2024 Volvo EX90 review
Cutting-edge driver assistance tech, clever packaging and an eye for sustainability reflect Volvo’s best efforts in the EX90.
Luxury
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The Volvo EX90 provides the space and seven-seat functionality of the XC90 it will eventually replace but brings a slicker - and quicker - electric driving experience to the large luxury SUV market.
It also has an advanced lidar system as part of an extensive safety suite incorporating 10 cameras and even more radars.
At the heart of the EX90, though, is an SUV that evolves the look of the XC90, one of Volvo’s most recognised and loved models.
Riding on a new EV-only architecture shared with the Polestar 3 (both brands are part of the Geely group) it optimally places batteries in the floor and an electric motor at either end for all-wheel drive traction.
A floating centre console creates a useful bag-ready space on the floor between the front seats, although slim door pockets aren’t welcoming to large water bottles.
Space in the first two rows is generous and the middle row has three individually flipping and folding seats.
The third row is best left to kids, though, and also limits boot space once all seven seats are in play. A useful underfloor compartment adds to the loading functionality, as does a segmented area beneath the bonnet.
There’s no leather but modern alternatives - including stuff that looks like leather - are fresh and up-market.
There’s Tesla influence throughout, including the panoramic sunroof minus shade protection. And owners will have to get familiar with the 14.5-inch infotainment screen for adjusting the mirrors and steering wheel and even opening the glovebox.
Just two window switches means you have to toggle between winding the front and rear windows.
Four switches would make more sense.
However, Volvo has learnt from the EX30 and fitted a large volume dial to make adjusting the audio easier. Having programmable profiles for different drivers make it easy to switch infotainment and seat settings.
And a phone is all you need to get the car unlocked and running, although we experienced glitches with the tech.
The EX90 will initially be offered as a Twin Motor or a Twin Motor Performance, the latter making 380kW and 910Nm for 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds.
It’s suitably swift, although in regular drive mode it takes a moment for the full thrust to swell, translating to initial dullness.
Press the Performance AWD button and there’s more immediacy that works better for zipping around.
Dual chamber air suspension helps smother bumps nicely and the cabin is quiet and refined. There’s a few taps of the screen to get dial up a firmer suspension setting, in turn better controlling the body. In any mode, though, there’s an emphasis on comfort, something that suits the family-friendly SUV. That said, low profile Pirelli Scorpion tyres hang on tenaciously to endow the EX90 with ample cornering talent. Sure, there’s lots of weight (about 2.7 tonnes), but there’s enough rubber to ensure it scurries around corners adeptly.
Driver assist systems are well calibrated and the lidar pod at the front of the roof can see at night up to 250 metres down the road for more advanced auto braking functionality.
Prices kick off at around $130,000 for the Plus and head north of that for the Performance Ultra we’ve sampled.
Each gets quad zone ventilation, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, heated front and middle row seats, powered front seats and front seat massagers.
Claimed range from the 111kWh battery (107kWh usable) is between 570km and 614km. The EX90 can charge at up to 250kW for a 10-80 per cent top-up in as little as 30 minutes.
All of which makes it a compelling EV offering in a market segment that includes big hitters such as the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.
The challenge could be convincing families to splash out more on a car that does without five-minute refuelling. For those ready for the EV leap the EX90 provides a tempting middle ground between the more affordable Kia EV9 and far pricier Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
Originally published as 2024 Volvo EX90 review
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