Volvo EX90 (2022 - )

Volvo has launched its all-new replacement for its flagship XC90 model. It is fully electric, comes with seven-seat versatility and is called the EX90.

At launch, there is just one high-end Ultra trim, but this is available with two power outputs. They both have dual motors for all-wheel drive and feature a 111kWh battery. The lesser-powered model delivers 408hp and 770Nm of torque, while the Performance model is ramped up to 507hp with 910Nm of torque, making it blisteringly quick out the starting blocks.

While prices currently start from £96,255, Volvo has strongly hinted that there will be entry-level models introduced a little later down the line with the option of a single motor, and these will carry a more attractive price-tag.

We opted for the mighty Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance for our test drive in California.

One glance in the direction of the EX90 and it’s evident the Volvo design team wanted to make a statement with this vehicle. And they have succeeded on every count as the family-sized SUV boasts a bold, strong front end with a smoothed-out grille area flanked by the trademark ‘Thor’s Hammer’ signature daytime running lights.

At the rear, there are large C-shaped lights with other design cues including a fixed panoramic sunroof, dark tinted windows, integrated roof rails, soft close doors and striking 22-inch alloy wheels.

Move inside and you are met by a clutter-free minimalist interior that oozes quality at every turn with beautifully upholstered seats and the finest fixtures and fittings throughout. 

The main focal point and the car’s nerve centre is a large 14.5-inch portrait multi-media infotainment screen that offers access to the many on-board features. However, on the downside, you are very dependent on that screen for simple tasks such as adjusting the door mirrors or opening the glovebox. 

Another glitch at launch is there are certain features missing, most notably Apple CarPlay, although this will be added very soon via over-the-air software updates. The same goes for certain advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) too, which is not ideal. In fairness to Volvo, we were driving a very early production car which was not yet customer-ready.

However, there is plenty of tech to get your teeth into. The powerful Bowers and Wilkins sound system is exceptionally good and there is sat nav, handsfree Bluetooth, DAB radio and Google Automative Services with a voice assistant system.

And, unlike its smaller sibling the EX30 which came under fire for a lack of readouts, the EX90 has both a compact eight-inch driver display screen and a head-up display.

Elsewhere powered front seats offer a heating and massage function, while second row passengers are also treated to heated seats. 

Powering the Volvo EX90 is a 111kWh battery with dual motors – one on each axle – for all-wheel drive. The standard EX90 delivers 408hp with 770Nm of torque which results in a 0-62mph sprint time of 5.9 seconds. The more powerful EX90 Performance boasts 507hp with 910Nm of torque and that reduces the 0-62mph time to a very rapid 4.9 seconds. Both models max out at 112mph. So, not bad for a family SUV weighing in at 2.7 tonnes. Also impressive is the official driving range of 374 miles between charges.

Our driving route in glorious Californian sunshine included a variety of roads, including 10-lane highways, mountain climbs, congested town centres, plus twisting country lanes and the EX90 was certainly up for the challenge.

The straight line pace is exceptional with blisteringly quick acceleration out the starting gates. This makes joining fast moving traffic from a slip road much easier and is also handy when overtaking slower-moving vehicles.

Despite its size and bulky weight, the EX90 is deceptively agile through busy town centres where there is the option to adjust the level of regenerative braking with settings called Auto or One-Pedal driving. There is a single drive mode called Performance which adds even more oomph to the dynamics and the handling through twists and turns is surprisingly good with assured grip, minimal body sway and perfectly weighted steering.

With the elevated seating, the driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility and comfort levels are sublime even on longer journeys.

The suspension can be adjusted from Soft to Firm settings and will smooth out all but the most severe bumps along the way. And the cabin is beautifully refined too with barely a sound from the outside world filtering through. In fact, Volvo claims it is the quietest cabin of any Volvo car with state-of-the-art soundproofing.

Like most Volvos, the seven-seat EX90 boasts a commanding road presence stretching 5,037mm in length, 2,039mm across (with mirrors folded), 2,133mm with mirrors extended. It is 1,747mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,985mm.

The family SUV is a ‘proper’ seven seater with room for seven occupants to sit comfortably. Three tall adults can fit side-by-side in the second row without any complaints and these seats can be folded and tilted forward offering easy access to the third row. These rear seats can be used by adults over shorter journeys, but are ideally best suited to children.

The boot, accessed via a powered tailgate, can swallow 310 litres of luggage with seven seats upright. This increases to 655 litres if five seats are in use, and 1,915 litres with the seats in rows two and three dropped flat. 

The boot height can be raised and lowered which makes loading heavy or awkwardly-shaped items that much simpler and there is additional space beneath the boot floor, as well as a frunk.

Then, throughout the cabin, there are storage compartments galore and these include a glovebox, door bins, seat back nets, a large central cubby box, charging pad, plus six cup holders.

Charging both the EX90 in standard guise, as well as Performance, takes the same amount of time. A 10 to 80 per cent boost can be achieved in 30 minutes via a 250kW fast charger, or 15 hours using AC charging from zero to 100 per cent. If using a 7.6kW home wallbox it takes 15 hours from 0 to 100 per cent.

Both versions have a maximum braked towing weight of 2.2 tonnes and, with the all-wheel drive, pulling a caravan across muddy campsites won’t be an issue.

The EX90 is the first Volvo passenger car to top the £100k mark which is quite a statement of confidence from the Swedish carmaker. At launch it is only on sale in high-end Ultra specification with the Twin Motor version costing £96,255 while the Twin Motor Performance, as tested, tops the scales at £100,555.

Volvo has hinted at the likelihood of Plus and Core trims being introduced at a later date and these are likely to be available with a single motor which will help keep the price down. But that’s all the detail we have on that at the moment.

Admittedly, as you would hope and expect, the EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance, comes fully loaded with all the bells and whistles imaginable so there’s no need for any optional extras. 

When it comes to the day-to-day running costs of the EX90, the zero tailpipe emissions make the vehicle exempt from road tax, Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone fees, along with being free from a premium car tax levy heaped on vehicles costing in excess of £40k. However, many if not all these EV incentives are being reduced or withdrawn from next year.

And for fleet drivers considering the EX90 as a business car, it has a very attractive Benefit in Kind tax savings rate of two per cent.

With energy tariffs varying considerably between suppliers, it is worth shopping around for a provider that offers cheaper overnight charging rates, especially if you are relying on a home wallbox to regularly boost the battery.

The EX90 comes with a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, extended to eight years or 100,000 miles for the battery.

Volvo needed a suitable replacement for its flagship XC90 and the electrified EX90 is the perfect successor to the flagship title. It’s big and bold and aptly built in the US, a country that does everything on a larger scale.

Admittedly, the EX90 isn’t cheap, but neither is anything about this family seven-seater. It oozes class and totally delivers on the driving front too.

But with some features not present in the first delivery cars and customers having to wait for over-the-air software updates, the £100k price-tag does pose a few awkward questions for the Swedish manufacturer.