Volvo’s new EX60 electric SUV smashes a metal pole at 60 km/h, showcasing advanced crash‑zone design and multi‑function seat belts. Discover the results now.
Swedish automaker Volvo put its flagship electric SUV, the EX60, through a dramatic crash test that saw the vehicle barrel out of a garage at 60 km/h (about 37 mph) and smash head‑on into a metal pole. The impact ripped the front end in two, yet the cabin remained largely intact, illustrating Volvo’s commitment to occupant protection.
Test Scenario: Simulating a Loss of Control
The test was designed to mimic a driver who suddenly loses steering control and collides with a roadside object such as a tree or utility pole. By accelerating the EX60 from inside a garage onto the open road, engineers could observe how the car’s structure and safety systems behaved in a high‑energy frontal impact.
Key Safety Innovations
- Multi‑function seat belt: For the first time on a Volvo, the seat belt actively locks the driver and passengers to their seats, limiting body movement and reducing injury risk.
- Energy‑absorbing front crash zone: The EX60’s front A‑pillars stayed largely undamaged, indicating that the majority of crash forces were dissipated by engineered crush zones.
- Robust windshield: The glass showed no cracking, meaning side windows can be opened easily after impact to aid rescue crews.
Structural Performance
According to Lotta Jakobsson, Volvo’s senior safety engineering lead, the EX60’s body shell is engineered to channel impact energy away from the passenger cell. In the test, the front structure folded as intended while the safety cage stayed solid, allowing occupants to remain protected.
Unanswered Questions
Despite the impressive crash‑zone results, some practical safety aspects remain unclear:
- The EX60 features electronic door handles that have been reported as difficult—or even impossible—to operate after a high‑impact collision.
- There is no publicly available guidance on how to manually open doors from the inside or outside following a crash.
- Independent safety agencies such as Euro NCAP and the U.S. NHTSA have not yet released official crash‑test ratings for the EX60.
What’s Next for the EX60?
Launched in January, the EX60 is Volvo’s most important electric vehicle to date, built on a new EV platform that promises long range, rapid charging and a premium SUV experience. As the model rolls out to markets in Europe, the United States and beyond, more detailed safety assessments and real‑world data will be essential to confirm whether its innovative features translate into everyday protection.
Keep an eye on updates from industry sources like InsideEVs and Volvo’s own releases to see how the EX60 performs in independent crash‑test programs and on the road.