The Volvo EX90 marks a new chapter in the history of the Swedish brand, evolving the concept of the XC90 into a fully electric form. A large SUV designed for families, it can accommodate up to seven passengers with excellent spaciousness and cutting-edge technology.
With a minimalist and refined design, powerful drivetrains, and meticulous attention to safety, the EX90 positions itself as a benchmark in the luxury electric SUV segment. Let’s see how it performed in our first drive.
Volvo EX90: our tops & flops
The Volvo EX90 is proof that even when sharing platforms and engines, two cars can be complete opposites. I’m referring to the Polestar 3, which I also tested recently. It presents itself as a large, heavy SUV, sure, but with driving sensations that are smooth, agile, and responsive. The EX90, on the other hand, inherits from the XC90 its comfortable and soft driving style, and although it packs 517 hp, it wants you to feel all of its power and heft. A true Viking on wheels, packed with technology that culminates with the LiDAR sensor on the roof, ensuring top-class safety levels.
This is a car designed to be driven calmly and to enjoy the journey, also thanks to its solid range of up to 602 km, sound insulation, and premium audio system. From such an expensive vehicle, however, I expected a bit more refinement: practicality and sturdiness are fine, but that massive tablet awkwardly placed on the dashboard feels out of place, and while there’s some fine wood (or what looks like it) and nicely crafted leather, certain cheap plastics really shouldn’t be there—though we’re far from the scandal of the first-generation BMW iX.
What we like:
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Excellent sound insulation;
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Top-level technology;
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A concert hall on wheels.
What we don’t like:
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Very heavy driving feel;
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I expected more from the materials;
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800-volt architecture would have made it perfect.
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Scandinavian design and refined aerodynamics
Aesthetically, the Volvo EX90 retains the brand’s distinctive traits, with an elegant and understated look, emphasized by the absence of air intakes and front grilles, typical of electric cars. The front end is characterized by full LED matrix headlights with the “Thor’s Hammer” light signature, which not only offer advanced illumination but also interact with the driver by lighting up dynamically when the car is unlocked.
The sides, discreetly sculpted, help reduce aerodynamic drag, while the 22-inch closed-design wheels improve efficiency. On the roof stands out the LiDAR system, a technology that prepares the vehicle for Level 3 autonomous driving, available in the future through OTA software updates. The rear maintains the Volvo tradition with vertically developed taillights, reinterpreted in a modern key with dynamic lighting.
Inside, the cabin stands out for its clean design and sustainable materials, in line with the brand’s philosophy. The large panoramic glass roof enhances brightness and the sense of space, while the dashboard is dominated by the 14.5-inch central display with Android Automotive system, flanked by a 9-inch digital instrument cluster.
The infotainment is managed intuitively, with smoothness comparable to that of a smartphone, thanks to the power of Qualcomm and Nvidia processors. Physical controls are reduced to a minimum, but Volvo has kept some essential buttons, such as those on the doors and on the steering wheel, for more immediate interaction. The premium 1,600 W Bowers & Wilkins audio system, with Dolby Atmos technology, offers a very high-level sound experience. It does not exaggerate with the bass, preferring a sound balance appreciated by those who prefer a purer sound.
The seven-seat configuration ensures high versatility: the second row slides back and forth by 15 cm, while the third row offers enough space even for adults up to 1.80 meters tall. The trunk has a capacity of 310 liters with all seats in use, which rises to 1,910 liters by folding down the second and third rows. In addition, the front compartment (frunk) offers 46 extra liters, excellent for storing charging cables.
ADAS and top-level safety
The Volvo EX90 is a concentrate of advanced safety technologies. The Pilot Assist driving assistance system, thanks to the combined use of cameras, radar and LiDAR, offers smooth management of speed and lane keeping, with a particularly natural response in braking and corrective interventions.
Among the most innovative features we find:
- Driver monitoring with interior cameras to detect signs of fatigue or distraction, stopping the car safely in case of emergency.
- Passenger detection sensor that prevents the vehicle from locking if people or animals are inside.
- Long-range obstacle recognition thanks to LiDAR, capable of detecting objects up to 250 meters away, even in low visibility conditions.
Engines, battery and range
The Volvo EX90 is available in three configurations, all with electric engines and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive:
- Single Motor RWD – 279 hp and 490 Nm of torque, rear-wheel drive
- Twin Motor AWD – 408 hp and 770 Nm of torque, all-wheel drive
- Twin Motor Performance AWD – 517 hp and 910 Nm of torque, all-wheel drive
In all versions, top speed is self-limited to 180 km/h, a choice consistent with Volvo’s philosophy, which focuses on safety before absolute performance. Acceleration is always lively: the most powerful variant sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, while the standard version does it in 5.9 seconds.
The heart of the Volvo EX90 is the 111 kWh gross (107 kWh net) battery, which powers all the engines and guarantees excellent range. According to the WLTP cycle, the EX90 can travel up to 600 km on a single charge, but real data varies depending on driving conditions.
One of the strengths of the EX90 is the support for ultra-fast charging, althought it lacks the support of 800-Volt system introduced only with the ES90:
- Up to 250 kW in direct current (DC) – allows you to go from 10 to 80% in about 30 minutes on the most powerful stations.
- Up to 11 kW in alternating current (AC) – for slower home or public charging, taking about 11 hours for a full charge.
How it drives
Despite its imposing size and weight of 2,700 kg, the Volvo EX90 surprises with its balanced driving dynamics. Thanks to optimal weight distribution and the low center of gravity guaranteed by the battery pack positioned under the floor, the vehicle conveys a sense of stability and control above the segment average.
The optional adjustable air suspensions play a fundamental role in balancing comfort and dynamism. In standard mode, the car effectively absorbs asphalt irregularities, making driving extremely comfortable, even on bumpy roads or in urban areas with uneven paving. This is particularly evident in city sections with speed bumps and some road surface issues, where the EX90 manages to dampen vibrations without transmitting them to the cabin.
On the highway, the level of soundproofing is excellent. Thanks to double glazing and careful aerodynamic study, wind noise is reduced to a minimum, allowing travel in a muffled environment, ideal for long trips. Even at sustained speeds, acoustic comfort remains unchanged, with the sound of ventilation being the only noticeable element inside the cabin. Adaptive cruise control, combined with the lane-keeping system, offers precise and unobtrusive support, further improving the highway travel experience.
When switching to more dynamic driving, the EX90 shows surprising road holding for an SUV of its category. The suspensions, if set in a stiffer mode, significantly reduce roll, keeping the vehicle composed even in the sharpest direction changes. The grip offered by the 22-inch wheels and wide tires allows corners to be tackled with great safety, while all-wheel drive ensures optimal grip in all conditions.
Acceleration is always lively, with the Twin Motor Performance version able to unleash 517 hp and 910 Nm of torque in a linear and powerful way, with 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Despite this, the car never conveys a feeling of excessive aggressiveness, but rather a smooth and progressive acceleration, ideal for an SUV of this kind.
Particular is the tuning of the One Pedal driving, which allows energy recovery to be modulated on several levels. Compared to other electric models, the EX90’s regeneration system is less incisive and softer, reducing the automatic deceleration effect. Personally, I prefer a more “decisive” approach, useful for limiting the use of the brake pedal.
Overall, the Volvo EX90 offers safe, stable and incredibly comfortable driving, with a well-studied setup to adapt to different situations, from the city to winding roads, up to long highway journeys. Although it is not a sports car, it manages to combine power and driving precision with a high level of comfort.
