The 2027 Volvo EX60 electric SUV was unveiled in January and is slated for release in U.S. dealerships this autumn.Volvo
Volvo’s chief technology officer, Anders Bell, engages frequently in conversation with his EX60 sport utility vehicle.
The electric EX60, which made its debut in January and will be obtainable at U.S. dealerships in September, might be considered the most pivotal vehicle for the marque in recent times. It also holds the distinction of being the first Volvo constructed with Google’s AI assistant Gemini and is heralded as the “most intelligent” Volvo ever manufactured.
While Chinese drivers frequently interact with their vehicle’s AI, many individuals in Western countries, including Swedes and Americans, exhibit skepticism or a lack of interest in doing so. This dynamic is poised to shift, according to Bell, who has dedicated extensive hours to refining the HuginCore operating system—named after a figure from Norse mythology—within the Swedish automaker’s new EX60 midsize SUV.
“Voice commands are immensely popular in China. In the West, we tend to be more hesitant to converse with our technology,” Bell shared with ABC News. “I find myself listening to the radio less and less… I engage in dialogues within the car with Gemini. The vehicle evolves into an extension of yourself. Our objective is to craft a system that inspires confidence, fosters affection, and is utilized consistently.”
The EX60 is the inaugural Volvo model to feature Google’s AI assistant Gemini. The cabin highlights a 15-inch horizontal OLED display.Volvo
The five-passenger EX60 (with a starting MSRP of $58,400) can gain approximately 173 miles of range in under 10 minutes when connected to a 400 kW rapid charger, as stated by Volvo. This elegantly designed SUV is capable of traveling up to 400 miles on a single charge with the more potent P12 all-wheel-drive variant, which is anticipated to be released shortly after the P6 and P10 configurations become available.
“This represents cutting-edge software… an uncompromising Volvo,” Bell remarked. “We still possess latent capabilities within this vehicle.”
Similar to Volvo, electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian harbors significant expectations for its recently launched SUV, the appealing R2. These two models, alongside the BMW iX3, have the potential to genuinely redefine EV sales in the U.S. and encourage Americans to perceive driving electric vehicles as an enhancement rather than a compromise.
“There are currently 6 million EVs on the road. We haven’t seen any indication of buyer remorse among EV purchasers,” Itay Michaeli, an analyst at TD Cowen, informed ABC News.
“The adjustments in tax credits and emissions standards might have presented challenges,” he elaborated. “Demand is beginning to surge, and one could argue that EVs are less of a political topic now compared to a few years ago.”
The R2 Performance with Launch Package is priced starting at $57,990. The base R2 model is scheduled for release in the spring of 2027.Rivian
Michaeli, who holds a positive outlook on Rivian and recently upgraded its stock rating from “hold” to “buy,” believes Rivian could experience increased R2 sales as the demand for electric vehicles recovers from last winter’s subdued levels. Rivian has indicated that it will produce three variants of the midsize R2, with the premium Performance model available immediately for $57,990. More affordable R2 versions are expected later this year and next.
“The R2 is a critically important vehicle, and equally vital for the brand’s identity,” Michaeli observed. “The focus now shifts to execution and gauging market demand. [Rivian] will need to demonstrate agility in making swift adjustments” if sales figures fall short, he contended.
Jeff Hammoud, Rivian’s chief designer, stated that the company aims to “present a distinct offering” to American drivers, particularly those who have historically been loyal to Tesla.
“A wider array of choices is precisely what we require at this juncture,” he told ABC News. “We deliberately designed the R2 to deviate from the common ‘jellybean’ silhouette seen in many other EVs… our intention was to give it a more upright stance. It’s conceived as a more adventurous vehicle with off-road capabilities.”
Jeff Hammoud, Rivian’s chief designer, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability. The R2’s interior incorporates reclaimed Birch wood, and its headliner and flooring are fashioned from recycled materials.Rivian
Hammoud also made enhancements to the R2’s interior based on feedback received from existing R1 SUV customers, such as relocating the audio speakers to the center console, expanding the front trunk storage, and integrating drive mode selectors within the steering wheel’s “haptic halos.”
“We invested considerable effort in every element of this vehicle,” he asserted. “The features we incorporated were direct responses to customer requests. The haptic halos on the steering wheel allow for adjustments to fan speed and temperature without removing one’s hand from the wheel.”
He further explained, “The R2 is not merely a more economical iteration of the R1. We have gleaned valuable insights and implemented improvements derived from the R1. It now accommodates a full-size water bottle inside the cabin.”
John Voelcker, a contributing editor at Car and Driver with 15 years of experience covering EVs, indicated that Volvo and Rivian are navigating comparable landscapes and anticipates these new electric vehicles will capture consumer attention.
“I found the R2 to be an exceptionally well-executed EV,” he told ABC News. “This must be their breakthrough model—it needs to be their equivalent of the Model Y,” referencing Tesla’s best-selling vehicle.
Voelcker characterized the EX60 as a “revitalization” for Volvo, citing its advanced software and entirely new electrical architecture, investments on which the company has heavily focused development. The EX60 also echoes the design language of the highly popular XC60 Volvo and offers a driving experience reminiscent of the brand’s favored hybrid models.
“Volvo possesses extensive expertise in regenerative braking and accelerator response, and the controls exhibit a lighter feel,” he commented. “It was a thoroughly enjoyable driving experience.”
Volvo states the EX60 can achieve up to 400 miles of range with the P12 AWD variant, which is scheduled for a later release.Volvo
Naturally, the critical challenge for both marques will be determining if these SUVs can disrupt Tesla’s market dominance and attract consumers who may not prioritize the latest technological advancements.
“Will Rivian draw customers away from Tesla? That remains to be seen. It’s the paramount question,” Voelcker stated. “American consumers are searching for vehicles that align with their lifestyle needs and are concerned about range. A substantial segment of the market is curious about EVs but isn’t focused on autonomous driving features or over-the-air updates.”
RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s CEO and founder, asserted that the R2 fulfills the primary requirements for American drivers—everyday practicality, efficiency, and the capacity for towing or off-road excursions.
“The fact that the R2 is an EV is a secondary consideration,” he told ABC News. “If our goal is to encourage a broader adoption of electrification, we must avoid making it divisive and should not position it solely around sustainability… The product needs to be so compelling that its desirability transcends whether it is electric or not.”
Scaringe anticipates that the company will sell “hundreds of thousands” of R2 units once its Georgia manufacturing facility becomes operational in late 2028, and his team has already commenced scaling up the supply chain to meet projected consumer demand.
“The ultimate vision is unequivocal—a transition to electric mobility, vehicles equipped with advanced intelligence, and ultimately, autonomous operation,” he stated. “The R2 presents a genuine alternative to a Tesla. It is also the quickest vehicle available within the $50,000 price bracket.”
Rivian’s highly anticipated R2 midsize electric SUV is now available in the U.S.Rivian
While current attention is focused on the R2, the automaker has been hinting at future Rivian models, such as the R4 and R5. However, neither of these is expected to be a station wagon or a sports car.
“There are currently no plans to produce one, but if we were to develop a sports car, it would deviate from the conventional,” Hammoud commented. “We have explored some remarkable concepts. Our design studio is populated with numerous automotive enthusiasts, myself included.”
Since assuming the role of president of the Americas for Volvo Cars, Luis Rezende’s primary objective has been to elevate the marque’s sales performance, and the EX60 could prove instrumental in achieving this. U.S. consumers do not need to “alter their lifestyle” to adopt an electric vehicle, he conveyed to ABC News, emphasizing the broad appeal of the EX60.
“We are targeting new clientele for the brand, and this represents a significant opportunity for us,” he stated.
The 2027 Volvo EX60 electric SUV debuted in January and will be available in the U.S. this fall.Volvo
Furthermore, it is the first EV from Volvo eligible for the marque’s Overseas Delivery program. This program is offered to U.S. consumers who purchase the EX60 and other Volvo models manufactured at the Torslanda plant in Sweden. This complimentary benefit allows new owners and a companion to experience their vehicle in Gothenburg or various European locales, after which the car is shipped to a U.S. dealership for final delivery.
Rezende believes that both current and past Volvo owners will find the EX60 highly appealing.
“The technology is remarkably advanced, and the product itself is exceptional,” he remarked. “We have considerable ambitions for this vehicle.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com