically Volvo, but the brand has added a fair amount of new technology to create what could be its most important electric model yet. Built on a brand‑new platform and with top versions aiming at 503 miles of range, the EX60 is pitched as the perfect premium, family‑sized SUV for drivers who want familiar comfort with modern EV capability. It feels more nicely built than the iX3, and its interior space, practical features and refinement are tailored to family life rather than driving enthusiasts.

From a user’s point of view, the trade‑offs are clear. You get excellent claimed range and very fast charging, a spacious glasshouse cabin with abundant head and leg room, and endless storage, right down to a boot floor that lifts in two parts to reach a deep underfloor well without emptying the whole area. In exchange, you accept touchscreen‑heavy controls and steering that does not invite spirited driving. For many buyers stepping out of traditional combustion SUVs, that is a reasonable compromise: the EX60 behaves like a familiar, refined high‑rider, but adds EV practicality and range anxiety solutions that make day‑to‑day use easier rather than more stressful. Against its segment rivals, the EX60 is easily the best electric Volvo to date and presents a compelling case for drivers who treat their SUV as a comfortable, family‑oriented daily companion rather than a weekend toy.

Buy if / Skip if

• Buy the Volvo EX60 if you want a premium electric SUV with excellent claimed range figures and rapid charging to calm range anxiety.
• Skip the Volvo EX60 if engaging steering feel and a sense of connection to the car matter more to you than comfort and refinement.
• Buy the Volvo EX60 if you prioritise a spacious, practical interior with thoughtful storage and family‑friendly features over flashy cabin design.
• Skip the Volvo EX60 if you dislike touchscreen‑centric controls and prefer plenty of physical buttons for everyday driving adjustments.
• Buy the Volvo EX60 if you are cross‑shopping BMW iX3 and Mercedes‑Benz GLC Electric and want plusher perceived build quality and calmer road manners.
• Skip the Volvo EX60 if you see an electric SUV mainly as a performance toy rather than a quiet, comfortable family car.