Volvo's flagship seven-seat EV has arrived, but was it worth the wait?

Volvo EX90 review: Electric seven-seater gets close to greatness

September 27, 2024 Phil Huff

Volvo’s flagship seven-seat EV has arrived, but was it worth the wait?

Volvo has introduced its new flagship electric SUV, the EX90, as a modern alternative to the venerable XC90 — a car that has recently been given another facelift, keeping it alive for at least three more years.

Despite the refresh, the XC90 is yesterday’s car. The EX90 is anything but, with Volvo stuffing it to the gunwales with cutting-edge and somewhat future-proofed technology. Tech is a tricky business, though, and the big Volvo arrives somewhat unfinished, with much of its potential locked behind future software updates.

Design, interior and technology

The EX90 looks sleek and modern, with a clean, understated design that won’t surprise anybody. It’s an evolution of Volvo’s typical style — refined and elegant but not especially groundbreaking. Make no mistake, though, it’s a fine-looking car.

Inside, the EX90 continues to shine. The minimalist design of the compact EX30 has been augmented by more screens, including a head-up display and arguably the best digital instrument panel for the driver I’ve ever seen. It’s a masterclass in understated clarity and takes your mind off the sometimes frustrating main 14.5-inch infotainment screen. Virtually everything is controlled via this screen — including, inexplicably, opening the glove box — but despite the occasional irritation, it’s generally intuitive and user-friendly.

It’s all wrapped up in interesting (not weird) materials, including wool blends or artificial leather made from recycled materials like plastic bottles and materials from sustainable forests in the Nordics. There are recycled materials around the interior, as well as renewable materials like birch wood inlays, which all combine to create a calm and cohesive cabin.

You feel calmer setting foot in the car, and that continues when you get moving. There’s nothing this side of a Bentley that is quite so quiet as the EX90.

Battery, motor and performance

Before we get to the missing tech, let’s look at what is present. the EX90 is an all-electric seven-seater SUV powered by two electric motors and a 107kWh battery pack built on a new platform shared with Volvo’s siblings at Polestar and its 3 model. A single-motor version and entry-level trim levels will eventually join the lineup, but for now, only the high-end Ultra trim is available in regular or Performance spec. We’re in the latter, of course.

That means we’ve got 510bhp and 671lb ft of torque, which is enough to propel the 2.7 tonnes of Volvo to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds. Best not to try that with seven people on board. The regular version isn’t exactly under-endowed with power, with 402bhp and 568lb ft of torque.

It never feels that quick, as the sheer bulk and weight of the car dull responses a little, but it’s remarkably easy to make swift progress over even twisty country roads. There’s good grip from enormous tyres and a suspension setup that keeps the car composed. The ride is on the firmer side to manage its weight, which can make road imperfections more noticeable, but it remains comfortable overall.

Volvo claims a range of 374 miles on a full charge, and during testing, the car achieved 363 miles, all but matching the promised range despite some rather enthusiastic driving. The EX90 can charge at up to 250kW, adding 250 miles of range in just 30 minutes. However, charging costs vary widely, from as little as £9 on an off-peak home tariff to almost £100 at premium motorway chargers.

Price and specification

All of the space, performance and technology (and the promised future technology) doesn’t come cheap, with our test model tipping over into six figures. £100,000 is a psychological barrier that more manufacturers face, but Volvo has intentionally stepped over the line to ensure that everybody knows that the EX90 is a premium product.

You won’t be looking for missing equipment, as there’s very little we could think of that’s not fitted as standard. Heated steering wheel? Air purifier? 25-speaker sound system? Panoramic sunroof? All in place. Android Auto? Lidar system? Well, about those…

A Lidar sensor is perched on the roof, promising enhanced safety and, eventually, full autonomy. You can’t miss it, as it’s a large bump above the windscreen. It’s an impressive system that uses laser beams to create detailed 3D maps of the surroundings, detecting objects up to 250 metres away, even behind obstacles like trees. The issue is that it doesn’t do anything yet. Software issues have delayed its integration, with Volvo planning to update the car’s system in the future, but no specific timeline has been provided. That’s the same with other missing tech, including Android Auto.

How long will that take? Hopefully not long, but until you get that over-the-air update, you’re missing out on the full promise of the EX90.

Verdict

I’m so torn on the Volvo EX90. It’s a magnificent car, almost perfectly blending performance, comfort, luxury, style and practicality. When a Kia EV9 can knock on the door of £80,000, perhaps £100,000 isn’t too bad considering the extra tech you get in the Volvo.

But that tech isn’t there yet. We’re used to software on our computers getting updates to fix problems and add features, but not on a six-figure car. With no definitive timeline on updates from Volvo, those on a short lease may not see the features they expect.

In every other area, it’s a class-leading car. It’s sensational. But if you’re not an early adopter who needs the latest model immediately, it might be worth waiting for the updates to be confirmed.