2027 Volvo EX60 is the fastest charging Volvo ever | First Drive | Driving.ca

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:01][music] >> One of the things that's always puzzled me about the first generation of electric vehicles is how manufacturers didn't just make an electric vehicle of their best-selling gas vehicle. That seemed logical. Instead, all these legacy automakers, I think caught a kind of Tesla bug and thought they had to make wildly different-looking vehicles.

[00:00:22]Well, it turns out that didn't work out that well.

[00:00:24]A couple of companies have caught on.

[00:00:26]Mercedes-Benz has taken their best-selling GLC gas and made an electric version. And BMW has taken their best-selling X3 and made the iX3.

[00:00:37]Well, Volvo's joining that crowd. Volvo's best-selling gas vehicle globally is the XC60. And now this, the 2027 Volvo EX60.

[00:00:48]So, I'm here in the south of Spain and I'm going to take this for a drive and let's learn more about it. The first EX60 model to come to Canada will be the all-wheel-drive P10 version with the long-range P12 and a cross-country variant expected in 2028. The dual-motor EX60 is the first Volvo to be built on the SPA3 platform, the automaker's new electric vehicle architecture, which includes a new 800-V electrical system and in-house developed software. The P10 uses a 95-kWh battery providing an impressive 503 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque. This is definitely not your father's Volvo. Volvo estimates the P10 will have a full-charge range of 514 km, while the P12, a class-leading 640, making it the best-range EV ever produced by the Swedish automaker.

[00:01:35]Another new high bar for the EX60 is it is the fastest-charging Volvo EV ever with the ability to add up to 270 km of range in just 10 minutes when using a 400-kW fast charger. Volvo claims DC fast-charging speeds of up to 370 km.

[00:01:52]The automaker has put a lot of work into making the EX60 as efficient as possible and also as sustainable as possible.

[00:01:58]Volvo reports the mid-size SUV has the lowest carbon footprint of any fully electric Volvo ever, matching that of the subcompact EX30. 27% of the materials used in the EX60 are from recycled materials. I've credited Genesis of producing some of the best cabins in the last few years, both in terms of design and materials, but Volvo is certainly getting into that conversation. The EX60's interior is fantastic, a beautiful blend of Swedish minimalism and 21st century practicality. It is so comfortable. I also like how the center screen is now horizontal rather than Volvo EVs traditional vertical setup, and the driver display is nicely positioned above the distinctive steering wheel.

[00:02:39]What has been a sore spot for Volvo EVs in the past is the infotainment system, which has been prone to dysfunction and even when working properly are fussy to use and navigate. The EX60 does show some signs of improvement, at least in terms of not needing to go through submenus to do something as simple as adjust the side mirrors. However, you still need to adjust them using an on-screen prompt, and then use little toggles on the steering wheel to move them back and forth. Must say I'm not a fan of this. Just give me the traditional button system on the driver door. If you are an audiophile, you'll love the optional 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system with headrest speakers in all four main seats, a first for a Volvo. In addition, the EX60 is the first Volvo with Apple Music preinstalled with Dolby Atmos. Driving some of Southern Spain's beautiful mountain roads, quickly became apparent that driving dynamics were also high on Volvo's checklist for the EX60. It is so well balanced, and despite having a big battery pack forming part of the chassis frame, it didn't have that typical heavy feeling of an EV. The P10 comes with a number of personalized chassis settings, including for steering and suspension, the latter a slick air suspension system that can be tailored to road conditions.

[00:03:49]I'm not sure how many owners will actually change these settings over time, Though I certainly did and was impressed by the sophistication and the nuances between each one. And the one pedal drive function was fantastic.

[00:04:00]Unlike some full-on regen braking systems, when I took my foot off the accelerator, the braking was firm but not so harsh as to throw my torso and head forward. Very refined. And what would a new Volvo be without a world first safety feature? Debuting on the EX60 is a multi-adaptive seatbelt that adapts to the wearer's size and position. And as the system improves further, vehicles will get over-the-air updates. So there you have it. That's the 2027 Volvo EX60. Volvo of course sells other electric vehicles. They have the EX30 which is the small compact, and then they have the big full-size SUV, the EX90. Obviously, the XC60 is a big seller because of its size and I think this EX60 will appeal to people because of its size also. It's going to be available later this year in Canada.

[00:04:44]Pricing probably starts at about 77,000 upwards of 87,000 for something like this, the ultra package. For driving.ca, in the south of Spain, I'm Andrew McCredie.