Volvo’s new range-topping, all-electric seven-seater appears to be like set to be a standout within the luxurious EV house – and coveted household automotive.
The “much less is extra” philosophy is a cornerstone of Swedish design and encapsulates the Scandi aesthetic ethos: one characterised by performance, clear strains and a love of nature that Volvo has excelled at translating into automobiles. Crafted with precision and a focus to element, their flagship electrical SUV isn’t any exception. For its world launch, Volvo showcased the premium three-row with scenic check drives alongside Southern California’s iconic coastal Freeway 101, the rolling hills of close by Temecula Valley, and Volvo Panorama expertise at five-star Newport Seashore hideaway Pelican Hill. Aesthetically pleasing and extremely useful the EX90 was a pleasure to drive. Clean and whisper-quiet on the highway however completed in sustainably sourced supplies, it felt improbable on the within, too.
Volvo Panorama by James Lipman
The Most secure Volvo Ever
Volvo is synonymous with security, and lots of of its improvements have turn out to be customary throughout the automotive trade, notably the three-point seatbelt and Aspect Influence Safety System (SIPS). In keeping with its “Imaginative and prescient Zero” idea (that nobody is killed or significantly injured in a brand new Volvo automotive by 2030), the EX90 is designed to be the “most secure Volvo ever” and speaks to the model’s confidence in and dedication to superior security applied sciences.
A brand new multicamera driver-monitoring system (that features one within the sprint and one other beneath the steering column though there are eight whole throughout the automotive) means checking mirrors and blind spots is nice, however a distracted driver might end in a message from the at-a-glance show. Surprisingly, it steered my companion appeared drained and may take into account pulling over to take a break alongside a very winding part of the Ortega Freeway. Throughout our lunch cease in Temecula, expertise supervisor Eva Lahti, who has been instrumental to security improvement of the EX90, shared how Volvo’s Protected House Know-how new occupant sensing system retains an eye fixed on issues when the automotive is parked by detecting sub-millimeter actions. “Radar sensors are strategically positioned all through the cabin, so if a pet or a sleeping baby continues to be inside while you attempt to lock the doorways, they received’t, or it can ship a notification to verify the inside,” she mentioned.
James Lipman/Volvo
A Pc on Wheels
Along with being the most secure Volvo ever, the EX90 can be probably the most superior. This implies you possibly can overlook the normal fob and embrace your smartphone as a key to do nearly all the things, together with Distant Actions like guaranteeing doorways are locked or warming up the motor on a chilly morning through the Volvo Vehicles App. That includes new AI-capable software program with 5G connectivity for over-the-air updates, comfort and expertise integration is integral to this “sensible and related laptop on wheels” with most popular settings saved to profiles within the app. When approaching the automotive, doorways unlock, and mirrors and seats modify as if by magic – relying on who drove it final.
As soon as behind the wheel, all the things within the clutter-free sprint – save for steering wheel buttons and a rotary dial for audio within the central console – is housed inside a free-floating 14.5-inch pill powered by Google that additionally helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This implies actions (shifting mirrors, placing the rear home windows down, even acessing the glove field) are reached through a collection of touchscreen steps. The interface will really feel intuitive for the digitally savvy, though it was simple sufficient for me to understand fundamentals from the passenger seat. Additionally simple to find through a docked touchscreen button was the one-pedal drive mode that we opted to modify off for our route that looped east via Lake Elsinore to Temecula and north alongside Interstate 5 and Freeway 101 again to Newport later within the day.
James Lipman/Volvo
Whether or not navigating canyon curves or cruising on the freeway, the EX90 delivered a easy and composed trip. The steering felt mild and responsive, whereas the computer-controlled dual-chamber air suspension absorbed any bumps within the highway. These on the lookout for a sharper trip can entry the driving dynamics settings through the touchscreen to regulate the suspension and steering from “gentle” to “agency.” Its twin-motor powertrain generates a powerful 510 horsepower, propelling the almost three-ton SUV from 0 to 60 mph in simply 4.7 seconds – outstanding for its measurement.
Studio High quality Sound, Scandi-Stylish Model
Due to zero synthetic engine noise, the EX90 is arguably one of many quietest automobiles I’ve ever pushed, making it even simpler to understand the distinctive Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Out there completely on the Extremely trim (and a $3,200 choice on Plus fashions), it is going to be robust for audiophiles to move up. With 25 audio system, together with some built-in into the headrests, the encompass sound can reproduce audio in varied spectacular modes, together with one which simulates the acoustics of London’s legendary Abbey Highway Studios. Regardless of the place you sit within the seven-seater, the expertise is sort of actually as spectacular because it sounds.
Whereas glossy strains with delicate aerodynamic accents, plus a brand new spin on Volvo’s Thor’s-hammer design headlamps, are hallmarks on the outside, EX90’s elegant minimalism continues all through its glass-roofed cabin. Senior design supervisor Marie Stark, a graduate of The Swedish Faculty of Textiles who has labored with Volvo Vehicles for nearly twenty years, took inspiration from vogue, Scandinavian furnishings, and maybe most notably nature when she included sustainably sourced ash and birch wooden accents into the sprint trim – one other Volvo first.
There are 4 shade and inside theme configurations accessible on the 2025 EX90 however we skilled two: Charcoal paired with birch décor, coordinating zinc gray tailor-made wool-blend cloth constituted of recycled polyester and Vapor Gray exterior,and (my favourite) the Daybreak inside with a light-weight ash trim and Daybreak quilted leather-free Nordico upholstery with a delicate beachy-inspired Sand Dune exterior apropos for Southern California.
Specs & Pricing
With ten hours to a full cost or fast cost choice that can get you to 80% in half an hour (use the Volvo Vehicles app to find public charging factors, pay for and observe charging progress_ and an EPA vary of 310 miles on its 107.0-kWh underfloor battery, the EX90 is equally at dwelling as a day by day driver round city as it’s on household highway journeys with the children or weekend away with pals. The EX90 Plus is priced at $81,290, however a top-spec Extremely, with the elective Bowers & Wilkins audio system, plus 22-inch wheels will nudge issues nearer to $100K. volvocars.com/us
Volvo
