Volvo EX60 to debut in 2026 with adaptive seatbelt technology

Volvo has released more details on its upcoming all-electric SUV, the Volvo EX60, set to debut in 2026. Built on the brand’s next-generation SPA3 platform, the EX60 will mark a major leap in vehicle safety. A hallmark of the Swedish marque by introducing a world-first multi-adaptive seatbelt system.

This next-generation seatbelt technology reflects Volvo’s longstanding leadership in automotive safety. First teased a few months ago, the system is designed to adapt in real-time to both the conditions outside the vehicle and the individual characteristics of the person wearing it.

According to Volvo, the multi-adaptive seatbelt draws data from a network of interior and exterior sensors, including accelerometers and cabin-monitoring systems. The system accounts for height, weight, body shape, and seating position to dynamically adjust the seatbelt’s pretensioning forcein the event of an accident.

For instance:

A larger occupant involved in a serious collision will receive a higher belt load setting, reducing the risk of head trauma.
Conversely, a smaller person in a less severe impact will get a lower belt load, helping to prevent injuries such as rib fractures.

Volvo also emphasises that this adaptive safety feature is not static. The EX60’s system is capable of receiving over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing the safety algorithms and load-limiting profiles to improve over time. It’s a rare trait in passive safety features. This means the EX60 will not only be safe at launch but safer with each update.

“The world-first multi-adaptive safety belt is another milestone for automotive safety and a great example of how we leverage real-time data with the ambition to help save millions more lives,” said Åsa Haglund, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

This innovation is a direct descendant of Volvo’s most iconic safety invention the three-point seatbelt, introduced in 1959 and widely regarded as one of the most important safety advancements in automotive history. That original invention is estimated to have saved over a million lives since its introduction.

With the EX60, Volvo is not just building another electric SUV, it’s building the future of safety. As more automakers rush to electrify their line-ups, Volvo continues to pair that shift with industry-leading safety advancements, reaffirming its position at the forefront of thoughtful, human-centric design.

The EX60 is expected to be revealed in full in 2026, as the brand’s next chapter in electric mobility and safety begins.