Volvo EX60 vs BMW iX3 vs Mercedes GLC — Electric SUV Group Test (Part 1)

The brand-new Volvo EX60 has lastly arrived– so we've lined it up against the BMW iX3 and Mercedes GLC Electric to find out which premium electric SUV is best. Can the Volvo dethrone BMW's 2026 Automobile of the Year and Mercedes' best electric car to date?

In Part 1 of our thorough test, Will, John and Dan take a look at every information of these ₤ 60,000+ electric SUVs. We go through their prices, battery capabilities and main varieties, before measuring their front and rear boots using our standard suitcase test.

Don't forget to subscribe! If you enjoyed this comparison test, hit subscribe and switch on alerts so you can view Part 2 (featuring a real-world range test with the Tesla Design Y!) as soon as it goes live: @whatcar

Looking to buy a brand-new electrical SUV? Read our full, in-depth composed evaluations and check the most recent rates on every brand-new car right here:

Then we move inside to compare the interiors for quality, tech and use. Plus we evaluate the driving positions of these electric SUVs, and discover how easily 6ft 3in John Howell fits in the back.

Lastly, we hit the road to take a look at driving dynamics. We applaud the Volvo EX60's whisper-quiet improvement, the BMW iX3's sharp handling and the Mercedes GLC's impressive balance of trip convenience, cornering and performance.

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#VolvoEX 60 #BMWiX 3 #MercedesGLC #ElectricSUV #ElectricCars #CarReview #EV #GroupTest

Video chapters:
0:00 Introduction: What's The Very Best Premium Electric SUV?
1:03 BMW iX3: Specs, Battery & Cost
2:34 Mercedes GLC Electric: Specs, Battery & Cost
4:00 Volvo EX60: Specs, Battery & Price
5:09 Usefulness: Frunk & Boot Area Test
8:31 BMW iX3: Interior, Driving Position & Rear Area
14:38 Mercedes GLC: Interior, Driving Position & Back Space
18:56 Volvo EX60: Interior, Driving Position & Back Area
22:49 BMW iX3 Driving Impressions
25:35 Volvo EX60 Driving Impressions
26:40 Mercedes GLC Driving Impressions
28:39 Outro & Part 2 Sneak peek!

Comments

36 responses to “Volvo EX60 vs BMW iX3 vs Mercedes GLC — Electric SUV Group Test (Part 1)”

  1. @whatcar Avatar
    @whatcar

    We hope you enjoyed Part 1 of this comparison! In Part 2 (coming soon) we’ll be putting these electric SUVs – plus a Tesla Model Y – through a real-world range test. Which do you think will prove most efficient?

    A) BMW iX3 🇩🇪
    B) Volvo EX60 🇸🇪
    C) Mercedes GLC Electric 🇩🇪
    D) Tesla Model Y 🇺🇸

    1. @EX11111 Avatar
      @EX11111

      A 👍🤩

    2. @rickyjb23 Avatar
      @rickyjb23

      D

    3. @IrenESorius Avatar
      @IrenESorius

      B,, ✨ 👍 😎 👌 ✨

    4. @Plex86 Avatar
      @Plex86

      With the range these cars have I’m not caring much for if it drives 600 km or 700 km, I will stop either way . So for me it comes down to comfort of the drive and feeling that I have a premium car . And fr that the Merchedes wins for me . The others are to minimalistic and feels a bit cheap ( especially the BMW )

    5. @Carfan678 Avatar
      @Carfan678

      C

  2. @jspa8030 Avatar
    @jspa8030

    If ever there is a global shortage of carry-on suitcases, WHATCAR are quids in because they could charge a fortune for theirs.

  3. @XENONEZZ2 Avatar
    @XENONEZZ2

    Another very polished What Car review video…..well done you three..!!…👏👏👏 Looking forward to Pt 2..🙂

  4. @t288msd Avatar
    @t288msd

    The ride on the IX3 looks so bumpy. I got rid of my X3 a few years back for just that reason. The UK roads are so poor making it unworkable for me

    1. @teekue Avatar
      @teekue

      I mean it’s a bimmer. If you want the smoothest ride it is the Benz ofc

    2. @BanqueroGamer Avatar
      @BanqueroGamer

      totally agree. And Benz too “soft”, EX60 is the sweet spot.

  5. @woodypwx Avatar
    @woodypwx

    While for BMW, the iX3 is a low end model that can’t have all options like iX5, Volvo EX60 has everything and for a better price than iX3. I was testing P10 Ultra recently and ordered it right away. Smooth, comfortable, silent and beautiful inside and out

    1. @kuba2499 Avatar
      @kuba2499

      No massage seats, no HUD, no air suspension, no rear wheel steering.

    2. @hardykornfeld1733 Avatar
      @hardykornfeld1733

      @kuba2499 I’ll probably buy my next BEV and keep it a long time, so I can do without those failure points.

    3. @kuba2499 Avatar
      @kuba2499

      @h@hardykornfeld1733But you will buy one with the failure point of no physical mirror or steeting wheel controls, all-electric outside door handles? Weird hill to die on, but ok.

    4. @teekue Avatar
      @teekue

      It has everything! (On the touchpad, thanks but no thanks)

  6. @DHI4L-Watch Avatar
    @DHI4L-Watch

    Feels like Volvo has quietly stolen Audi’s old design philosophy: clean, restrained, beautifully Scandinavian lines—and then added relatively advanced Chinese tech underneath, wrapped neatly in Swedish skin. Not a bad formula, honestly.
    Meanwhile, Mercedes and BMW seem to have discovered a fascinating new strategy: when you’ve run out of ideas, sell the heritage harder.
    Mercedes’ once-stately three-pointed star has evolved into a small galaxy: how many stars can we possibly fit on one car? At this rate, the next S-Class may qualify for NASA funding.
    And BMW… well, BMW design now feels like someone asked, “What on earth is happening?” and the design team replied, “Exactly. That’s the concept.”
    Somewhere along the way, “Sheer Driving Pleasure” became an electric lounge with a giant curved screen, ambient lighting and enough computing power to run a small hospital.
    Maybe the future of German luxury is simply heritage + screens + increasingly ambitious grilles.
    Volvo, meanwhile, just seems to be quietly saying: “Less drama. More design.”

    1. @Kurre. Avatar
      @Kurre.

      The motors in the Volvo were designed in Sweden and are built in Sweden. The car is made in Torslanda. The only Chinese thing in the car is the battery, exactly like the BMW which has a Chinese CATL battery

  7. @BavarianCarEnthusiast2030 Avatar
    @BavarianCarEnthusiast2030

    Great Review – me want part 2 –

  8. @IrenESorius Avatar
    @IrenESorius

    EX60 P10 Ultra,, ✨ 👍 🥰 👌 ✨

  9. @crimuck Avatar
    @crimuck

    If you want luxury, a comfortable ride and cargo space, buy the Mercedes.

    If you want range, sporty looks and agile driving, buy the BMW.

    If you want luxury, cargo space, range, most balanced driving experience, most quiet ride and most rear space, buy the Volvo.

  10. @sevensixtysteve Avatar
    @sevensixtysteve

    What’s encouraging is there doesn’t seem to be a bad car here and each one could make a strong case for itself depending on someone’s taste and priorities. I do think Volvos approach is probably closest to what the target market looks for however. Personally, I like the BMWs exterior but hate the interior, the Merc is way too brash and the Volvo looks nicely understated and high quality and so would be my choice, albeit not with the Nappa interior. Great review though and a very fair and balanced presentation – I am looking forward to Pt 2.

  11. @ashliehiggins Avatar
    @ashliehiggins

    The EX60 does have a glovebox, it’s the middle bin, it’s the same as the EX30, and it’s way more convenient than a box on the passenger side, as you don’t have to stretch over to it.

  12. @iaskosam Avatar
    @iaskosam

    Controlling mirrors via the screen seems borderline criminal to me. This thing should be done without watching a screen, but while watching the actual mirror.

    Apart from that you didn’t mention that the steering is with physical buttons, which is a rare treat.

    1. @wolf-dieterschulz-engelke8598 Avatar
      @wolf-dieterschulz-engelke8598

      Controlling the mirrors or the steering wheel you will do it once and the you save it in your profil.

  13. @KarelKannel Avatar
    @KarelKannel

    Yesterday drove IX3. Panoramic screen is great, no need for HUD. Interior material is horrbile, lot of cheap, like old CRT TV backside plastic. Comparing with G01 X3 for instance, total downgrade. EX60 and GLC interior materials much better.

    1. @johnfranklin6394 Avatar
      @johnfranklin6394

      I have a G01 X3 and sat in the new X3 and iX3 at the dealership and agree with you. A real shame. Doubt I’ll replace the X3 with another BMW for this reason alone.

    2. @RJAM37 Avatar
      @RJAM37

      Interesting… I had a g01 lci 30e, and now have the iX3 50. I prefer the latter in almost every aspect.
      Better construction, more quiet on rough roads, much much better to drive… You guys need to test the car for some more time/hours, it will surprise you.
      (I was “forced” to change because of business financial reasons, and I was really skeptical about the car. Now I love it and super glad I’ve changed)

  14. @Carfan678 Avatar
    @Carfan678

    Mercedes for me

    1. @xxx_puppet Avatar
      @xxx_puppet

      I cant get past that hideous interior and the flashy stars everywhere. God awful.

  15. @CKGoldiing Avatar
    @CKGoldiing

    13:59 😂😂😂 John relishing payback for his woeful boot performance

  16. @tomwhly Avatar
    @tomwhly

    I’ve been studying these three cars for quite some time now and for me to fax or left out of this review for the Volvo it would be my choice. One, if you had chosen the light interior I think you would’ve chosen it as the nicest but instead, that was the only one with the dark interior you chose. Secondly, you didn’t mention that the Volvo has not only electronically reclining rear seats and more room, but it has also heated rear seats and also has the built-in option in the ultra package to have built-in booster seat seats for families while the other two do not have that.

  17. @alvis83 Avatar
    @alvis83

    Ordered ex60 months ago when there were 0 reviews , happy to see that I probably made good decision 🙂 Will arrive soon😅

  18. @ImDavidJames Avatar
    @ImDavidJames

    John is superb. He could be on a real car show. Will is good of course. But John could be more

  19. @segeerts Avatar
    @segeerts

    Tested all three of them last week, the bmw for me was by far the best car to drive. Agile but also comforable. Seatposition/steeringposition was also the best. In the Merc it felt I was driving a heavy car, dispite of a very good suspension. It didn’t invite me to drive sporty. Interior was more premium, although not the cockpit-feeling which the bmw gave me. Volvo was allround good, but it did not made my heart jump for joy. And when i spend over 80k euros, thats impotant for me. And the bmw delivered, i wanted to drive that car. Currently drive a tesla model s (raven), my third one since 2015 . The bmw is the first car that i felt was better in every category. Ordered one, ix3 50, yesterday. Can’t wait!

  20. @ChristianHauser78 Avatar
    @ChristianHauser78

    Finally, a comparison of the three best mid-size SUVs. 🎉🥳 Thanks a lot for this comparison. I’ve driven all three of them and hopefully my next car is one of them. Huge range, excellent DC charging capabilities and 22kW AC charging. I wouldn’t need to see Tesla in this group as I’d compare the Model Y to a Skoda Enyaq Coupé, but in UK you guys seem to like Tesla, probably because all other charging sites are way too expensive.

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