The EX90 is Volvo’s latest offering in India and also its most premium one. The EX30 and EC40 compete in the entry-level luxury EV segment, but the EX90 is the brand’s flagship electric SUV. It comes in a single, fully loaded variant with all the bells and whistles, along with a dual-motor setup and a claimed range of over 600km. Can it bring in a new audience or convert some XC90 customers? It certainly has the traits to do both.
EX90 Exterior Design and Engineering – 9/10
Based on the new SPA2 architecture, which has its roots in the previous SPA platform but is built specifically for EVs, the EX90 does share some resemblance to the XC90 in its shape and form factor. However, the details are different. As expected, the overall design is simple and far from outlandish or attention-seeking. This is in keeping with the brand’s image, and the restraint actually works. The flat, closed-off front end dismisses any chances of a blingy chrome grille, and what adds drama instead are the LED lights that split open to reveal the main headlamps behind. These, too, have an impressive party trick; with over a million pixels, they can individually light up or switch off and constantly shape a light beam to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. Further down, you get some more DRL strips, one on each side, and a rather simple, fuss-free bumper.
Over to the side, the EX90 is slightly longer than the XC90, while the rest of its dimensions see a marginal bump. 21-inch wheels are standard, and the 210mm of ground clearance at its lowest setting is plenty. The air suspension also allows you to raise the car up to 250mm for off-road use. The door handles are pop-up, flip-up-style units, and you no longer get a key. Instead, you get a card that you need to tap at the right spot, with the Volvo logo facing the right way, for the handle to pop up. Alternatively, you can simply link your phone to the car and use it as a key. It seems convenient on paper, but the card system needs to be a lot more seamless to be hassle-free.
At the rear, it gets a split setup for the LED tail-lamps, with C-shaped LEDs on the lower half and vertically stacked LEDs in the D-pillar. There isn’t a single strip of chrome, and even the cladding is minimal. Subtlety is what Volvo aims for with its design, and the EX90 offers just that.
EX90 Interior Space and Comfort – 8/10
Inside, the minimalist approach continues and even takes precedence. The dashboard is devoid of any buttons whatsoever, and the majority of the real estate is taken up by the 14.5-inch touchscreen. However, the bright seats and upholstery, along with the bright open-pore wood, lift the cabin ambience significantly. There is generous use of brushed aluminium as well, and the Nappa leather is fantastic to the touch. The centre console also features wireless charging and a rotary knob for media control.
There is plenty in the front seats to pamper you. They offer excellent support, and feature heating, ventilation and a whole host of massage options. Plenty of electric adjustment also means finding an accurate driving position is easy, and all-round visibility is very good.
The EX90 is only available as a six-seater, so in the middle row you get captain’s chairs, but these would feel snug for some, and for a luxury car that would be chauffeur-driven, you don’t get the same level of pampering as in the front seats. There is no electric adjustment, heating, ventilation or massage either. There aren’t any sunblinds for the windows too, and even though the huge panoramic sunroof is electrochromic, at the tap of a button you get a bit of tint in the glass, on a hot day with the sun overhead, you will need more.
The accessories list has a proper roof shade to protect you from that, and it is an extra we recommend you select. On the plus side, space is good, and the seats can be adjusted
for legroom and recline too. You get four-zone climate control, with AC vents in the pillars that are a lot more effective, and cupholders stowed within the armrests. Also, being a modified platform, the floor is raised, and you notice this while getting in and out of the car.
Access to the third row is easy from between the captain’s chairs, thanks to the flat floor, but there is no tumble feature for the seats. Instead, they only slide forward, opening a cavity to get in. Room in the last row is at a premium for tall adults, but kids or shorter adults will do just fine with a little adjustment to the middle row.
With all three rows up, boot space stands at a healthy 324 litres, and with the third row folded away, it is a sufficient 690 litres. There is a 46-litre frunk too for stowing charging cables. Impressively, there is a full-size spare wheel as standard, which will eat up some boot space but is a huge relief given the low-profile tyres and our roads.
EX90 Features and Safety – 8/10
Most of the EX90’s features are accessed through the massive, vertically oriented touchscreen. Being Google-powered, it runs a smooth OS, but simple tasks like adjusting the ORVMs require multiple inputs and navigation through the menus, which isn’t easy while on the move. There are some hard-coded functions at the bottom of the touchscreen, such as climate control, but you still need to focus on the screen and cannot operate them easily while driving. There is also a 9-inch driver display with nothing but the absolute necessary figures, such as range, speed and battery percentage. You can also load up the maps there, and it displays the traffic around you too. However, don’t expect multiple dials and a loaded, fighter-jet-like cockpit experience, the instrumentation is all minimal but feels sparse too.
What is excellent, however, is the music system: a 1,610W, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Hi-Fi audio system with custom presets and modes that truly transform the cabin. If you enjoy your music, there are few cars in the world that offer something at this level or better. Safety is where Volvo excels, and the EX90, being the flagship, has all the bells and whistles – active and passive. Nine airbags, five cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors, powering a full ADAS suite including door-opening alert and post-impact braking, make it exceptionally well equipped. Essentials like a 360-degree camera and auto-parking further make it easy to live with.
EX90 Performance and Refinement – 9/10
The EX90 comes in a single variant in India, with a dual-motor setup and a 106kWh battery pack. It develops 456hp and 670Nm, making it quick off the line. 0-100kph takes just 5.5sec, which, given its size and type, is pretty impressive. However, from behind the wheel, the experience aligns with its laid back character. You can alter the dynamics using the four drive modes. ‘Range’ prioritises efficiency, and power and torque are heavily restrained, although in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you will not notice the dip. There is a creep function too for peak-hour jams. ‘Standard’ is a balance that suits the car well for the most part, while ‘Performance’ is for that rare time when you want to add some enthusiasm.
Don’t expect fighter-jet levels of reactions, though. Even in ‘Performance’ and with a heavy right foot, the EX90 builds pace gradually. It is almost like taking off in an aeroplane, where the speed rises in a strong and linear manner. This mode zaps power swiftly, so it is best to use the ‘Standard’ mode and get the best of all worlds. If you end up venturing off the tarmac, the ‘Off-road’ mode allows for more ground clearance (250mm), and it alters traction control and ESP settings to allow for more traction on loose surfaces.
Once on the move, what is extremely impressive is cabin refinement. With no engine sound to distract you, EV cabins amplify ambient sounds like wind and road noise, especially with large tyres, but the EX90 is a different story. Cabin insulation is top-notch, and it is near-silent on the inside. It also has a neat trick, microphones all around the car can relay conversations via the speakers clearly no matter where you are seated. You only have to talk in your natural tone for your voice to clearly go through the microphone and speakers. So passengers sitting at the first and third row can have a conversation without having to speak loudly.
EX90 Mileage / Range and Efficiency – 9/10
The 106kWh battery can eke out 625km according to the WLTP cycle. In our short test drive, we saw an efficiency of 5km/kWh in mixed driving conditions, resulting in a range of 530km. That is rather respectable, and considering a majority of our drive was on the highway, this number should only get better in the city.
The EX90 also has regenerative braking, and you can go from having it completely off to low or high, or just leave it in Auto, where it does all the thinking for you. Feel, though, leaves a lot to be desired, the pedal never feels consistent in its bite point. You get an 11kW AC charger for your home or office, which takes 11 hours for 0-100 percent. But being an 800V system, it can charge at up to 350kW on a DC charger, taking just 23 minutes for 10-80 percent. The car will also pre-condition the battery, meaning it gets the battery up to its optimum temperature to charge as quickly as possible.
EX90 Ride Comfort and Handling – 8/10
The EX90 rides on air suspension, which, over broken roads at medium or high speeds, is excellent. The car adjusts within microseconds, and you barely feel bumps inside. You can firm it up for the highway, so there is none of the wallowy feel associated with a softly sprung setup. Three modes to choose from give you flexibility depending on the road surface. ‘Standard’ offers the best balance, as it has the softness without feeling overly soft in the corners, while ‘Firm’ adds a layer of stability at speed and on fast bends. ‘Soft’ is a bit too soft, and the car ends up diving or rolling a tad more than necessary. In the city, there is none of the harshness over low-speed bumps, and the composed nature of the suspension is its highlight.
EX90 Value for Money – 8/10
Prices for the EX90 will be out in October, and it will be the brand’s flagship SUV, sitting above the XC90. If you are looking for a chauffeur-driven luxury EV, it will tick the right boxes. That said, sunblinds would have been nice, and as a driver, it will frustrate you with an over-reliance on the touchscreen and a fiddly key card. On the whole, though, it does a lot to impress and allows you to forgive these shortcomings. You get everything you expect from a luxury EV, the cabin is plush and comfortable, the materials and feel are excellent, the design is subtle but svelte, and the ride comfort is truly impressive. It rivals the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW iX, and while it may not be as feature-loaded in the rear seat as the EQS or as powerful and fun to drive as the iX, it does find a very nice middle ground and would be top of the list for those looking for minimalist class and luxury.
