UK Drive: Does the new EX60 bring the traditional Volvo experience?

What is it?

Volvo wants to transfer that success into the world of electric cars, too, which brings us to this – the EX60. It’s Volvo’s latest EVs and one that it sees as a real contender for mainstream appeal. We’ve been driving it in the UK for the first time.

What’s new?

It wouldn’t be a Volvo without some new safety tech, too. On the EX60, that means the introduction of new adaptive seat belt technology which can detect the size and shape of the user and adjust the level of force used in the case of an impact.

What’s under the bonnet?

But the P10 we’re driving is hardly lacking in the range department, either. As a bonus, it can accept a maximum charge rate of 370kW – faster than nearly any charger currently available in the UK – which means you could complete a 10 to 80 per cent charge in around 16 minutes. A full charge via a standard home charger can be sorted overnight, too.

What’s it like to drive?

This all-wheel-drive model has loads of performance, too. In fact, we’d argue that it’s as quick as you’d need a car of this size and shape to be. Fit it with winter tyres and we reckon it’d be pretty handy when the temperatures start to fall, too. The small steering wheel takes some getting used to, mind you.

How does it look?

Volvo also offers a good range of colours with the EX60, with the dark green shade of our test car providing a pleasant alternative to the greys and blacks which dominate the new car market at the moment.

What’s it like inside?

The forward chairs are comfortable, though, and there’s plenty of space for those in the back, too. The EX60 is also hugely impressive in the practicality area; with the rear seats tilted forward, you’ve got a huge 634-litre boot to use up, with a handy dual-level design meaning you can keep more precious items out of reach. You’ve also got a 58-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet which, when combined with the boot, means that the EX60 offers more space than even some of the cars in the class above.

What’s the spec like?

You’ll pay £64,860 for the range-topping P12 and its headline range but we imagine that unless you really need that extra 100 miles, the standard P10 will be more than enough.

Verdict

The EX60 feels like Volvo hitting its stride. It’s impressively refined, has all of the technology you could want and, even in mid-range P10, has a range that outclasses many key rivals. We’d like more physical buttons inside, but that’s a criticism that seems to apply to most of the new car market today.

With its high level of practicality, the EX60 is a car that’ll prove handy – and appealing – to all kinds of drivers.