Volvo pulled the duvet off its latest electrical SUV, the EX60, at a world launch occasion in Stockholm, Sweden, additional cementing the model’s dedication to remain on the EV prepare long-term.
The EX60 marks what seems like a clear break from its combustion engine legacy, regardless that it plans to maintain on making XC60 plug-in hybrids for the foreseeable future due to how effectively that mannequin continues to promote.
That right this moment’s vehicles are principally roving, linked units isn’t revelatory; it’s that Volvo’s technique intends to make this mid-size SUV scalable and modular — to a level — constructing on its all-electric promise via a complete new tech platform. Briefly, which means higher effectivity, charging velocity, vary, and automobile structure.
Nevertheless it additionally means getting even nearer to Google and making Gemini a significant a part of the in-car expertise for drivers and passengers — together with for individuals who already personal a Volvo EV.
New {hardware} and software program kind a Volvo spine
Whereas different automakers have been pulling again their EV rollouts, Volvo isn’t shaking any of that off based mostly on the corporate’s posture at its launch occasion. The EX60 would be the first mid-size SUV constructed on the corporate’s SPA3 EV structure, pairing with its core computing system known as HuginCore. The concept is for these two parts to introduce “unprecedented ranges” of flexibility and scalability.
In different phrases, SPA3 is meant to be ok for what’s but to come back. Volvo says it constructed each a part of the structure, be it cell-to-battery integration, electrical motors, and electronics, to help future fashions and applied sciences. This manner, when new firmware or software program updates can be found within the coming years, they might roll proper again to the EX60 regardless that it’s not the most recent mannequin.
The gist in making this attainable is that HuginCore is the centrepiece as a result of it acts because the one software program stack that handles all of it. Whether or not it’s the EX60, EX90, or future fashions, engineers launch code into one unified system, guaranteeing a broader lineup will get some key upgrades.
To wit, Volvo will abandon the previous observe of spinning a number of physique types off a platform over 10 years with minimal upgrades. As an alternative, {hardware} and software program will transfer collectively. The EX60’s 800-volt electrical system, shared battery administration software program, and core compute structure are deliberate to roll out throughout different fashions. When Qualcomm Snapdragon upgrades arrive, they exit to all of the suitable autos within the lineup, not simply one after the other.
The best way Volvo describes it feels a bit extra akin to how a telephone model releases an OS or software program replace for a number of units directly.
Design, efficiency, vary and charging
Simply trying on the EX60 all however confirms it got here from a workshop in Sweden. It has a low entrance with a sloping roofline and tapered sides that evoke an analogous aesthetic to what we’ve seen from its present crop of EV SUVs. In driving phrases, which means a 0.26 drag coefficient to assist with effectivity and vary.
The inside is sweet and exhibits {that a} flatter ground can do wonders for rear legroom and cargo area. This was an issue within the EX90, which noticed a tighter seating scenario within the again row due to an elevated hole that partially coated the rear motor and air flow shaft. That’s not a problem right here as a result of there’s no third row, however the lengthy wheelbase and flat basis may pay dividends for cargo area and storage inside.
On the street in all-wheel drive, Volvo estimates the EX60 can go as much as 640km, additional than any all-electric Volvo up to now. To not point out longer than lots of combustion engine autos at the moment obtainable. Quick charging functionality permits the automobile so as to add as much as 270km of vary in simply 10 minutes on a 400kW charger. These numbers change below various situations, like chilly or scorching climate, heating/air con utilization and charging velocity. It’s nice to have 400kW capability, however discovering one which will get near that’s nonetheless the onerous half in Canada.
Future over-the-air updates will introduce superior driver help (ADAS) capabilities, together with Navi Pilot Help, a “ramp-to-ramp” system meant for freeway driving with lane administration and overtaking help. Whereas not a totally self-driving system like GM’s Tremendous Cruise or Ford’s Blue Cruise, it’s nonetheless being designed to ship Degree 2+ performance.
Volvo will launch two powertrain variants in Canada, with the P12 AWD because the top-end mannequin with most vary, and the P10 AWD offering a extra accessible different — so, as much as 514km vary. Both variant is sweet for Volvo’s 10-year battery guarantee.
A giant display and new digital cluster
It’s onerous to not discover the massive 15-inch central show inside — an OLED panel that appears sharp and vibrant, and one Volvo reps declare is glare-resistant. Given how OLED panels work in brilliant daylight, we’ll must see about that on the street someday. The opposite notable change is that it’s oriented in panorama and has a slight concave that curves out somewhat than in, like a pc monitor. The explanation for that’s to make the display really feel extra accessible and visual to the motive force and entrance passenger, although I’m not shopping for Volvo’s assertion that youngsters within the again can even profit from the design after they need to watch one thing on it.
This marks the primary time Volvo has gone with a panorama show in an EV. In an interview with MobileSyrup, Akhil Krishnan, who oversees your entire 60-product lineup (XC and EX) at Volvo, says improved multitasking and related particulars extra simply seem when laid out this manner, however that the corporate additionally wished to keep away from making it “appear like an iPad was simply planted on the sprint.”
Contextual widgets pop up and adapt to driver behaviour, whereas Volvo is becoming a member of different automakers with a Google built-in system that already permits streaming video from apps like YouTube and Tubi (not whereas driving, after all).
As well as, there’s an 11.4-inch “ahead driving show” —a digital cluster by one other title — proper in entrance of the motive force. That’s a fairly clear departure from the EX90, which had a tiny one by comparability, in addition to the EX30, which didn’t have one in any respect. In each instances, Volvo positioned the transfer as being much less distracting as a result of the HUD (heads-up show) pointed on the windshield supplied crucial context for the motive force.
Right here, the show appears like Volvo acknowledges that it is smart to separate core automobile data and features from the principle infotainment display, thereby lowering lateral eye motion. For a model dedicated to safer driving, that was all the time a peculiar selection, however it is a step over within the different course.
Google Gemini is the primary passenger
With regards to AI integration, there are primarily two currents at work. First, the EX60 is the preliminary Volvo to launch with Google Gemini built-in into the automobile. That not solely means Google Assistant is gone, it’s additionally going to vanish in older Volvo fashions. An upcoming over-the-air replace will carry Gemini into roughly 2.5 million current autos with native Google-based infotainment programs, going way back to mannequin yr 2021, together with these in Canada.
Anders Bell, Volvo’s chief engineering and expertise officer, tells MobileSyrup that the EX60 would be the first mannequin to launch with Gemini built-in from day one, however that the corporate realized classes from earlier fashions to determine deployment past only a single mannequin. A dicey proposition contemplating {hardware} and processing energy can differ fairly a bit the extra mannequin years are separated. Whereas which means efficiency and options will fluctuate relying on processing energy, reminiscence, and sensor integration, the EX60, geared up with Nvidia Drive AGX Orin and a brand new Snapdragon 8255 CPU, is designed with extra superior AI-driven experiences in thoughts as Gemini expands its position inside the automobile.
Google has been slowly (very slowly, in some ways) rolling out Gemini in Android Auto. The most important distinction right here is that the AI will be capable to handle automobile features, help with navigation, deal with messaging, and supply real-time details about the automobile. As an example, it’s going to have full entry to the EX60’s HVAC and diagnostics, in addition to the person handbook, enabling it to reply how-to questions on options and features inside. The plan is to offer Gemini that form of functionality to the older fashions as effectively, although it’s not but evident how far that may go given the totally different {hardware} inside. Both approach, that integration gained’t apply when operating Gemini by way of Android Auto.
Digging in deeper with Google reps readily available on the launch occasion revealed extra nuance and context. Although offered as a deeply built-in in-car AI, a few of these options weren’t prepared in the course of the occasion and is probably not prepared upon automobile availability later this yr, both. And whereas the plan is to ultimately make the platform run partly on-device, it’s going to roll out as a wholly cloud-based system first. Embedded on-device AI, like Gemini Nano, “stays below energetic improvement”, however the stability between cloud and native processing is extra of a future function mentioned to evolve over time.
Furthermore, deeper integration, like with the automobile’s person handbook, diagnostics, camera-based contextual consciousness, richer navigation and charging intelligence, additionally aren’t fairly prepared for primetime. Volvo cited an instance of the EX60 passing by a landmark, the place the motive force asks Gemini about it, resulting in a response based mostly on knowledge from Google Maps. Whereas very cool, it’s one thing that’s nonetheless being ironed out somewhat than a totally fashioned state of affairs.
Regardless of the concentrate on the built-in Google system, Android Auto and CarPlay will run simply superb within the EX60. Since each are additionally higher served by landscape-oriented screens, the {hardware} and software program mixture ought to feel and look extra pure. What’s nonetheless not clear is whether or not urgent the microphone button on the steering wheel brings up the voice related to the linked platform or the built-in Gemini AI.
Massive sound and independence for Apple Music
The highest EX60 trim comes with a “mind-blowing” 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system inside. This setup embeds audio system in all places, beginning with a soundbar within the dashboard and audio system nestled into all 4 headrests. The mid-level trim will get a Bose system with fewer audio system. Both approach, you get Dolby Atmos inside with help for spatial audio, so stream suitable tracks and flicks, and it’s best to hear the immersive sound coming from them.
Volvo can be making Apple Music a local app with Dolby Atmos, eradicating CarPlay from the equation. You possibly can nonetheless use it whereas operating CarPlay, simply that it’s not crucial should you’re a subscriber. That additionally goes for Android customers utilizing Apple’s streaming service because you don’t must run Android Auto to achieve entry to that, both. Simply log into your account from the display, and also you’re good to go, very similar to Porsche launched within the Taycan again in 2019. Quite than pressure drivers to choose one platform or one other, the EX60 will play good in each methods.
Availability begins Spring 2026
Alongside the automobile itself, Volvo is rethinking the client expertise in Canada. It will likely be piloting a bundled leasing mannequin known as “Care” in Sweden that mixes the automobile, auto insurance coverage, dwelling charging and electrical energy right into a single month-to-month fee. It’s not clear how lengthy the pilot will final earlier than the corporate decides to roll it out to different markets, however Canada is amongst these it has in thoughts.
Krishnan says a 36-month lease is the preferred for Canadians who need to drive a Volvo, and that the pilot is a technique during which it’s exploring automobile possession alternate options. He confirmed that its ill-fated subscription service gained’t be making a comeback. As well as, 24- and 48-month leases are additionally on the desk as choices.
The P10 AWD can be obtainable for pre-order now with manufacturing starting in spring 2026 and deliveries anticipated in the summertime and fall. The P12 AWD will observe at a later undetermined timeframe. Pricing begins at C$77,500. A Cross Nation model will launch first in Europe, adopted by North America beginning in mid-2027.
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