Following a lengthy teaser campaign, the Volvo EX90 makes its full debut as the brand’s new flagship three-row SUV. It is based on a new architecture and has a fully electric powertrain. The battery-powered brother XC90 is the first of many new electric Volvos to come with the Swedish company pledging to launch a new EV every year and by the end of the decade, it aims to sell only fully electric cars worldwide. But for now, the EX90 is the new star of the Volvo lineup.
Unveiled for the first time in Stockholm today, the electric SUV looks exactly what you’d expect from the brand – modern, bold, refined and a little edgy as Volvo continues to adhere to its form-follows-function design philosophy. To some extent, the EX90 looks similar to the current XC90, but there’s a new platform that supports seven seats. The focus on the tech side is on safety and the automaker says it’s the safest Volvo ever produced, one that could get smarter and safer over time thanks to updates and new data.
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The bulb you see on the roof just above the windshield is where the EX90’s sensors, camera and radar are integrated. Volvo says it’s never “tired or distracted” and is powered by a high-performance core computer with self-developed software. The entire system provides a constant 360-degree view of the world around the car and can even see small objects hundreds of meters ahead to give the driver more time to react and avoid them. This SUV is also Volvo’s first model to be factory-equipped with all the hardware needed for future unattended driving.
The EX90’s massive dimensions leave enough room for Volvo to fit into a massive 111-kWh battery pack. Initially available will be a dual motor electric powertrain with two permanent magnet motors, one for each axle. In the most powerful version of the carrier family, the peak output of the system is 496 horsepower (370 kilowatts) and 671 pound-feet (910 Newton-meters) of instant torque. Volvo promises an estimated range of up to 300 miles on a single charge, though that’s not yet certified by the EPA. There’s no information on maximum charging power, but the company says charging the battery from 10 to 80 percent takes about 30 minutes.
Volvo is also proud to say the EX90 is not just a next-generation SUV but a “highly advanced computer on wheels” that is “more responsive and fun” than ever before. The automaker has teamed up with Snapdragon to use the visualization capabilities of the Unreal Engine – the same 3D tool developed by Epic Games that powers some of the most advanced video games – for the computing power and display graphics on the EX90. Built-in Google features, including Google Maps and other apps from Google Play, can be controlled from the center 14.5-inch screen. A standard 5G connection provides a constant stream of data for all applications running on the screen, including music streaming services.
Also standard is phone lock technology, which turns your smartphone into a car key. When you approach the car with the phone in your pocket, it will open automatically and will load your personal profile with preset seats, climate and other settings. The EX90 is also the first Volvo to feature integrated speakers with headrests as part of the Bowers & Wilkins audio system.
The EX90 is now available for pre-order in the United States. There’s no detailed pricing information, though Volvo says a “well-equipped” model will cost under $80,000. Preorders will turn into configured orders in fall 2023 and first deliveries are expected in early 2024. The electric SUV for America will be built in America at Volvo’s Ridgeville plant in South Caroline.
