In a world where every premium SUV seems to spawn a sleeker, coupe-roofed sibling, Volvo has chosen a different path for its forthcoming Volvo EX60. While rivals chase style-led “SUV coupes”, the Swedish brand has firmly shut the door on that idea. Instead, its attention is fixed on something more aligned with Volvo’s heritage: rugged practicality.
The message from Gothenburg is clear. Rather than sacrificing space and usability for a sloping roofline, Volvo believes the EX60’s future lies in expanding its go-anywhere credentials. That means developing tougher variants like the Cross Country model rather than introducing a sportier coupe-style derivative.
A Different Take on SUV Fashion
Over the past decade, coupe-SUVs have become a fixture of the premium market. Brands from BMW to Mercedes have leaned heavily into the formula: standard SUV underneath, dramatically angled roofline on top.
Volvo, however, isn’t interested in joining that particular arms race.
Company insiders suggest the firm sees little value in a version that prioritises styling over practicality. The EX60 is expected to serve as a family-focused electric SUV first and foremost, so maintaining interior space and everyday versatility takes precedence over fashion-led bodywork.
That approach fits neatly with Volvo’s long-standing design philosophy: clean lines, intelligent packaging and understated elegance rather than overt theatrics.
Enter the Cross Country
Where Volvo does see opportunity is with a more adventurous interpretation of the EX60. Cue the Cross Country variant – a badge with deep roots in the brand’s history.
The Cross Country formula dates back to the late 1990s, when Volvo began adding subtle off-road capability to its estate cars. Raised suspension, tougher body cladding and enhanced traction systems allowed those models to venture confidently beyond the tarmac.
For the electric era, the EX60 Cross Country brings that idea into the SUV segment.
Expect design details that emphasise durability: protective cladding around the wheel arches, metallic skid plates at the front and rear, and distinctive Cross Country branding on the bodywork. The look is deliberately more outdoorsy than the standard EX60, suggesting a car built for muddy tracks as much as motorway miles.
Raised Suspension and Air-Sprung Flexibility
The visual upgrades aren’t just cosmetic. The Cross Country model introduces a more adaptable suspension setup designed to cope with rougher terrain.
Compared with the regular EX60, the Cross Country version sits around 20mm higher as standard. Air suspension allows the ride height to vary depending on conditions – raising the car further for uneven surfaces or lowering it slightly at speed to aid efficiency and stability.
It’s not intended to be a hardcore off-roader, but the added ground clearance and protective underbody hardware should make it far happier tackling gravel roads, snowy tracks and countryside detours than a conventional coupe-SUV ever could.
The EX60 at a Glance
Even without a coupe variant, the EX60 itself is shaping up to be a major player in the electric SUV segment.
Positioned between the smaller EX40 and the flagship EX90, it targets the heart of the premium family EV market. At roughly 4.8 metres long, it sits squarely against cars such as the BMW iX3 and the electric Mercedes GLC.
Performance will vary across a range of powertrains:
- P6: around 369bhp, rear-wheel drive
- P10: roughly 503bhp with all-wheel drive
- P12: up to 671bhp, delivering sports-car pace
Even the entry model is brisk, while the top variant promises a 0–62mph sprint in under four seconds.
Meanwhile, the new electric platform underpinning the car supports rapid charging and long driving ranges, helping the EX60 compete with the latest generation of premium EVs.
Safety Still Leads the Way
True to form, Volvo is also using the EX60 to debut new safety technology. One highlight is an adaptive seatbelt system capable of adjusting its force depending on the size of the occupant and the type of collision detected.
It’s exactly the sort of quietly innovative engineering that has defined Volvo for decades – less headline-grabbing than horsepower figures, but arguably far more meaningful in everyday use.
Why Volvo’s Strategy Makes Sense
While coupe-SUVs may look dramatic in the showroom, they often come with real compromises: reduced rear headroom, smaller boot openings and limited practicality.
By choosing not to follow that trend with the EX60, Volvo is doubling down on what its buyers traditionally value: space, comfort and versatility.
The Cross Country model reinforces that philosophy. Instead of chasing sporty styling, it emphasises adventure and durability – qualities that resonate strongly with Volvo’s outdoors-oriented brand image.
A Future Built for Exploration
The EX60 will play a crucial role in Volvo’s transition towards a fully electric line-up. As one of the brand’s core models, it needs to appeal to families, commuters and long-distance travellers alike.
In that context, the decision to prioritise rugged capability over coupe styling looks like a deliberate statement of intent.
Rather than building an SUV that simply looks sporty, Volvo appears determined to create one that actually expands where its owners can go.
And in true Scandinavian fashion, it does so with a quiet confidence that practicality never goes out of style.
