New Volvo EX60 premium electric SUV to replace the XC60

• Fully electric premium SUV
• Styling in line with EX30 and EX90
• Due to go on sale in 2025

Car makers across Europe are gearing up for a zero-emissions future, and the Volvo EX60 is set to be the next electrified step for the Swedish brand. It will replace the popular Volvo XC60 SUV, which is beginning to feel its age after seven years on sale in an ultra-competitive market. While official images and specs are still under wraps, the EX60 is expected to make its full debut towards the end of this year, and could be on customers’ driveways by 2025.

What do I need to know about the Volvo EX60?

The Volvo EX60 will join Volvo’s existing lineup of electric SUVs, including the EX30, EX40 and EX90, the latter of which is due to go on sale this year. It should remain fairly close in size to the XC60 that it replaces, meaning it’ll go head-to-head with the likes of the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX3 and Porsche Macan Electric, as well as the top-selling Tesla Model Y.

Volvo’s Head of New Car Programmes and Strategy, Erik Severinson, has confirmed that the EX60 will use an evolution of its in-house-developed electric car platform. It’s the same architecture used under the EX90 large SUV, although it will be shortened for the five-seat EX60. Due to its smaller size, it’s unlikely that the EX60 will be fitted with the same 107kWh battery as the EX90, but a new “structural” battery pack could deliver equal range figures.

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The new battery pack will be integrated into the EX60’s floor, forming part of the structure to improve rigidity. It’s a design concept already in use by electric car giants Tesla and BYD, and promises to deliver “great drivability”. Following Tesla’s lead again, the EX60 will be the first Volvo produced with a megacasted rear floor. A single piece of cast aluminium will serve as the main rear structure, replacing the typical multi-piece undercarriage. It’s a move that should help to cut production times and costs, save weight and deliver “just as good, if not better safety and durability”.

Severinson has suggested that the battery itself will improve upon the energy density of previous units, meaning it should be able to deliver more range from a smaller size. For the EX60, this could translate to a near-400-mile range from a sub-100kWh battery pack.

It’s very probable that the EX60 will follow the brand’s latest design direction, currently employed by the EX30 and EX90. It’s a look defined by the LED ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights and unfussy bodylines.  Elements such as the flush door handles and subtle wheelarch creases can be seen in our exclusive image.

How much will the Volvo EX60 cost?

While we’re still some way off seeing the production-ready EX60, we can reliably assume that prices will sit somewhere between the EX40 and EX90, which start from around £46,000 and £96,000 respectively. While that’s a fairly large envelope, a starting price over £60,000 wouldn’t be surprising.

Why not read our full review of the Volvo XC60 Recharge PHEV, which is set to be replaced by the EX60?