Volvo is making a bold move into an all-electric future, and spearheading this charge is the 2025 EX90, their brand-new flagship SUV. This seven-seater, full-size luxury SUV is built upon Volvo’s first-ever dedicated EV platform, making it not just a step up, but a leap forward from the current XC90. Bigger and boasting more advanced technology, the EX90 signals Volvo’s commitment to launching a new EV model each year, aiming for a fully electric lineup by 2030. While pre-orders are open now, eager buyers can expect the EX90 to hit the roads in early 2024. Following closely behind is the 2025 Volvo EX30, a smaller, more accessible subcompact crossover SUV, arriving in dealerships in the latter half of 2024, promising to be Volvo’s most affordable SUV yet.
With an anticipated starting price just under $80,000, the EX90 firmly positions itself in the luxury SUV segment. It’s poised to compete head-to-head with other premium all-wheel-drive electric SUVs, including the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, the highly anticipated Lucid Gravity, and the three-row variants of the Tesla Model X. For those seeking the Best Rated Luxury Suv experience in the electric vehicle market, the Volvo EX90 is undoubtedly a contender to watch.
The upcoming Polestar 3 SUV, from Volvo’s sister all-electric brand, shares the EX90’s platform but in a more compact form. While the EX90 might not be the most imposing or powerful in its class, it holds its own and offers a competitive price point, notably lower than most rivals except for the Rivian R1S. More than just size and power, the 2025 EX90 brings to the table cutting-edge advancements in safety and driver-assistance systems. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art software and hardware designed to support hands-free highway driving in the future. Volvo boldly proclaims it to be the safest vehicle they have ever produced, a strong statement in the competitive landscape of best rated luxury SUVs.
Performance-wise, the EX90 will offer dual-motor, all-wheel-drive systems, ensuring robust capability and confident handling. Volvo estimates a range of 300 miles or more, placing it favorably among its electric SUV peers. This range capability is crucial for any vehicle aiming for the title of best rated luxury SUV, where practicality and performance are paramount.
Stepping inside the EX90, the interior design leans towards a minimalist, Tesla-esque aesthetic. A clean dashboard is dominated by a prominent, vertically oriented touchscreen, centralizing vehicle controls and information. Externally, the EX90 retains Volvo’s signature design language. Iconic Thor’s Hammer headlights, a bold Volvo emblem, vertical taillights, and strong, slab-sided styling with pronounced rear haunches immediately identify it as a Volvo. A key indicator of its technological leadership is the bulge at the top center of the windshield. This houses an array of lidar sensors, utilizing laser imaging, detection, and ranging technology. These sensors provide enhanced visibility even in complete darkness, significantly improving the precision of the EX90’s lane keeping and obstacle detection systems, further solidifying its claim as potentially the best rated luxury SUV in terms of safety technology.
Deliveries are scheduled to commence in early 2024, with Volvo offering pre-order customers the opportunity to configure their vehicles later this year for priority delivery. Initial availability is expected to be concentrated in EV-friendly regions, including Southern California, Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Pacific Northwest, the Eastern Seaboard, Colorado, and Texas. The EX90 will be manufactured at Volvo’s plant in South Carolina, and select models priced under $80,000 may qualify for the federal clean vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500, contingent on battery content requirements. This potential tax credit adds to the EX90’s appeal in the quest to be recognized as the best rated luxury SUV that is also financially attractive.
Volvo unveiled the EX90 well in advance of its production start, and details regarding standard versus optional features are still emerging. Driving evaluations are also pending. A comprehensive assessment of the EX90’s overall competitiveness will require real-world driving experience and further specifications. However, based on what has been revealed, the Volvo EX90 is shaping up to be a strong contender in the electric luxury SUV market, potentially earning its place among the best rated luxury SUVs available.
