Volvo has picked up two honours at the Parkers Car Awards 2027, with the electric EX60 named Best Medium Family Car and the XC40 taking the readers’ Most Wanted award. For anyone putting together a family SUV shortlist, the reasons behind those wins are worth a look.
The EX60 impressed the judges with its comfort and interior, while the XC40 secured 22% of the readers’ vote. They are different kinds of endorsement, but both concern cars that need to work just as well on a wet weekday commute as they do on a weekend away.
Why the EX60 caught the judges’ attention
Range and charging speed are often the first figures people check when considering an electric car. They matter, particularly if you regularly travel long distances, although you will spend far more time sitting in the cabin than studying a specification sheet. Parkers’ judges praised the EX60’s luxurious interior, comfort and suitability for family life.
Inside, Volvo combines its Scandinavian design approach with technology including a Google Gemini AI assistant. When comparing cars, it is worth spending time with the controls and seating position to see how comfortably they fit around you. Equipment that looks impressive in a brochure still needs to be easy to use on an ordinary journey.
Volvo quotes a range of up to 500 miles for the P12 AWD and a 10–80% charging time of 19 minutes under suitable conditions. Those figures depend on the relevant version and charging setup. Temperature, driving style and battery conditions will affect what you achieve, so it is sensible to plan around your own routes and charging access.
For a driver covering longer distances, that combination of range and charging speed is worth considering. The useful question is how it would work on your busiest travelling day, including where you could stop and how much time you would have available.
A seatbelt that adapts to the occupant
The EX60 also introduces a multi-adaptive seatbelt, which Volvo describes as a world first. It uses real-time information from the car’s sensors to tailor its response to the individual occupant and surrounding traffic conditions.
The principle is straightforward: the system is designed to adjust protection according to the person wearing the belt and the circumstances of a collision. For families researching their next car, it is a feature worth understanding alongside the more familiar questions about passenger space and everyday practicality.
XC40 takes the readers’ vote
The XC40’s Most Wanted award came from a public vote, with readers choosing from a shortlist drawn from the UK’s ten best-selling cars. Its 22% share tells us which car those readers would most like to own next. It should be read as a measure of appeal, rather than as an owner satisfaction or reliability result.
Parkers praised the XC40’s comfortable ride and premium character, while Volvo pointed to its spacious interior and practical design. Those are useful qualities in a family SUV, especially when the same car has to accommodate the commute, passengers and luggage throughout the week.
Choosing a Volvo for your next lease
An award can help you decide which cars deserve a closer look, but the next step is to check the model against your own needs. Think about who will use it, what you need to carry and the mileage you expect to cover. If you are considering the electric EX60, work through the charging arrangements before making your choice.
Compare leasing quotations using the same contract length and mileage, and check the exact specification included in each proposal. Rivervale can help you explore Volvo leasing options for personal or business use and talk through the arrangements that suit your journeys and budget.
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