The 2026 Volvo EX60 is arguably the most anticipated electric SUV of the coming year. As the spiritual (and literal) successor to the best-selling XC60, this mid-size EV has big shoes to fill. While specifications and range figures grab the headlines, for the future owner, the choice often comes down to something far more visceral: What does it look like in my driveway?
Volvo has historically been conservative with its color palette – think fifty shades of Scandinavian grey. However, early previews for the 2026 model year suggest a shift. The EX60 is expected to launch with a mix of familiar staples and daring new metallic finishes that reflect the brand’s “nature-first” ethos.
Below is an in-depth breakdown of the 2026 Volvo EX60 color options, analyzed by aesthetic appeal, maintenance practicality, and resale value.
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At a Glance: The 2026 EX60 Color List
The projected lineup for the 2026 launch includes nine distinct distinct options ranging from flat solids to complex pearls:
- The Head-Turners: Forest Lake, Sand Dune, Heather Bronze
- The Modern Metallics: Aurora Silver, Vapour Grey, Denim Blue
- The Classics: Crystal White, Onyx Black, Ice White
Forest Lake
- Finish: Metallic / Pearl
- The Vibe: Technical, Serene, Deep.
If there is a “hero color” for the 2026 EX60, this is it. Forest Lake appears to be a spiritual successor to the popular “Pine Grey,” but with more depth.
In flat lighting or overcast days (common in Volvo’s native Sweden), this color reads as a sophisticated, dark teal-green. However, under direct sunlight, metallic flakes – likely turquoise or silver – ignite to give the paint a shimmering, aquatic quality. It is designed to mimic the deep, still waters of a Scandinavian forest lake.
- Best For: Drivers who want color without shouting. It’s professional enough for the law firm parking lot but adventurous enough for the trailhead.
- Maintenance: Moderate. Darker greens hide road grime better than black, but it will show water spots if not dried properly after a wash.
Sand Dune
- Finish: Metallic with Glass Flake
- The Vibe: Warm, Organic, Luxurious.
Long-time Volvo fans will remember “Sand Dune” from the Cross Country models of the mid-2010s. Its return on the EX60 is a nod to the “rugged luxury” aesthetic. This is not a “senior citizen beige.” It is a complex metallic gold with sandy undertones.
The secret here is the use of glass flakes in the paint mixture, which reflect light more sharply than standard aluminum flakes. This gives the car a “wet” look in the golden hour sun. It pairs exceptionally well with the “Nordico” wool-blend interiors Volvo is pushing for 2026.
- Best For: Hiding dirt. This is the undisputed king of low maintenance. You could drive this through a dust storm, and it would still look 90% clean from five feet away.
- Resale Warning: Gold/Beige cars can sometimes sit longer on the used market, but on a premium SUV like the EX60, it reads as “old money” rather than “rental car.”
Vapour Grey
- Finish: Solid-Effect Metallic
- The Vibe: Industrial, Architectural, Ghostly.
Vapour Grey is currently the standard (often free) color on the EX30 and EX90, and it’s expected to carry that torch for the EX60. Do not let the word “Grey” fool you. This is a “solid-effect” paint, meaning it lacks the heavy sparkle of traditional metallics, giving it a creamy, ceramic-like finish similar to Audi’s Nardo Grey.
It borrows inspiration from windswept limestone houses. In some lights, it looks light grey; in others, it picks up a faint khaki or mushroom undertone.
- Best For: The minimalist. If you love Apple products and brutalist architecture, this is your spec.
- Maintenance: Excellent. It hides swirls and scratches incredibly well because it doesn’t rely on a deep clear coat reflection to look good.
Aurora Silver
- Finish: Metallic with Tint
- The Vibe: Futuristic, Ethereal, Sharp.
Silver is usually the boring choice, but Aurora Silver is Volvo’s attempt to electrify it. Reports suggest this paint includes a very subtle purple or cool-blue tint that only reveals itself in high-contrast lighting. It’s designed to look like raw, anodized aluminum.
On the EX60’s sculpted bodywork, specifically the “Thor’s Hammer” headlight area—this color will highlight the sharp creases and shut lines better than any dark color could.
- Best For: Showing off the design. If you want people to notice the car’s shape, go Silver.
- Maintenance: High. Silver hides dust well, but it is notoriously difficult to color-match if you ever need a bumper repainted after a fender bender.
Heather Bronze
- Finish: Warm Metallic
- The Vibe: Earthy, Rare, Distinctive.
A potential newcomer to the palette, Heather Bronze likely replaces “Bright Dusk.” While Sand Dune is golden, Heather Bronze leans into copper and rose-gold hues. Think of it as the automotive equivalent of rose-gold jewelry.
It’s a polarizing choice. On the road, it will look incredibly premium and distinct from the sea of monochromatic SUVs. However, it requires a confident owner.
- Best For: Standing out. You likely won’t see another one of these at the school drop-off.
- Interior Pairing: Must be paired with a dark (Charcoal) interior to avoid “beige overload,” or a light (Blond) interior for a very airy, Californian vibe.
Denim Blue
- Finish: Metallic
- The Vibe: Classic, reliable, handsome.
Denim Blue has been a staple in the Volvo lineup for years, and for good reason. It is a “safe” color that never looks out of place. It’s a medium-to-dark blue with a “smoky” grey undertone, which prevents it from looking like a bright “sports car” blue.
On the electric EX60, this color adds a layer of traditionalism to a high-tech platform. It says, “I drive an electric car, but I don’t need to look like a spaceship.”
- Best For: The family driver who wants something darker than silver but easier to keep clean than black.
Onyx Black
- Finish: Metallic
- The Vibe: Executive, Menacing, Sleek.
There is nothing quite like a clean Black Volvo. Onyx Black contains a metallic flake that distinguishes it from the flat “Black Stone” of the past. When clean, the EX60 in Onyx Black will look like a seamless piece of obsidian glass, especially since the EX60’s grille is closed off and smoothed out.
- The Catch: You know the drill. It looks spectacular for the 15 minutes after you wash it. The rest of the time, it shows every pollen grain, water spot, and swirl mark. Only choose this if you have a garage and a membership to a detail shop.
Crystal White
- Finish: Pearl Tri-Coat
- The Vibe: Premium, Clean, Icy.
This is the premium white option. Unlike the flat Ice White (below), Crystal White uses multiple layers of pearlescent paint to create depth. Under streetlights at night, it glows rather than reflects. It is the safest color for resale value – white premium SUVs are always in high demand on the secondary market.
- Best For: Hot climates. White reflects the most heat, which actually helps EX60 range slightly by reducing the load on the A/C system in summer.
Ice White
- Finish: Solid (Non-Metallic)
- The Vibe: Utilitarian, Crisp, Stark.
Likely the base color for lower trims, Ice White is a flat, non-metallic paint. It lacks the depth of Crystal White but offers a brighter, “white-out” visually. It makes the EX60 look slightly larger and more imposing because it doesn’t absorb any light.
- Best For: Fleet buyers or those who want to wrap the car. It’s a perfect blank canvas.
Which Should You Buy?
Choosing a color is subjective, but when you factor in the EX60’s specific design language – which relies on smooth surfaces and fewer jagged lines – some colors work harder than others.
- The Safe Bet: Vapour Grey. It’s modern, hides scratches, and fits the EV aesthetic perfectly without costing extra (usually).
- The Enthusiast’s Choice: Forest Lake. It connects the car to Volvo’s Swedish heritage and offers a complexity that you won’t get bored of after three years of ownership.
- The Luxury Flex: Sand Dune. If you want your EX60 to look like a Range Rover or a high-end concept car, this metallic beige-gold is the ticket.
