16+

Volvo EX60 electric SUV sets new standard for 2026

© A. Krivonosov
Discover the Volvo EX60 launch in 2026, with details on its 810 km range, fast charging, and upcoming updates for XC40, XC60, and XC90 SUVs. Learn about Volvo's hybrid strategy changes.
Michael Powers, Editor

The Volvo EX60 launch will be the only major premiere of 2026, but it's a crucial one. The brand deliberately cleared the stage to emphasize the importance of this new electric SUV. However, the EX60 is just the first step. Volvo is preparing comprehensive updates for the XC40, XC60, and XC90, shifting its hybrid strategy and accelerating electrification.

The electric EX60 sets the standard

The new EX60 showcases a level of technology that the current XC60 can't match. It offers up to 810 km of range, fast charging that adds 340 km in ten minutes, and a completely redesigned architecture.

Volvo intentionally isn't releasing other new models in 2026. This ensures the EX60 faces no internal competition, positioning it as a transitional symbol to convince buyers to reconsider their choice in favor of electricity.

What's next for the XC40, XC60, and XC90

Volvo's leadership confirmed that a major refresh for these three key SUVs will begin in 2027. The XC40 will get a new generation with redesigned styling and modern architecture, while the XC60 and XC90 will undergo more profound transformations that reflect the trend set by electric models. Their exterior design, electronics, and powertrain systems will be unified with the brand's new philosophy: more simplicity, more electric power, and more efficiency.

How Volvo's hybrid approach is changing

Volvo has abandoned the self-charging hybrid concept. Future PHEVs will move closer to an EREV scheme, though not fully transitioning to extended electric range. Plans include increasing battery capacity for 160–240 km of electric range, strengthening electric motors, and reducing the role of the internal combustion engine.

It's likely the four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine will be replaced by a three-cylinder 1.5-liter Miller-cycle unit, acting solely as a generator. Such a hybrid could operate even in low- and zero-emission zones, making the shift to electricity smoother but inevitable.