Volvo EX60 first look: why BMW and Mercedes should be worried

Volvo has pulled the covers off its latest SUV, the EX60, and it’s safe to say the Swedish brand isn’t pulling any punches. I was given the chance to poke around the new electric SUV at its German premiere, and the big question is: can it actually beat the best from BMW and Mercedes?

A design that doesn’t try too hard

While BMW is busy with radical “Neue Klasse” styling and Mercedes continues its aero-blob aesthetic, Volvo has stuck to what it does best: Scandinavian cool. It’s not a wild departure from the Volvos we know and love, but it’s a seriously handsome bit of kit.

One neat trick is the new “Winglet” door handles. They stick out of the trim below the window and pop the door open electronically, although it can take a couple of tries to find the right spot. It’s the kind of thing you’ll master in an afternoon though, and it definitely adds to that high-tech feel.

Range that crushes the competition

If you’re still worried about range anxiety, the EX60 is here to settle your nerves. The top-spec model claims a staggering 503-mile range. For context, that puts the BMW iX3, with its 500-mile claimed figure, into second place just months after it was launched..

It’s not just about a big battery, either. Volvo has obsessed over efficiency, with drag kept to a minimum thanks to clever bits like a shuttered grille that only opens when needed.

Charging is equally rapid:

• 800-volt electrical system as standard
• Max charging speeds of up to 400kW
• 10% to 80% charge in just 19 minutes
• A 10-minute splash-and-dash adds more than 200 miles of range

Inside: sanity prevails

Inside, Volvo has listened to the critics. Unlike the smaller EX30, which forced everything onto a single vertical screen, the EX60 brings back a proper driver’s display and a horizontal main touchscreen.

The best news? Physical buttons are back. Well, some of them. There’s a proper volume knob under the screen, and the steering wheel uses haptic buttons that feel intuitive even when parked.

The software is powered by Google Gemini, and while I couldn’t test the AI features yet, the interface feels snappy and the icons are now larger and easier to hit while driving.

Space and practicality

With a wheelbase stretching nearly three metres, there’s loads of room in the back for adults to stretch out, aided by reclining rear seats.

Storage stats at a glance:

• Boot space: 634 (seats up) to 1,647 litres (seats down).
• Frunk: 58 litres (perfect for muddy charging cables).
• The catch: Volvo has strangely ditched the traditional glovebox.

The verdict: A premium bargain?

The Volvo EX60 isn’t just matching German alternatives on tech; it’s undercutting them on price.

Prices start from just under £57,000, which makes it around £1,000 cheaper than a BMW iX3 and £3,000 less than a Mercedes GLC EV. You can add £8,000 if you want the longest range model.

While we still need to see how it drives on UK roads, our hands-on experience tells us that the EX60 should be a cracking electric SUV. It offers all the tech of a futuristic EV with the comfort and style that Volvo is famous for.

If you’re in the market for a premium electric SUV, you might want to hold off on that trip to the BMW or Mercedes showroom until you’ve tried this.

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