First Drive: Is Volvo’s EX60 a new electric game-changer?
Volvo is quickly expanding its line-up of electric models, so is the EX60 a worthy addition? Jack Evans has been finding out.
What is it?
Rivalling accomplished rivals such as the BMW iX3 and BMW GLC, the EX60 weighs in with a long range and plenty of on-board technology, but is that enough to put it at the top of the list? We’ve been driving it to find out
What’s new?
Volvo will also be introducing a ‘Cross Country’ version of the EX60, which brings a boost in ride height and more adventure-focused design touches.
What’s under the bonnet?
The EX60 also benefits from a very rapid maximum charge rate of up to 400kW, which means you could take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around 16 minutes. Sadly, the entry-level P6 does without this, but still gets a respectable 350kW charge rating.
What’s it like to drive?
With over 500bhp, the mid-range P10 is more than quick enough but for most, we reckon that the standard P6 will bring more than enough performance. What we’d really like would be a single motor car with the larger battery found on the P10 and P12; it feels like it would bring the best blend of performance and efficiency.
How does it look?
Around the rear, it’s a little more slab-sided. However, the EX60’s boxy design is what helps it deliver good levels of headroom.
What’s it like inside?
Space in the back is great, too. There’s a fully flat floor, so even the person in the middle seat has enough space to stretch out and, as mentioned, headroom is great too. There are seatback pockets, too, but oddly enough, there’s a little too tight, so you can’t store much in them aside from thinner items like a phone or book.
What’s the spec like?
Equipment levels are solid across the board. Plus cars get climate control, heated steering wheel and that clever 15.04 curved central display as well as a load of safety assistance features. The fixed panoramic sunroof is included, too. As mentioned, the central screen is where you’ll access pretty much everything about the car – even the wing mirror and steering wheel adjustment – and while it’s quick to respond and accurate, we’d still like more physical buttons to help keep things safer. Many brands have returned to physical buttons – we’re looking at you, Volkswagen – and we can’t help but feel that Volvo might do this soon as well.
You can move up to ‘Ultra’ grade if you’d like laminated side windows and an upgraded Bowers and Wilkins sound system, but, in truth, we reckon that the EX60 is at its best in standard Plus specification, where its price is kept the most competitive.
Verdict
The Volvo EX60 enters a very competitive area of the market. However, we feel that it has all of the tools to succeed; a great range, lots of equipment and a genuinely well-packaged interior which feels perfectly suited to the family buyers who operate in this area of the car market.
We’d like more buttons and less reliance on a single screen, but in nearly all other areas, the EX60 nails the brief for a comfortable and spacious family EV.