Volvo teases a new electric era with the EX60 SUV

Volvo is almost ready to launch the all-new EX60, a mid-size electric SUV slated to arrive in early 2026. This new entry into the crowded field of electric cars promises to build on the success of its gasoline-powered sibling, the immensely popular XC60, while introducing a host of new technologies.

Initially, the EX60 was supposed to replace the XC60 entirely, but Volvo has adjusted its approach due to shifting market demands. Now, the EX60 will be sold alongside a refreshed version of the XC60, giving customers a choice between a fully electric powertrain and traditional mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid options. When the EX60 lands eventually, it will squarely sit in the middle of Volvo's growing lineup of EVs, slotting between the smaller EX30 and the flagship EX90.

At the core of the EX60 is Volvo's brand-new Scalable Product Architecture 3 (SPA3). Designed exclusively for electric vehicles, the SPA3 architecture is a modular system that can be adapted for various vehicle sizes. One of the platform's most significant innovations is the use of a structural battery pack, a "cell-to-body" technology where the battery itself becomes an integral part of the car's frame.

Another manufacturing advancement tied to the SPA3 platform is "megacasting." This process, pioneered by Tesla, involves casting large sections of the car's chassis as single aluminum pieces, replacing what would traditionally be an assembly of many smaller components. The result is a lighter, more cost-effective, and more efficiently produced vehicle.

Volvo is keeping the final design under wraps, but a few teasers have offered clues. First, a glimpse of a clay model revealed the brand's signature vertical taillight design, a modern interpretation that connects two light units with a thin, horizontal light bar. The overall aesthetic is expected to follow the minimalist, "carved from a single block" design language seen on the EX90, featuring smooth surfaces and a clean profile. It is anticipated that the EX60 will have similar dimensions to the current XC60, which measures 185.4 inches in length, 74.9 inches in width, and 65 inches in height.

The second teaser released today, confirms our suspicions - the taillights, the tailgate, the boxy shape. The new EX60 indeed uses a mix of the design clues from its larger cousin, the EX90 and its smaller sibling, the EX30. And that by no means is a bad thing - if we could judge a car by its taillight, we'd say this one will be a handsome SUV.

Inside, the EX60 is expected to feature a tech-forward cabin centered around a large, portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system powered by Google's Android Automotive OS. This system will offer integrated Google Maps, Google Assistant, and access to the Google Play Store, along with over-the-air update capabilities to keep the software current.

Performance specifications for the Volvo EX60 remain speculative, but industry experts anticipate it will be competitive within the premium mid-size EV segment. The SPA3 platform's 800-volt architecture should allow for very fast charging speeds. Range estimates suggest that some configurations could approach 398 miles on a single charge. Both single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive versions are expected, with potential power outputs ranging from around 300 kW (400 horsepower) to upwards of 400 kW (536 horsepower) for high-performance variants.

True to its heritage, Volvo is also using the EX60 to debut a significant safety innovation. The vehicle will be the first to feature a new multi-adaptive seatbelt that uses real-time data from the car's interior and exterior sensors to customize the belt's response in a crash. It even analyzes the specific characteristics of an impact and the physical profile of the occupant - their size and seating position - to apply the optimal amount of force and minimize injury.

When the Volvo EX60 hits showrooms in 2026, it will face stiff competition from established players in the electric car market, including the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q6 e-tron, and BMW iX3. With an estimated starting price in the neighborhood of $60,000, the EX60 will be positioned as a premium offering, likely commanding a higher price than its gasoline counterpart, the XC60, which starts at well over $40,000 for the 2025 model year.

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