What’s the formula for remodeling a well-laid gas-powered SUV into an all-inclusive EV? We may not be sure, but with the new EX90, we know Volvo knows a trick or two. The 2025 EX90 is part of Volvo’s voyage into an electric future. Simply put, it is an XC90 with a green makeover, except it is more elegant, powerful, safer, and quieter.
With its classy, tasteful finishes, the EX90 is Scandinavian-suite-adjacent. And with its array of multiple sensors, cameras, and lidar, it is also a moving tech. Here are some of the things you need to know about Volvo’s new guy.
Chic Entrancer
The EX90 looks like Volvo breathed modern air into its signature design cues—clean lines, flush doors, and slim lights, giving the EV a solid silhouette. You cannot help but notice the bulge sitting above the windshield around the roofline. Volvo describes it as the eyes of the SUV, and, despite sitting atop, it doesn’t look a bit out of place.
At the front, Volvo’s Thor’s Hammer headlights, found on other Volvos, including the XC40, take their place. But they look cuter and seem to extend a bit more towards the faux grille. The side profile has a somewhat coupe-like stance thanks to the gently sloped roof that ends in a spoiler. The EX90 measures 198.3 inches from nose to tail and 77.3 inches in width. That’s a three-row SUV measuring less than an inch longer than the two-row Acura ZDX.
Twin Motor, Twin Option
Both EX90 trims come with a twin-motor AWD powertrain. The base powertrain version is potent enough to deliver 402 hp and go from 0-60mph in 5.7 secs. That already makes the EX90 more powerful than the most potent XC90 configuration (295 hp). However, a performance powertrain option is available for an extra $5000, nudging the figures up to 510 hp and 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
What makes the EX90 powerful is not just the powertrain, as Volvo also equipped it with some tough muscle. The Ultra trim has a huge A-arm, electronically controlled shock absorbers, dual-chamber air suspensions, and standard all-season tires. All the zap comes from a 111.0 kWh floor-spanning battery pack that guarantees 300 or 310 miles, depending on the configuration. Volvo claims that with its 250kW DC fast charging capability, the EX90 will charge from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes.
Viking Ship, Smooth Sail
The EX90 cabin might be inspired by the Scandinavian living room, but pretty much anyone would feel at home in it. Or, who doesn’t love a lovely couch in a cozy, quiet, beautifully illuminated suite? Instead of leather, Volvo opted for Nordico upholstery, which looks and feels like leather but is more eco-friendly. The dashboard is as simple as it gets since it doesn’t house too many components except the portrait screen. That would give a few people some headache, though, as you have to operate the touchscreen display for almost everything, including adjusting the mirrors and steering column. A tinted panoramic sunroof oversees the cabin, filtering in enough light during the day. When night falls, parts of the dashboard and wood panels light up for some ambiance.
The EX90 cabin can accommodate 6-7 passengers, but we expect the occupants in the first two rows to be more comfortable than those in the third. It has 40.9 and 36.5 inches of legroom in the front and rear, respectively. The front headroom measures 44.2 inches, while the rear has 41.6 inches. Coming in at 35.8 and 31.9 inches of headroom and legroom, respectively, the third row may not be suitable for an adult. The EX90 has a 10.9 cu. ft cargo capacity behind the third row. Flat out the row and there should be 23.1 cu. ft of cargo capacity. There’s also a 1.6 cu. ft front load compartment for storing small tools.
Smart Car, Safe Car
Tech is probably one of the EX90’s biggest selling points. Volvo threw in as many features as possible, equipping the SUV with everything it needs to stand toe-to-toe in tech with other cars. Two sensors on the inside and the touch-sensitive steering wheel are the driver’s companion. They help the EV to notice the driver’s concentration level and either bring the car to a stop or notify the driver if they lose attention. Beyond the driver, there’s an occupant weight sensor in the front seat to determine if the passenger airbag should be enabled or disabled. A radar also scans the inside of the car for abandoned kids or pets, keeping the temperature moderate and sending a And it is able to send a notification when anyone is left back. The car’s eyes, the lidar, integrate with five camera radars and 12 sensors to understand the surroundings and prevent collisions. That’s a car with an understanding of the inside and outside.
Auto dim rearview mirror, automatic windshield wipers, heads-up display, hands-free power-operated tailgate, and many driver assist features. Volvo did everything to maintain its reputation of safety while climbing up a few rungs in convenience. A 14.5-inch center display provides access to information and most other features. The only noticeable knob is the big volume knob sitting on the center console. However, Volvo’s attempt to keep things simple might have gone too far. For example, not many people will enjoy toggling two power window switches between the front and rear to control all four side windows.
Pricing and Preferred Trim
Volvo kept things simple with the trims as well. There are two trims with a difference of about $4k between them. The base trim, EX90 Plus, starts at $81,290, while the high-end trim, Ultra, starts at $85,640. That’s a fair starting price for a luxury EV. Except you have a serious need for speed, we recommend spending less than the $5k it takes to get the performance powertrain to get the Ultra trim. The trim comes standard with laminated side and rear windows to reduce noise, active chassis and active air suspension, and front seat massage, among others.
Gabriel Olakunori
Gabriel likes to argue (blindly) that SUVs are a part of nature, but he seems to have a point whenever you walk in the snow, through the bone-dry desert, splendid park-like boulevard, plains, and rocky roads. He has over five years of experience writing across a broad spectrum of topics, with quite a number in the automotive industry. If he is not at the desk w̶r̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun, he is at the wheel d̶r̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun. Both activities take him to the same destination: Utopia. He loves SUVs simply because they are all-inclusive, but he cannot turn down an offer to drive or write about any vehicle.
