7 Ways the 2027 Volvo EX60 Outdoes the Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y is ubiquitous, but the new Volvo has a few tricks up its sleeves.

We understand your skepticism: The 2027 Volvo EX60 is just another SUV, how different could it be? After experiencing the new electric luxury SUV as a passenger at Volvo’s Swedish proving grounds, we found quite a few ways the Volvo either offers an innovative solution to common problems or is simply better than the Tesla Model Y, one of the most popular vehicles in the world.

Consumers today have more choices than ever beyond Tesla, but the inexpensive and brilliantly packaged Model Y continues to serve as the benchmark for some shoppers. It’s also very well priced.

So when it comes to the Volvo EX60, what can it offer Tesla Model Y drivers?

OMG Is That a Real Door Handle?!

During a design walkaround of the 2027 EX60, Volvo senior exterior designer Gaurang Nagre joked that he had answered about 10,000 questions from various media on the stubby little door handles located just below the side window glass. And why not? Automakers have been reinventing exterior door handles and sometimes not for the better.

In this case, the door handles contribute up to three miles of additional range and, when your goal is a range of up to 400 miles, you take every aerodynamic win you can get.

Volvo says it didn’t want flush door handles because they get frozen. We support that decision, as flush handles aren’t generally our favorite to use. We’re specifically thinking about the Model Y’s flush, stick-like units that don’t pop out as you approach, as some find those unavoidably annoying every time you enter the car. Would simple pull-out handles be better than either of these solutions? For me, yes, but some will have no issue with the Volvo’s so-called wing grip door handles.

Road-Trip Game Changer?

Higher-end trims of the 2027 EX60 have headrest speakers for both the front and (outboard) rear seats, as well. Where this becomes a practical and premium solution is in the way you can isolate the sound.

If the front-seat passenger and rear driver side passenger are asleep, you can direct the sound to focus sound to the headrest speakers of those who are still awake. It’s a slight advance on a sound-isolation concept we’ve seen across the industry.

60/40 Trunk Flexibility

One of the best reasons to buy a Tesla Model Y is the packaging. Good space inside with a frunk and spacious trunk that has open, depressed areas on the side to keep milk and soda from jostling around in the drive home.

Consider the Volvo’s frunk and trunk package similarly good, just different. Volvo has built in a split-opening underfloor compartment in the trunk. Hidden trunk storage is great in a gas or electric car, but Volvo’s idea means you have easier access even when there’s stuff on top. Just open one side of the 60/40 fold-up panels to grab a backpack, sweater, duffel, or whatever else you stashed down there.

Richer Interior

When the latest version of the Tesla Model Y arrived, it was immediately clear some attention has been paid to the cabin. But when we talk about its improved cabin, you must follow that up with “for a Tesla.”

The 2027 Volvo EX60 and some other luxury SUVs still have an edge here.

We’ve spent a little time in an EX60 P10 Ultra (middle of three power levels, high trim level), and the mix of textures and materials felt more premium to us.

Damning With Faint Praise

Put simply, we’re not fans of the latest Tesla Model Y’s Cybertruck-inspired front end. Or its updated rear. The sloping roofline is still interesting to look at, but the overall design strikes us as a step backward from the original.

Styling is subjective, but the Volvo is the clear winner here for us. Although I far prefer the gas-powered Volvo XC60 in terms of design, the new EX60 retains enough style to look good in a parking spot.

More Range

Yes, the 2027 Volvo EX60 offers more projected range than the Tesla Model Y as this is written. The Model Y goes as far as an EPA-rated 357 miles.

Thanks in part to the Volvo’s aerodynamically optimized design, the EX60 gets up to an estimated 400 miles of range. We’ve seen similar estimates from the BMW iX3 and Mercedes GLC electric, so we’ll see how far the range falls with bigger wheels and more powerful motor setups.

In every case, count on MotorTrend to test these electric SUVs to see how far they travel in our official Road-Trip Range test.

Driver Display

The 2027 EX60 includes an 11.4-inch driver display in addition to a horizontal 15.0-inch touchscreen. The Tesla only offers a large central touchscreen.

More screens isn’t always better, but having basic info directly in front of the driver is our preference.

Tesla’s Biggest Win: An Enormous Price Chasm

Do you still think the Tesla Model Y is a luxury SUV? Not everyone does anymore, especially with the new budget-friendly base model (pictured below) priced in the low $40,000 range as this is written. The more premium mid-level model offers some value, starting in the high-$40,000 range.

The Volvo is priced at about $60,000 for a 503-hp EX60 P10 AWD model with a decent amount of standard equipment. Lower-trim models will start in the mid- to high-$50,000 range.

That’s a huge gap, but the Volvo and other brands offer a more consistent luxury experience.

What It All Means

Considered together on paper like this, the 2027 EX60’s advantages over Tesla aren’t enough to earn a sale at this point, but it’s a good start. Once we drive and test the EX60’s many variants, we’ll truly see its value against the Model Y and everything else.