Sep. 17th, 2024
Volvo’s new range-topping, all-electric seven-seater looks set to be a standout in the luxury EV space – and coveted family car.
The “less is more” philosophy is a cornerstone of Swedish design and encapsulates the Scandi aesthetic ethos: one characterized by functionality, clean lines and a love of nature that Volvo has excelled at translating into cars. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, their flagship electric SUV is no exception. For its global launch, Volvo showcased the premium three-row with scenic test drives along Southern California’s iconic coastal Highway 101, the rolling hills of nearby Temecula Valley, and Volvo Landscape experience at five-star Newport Beach hideaway Pelican Hill. Aesthetically pleasing and highly functional the EX90 was a pleasure to drive. Smooth and whisper-quiet on the road but finished in sustainably sourced materials, it felt fantastic on the inside, too.
Volvo Landscape by James Lipman
The Safest Volvo Ever
Volvo is synonymous with safety, and many of its innovations have become standard across the automotive industry, notably the three-point seatbelt and Side Impact Protection System (SIPS). In step with its “Vision Zero” concept (that no one is killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2030), the EX90 is designed to be the “safest Volvo ever” and speaks to the brand’s confidence in and commitment to advanced safety technologies.
A new multicamera driver-monitoring system (that includes one in the dash and another underneath the steering column although there are eight total across the car) means checking mirrors and blind spots is good, but a distracted driver could result in a message from the at-a-glance display. Surprisingly, it suggested my partner looked tired and should consider pulling over to take a break along a particularly winding section of the Ortega Highway. During our lunch stop in Temecula, technology manager Eva Lahti, who has been instrumental to safety development of the EX90, shared how Volvo’s Safe Space Technology new occupant sensing system keeps an eye on things when the car is parked by detecting sub-millimeter movements. “Radar sensors are strategically placed throughout the cabin, so if a pet or a sleeping child is still inside when you try to lock the doors, they won’t, or it will send a notification to check the interior,” she said.
James Lipman/Volvo
A Computer on Wheels
In addition to being the safest Volvo ever, the EX90 is also the most advanced. This means you can forget the traditional fob and embrace your smartphone as a key to do almost everything, including Remote Actions like ensuring doors are locked or warming up the motor on a cold morning via the Volvo Cars App. Featuring new AI-capable software with 5G connectivity for over-the-air updates, convenience and technology integration is integral to this “smart and connected computer on wheels” with preferred settings saved to profiles in the app. When approaching the car, doors unlock, and mirrors and seats adjust as if by magic – depending on who drove it last.
Once behind the wheel, everything in the clutter-free dash – save for steering wheel buttons and a rotary dial for audio in the central console – is housed within a free-floating 14.5-inch tablet powered by Google that also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means actions (moving mirrors, putting the rear windows down, even acessing the glove box) are reached via a series of touchscreen steps. The interface will feel intuitive for the digitally savvy, although it was easy enough for me to grasp basics from the passenger seat. Also easy to locate via a docked touchscreen button was the one-pedal drive mode that we opted to switch off for our route that looped east through Lake Elsinore to Temecula and north along Interstate 5 and Highway 101 back to Newport later in the day.
James Lipman/Volvo
Whether navigating canyon curves or cruising on the freeway, the EX90 delivered a smooth and composed ride. The steering felt light and responsive, while the computer-controlled dual-chamber air suspension absorbed any bumps in the road. Those looking for a sharper ride can access the driving dynamics settings via the touchscreen to adjust the suspension and steering from “soft” to “firm.” Its twin-motor powertrain generates an impressive 510 horsepower, propelling the nearly three-ton SUV from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds – remarkable for its size.
Studio Quality Sound, Scandi-Chic Style
Thanks to zero artificial engine noise, the EX90 is arguably one of the quietest cars I’ve ever driven, making it even easier to appreciate the exceptional Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Available exclusively on the Ultra trim (and a $3,200 option on Plus models), it will be tough for audiophiles to pass up. With 25 speakers, including some integrated into the headrests, the surround sound can reproduce audio in various spectacular modes, including one that simulates the acoustics of London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios. No matter where you sit in the seven-seater, the experience is quite literally as impressive as it sounds.
While sleek lines with subtle aerodynamic accents, plus a new spin on Volvo’s Thor’s-hammer design headlamps, are hallmarks on the exterior, EX90’s elegant minimalism continues throughout its glass-roofed cabin. Senior design manager Marie Stark, a graduate of The Swedish School of Textiles who has worked with Volvo Cars for almost twenty years, took inspiration from fashion, Scandinavian furniture, and perhaps most notably nature when she incorporated sustainably sourced ash and birch wood accents into the dash trim – another Volvo first.
There are four color and interior theme configurations available on the 2025 EX90 but we experienced two: Charcoal paired with birch décor, coordinating zinc grey tailored wool-blend fabric made from recycled polyester and Vapor Grey exterior,and (my favorite) the Dawn interior with a light ash trim and Dawn quilted leather-free Nordico upholstery with a subtle beachy-inspired Sand Dune exterior apropos for Southern California.
Specs & Pricing
With ten hours to a full charge or quick charge option that will get you to 80% in half an hour (use the Volvo Cars app to locate public charging points, pay for and track charging progress_ and an EPA range of 310 miles on its 107.0-kWh underfloor battery, the EX90 is equally at home as a daily driver around town as it is on family road trips with the kids or weekend away with friends. The EX90 Plus is priced at $81,290, but a top-spec Ultra, with the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system, plus 22-inch wheels will nudge things closer to $100K. volvocars.com/us
Volvo
