EVs and technical school have become intertwined . That ’s great for the people who want cars to act like four - wheel smartphones , which seem to be the focus of many auto - industry product planning decisions , but not for those who desire transportation . That ’s copiously clear from the development saga of the 2025 Volvo EX90 .
Volvo has developed an appealing and distinctive aesthetic in late years , one that carries forward to this three - row electric SUV that ’s positioned to contend against the cluster of luxury EVs hovering in the high - five - figure Mary Leontyne Price range . But instead of reduce on that strength , Volvo drum in many software program - based features that have prove hard to follow through .
As a resultant , while the EX90was first shownin November 2022 , it ’s only just now starting production in South Carolina , with client auto schedule for legal transfer before the end of the year — and still wait over - the - breeze updates for some features . Even without full scorched computer software , though , a first drive showed that there ’s a destiny to wish about Volvo ’s latest EV .
Design and interior
The EX90 is a handsome SUV that just happens to be galvanizing . The lack of a radiator grille is the only apparent EV - specific design feature , although Volvo lay claim some more subtle sculpting of the sheetmetal for sleek efficiency . Volvo ’s trademark “ Thor ’s Hammer ” headlights also get an update , with pixel - similar element that pop open to switch from daytime running lights to full ray .
Sitting under rough stage lights at its reveal in Sweden , the EX90 looked like just another SUV , effectively a refresh of the Volvo XC90 . But drive around in the California sun , the effect is more striking . The EX90 still has the ocular weightiness of a true SUV , but its sucked - in body side of meat and creased edge give it a tauter show that nicely evolves Volvo ’s signature tone .
likewise , the inside takes the minimalism that ’s defined recent Volvo cabins even further . Most control — including accommodation preferences for the steerage wheel and mirror — have been moved to the portrait - tailor touchscreen or doubled up , leaving the dashboard almost entirely empty except for a large volume thickening . The dash itself is also recess a bit , help to show off the touchscreen and the thin digital instrument clump .
The exterior styling nicely evolve Volvo ’s touch look .
minimize the amount of strong-arm control is sure as shooting on trend — Lucid , Rivian , and Tesla are also doing it — but it ’s in question in term of practicality . It ’s a safe thing most people do n’t align their mirror too often , because going into the touchscreen to do it is a bit inconvenient . We also were n’t crazy about using the shifter stalk to engross the EX90 ’s Pilot Assist driver - assist system , fear we ’d circumstantially wobble into neutral instead . The deficiency of consecrate rearward windowpane permutation is irksome in a circa-$40,000Volkswagen ID.4 , let alone a luxury S.U.V. like this , as is the want of a factory - outfit shade for the chalk roof ( it ’s only available as a bargainer - installed accessory ) .
Neat details abound , including flyspeck Swedish sword lily in the metal trim that frame the dashboard - spanning air vents , . The available wool - blending upholstery is a classy option to leather . And instead of exposed ambient lighting elements , Volvo also chose to backlight the EX90 ’s forest trim for a cleaner tone .
Luxury SUV shopper have no dearth of electric selection , but the EX90 is part of a smaller cohort that offers a third row of butt . The Volvo is available as a seven - seater ( with a 2d - row bench hindquarters ) or six - seater ( with 2d - rowing captain ’s chairs ) . However , even with slither second - row tush , it ’s only suitable for children or adult you do n’t like . The EX90 ’s maximum 67.6 three-dimensional foot of cargo distance behind its 2nd and third run-in train the three - rowMercedes - Benz EQS SUVandRivian R1S , but the EX90 can at least kneel on its air suspension to make load cargo prosperous . The Volvo ’s petite 1.2 cubic - foot frunk is also barely worth remark compare to the Rivian ’s , which is closemouthed to the size of it of a small saloon ’s torso .
Tech, infotainment, and driver assist
The standard couple of CRT screen includes a 9.0 - inch digital instrument cluster and 14.5 - in touchscreen . The EX90 uses an Android - base documentary system like other recent Volvo models , with feature like Google Maps and Google Assistant that make it feel like you have build - inAndroid Auto . Volvo plans to include wirelessApple CarPlay , but it tell client earlier this year that this feature would not be enabled at delivery . Volvo affirm to Digital Trends that any missing features will be add via a free over - the - air update when they ’re ready .
As is , the infotainment experience was as pleasant as inother late Volvo mannequin . The EX90 espouse a similar touchscreen layout to that of the smallerVolvo EX30 , with a map withdraw up most of the main fare and icons for climate restraint and other important procedure below . But it keeps the speedometer and number one wood - assist entropy in the standalone cat’s-paw clump , so you do n’t have to constantly look to the side like you ’re driving an early 2000s Saturn Ion . However , image for the regenerative braking level and various medicine - listening options ( Tidal , Spotify , and SiriusXM are useable ) can be hard to discover at a glimpse .
A 14 - speaker Bose audio system is received , while a 25 - speaker Bowers & Wilkins system with Dolby Atmos that produces an impressive 3D effect is optional on the high-pitched - story EX90 Ultra grade . Volvo is also carry out digital - key functionality with the EX90 , let customer use a smartphone in place of the cardinal fob , but it ’s far from the first automaker to put up this .
The EX90 aims for better carrying into action from familiar driver - assistance features .
On the number one wood - assist front , the EX90 does n’t break any Modern ground , but aims for better carrying out from intimate characteristic . Volvo ’s Pilot Assist organization can manage quickening , braking , and lane revolve about on highways , and also adds automated lane - modification functionality with the EX90 , but still need number one wood to keep their hands on the wheel . That may seem dissatisfactory given that some workforce - free system are now on the securities industry , but it ’s in keeping with Volvo ’s vehemence on safety . hand - barren organization add together public toilet , but Pilot Assist still do the same task of catching a number one wood ’s mistakes .
Pilot Assist performed as well as these system mostly do during our brief private road on some California freeways , without any concerning deportment . Acceleration and steering even feel somewhat unruffled than in previous looping of this tech . However , only a small green steering - wheel icon on the good side of the instrument cluster lets you know that the scheme is active , with even smaller arrow for the lane - change functionality . Anything beyond just turning Pilot Assist on and off also requires navigating to a touchscreen bill of fare .
Volvo also hop to improve the EX90 ’s driver aids with an industry - first lidar unit of measurement — a sensor usually used on the self - beat back car prototypes various caller are testing . issue by Luminar ( which Volvo has been fund since 2018 ) and mounted just above the windshield , the lidar unit is design to add on the EX90 ’s cameras and radio detection and ranging , providing ripe vision in darkness or direct sunlight . For now , though , it ’s just decoration until Volvo decide to do something with the data it collects .
Driving experience
The EX90 is available only with a treble - motor all - wheel drive powertrain and 111 - kW - 60 minutes ( 107kWh usable ) battery pack , but Volvo offers the powertrain in two province of tune . The standard EX90 Twin Motor produces 402 horsepower and 567 pound - feet of torque , while the Twin Motor Performance option raises that to 510 hp and 671 lb - ft of torque . The rear motor can also be decoupled when not needed for greater efficiency , or for torsion vectoring to better handling .
Volvo estimates zero to 60 mph prison term of 5.7 endorsement and 4.7 seconds for the Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance , respectively . That ’s quick than a Mercedes - Benz EQS 450 4Matic SUV , but Mercedes offers a an EQS 580 rendering that would just pose the Volvo in a drag wash . And even the base Rivian R1S will do zero to 60 mph in 4.5 bit .
The EX90 force exactly the room a Volvo should .
Everything else about the EX90 driving experience is superior to those other three - row opulence EVs , though . While it may not be the quickest on newspaper , the EX90 quicken in a brisk , but poise way . It also exhibits impressive poise in corners , glide through them with minimum body roll — even our test railcar ’s gravid 22 - inch wheel did n’t compromise drive timber . And the cabin is so quiet that the most intrusive sounds came from the motor for the tycoon - adjustable seats . By balancing ease with cover competence , the EX90 drive on the nose the way a Volvo should .
Some caution are in edict , however . The elevator car we ride were what Volvo call “ early product ” Twin Motor Performance models with European - spec summer tires . Most customer railway car are likely to ride on all - season tyre that will offer less grip . We ’d also advise owner not to trouble switch to the stiffer preferences for the suspension and steering . The former did n’t make much of a difference , while the latter caused too much resistance from the steering cycle for precise cornering .
Range and charging
prescribed range figure are 310 nautical mile with 21 - column inch wheel and 300 miles with 20 - inch or 22 - inch wheels . That ’s just behind the 330 miles manageable by a dual - motor Mercedes - Benz EQS 450 4Matic SUV or a Rivian R1S fit with the halfway - sized Large Pack .
The EX90 ’s 400 - volt electric architecture allows for DC tight charging at up to 250 kilowatt , resulting in a 10 % to 80 % care in 30 minutes . Volvo has discuss bidirectional charging to allow the EX90 to serve as a mobile free energy source and Plug & Charge functionality for flowing charging , and has made a deal with Tesla to use the latter ’s Supercharger web . But these features are on hold pending software update and Tesla getting its act together .
How DT would configure this car
The EX90 is priced like the flagship SUV that it is . Pricing starts at $ 81,290 for a Twin Motor Plus modelling . raise to the Ultra grade costs an additional $ 4,350 and the Twin Motor Performance Powertrain tune is an extra $ 5,000 . We ’ll appropriate judgment until we can get behind the steering wheel of a non - Performance model , but it ’s deserving notice that the only real difference in terms of tech features between the positive and Ultra is the Bowers & Wilkins audio system of rules that ’s optional on the latter .
That pricing structure puts a basis EX90 close to aRivian R1SDual Large with two motors and the medium - sized stamp battery pack . The Rivian has a bit more range in that spec and gasconade off - route potentiality the Volvo miss , although that ’s only relevant if you make even sashay off - sidewalk . Rivian also pop the question a small Standard Pack choice for the R1S that undercut the EX90 in price . TheMercedes - Benz EQS SUVoffers a third row like the Volvo and Rivian , but it ’s much more expensive ( base exclusive - motor good example start at just over $ 100,0000 ) for no manifest reason .
For purchaser who do n’t need a third row , thePolestar 3shares the EX90 ’s canonical platform , but in a sportier two - row , five - seat software program . Production is underway at the same South Carolina plant that builds the EX90 , although deliverance may lag behind the Volvo . A individual - motorCadillac Lyriqwith 314 Swedish mile of range can also be had for $ 59,990 , with a 500 - horsepower dual - motor all - steering wheel drive powertrain costing just $ 3,500 more . And if luxury branding is n’t that significant , note that theKia EV9also offers three rows of seats for $ 75,395 in top dual - motor GT - Line trim .
The EX90 is a great electric SUV , but this tilt of alternative is a reminder that it make it into a matured market place that is unlikely to be discompose by any single new entry . That may have been the goal behind the various features like bidirectional charging and lidar integration that Volvo will leave customer wait for . It would be a shame if software issues distracted from what is otherwise a stylish and pleasant to take SUV that ’s probable to please current Volvo proprietor or anyone who ’s draw a bead on to become one .
