Power and luxury, at a price

I think it’s easy to see the appeal of the new, all-electric Volvo EX90. It has the same charm as the already popular XC90, which is still available as an ICE model, but the EX90 is bang up-to-date thanks to being based on a brand-new battery-powered platform. It’s is a full seven-seater too, which means that it’s a sizable thing, but it still feels more manageable than something like the hefty Kia EV9.

Alongside plenty of expected safety features, the Volvo EX90 cuts an impressive dash with its contemporary styling, upright stance and comfortable interior. Volvo has pulled out all the stops to make the EX90 feel like a premium purchase, and it needs to, as this SUV comes with a similarly high-end price tag. Two model variants offer all-wheel drive, an electric range of up to 374 miles, plus potent performance.

Recommended

2024 Volvo EX90

The Volvo EX90 works is a wonderfully comfortable high-up cruiser that benefits from oodles of power and decent range. Some of the seating areas aren’t as generous as I expected, and not everyone will be sold using a touchscreen for most tasks. Nevertheless, the EX90 is very likable, although you’ll have to love it an awful lot to be happy about the asking price.

Pros

• Elegant exterior matched by premium interior
• Seven-seater design
• Excellent performance for a sizable SUV

Cons

• Expensive
• Third row of seats aren’t easy to access
• Rivals like the Kia EV9 feels bigger on the inside

Price, specs, and availability

The EX90 will arrive before the end of the year, with Volvo set to offer two models. There’s the EX90 Twin Motor Ultra, which will cost £96,255 (just under $127,000), and the slightly more expensive EX90 Twin Motor Performance Ultra. The latter costs £100,555 (around $132,000). Volvo intends to keep things straightforward, with one trim range that features several new exterior colors matched by interior options featuring sustainable fabrics and recycled materials.

Design and build

No fuss design, as expected from Volvo

I’m a big fan of the already-out-there EX30, which is a much smaller EV, but the design theme is the same here. The bigger and bolder EX90 boasts angular styling, with a range of cool colors, including the Vapor Gray you see here that helps to accentuate the car’s minimalist Scandinavian persona. I also love the 22-inch alloy wheels that do their best to complement the overall premium appearance and create an imposing presence that is to be expected from any high-end SUV.

There are other great touches, too, from flush door handles and a panoramic glass roof, along with pixel LED headlights that finish off the front nicely. An impressive taillight array completes the styling package. The other big bonus with the size and shape of the Volvo EX90 is that gaining entry to any part of it is easy. There are four big doors, which open to offer fuss-free access. Meanwhile, around at the back, the square tailgate opening is generous enough to get some huge stuff in and out. Anyone with a family will find it perfect.

A fascinating interior

Comfort and a clever use of materials

Although the exterior is sizable and the doors are generous, I was slightly surprised that there was a hint of compromise inside. Don’t get me wrong, the interior is nicely executed with a premium feel. This includes Nordico upholstery, which is a sustainable fabric. Volvo has also made good use of other recycled elements on the inside. However, the EX90 doesn’t feel as cavernous inside as the Kia EV9.

That’s going to provide Volvo with competition issues too, because like the EX90, the EV9 features three rows and seven seats. Although Volvo has been clever with the seat mechanisms, I found getting access to that twin-seat third row was a little tricky. Now I know I’m not a small child, and kids will probably love clambering back there, but adults might prefer to sit in the first two rows. Drop the back seats down, though, and you can turn the Volvo EX90 into a mighty carrying machine, with a total capacity of 1,915 liters. There’s a small frunk under the hood too, for something small.

The technology breakdown

Touchscreen controls take a front seat

Anyone who’s read a review of the smaller Volvo EX30 will know that it has attracted groans about the car’s reliance on touchscreen tech over physical buttons. Unfortunately, the EX90 is no different, with most of its control options hidden inside the 14.5-inch touchscreen that’s front and center on the dashboard. The display looks great, but just about everything is accessed through its vibrant frontage, including a virtual button to open the glovebox. The savings on component parts must get Volvo a return, but whether everyone will be prepared to live with things like this remains to be seen.

Google’s navigation and suite of everyday tools dominate the practicality side of things and work as well as they do on any smartphone. That LiDAR bulge on the EX90’s roof also helps to pack in a lot of driver assistance and safety aids, as is the norm for any Volvo, and thankfully, most of the features and functions help rather than hinder. This includes the impressive parking options, which are always handy when driving such a large SUV.

I also have to mention the beefy Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which delivers 1,610 watts of power through 25 speakers. This includes a couple sitting inside the front headrests. Anyone who classes themselves as a music fan will love it. Given the high price tag though, I’d say the high-end audio system is a necessity rather than a complement. Other cool tech touches include Vehicle-to-Grid and Vehicle-to-Home options, allowing you to eke more potential out of the decent-sized battery pack.

Battery, range and performance

Practical range and no skimping on power

The Volvo EX90 comes equipped with a 111kWh battery pack, which is needed for the four-wheel drive setup and for getting this hefty car down the highway. In fact, it’ll get from 0 to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds. Meanwhile, the top speed is 112mph. With 517 horsepower on offer, and a whopping 910 Nm of torque, there’s performance aplenty. Surprisingly though, even if you drive it spiritedly, Volvo says the EX90 will be good for up to 374 miles of range. That makes it seriously useful for long highway runs. If you’re more of a short journey type, then charging isn’t likely to be frequent, thanks to the generous range. When it is time to charge, there is a charge rate of up to 250kWh, provided you can find a compatible charging station.

Should you buy the Volvo EX90?

The Volvo EX90 is a commendable effort with lots to like. Some folks might not be so keen on that LiDAR bulge that sits above the windshield, and, to be fair, it’s a bit of an oddity in the aesthetics department. I was also slightly disappointed about the space levels as I moved further back in the car, trying each row. There’s nothing to grumble about on the driving front though, with more than enough power on tap to keep everyone happy, even lead foot drivers. Equally, the range of up to 374 miles seems good to me, given the overall potency, plus the all-wheel drive keeps this SUV firmly planted on the road.

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2024 Volvo EX90