Volvo EX60: The SUV That Could Define Volvo’s EV Future

Volvo Cars has long positioned itself as a pioneer in safety and sustainable mobility. In recent years, however, the brand’s aggressive bet on electric vehicles has faced serious setbacks. Global EV adoption has been slower than anticipated, software issues plagued early EV launches like the EX30 and EX90, and global trade tensions have driven up costs for China-built models.

Now, Volvo is preparing to unveil the EX60, a fully electric mid-size SUV designed not only to succeed the company’s best-selling XC60 but also to reset Volvo’s EV ambitions. Industry watchers see this launch as one of the most pivotal moments in the brand’s modern history.

Reveal Timeline and Production

The Volvo EX60 will make its world premiere on January 21, 2026, through a livestreamed event in Stockholm, Sweden. Production will begin later in the first half of 2026 at Volvo’s Torslanda factory in Gothenburg, Sweden. Despite speculation about potential delays, Volvo executives insist the project is on track.

Summary Table

Built on SPA3: Volvo’s Next-Generation EV Platform

Unlike earlier EVs built on the SPA2 base, the EX60 is the first vehicle on the SPA3 (Scalable Product Architecture 3) platform. Volvo emphasizes that SPA3 is designed in-house, engineered to be fully electric from the ground up, and capable of supporting multiple models across different segments.

SPA3 also integrates Volvo’s new “Superset” technology stack, enabling advanced software-defined vehicle functions and frequent over-the-air (OTA) updates. This should allow Volvo to avoid the buggy rollouts that hampered the EX90, while giving customers a car that improves over time.

Engineering Advances: Structural Battery and Mega-Casting

One of the most significant changes with the EX60 is the introduction of a structural battery pack. Unlike conventional underfloor packs, this design integrates the battery into the chassis, improving rigidity, efficiency, and crash safety.

Volvo is also adopting mega-casting technology, which involves producing the rear underbody as a single large aluminum casting. This approach:

• Reduces vehicle weight by up to 20 percent

• Speeds up production dramatically (from nearly one hour to two minutes)

• Increases interior and boot space

• Enhances crash performance

These innovations mark a clear step toward the more efficient, cost-effective production pioneered by EV leaders like Tesla, while maintaining Volvo’s commitment to safety.

Range and Performance Expectations

Volvo has not confirmed exact specifications, but executives have indicated the EX60 will deliver the longest range of any Volvo EV to date. Considering the ES90 sedan already achieves up to 435 miles (WLTP), the EX60 is expected to offer similar or greater capability, easily surpassing the 310 miles EPA rating of the EX90 SUV.

Industry analysts expect U.S. pricing to start in the $60,000-70,000 range, positioning it against rivals like the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX, and Mercedes EQE SUV.

Design: Familiar Yet Modern

The EX60 carries forward the dimensions of the XC60, Volvo’s most successful model to date, but evolves its styling with modern EV cues. Key design features include:

• Thor’s Hammer LED headlamps with pixel technology

• Segmented tail lamps embedded in the rear glass

• Flush door handles for improved aerodynamics

• Smooth body surfacing and sculpted haunches for a premium look

• Updated Volvo wordmark across the rear tailgate

It’s a design that balances familiarity for loyal XC60 buyers with the futuristic touches expected of a next-generation EV.

Safety First: Adaptive AI Seat Belts

Safety remains at the core of Volvo’s identity, and the EX60 introduces a major innovation: multi-adaptive AI seat belts.

These smart belts continuously adjust tension based on passenger body shape, seating posture, and crash dynamics. By tailoring restraint forces in real time, Volvo aims to significantly enhance occupant protection across different crash scenarios.

This innovation builds on Volvo’s decades-long legacy of safety leadership, which began with the invention of the three-point seat belt in 1959.

Strategic Importance for Volvo

The EX60 is far more than just another product launch. It addresses multiple critical challenges facing Volvo:

1. Best-selling segment – The XC60 has been Volvo’s global best-seller for over a decade. Electrifying this model ensures relevance in the brand’s core market.

2. Competitive edge – By offering advanced range, cutting-edge safety, and cost-efficient production, the EX60 strengthens Volvo’s position in the crowded premium EV market.

3. Recovery from missteps – With the EX30 hit by tariffs and the EX90 hampered by software delays, Volvo needs the EX60 to demonstrate reliability and maturity.

4. Trade dynamics – While the XC60 is shifting U.S. production to South Carolina, the EX60 will remain Sweden-built, making it vulnerable to transatlantic tariffs. Potential EU-U.S. trade agreements could soften this, but pricing pressure remains a concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When will the Volvo EX60 be revealed?

A. The global debut is scheduled for January 21, 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Q2: When will production and deliveries begin?

A. Production starts in the first half of 2026 at Volvo’s Torslanda factory. Deliveries are expected later that year.

Q3: What makes the SPA3 platform special?

A. SPA3 is Volvo’s in-house, all-electric architecture. It supports modular design, advanced electronics, and OTA software updates for continuous improvement.

Q4: What is the structural battery pack?

A. It’s a battery that doubles as part of the vehicle’s structure, enhancing rigidity, efficiency, and safety.

Q5: What is mega-casting, and why does it matter?

A. Mega-casting is a manufacturing technique where large parts of the chassis are made as a single aluminum piece. It reduces weight, improves crash safety, and speeds up production.

Q6: How much range will the EX60 offer?

A. Exact numbers are pending, but Volvo claims it will surpass the range of all its current EVs, likely exceeding 435 miles WLTP.

Q7: How much will it cost?

A. Analysts predict a starting price of $60,000-70,000 in the U.S. market.

Q8: What safety innovations does the EX60 introduce?

A. It debuts Volvo’s adaptive AI seat belts, which adjust in real time to protect passengers more effectively.

Conclusion

The Volvo EX60 is more than an electric SUV; it’s a statement about the company’s future. By combining a brand-new platform, structural battery design, mega-casting, and adaptive AI safety systems, Volvo aims to overcome its recent EV missteps. As the successor to the XC60 the backbone of Volvo’s lineup the EX60 could be the model that redefines the brand’s standing in the global EV race.

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