If someone had told me that a 2.8-ton Swedish cathedral could dance around corners like a stock hatchback, I would have told them to change their psychiatrist. But Volvo has done the impossible with the Volvo EX90. They have created a car that is both an engineering marvel and proof that sometimes even Swedes are in a hurry for lunch.
Let's start where I expected the biggest disappointment, but got the biggest shock – the driving dynamics. Let's be honest, the Volvo EX90 is huge. When you park it, it blocks the sun from the neighbor's house. But once you get behind the wheel and drive off, that mass simply disappears. The steering is incredibly precise, and the chassis communicates with the road in a way that you shouldn't feel for a car this size.
The car drives with childlike ease. Never, not even for a moment, do you feel like you are steering a ship. The driver feels as if he is sitting in a car that is at least half as light and smaller. It does not “kneel” in the corners, and on the highway it is as confident as a German train. If you are looking for a reason to buy this car despite some of its shortcomings, this is the answer: it drives simply fantastic.
Storage in a tuxedo: Space for four and the neighbor's kids
The other thing that blew me away was the spaciousness. This is practically the only car in the world that a family of four will be able to throw all their stuff into – from skis, strollers to those three suitcases we “absolutely need” – and still have some air space left in the back.
Since this is a 7-seater, it becomes a real social experiment. The third row isn't just for decoration or torturing enemies; you can actually put your neighbor's kids in there and take them out for pizza without being sued for being cramped at the finish line. The trunk is a bottomless pit with the seats folded down.
Interior: Beauty that requires tenderness
The interior is typically Scandinavian – bright, airy and soothing. You feel like you’re in an expensive furniture showroom in Stockholm. But here we encounter the first obstacle of reality. The materials, while pleasant to the touch and visually stunning, are a bit delicate.
Our test car, which had already clocked up a solid 22,000 journalistic kilometers (which is about 100,000 normal kilometers in a car's years), was showing signs of fatigue inside. Light-colored materials are a magnet for dirt and wear. If you have kids who like to eat chocolate or draw with markers, you might want to consider a darker option or invest in some really good cleaning products. Still, the ambiance is simply wonderful when it's clean.
“The sound system in the test car didn’t carry the Bowers & Wilkins logo, but don’t let that fool you. The sound was clear, deep and powerful enough to drown out the kids’ ‘when will we get there’ questions. Volvo knows how to do acoustics, even in the ‘basic’ versions.”
Digital Brain: Google Knows When You're Stuck
One thing I hate about electric cars is lying about their range. The Volvo EX90 is brutally honest. Its Google Maps navigation integration is probably the best on the market. The system doesn't just tell you where to go, it also calculates with incredible accuracy what percentage of battery you'll have at your destination.
In our test, the system was accurate to within 100%. When it says you'll arrive at the charging station with 6 %, you'll be there with 6 %. This eliminates all that unnecessary anxiety and makes the trip more relaxed. Regarding charging: although they promise more, in our test the speed stopped at around 180 kW. Not a record, but thanks to the reliable route planning, it's perfectly acceptable.
Scars of a Warrior: When a Global Product is in a Hurry
And now for the elephant in the room. Our 22,000-mile test car showed that Volvo was a bit hasty with the EX90. On the exterior, we noticed some issues with the paint and the fit of the bumpers. The gaps weren't exactly perfect, as we're used to from this brand.
It is obvious that this is a global product, where the first series of cars passed quality control with some leniency. These are not catastrophic errors, but they are cosmetic blemishes that you do not expect in a car for 100 thousand. I am sure that the upcoming facelift or even ongoing production updates will fix these little things. Volvo is too serious a brand to allow such mistakes in the long term.
Technical data at a glance
- Engine: Twin Engine Performance
- Power: 380 kW (517 hp)
- Torque: 910 Nm (671 lb-ft)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 4.9 s
- Battery: 111 kWh (gross)
- Charging (test): Max 180 kW
- Range (real): approx. 450–500 km (280–310 miles) depending on the weight of the leg. On test about 380 kilometers. (mostly highways, mountain passes, 0 degrees)
Conclusion: A diamond in need of polishing
Volvo EX90 is a car of contrasts. On the one hand, it offers driving characteristics and spaciousness that are at the very top of the world. It drives better than most small SUVs, and has the space of a van. On the other hand, it is plagued by the “childhood diseases” of a quick arrival on the market – delicate materials and superficial exterior finishing of the first series.
But let's be honest: the software will be updated, the Lidar will get its function, and the robots in the factory will become more accurate. When this happens, it will Volvo EX90 probably the best large electric SUV in the world. Right now, it's a fantastic machine for those who value driving and safety and are willing to overlook a few paint imperfections in the name of technological advancement.
With the price of the test model around 102.990 € (the base model starts at €79,990) you're paying for the privilege of driving the future. And the future, it turns out, is bright, quiet and exceptionally spacious.
