Volvo invited us to Newport Beach, California, to experience their all-new EX90, a 7-seat AWD SUV that many are eagerly anticipating. For families seeking the perfect blend of electric vehicle efficiency, luxury sedan comfort, off-road capability, and minivan practicality, the EX90 aims to be the answer. But does it truly deliver on this ambitious promise? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review.
Exterior Design: A Volvo Through and Through
The Volvo EX90 instantly announces its heritage with a distinctly Volvo aesthetic. The front fascia features the signature closed grill, indicative of its electric powertrain, flanked by the iconic Thor’s Hammer LED headlights. This immediately recognizable Volvo design language ensures the EX90 is unmistakably part of the family.
Moving to the rear, the design becomes more understated. While elegant, it bears a resemblance to the traditional Volvo XC90, or similar SUVs in their lineup. The test vehicles were presented in sandstone tan and gray, colors that exude a sense of sophistication but lean towards a more muted palette.
Perhaps the most prominent and technologically significant exterior feature is the hump located at the top of the windshield. While it might evoke images of London taxis or stealth police cars, this housing is actually home to Volvo’s advanced Lidar system. This cutting-edge technology is crucial for enhancing safety and paving the way for future autonomous driving capabilities.
Below the Lidar housing, the “Volvo for Life” tagline is displayed, underscoring Volvo’s unwavering commitment to safety. While some might find it a bit overt, it’s a clear statement of Volvo’s brand identity and priorities. Volvo has long been a champion of safety, famously sharing their invention of the three-point seatbelt with the industry, a decision that has saved countless lives. They anticipate their Lidar system will have a similar life-saving impact.
The EX90 strikes a balanced stance, positioned perfectly between a sedan and a traditional SUV. This design choice results in an ideal ride height that offers good visibility and capability for light off-roading, without compromising handling and cornering performance by being excessively tall. Overall, the Volvo EX90 earns high marks for its exterior design, seamlessly blending Volvo’s signature styling with modern SUV proportions. But is the beauty only skin deep? Let’s explore the interior.
Step Inside: Interior Comfort, Tech, and Practicality
We had the opportunity to experience two different interior configurations: one featuring synthetic leather and the other utilizing recycled cloth upholstery. Both interiors distinctly embody Volvo’s brand of spartan luxury. The cabin environment feels uncluttered and refined, striking a balance between minimalist design and outright starkness, differentiating itself from the more extreme minimalism found in Tesla interiors.
The front and middle row seats offer exceptional comfort, proving to be more than adequate even during extended drives exceeding three hours. The cabin’s tranquility and the vehicle’s smooth ride are truly remarkable. Passengers are likely to find themselves easily relaxed and comfortable, perhaps even dozing off during long journeys.
The third row, however, presents a slight compromise in space. This is likely why the Polestar 3, which shares the same platform as the EX90, is exclusively offered as a 5-seater. A taller passenger around 6 feet found the third row to be cramped unless the middle row seats were adjusted forward. Realistically, the third row is best suited for children or shorter trips like airport runs or school commutes, rather than accommodating seven adults on lengthy road trips. Interestingly, we also explored a 6-seat configuration featuring captain’s chairs in the second row (a feature notably absent in the Tesla Model X without paying extra). This setup significantly improved third-row accessibility and spaciousness. For those prioritizing passenger comfort and easier third-row access, the 6-seat configuration appears to be the more appealing option.
Even with the third row seats in use, the EX90 provides a usable cargo area behind the third row, ample enough for groceries. Additionally, under the cargo floor, there’s further storage space, ideal for stowing items you prefer to keep in the car permanently. However, the “frunk” (front trunk) is disappointingly small and not easily accessible, a drawback. Optimizing the front packaging to create a larger, more user-friendly frunk would be a welcome improvement.
Folding down the third row transforms the EX90 into a cavernous cargo hauler while still comfortably seating five. The second-row middle seat, however, is positioned higher and is noticeably firmer and less comfortable than the outboard seats, especially with the folded armrest positioned in the back. This reinforces the argument for opting for the 6-seat configuration if passenger comfort is a priority.
The EX90’s infotainment system is powered by Android Automotive, delivering a deeply integrated Google experience. For users within the Google ecosystem, this integration is seamless and intuitive. Unlike some automakers, Volvo has maintained open access to wireless Apple CarPlay, allowing users to run iOS on top of the Google operating system. While Google Maps is built-in and displayed prominently on the excellent heads-up display, providing redundancy with smartphone navigation, Volvo’s commitment to customer choice is evident in offering both platforms.
The 360-degree camera system offers comprehensive views around the vehicle, proving helpful in tight maneuvering situations. While it occasionally misinterpreted obstacles in our testing, overall, the system is a valuable aid when navigating unfamiliar or confined spaces.
Driving Experience: Performance, Handling, and Safety
The Volvo EX90 truly shines when it comes to the driving experience. The electric powertrain, combined with exceptional cabin insulation, results in an incredibly quiet ride, perhaps the quietest driving experience in recent memory. Coupled with the smooth, vibration-free nature of electric driving, comfortable and ventilated seats, and sophisticated driver-assistance systems, the EX90 delivers a driving feel comparable to luxury vehicles in the $100,000+ price bracket, such as Mercedes-Benz models. Torque vectoring technology enhances handling, instilling confidence and ease when navigating curves and corners. The excellent visibility and the added reassurance of the Lidar-enhanced safety suite further contribute to a confidence-inspiring and enjoyable driving experience.
However, the motor performance felt somewhat restrained. Volvo engineers acknowledged during the event that they deliberately softened the acceleration. The reasons for this – whether for optimizing ride quality, minimizing component wear, or other factors – remain unclear. We expressed our opinion that the EX90’s acceleration felt less responsive than expected, especially considering Volvo’s own, less expensive EX30 is actually quicker to 60 mph. We argued that drivers should have more direct control over acceleration, rather than relying on potentially overly conservative computer algorithms.
Despite this, a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds is still respectable for a vehicle of this size. The Polestar 3, which shares the same SPA platform drivetrain (albeit with a slightly higher 517 horsepower output), is only marginally quicker at 0-60 mph, clocking in at 4.5 seconds. While there’s room for improvement in outright acceleration, whenever performance discussions arise, Volvo consistently emphasizes their focus on safety. It’s a core brand value that permeates every aspect of the EX90’s design and engineering.
Depending on the selected tire size, the Volvo EX90 is projected to achieve a range exceeding 300 miles. This range figure strikes a good balance for vehicles in this class. The Rivian R1S offers a greater range, but at a higher price point and with a larger battery pack. The Tesla Model X, while boasting a higher range on paper, often falls short of 300 miles in real-world driving. The Kia EV9, a key competitor, is expected to offer a similar range.
Bidirectional Charging: Powering Your Home
A standout feature, potentially overshadowed by the Lidar system, is the Volvo EX90’s significantly enhanced bidirectional charging capability. Unlike many EVs offering only around 2kW of power output, the EX90 can deliver up to 20kW. This substantial power output means the EX90 can not only power appliances but also potentially heat and cool an entire house when connected to a compatible bidirectional charging system. We saw a demonstration of various use cases with a DCBEL system integrated with the EX90, showcasing the potential of this technology.
Our experience with fast charging at a busy Electrify America station was somewhat underwhelming. However, we still achieved a peak charging rate of 185kW with a 30% state of charge. Volvo claims the EX90 can reach charging speeds of 250kW or higher under optimal conditions, allowing for a 10-80% charge in approximately 30 minutes, adding around 210 miles of range.
Final Verdict: Is the Volvo EX90 Worth It?
The Volvo EX90, built in South Carolina, is a compelling entry into the electric SUV market. Historically, the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X have dominated the 3-row EV SUV segment. More recently, luxury competitors like the Mercedes EQS SUV, BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-tron, and value-oriented options like the Kia EV9 have begun to reshape the landscape. However, the Volvo EX90 carves out a unique position by effectively combining performance, elegant styling, luxurious comfort, and a refined driving experience. With a starting price range of $80,000 to $90,000 before incentives, depending on trim level, the EX90 is poised to be a popular choice in this rapidly expanding market segment.
The ultimate test for any vehicle is the simple question: “Do I want one?” Often, after reviewing a car, the answer is a polite “no.” However, in the case of the Volvo EX90, the answer is a resounding “yes.” It’s a vehicle that has genuinely piqued interest and warrants further consideration. As a Rivian R1S owner, the review process prompted reflection on whether features like blistering 0-60 mph times, extreme off-roading prowess, or the last 100 miles of range (seldom used) are truly necessary for everyday driving. The appeal of captain’s chairs in the second row (even at the expense of fold-flat seats) is undeniable. Ultimately, the smoother, quieter ride and, most importantly, the enhanced safety features offered by the Volvo EX90 are incredibly compelling. As Volvo rightly emphasizes, it’s all about safety, and the EX90 delivers on that promise in a luxurious and technologically advanced package.
