Scandinavian Style Meets Tech in the Volvo EX60

There is a term unique to Sweden that aptly sums up the timeless appeal of Scandinavian style. Lagom translates loosely to “not too much, not too little.” Used often in conversation, it’s a philosophy that extends to every aspect of Nordic life and something I repeatedly encounter on my trip to Stockholm for Volvo’s latest unveiling.

This kind of Scandi-specific balance is about knowing when things are just right. It’s a vibe of laid-back certainty, and it pulses through the Swedish capital. People say “exactly” more than “yes” when answering a question. Daily schedules include a fika: a designated break for something sweet. And when it comes to design, strongly executed simplicity trumps overcomplicated flashiness—whether it’s a wool sweater or an electric car. As the top Swedish automotive brand in the world, Volvo delivers this self-assured precision in its latest EV, the EX60.

When you think of Volvo, you may think of safety. Indeed, on this front, the brand is a trendsetter. It was the first to introduce the three-point seat belt in 1959, and its reputation for creating the safest cars on the road is rooted in its extensive crash tests, which go far beyond industry standards. But what perhaps remains under appreciated is its streamlined aesthetic, which brims with Swedish thoughtfulness.

“We’re not loud; we’re confident,” says Sara Erichsen Susnjar, senior design manager of colours and materials for Volvo, as she walks me through a showroom in Stockholm’s city centre with different EX60 interiors on display. Each one is accompanied by a three-dimensional mood board, featuring gathered twigs and wood slabs alongside runway shots of the Stockholm-based label Filippa K. Susnjar herself looks as if she belongs in this curated assemblage of imagery, wearing a forest green linen set that’s both structured and slouchy. Her approach to getting dressed is similar to her vision for the Volvo driver. “I want people to feel in control and harmonious,” she says.

Along with looking to fashion (Susnjar lists Bottega Veneta and Hermès as sources of inspiration), the team’s brainstorming hinged heavily on nature. Volvo’s studio is located in front of a forest, and during the EX60 design process, Susnjar and her team set out to explore. “We are so into the small details,” she says. “We picked mushrooms, moss, stones and bark, which we then made a mould of and used as patterns and structures for the car.” She points to the faintly speckled grey on the back of certain seats. “This is inspired by a stone we found.”

“We’re not loud; we’re confident.”

The technical aspects are just as intricate. Think of them as an engineer’s response to the stark shifts in Swedish weather, explains Nick Gronenthal, head of design. “Living here, experiencing the seasons—the many hours of light in the summer and the many hours of darkness in the winter—you cannot help but be influenced by it.” (The sun rises at 9 a.m. and sets at 3:30 p.m. during my trip.)

At the car unveiling later that night, he notes the details of the exterior, with handles that blend into the door to enhance aerodynamics in harsh conditions. Inside, the cabin feels warm and spacious thanks to its panoramic roof, where transparency can be adjusted according to the position of the sun. You can ride in total silence with Active Road Noise Cancellation or be submerged in surround sound with headrest-embedded speakers. Of course, nods to Scandi culture are peppered throughout—from “cardamom” leather (the spice plays a starring role in must- try Swedish sticky buns) to natural Norwegian materials like wool-blend seats and ash-wood accents.

That’s a big thing for us—to make it genuine, considered and natural.

As one of the first car companies to embrace going electric, Volvo continues to build on its tech-first legacy. The EX60 is its most efficient EV yet, delivering up to 270 kilometres of range in 10 minutes of charging time. It also reimagines the safety belt it invented, using real-time sensor data to adapt to any body shape. Software updates make for a personalized experience, thanks to a processing system that leverages Volvo’s proprietary AI, HuginCore—named after the Norse mythological bird associated with memory. As the reference implies, HuginCore processes and stores data from inside and around the car through a wide array of sensors, giving it an exact understanding of its surroundings.

But don’t mistake on-the-road protection for playing it safe design-wise. “We want to make something that is not traditionally automotive,” Susnjar says of the SUV’s nature-meets-luxury look. “That’s a big thing for us—to make it genuine, considered and natural.” She points to one of the interiors, which pairs heather-plant-purple carpeting with brown seats and dark-grey wood panelling, inspired by the colour blocking of Acne Studios and the tranquil darkness of Scandinavian forests. It’s a lesson in environmentally inspired innovation and classic Swedish cool. Not too much, not too little.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2026 issue. Read more stories from FASHION’s April 2026 issue here and subscribe to the print issue here.