Two days behind the wheel of Volvo's new mid-size electric SUV

Volvo EX60 in Barcelona

The Volvo EX60 offered two very different days behind the wheel in Barcelona. Two versions. Two personalities. But the same fundamental feeling throughout the entire experience.

Barcelona offered two very different days behind the wheel of the new Volvo EX60. Two versions. Two personalities. But the same fundamental feeling throughout the experience. This is without a doubt one of the most important models for Volvo right now.

On the first day, I drove the P6 version with rear-wheel drive, 376 horsepower, and a range of up to 611 kilometres. The second day was about the P10 instead. All-wheel drive, 510 horsepower, and with a range of up to 660 kilometres.

And it's immediately noticeable that Volvo has put a lot of work into making the EX60 feel just as a Volvo should. Comfortable, quiet and relaxed. Precisely how a really good electric car should be experienced.

I had the same feeling earlier behind the wheel of a larger Volvo EX90, a model I've also driven and written about here on CarsCollection.com.

Volvo EX60 comfort and driving experience

What perhaps impressed me most during the days in Spain was how natural the car feels to drive. There is no drama in the way the EX60 delivers its power. Everything happens smoothly, controlled, and very thoughtfully.

The P10 version is naturally the one that makes the strongest impression in terms of performance. The 510 electric horsepower are delivered instantly and the car feels both fast and stable in any situation. But what really stood out was the comfort.

The P10 is equipped with adaptive dampers with three different modes, and on Barcelona's sometimes uneven streets, the system did a really good job. The car absorbed bumps in a way that provided a very calm and exclusive feeling in the cabin.

At the same time, the traditional dampers in the P6 version worked very well. The standard chassis was more than sufficient there, and the car felt both balanced and comfortable even at higher speeds. This also means that the P6 will probably be more than good enough for a great many buyers.

Volvo EX90 and range

Another thing that became clear during the drive is how far the development of electric cars has actually come.

As ranges are starting to approach and exceed 600 miles, at the same time as rapid charging becomes ever better, the way one views longer journeys is also changing. The classic range anxiety is pushed much further back.

The EX60 feels built to work just as naturally in everyday life as on longer journeys through Europe. And perhaps it's precisely there that Volvo hits the mark.

The car isn’t trying to be extreme or futuristic just for the sake of it. Instead, it’s about making life behind the wheel easier, quieter and more relaxed.

Volvo EX60 with Google Gemini AI

The infotainment system in the EX60 builds on Volvo's collaboration with Google and now also integrates the AI function Gemini.

And after testing the system myself, it genuinely feels like the beginning of something bigger than just another ordinary voice assistant. Instead of classic short commands, you can talk to the car more naturally and conversationally. The system understands context in a completely different way than before and can help with everything from navigation and restaurant tips to messages and planning during your journey.

There will be less button-pressing and more focus on the driving itself.

During the presentations in Barcelona, it was clear that Volvo sees AI integration as an important part of the future car experience, not just another technical feature. And it's already working impressively well.

Volvo EX60 sound system from Bowers & Wilkins

The sound system is from Bowers & Wilkins, and yes, it sounds just as good as you would hope a system from that brand would.

I managed to listen a good deal to my own mixes from SoundCloud during the run and it quickly became clear how well-balanced and clean the system plays, even at higher volumes.

In a car like the EX60, where the cabin is already so quiet, a good sound system becomes even more important. And here, Volvo truly delivers.

Conversations about the future

During dinner in Barcelona, I also had the opportunity to listen to Anders Bell, Volvo's Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, who spoke more about the thinking behind the EX60 and where Volvo is heading technically.

It's clear that Volvo sees the EX90 as more than just another new model. The car represents the next step in how the brand wants to combine safety, software, electrification and user experience.

I also had an interesting conversation with Martin Eriksson from Volvo about battery technology and how the battery system in the EX60 is constructed. It became a discussion that gave an interesting insight into how much development actually lies behind today's modern electric cars, far beyond figures about range and charging times.

The Volvo EX60 Cross Country was unveiled.

During the days, a forthcoming Volvo EX60 Cross Country was also shown.

The details of the model are still limited, but it was clear that Volvo wants to continue developing the Cross Country concept even in the electric era. Furthermore, the combination of electric drive, high comfort, and a more robust expression feels very logical for Volvo.

Earlier this year, I was also up in Norrland for Volvo's media driving event of EX30 Cross Country, an article that is already online here on CarsCollection.com. It made it extra interesting to now get a first glimpse of how Volvo intends to take the Cross Country idea further, even in a larger format.

First impression of the Volvo EX60

After two days behind the wheel, I left Barcelona with a very positive impression of the Volvo EX60. The P10 impressed most with its combination of power, comfort, and technology, but at the same time, it's hard to ignore how competent the P6 actually feels.

And perhaps that's precisely the strength of the EX60. It doesn't try to be spectacular all the time. It tries to be really good to live with. And it succeeds very well at that.

Technical specification

Volvo EX60 P6
Price: From 689,000 SEK
Motor: Electric
Power: 374 bhp, 480 Nm
Power transmission: Rear engine, rear-wheel drive. Reduction gearbox.
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 5.9 s
Top speed: 180 km/h
Consumption (WLTP): Combined driving 1.49 kWh/mil. Range 611 km.
Kerb weight: 2,189 kg
Dimensions (length/width/height): 4,803 / 1,908 / 1,635 mm

Volvo EX60 P10 AWD
Price: From 809,000 kronor
Motor: Electric
Power: 510 bhp, 710 Nm
Power transmission: Front and rear engines, four-wheel drive. Reduction gearbox.
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 4.6 s
Top speed: 180 km/h
Consumption (WLTP): Combined 1.60 kWh / 10 miles. Range 660 km.
Kerb weight: 2,405 kg
Dimensions (length/width/height): 4,803 / 1,908 / 1,635 mm