The automotive world is rapidly shifting towards electric vehicles, and the luxury SUV segment is no exception. As manufacturers race to deliver premium electric SUVs, Volvo is making a bold move with its upcoming 2025 EX90. This all-electric flagship SUV signals Volvo’s commitment to becoming an electric-only brand by 2030 and positions itself to challenge the established players in the Best Luxury Electric Suvs market.
Volvo’s transition is underlined by the EX90, a three-row, seven-seat SUV built on a platform dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles. Slightly larger and packed with more advanced technology than the current XC90, the EX90 represents a significant step forward for the Swedish automaker. With plans to launch a new EV model each year, Volvo is clearly betting big on its electric future, starting with the EX90, available for pre-order now and slated to hit the market in early 2024. Following closely behind is the 2025 Volvo EX30, a smaller, more accessible subcompact crossover, expected in dealerships in the latter half of 2024.
Priced to start under $80,000, the Volvo EX90 enters a competitive arena of high-end, all-wheel-drive electric SUVs. It’s poised to go head-to-head with rivals like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, the highly anticipated Lucid Gravity, and the three-row variant of the Tesla Model X. While Volvo’s sister company, Polestar, will offer the smaller Polestar 3 SUV on the same platform, the EX90 distinguishes itself with its size and focus on family-oriented luxury.
While not the largest or most powerful in its class, the 2025 EX90 aims to offer a compelling blend of features and value. It comes close to matching its rivals in size and power but potentially at a more accessible price point, especially when considering the Rivian R1S. Moreover, Volvo emphasizes safety and driver-assistance technologies in the EX90, boasting updated systems and the hardware and software groundwork for future hands-free highway driving capabilities. Volvo confidently proclaims it will be the safest vehicle they have ever produced.
Performance will be delivered through dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configurations, and Volvo estimates a range of 300 miles or more for the EX90. Inside, the design leans towards a minimalist aesthetic, reminiscent of Tesla, with a prominent, vertically oriented touchscreen dominating the dashboard. Externally, the EX90 retains classic Volvo design cues, including the signature Thor’s Hammer headlights, a bold Volvo logo, vertical taillights, and strong rear haunches. A key indicator of its technological leadership is the bulge atop the windshield, housing lidar sensors for enhanced lane and obstacle detection, even in complete darkness.
Deliveries of the EX90 are scheduled to begin in early 2024, with pre-order customers gaining the ability to configure their vehicles later this year for priority delivery. Initial availability is expected to concentrate in EV-friendly regions across the United States, including Southern California, Silicon Valley, the Pacific Northwest, the Eastern Seaboard, Colorado, and Texas. Production will take place at Volvo’s South Carolina plant, and models priced below $80,000 may qualify for the federal clean vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500, contingent on battery content requirements.
Despite debuting the EX90 well in advance of production, Volvo has yet to fully detail standard versus optional features and hasn’t offered driving evaluations. The true measure of the EX90’s competitiveness within the best luxury electric SUVs segment will be revealed upon driving evaluations and the release of complete specifications. For now, the Volvo EX90 presents itself as a strong contender, blending Scandinavian design, advanced technology, and Volvo’s renowned safety reputation into a compelling electric SUV package.
