2025 Volvo EX90 review: Does this seven-seat electric SUV have what it takes to tempt buyers out of a BMW X5 or Audi Q7?

September 22, 2024September 22, 2024 Toby Hagon 1644 Views electric suv, ex90, volvo

The XC90 has long been the heartland of Volvo. Big, practical and with more than a hint of luxury.

But families looking for a seven-seat Volvo SUV will soon have to turn their attention to the EX90, the all-electric car that will eventually replace the XC90 – and we’ve driven it.

The Volvo EX90 evolves the look of the XC90 and weaves in some of the EV thinking of the EX30, right down to the distinctive iron mark running diagonally across the enclosed grille. It’s clearly an EV, but it’s also clearly a Volvo.

Beneath the skin is the same electrical architecture underpinning the Polestar 3, an EV newcomer that sells from $132,900 plus on-road costs.

2025 Volvo EX90 price and equipment

Like that car, the EX90 won’t be cheap, although it’s likely to undercut its Polestar equivalent.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet but best estimates are that the newcomer will sell from about $120,000 plus on-roads.

But it will pack plenty in, starting with seven seats.

That gives it an advantage in the luxury electric SUV space.

The Kia EV9 hovers around the same price but otherwise you’re jumping up to the expensive Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV ($194,900) to get seven-seat space. Late in 2024 the Volkswagen ID.Buzz arrives with a $91,290 price tag.

Equipment levels are yet to be finalised but on the vehicles we drove included a generous spread, with a panoramic sunroof, four-zone ventilation, ambient lighting, head-up display and fake leather trim (Volvo doesn’t do real leather any more).

There’s also a 360-degree camera and air suspension.

Tech is taken care of with a 14.5-inch central display powered by Android Automotive, which allows access to third-party apps via the Google store.

Plus there’s a 9-inch digital instrument cluster.

2025 Volvo EX90: What we think

Seven-seat SUVs are all about space and functionality and it’s no different with the EX90.

Up front there’s plenty to like and that spaciousness continues to the middle row, which can be slid forward and back depending on priorities (or who whinges most!). The flat floor makes the most of foot space, so three across the seat is more easily achievable.

But the third row is best left to little ones. It’s tight for leg and headroom and requires some flexibility to access.

The finishes and materials are modern and fresh, especially the whitewash wood that tastefully incorporates ambient lighting for a nighttime glow

But without leather (Volvo has phased it out) and with some of the plastics mean it doesn’t quite have the richness of the XC90 it will eventually replace.

Functionality is good, though, with occasionally less loveable quirks. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen gets its back-end smarts from Android Automotive so has various Google apps embedded, as well as access to the Play Store to tailor the screen with additional functionality.

There’s loads of Tesla influence throughout, including having to use the screen to open the glovebox and adjust the mirrors and steering wheel position. At least there’s a sizeable volume dial (the EX30 does without) making it easy to adjust the audio.

Just two window switches means you have to toggle between winding the front and rear windows. Four switches would make more sense.

The 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system available on some models is crisp and punchy and will soon have an Abbey Road mode, which aims to recreate the studio ambience where albums from the likes of The Beatles and Pink Floyd were recorded.

On the road there’s lots to like.

The EX90 will initially be offered as a Twin Motor or a Twin Motor Performance, the latter making 380kW and 910Nm for 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds.

Unsurprisingly there’s no short of thrust, although in the normal drive mode it takes a moment for all those Newton-metres to swell, making for some dullness (dare we say sluggishness, at least initially).

Press the Performance AWD button, though, and there’s more immediacy that works a whole lot better for zipping around.

The EX90 claims around 600km of WLTP range from its 111kWh battery (107kWh of which is useable).

So expect something like 500km in the real world. That’s plenty, and it can charge at up to 250kW for a 10-80 per cent top-up in as little as 30 minutes.

A 7.4kWh home wallbox would take something like 16 hours, or about 11 hours on a three-phase charger.

Air suspension is respectably plush and the cabin nicely hushed. It’s certainly a comfy and cruisy ride.

Dial up the firmer suspension setting and it better controls the body while still retaining most of the comfort; the EX90 has a clear focus on pampering occupants.

Low profile Pirelli Scorpion tyres do a terrific job of clawing the bitumen for those who like to push on.

And the tricky clutch-operated rear torque vectoring system works beautifully for diverting power to the outside wheel through corners. It leads to a car that has an engaging dynamic when powering out of bends.

2025 Volvo EX90: Verdict

It all adds up to a large SUV that mounts a compelling case to consider electric against similarly sized ICE alternatives (think BMW X5 and Audi Q7 as a start).

Some Swedish minimalism, Tesla tech and slick driving manners make for a nicely rounded SUV that can take seven but is happier with five (it’s not alone among competitors there!).

The biggest challenge for the EX90 could be its anticipated steep price tag.

Still, those willing to make the leap should find plenty to like – all with a suitably Swedish twist.

2025 Volvo EX90 price and specifications

Price: From about $125,000 (estimated)
Basics: EV, 7 seats, 5 doors, SUV, AWD
Range: 570-614km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 111kWh (107kWh useable)
Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km
Energy consumption: kWh/100km
Motors: 1 front 180kW/420Nm and 1 rear 200kW/490Nm; 380kW/910Nm (combined outputs)
AC charging: 11kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 250kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds