Volvo’s current lineup leans hard on SUVs, but the brand built its reputation on wagons, and there’s reason to believe it hasn’t given up on them. Neither has at least one of the people who used to design its cars. A former Volvo designer set out to bring the old formula back with a pair of digital concepts, the V77 and XC77, each built around a mix of minimalism and sustainability.

The man behind them is Julien Fesquet, a Los Angeles-based professional designer currently working for Slate Auto. His resume reads like a grand tour of the industry, with stops at Volvo, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, and Ferrari.

More: Volvo’s Prettiest Wagon Returns, But Only A Lucky Few Will Own One

The V77 and XC77 are a personal project, drawing on Bauhaus principles and the work of Dieter Rams, the industrial designer whose thinking eventually shaped the look of Apple products. Both wear a three-door shooting brake body with a low nose and an aerodynamic roofline. Staying true to Volvo’s playbook, the V77 is built for the road while the XC77 adds crossover cues and a lifted stance.

Illustrations: Julien Fesquet

Beyond the compact footprint and genuinely handsome proportions, the concepts trade in clean surfacing and restraint. The low-mounted headlights fade into a covered grille via a digital gradient, and the Volvo emblem has been pared down to a single horizontal line.

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The profile is distinguished by large alloy wheels, supercar-style creases on the front fenders, a flat beltline, and a bi-tone livery with a darker finish for the lower bodywork. The rear section is even more striking, with a glass tailgate surrounded by ultra-slim LEDs. The designer also placed emphasis on the Color, Materials, and Finish (CMF) strategy, proposing the use of recycled materials and an unpainted body for the V77.

Inside, we find two rows of seats and a rather large boot. The V77 adopts a Cream Yellow interior theme inspired by the Volvo 850 T-5R, while the XC77 gets an Orange interior that complements its earthy brown exterior panels.

Illustrations: Julien Fesquet

Fesquet didn’t list any specs, but the absence of cooling vents and tailpipes suggests the digital concepts were envisioned with a fully electric powertrain.

More: The EX30 Is Dead, But Volvo’s Next Cheap EV Is Already On The Way To America

Fesquet told CarScoops: “Volvo is a brand with iconic station wagon, very minimal functional boxy designs in the past. It still has beautiful cars, but it tends to be oriented to more traditional automotive design. I thought it would be interesting to break the modern Volvo codes and imagine what it could look like if it was still a more minimal, functional, and industrial design. Something modern, sophisticated yet boxy, but without forgetting the need of aerodynamic performance. This led to this shooting brake silhouette with a low nose, sleek roof and low ground clearance.”

What About Real Volvo Wagons?

Volvo has recently wound down production of the aging V60 and V90, along with the adventurous XC60 and XC90. Even so, wagon fans aren’t completely out of luck.

Chief technology officer Anders Bell has said the new SPA3 architecture, which debuted underneath the EX60 SUV, can support a range of bodystyles, low-slung models included. Volvo hasn’t confirmed any wagon yet, so the question comes down to whether demand will be there to justify the spend. For now, we wait.

Illustrations: Julien Fesquet

The trouble with a recall is that it only works if the fix arrives before the thing you were trying to prevent. Three months after Volvo pulled more than 40,000 electric EX30s worldwide over a battery fire risk, Thailand’s consumer protection authority has sued the automaker following two local fires.

Earlier this week, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) met with officials from Volvo following two high-profile fires involving the electric crossover. The first fire occurred around March 25 in Bangkok, while the second occurred on May 15, when an EX30 was plugged in and charging at the owner’s home. The fire quickly spread to a Ford Ranger parked next to the Volvo and also damaged the building.

Read: Volvo Pulls 40,000 EVs Back For Costly Battery Replacement

According to the recall Volvo issued in February, both EX30s that caught fire in Thailand had been charged beyond the 70 percent limit Volvo had recommended as a temporary safety measure. This explanation hasn’t satisfied local authorities, who have filed a civil suit and are seeking damages and refunds for owners.

A total of 1,668 EX30s in Thailand are impacted by the recall. Volvo says replacement battery packs have recently arrived in the country from China and will be installed in customers’ cars from May 22. The OCPB isn’t happy that it took three months for these batteries to arrive after the recall was announced and has asked Volvo how it intends to compensate those owners who’ve been unable to use their vehicles normally over this period.

Owners Want Refunds

Speaking with Reuters, a local EX30 owner, Tanchanok Nowsuwan, has suggested that most owners don’t want a battery replacement, and instead want a full refund. The EX30 recall impacts both Single-Motor Extended Range and Twin-Motor Performance models.

In a statement issued online, Volvo Car Thailand noted that it will take approximately 3 days to replace the battery packs on each affected model.

“Volvo Car Thailand would like to express our sincere concern regarding the two recent fire incidents involving Volvo EX30 vehicles,” it wrote. “We have closely monitored and thoroughly investigated each case and have promptly provided appropriate support and remediation to those affected.”

That didn’t take long. Just a couple of months after Volvo confirmed it was pulling the EX30 from the US after the 2026 model year, the Swedish automaker has said it is already working on a replacement for its most affordable electric model.

Volvo Cars America president Luis Rezende dropped the news to reporters at the US launch of the larger EX60. While he stopped short of giving real specifics, he did confirm the new model will be priced in the same territory as the EX30. That matters, because the EX30 was originally meant to start at $34,950 before tariffs forced Volvo to add roughly $10,000 to the sticker.

Read: After Just Two Years, Volvo Drops Its Cheapest EV From America

“Very similar, I would say,” Rezende said when asked how the new model would compare to the EX30 on price, though it is not clear whether he meant the pre-tariff figure or the post-tariff one. “It’s going to be an EV that will deliver a lot of good things in a bigger space, but it will also be fun to drive, I can promise you.”

That last bit is the interesting part. The Verge reports that Rezende did not name the model, but evidence points to the next-generation EX40, which is already in development and will ride on the SPA3 platform shared with the EX60. The promise of “a bigger space” also lines up with what we know about the next EX40, which is set to grow over the outgoing car.

What Will It Cost?

Pricing will be key. The current EX40 starts at around $56,000, which barely undercuts the brand-new EX60 at $58,400 before destination. Volvo will have to slash costs significantly if it wants the future EX40 or whatever else it names it to be priced around the same mark as the EX30. Either that, or it’ll have to be a stripped-out, back-to-basics model like the base versions of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. Alternatively, it could be an all-new model that we don’t yet know about.

Either way, Rezende confirmed that the new model will launch in the US next year, so its development must have been underway for quite some time. Volvo is not going to leave the slot empty for long if it can help it.

Following its unveiling in January, the 2027 Volvo EX60 celebrated its North American debut in New York City. The automaker has also begun accepting orders, and pricing starts at $58,400 before a $1,395 destination fee. That’s nearly $20,000 less than the EX90 and $3,100 cheaper than the BMW iX3.

Kicking things off is the EX60 P6 Plus, which features a streamlined design and a minimalist interior. The latter sports an 11.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch infotainment system with Gemini as well as Google built-in. Buyers will also find a 21-speaker Bose audio system, Pilot Assist, and a Safe Space technology suite.

More: Volvo’s New 400-Mile SUV Debuts With One Feature Tesla Owners Will Be Jealous Of

The EX60 P6 Ultra begins at $65,000 and has an upgraded interior with ventilated Nappa leather upholstery as well as a heated second row featuring integrated booster seats. They’re joined by an electrochromic panoramic roof and a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system.

From 369 HP To 503 HP, And Up To 322 Miles Of Range

Both models are equipped with a rear-mounted motor producing 369 hp (275 kW / 374 PS) and 354 lb-ft (479 Nm) of torque. It enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.7 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).

The motor is powered by an 83 kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 307 miles (494 km). When the battery is low, owners will be thankful for the 800V architecture and 320 kW DC fast-charging capability, which enables the P6 variants to get 155 miles (249 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes. The battery can also go from 10-80% in a mere 16 minutes. It’s also worth noting that the EX60 has a native NACS port for easy access to the Tesla Supercharger network.

Moving up the trim ladder is the EX60 P10 AWD Plus and Ultra. They retail for $60,750 and $67,350, respectively.

As the name suggests, the P10 features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. It produces 503 hp (375 kW / 510 PS) and 524 lb-ft (710 Nm) of torque, which enables the EV to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).

Upgrades extend beyond the motors as the P10 has a beefier 95 kWh battery that increases the range up to 322 miles (518 km). Buyers will also find an improved DC fast-charging capability of 370 kW, which provides up to 165 miles (266 km) of range in as little as ten minutes. The EV can also go from 10-80% charge in around 16 minutes.

The EX60 P12 AWD will arrive later with a 117 kWh battery and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system pumping out 670 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and 583 lb-ft (790 Nm) of torque. This will give the crossover a range of up to 400 miles (644 km) and a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of 3.8 seconds.

With all that being said, you can configure your EX60 and order it here.

2027 Volvo EX60 US Pricing

*Prices exclude a $1,395 destination fee

Volvo is deep into development of a redesigned XC40, and the plan is to have it on sale in the US next year. Details are still thin, but its arrival confirms something else. The current XC40 and its electric counterpart, the EX40, are sticking around a little longer, with production expected to run through late this year.

Launched in late 2017 as Volvo’s smallest SUV, the XC40 has aged reasonably well, though it’s starting to feel its years. Updates have been minimal, limited to a single light facelift. The next-generation version is expected to widen its appeal with a plug-in hybrid option, sitting alongside the existing mild-hybrid lineup.

Read: Volvo’s New 400-Mile SUV Has One Feature Tesla Owners Will Be Jealous Of

There is more riding on this update than just keeping things fresh. Dealers are counting on the new XC40 to help steady the brand’s footing in the US. Total sales collapsed 32 percent in the first quarter to 22,651 vehicles, while Volvo’s share of the luxury segment slid to 5.8 percent, its lowest point since 2019. The XC40 has been hit especially hard, with sales down 47 percent to just 3,403 units.

More Updates Are Needed

To help keep the XC40 somewhat fresh for 2026, Volvo updated it with a new infotainment system. But if it wants to recapture buyers, it’ll need to make much more significant upgrades to the next-generation model. Auto News reports that the new EX40 will make a major step forward by sharing its SPA3 platform with the electric EX60.

While a new XC40 is just around the corner, some dealers believe Volvo would be better off prioritizing other models, like the XC60 and XC90, as they’re more profitable. “XC40 is a great car, and we appreciate the updates,” one dealer said, before adding that “the US is a big car market.”

Volvo is already putting effort into its larger lineup. The XC60 received updates last year and is set to be built at the brand’s Ridgeville, South Carolina plant starting in late 2026. The XC90, meanwhile, got a second facelift in 2024, with a full redesign also in development. That said, it may not arrive until 2029, leaving the current model to carry the load a while longer.