Overview
VOLVO’S essential newly launched EX90 seven-seat electrical SUV has arrived in Aussie showrooms (following its European launch in November of 2024), giving status household consumers a selection between the XC90 petrol and EX90 electrical mannequin strains from $124,990 plus on-road prices.
Accessible in ‘Plus’ Twin Motor and ‘Extremely’ Twin Motor Efficiency guise (from $134,990 +ORC), the Volvo EX90 is a extra inexpensive different to the Audi Q8 e-tron (from $153,984), BMW iX (from $136,900), and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV (from $134,900), and one the Swedish model says provides “unmatched security and refinement ranges”.
Powered by a 111kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery pack, the EX90 can be supplied to Australian clients with two powertrain choices, the Twin Motor delivering 300kW of energy and 770Nm of torque, and the Twin Motor Efficiency 380kW and 910Nm.
Zero to 100km/h acceleration instances are quoted at 5.9- and 4.9 seconds respectively. Prime pace is proscribed to 180km/h.
Every everlasting synchronous motor is paired with a single-speed transmission permitting a braked towing capability of as much as 2200kg.
Vary is listed at 570km for each variants, the EX90’s 800-volt electrical structure providing 11kW AC and 250kW DC charging, the latter permitting a 10-80 per cent high up in half-hour,
Designed to be the “most secure Volvo automobile ever made”, the EX90 options Volvo’s Secure House know-how combining digicam, radar, and LiDAR methods to supply the car with a “real-time, 360-degree view of the world”.
Volvo Vehicles says the EX90 can “see” small objects a whole lot of metres forward, creating time to tell, act, and keep away from potential collisions.
The sensors additionally contribute to enhance the reliability and total efficiency of the EX90’s Pilot Help semi-autonomous driving aids.
Contained in the cabin, the Volvo EX90 incorporates a Scandinavian-inspired décor with Nordico upholstery, a full-width fastened glass panoramic roof, 14.5-inch infotainment display, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins encompass sound system, and an array of Google built-in applied sciences together with Google Help, Google Maps, and Google Play.
The EX90 can also be suitable with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and a set of smartphone connectivity options, together with these able to locking and unlocking the car, and activating a driver’s personalised profile.
Additional, Volvo Vehicles says the EX90 underscores its dedication to sustainability by way of using 15 per cent recycled metal, 25 per cent recycled aluminium, and as much as 48kg of recycled plastics and bio-based supplies – the very best degree in any Volvo automobile up to now.
The listing worth of the Volvo EX90 features a five-year/75,000km service plan.
Driving Impressions
Numerous electrical automobile makers declare to supply a quiet cabin, however in our expertise, few ship. The hushed mechanicals spruiked by EV makers are sometimes drowned out by unwelcomed wind noise and tyre thrum, leading to an expertise that’s very removed from premium.
However not the EX90… Here’s a cabin that’s correctly quiet, even when traversing the worst roads the Adelaide Hills may throw at it. Giant wheels, giant tyres, no noise. If Volvo can do it, so can others. Sure, Volvo has formally reset the definition of in-car quiet.
And naturally, the cabin is a nice place to spend time. In typical Volvo fashion the seats are equal elements snug and supportive, the therapeutic massage operate of the high-grade mannequin sampled a decadent deal with for weary from seat travellers. It is without doubt one of the few vehicles you get out of feeling higher than while you acquired in.
We discovered the local weather management faultless, and the massive central display a beautiful function permitting entry to the car’s varied controls.
Certain, a few of these take some familiarisation to search out, and might be tough to make use of on-the-go. However with Google voice help making simple work of generally used settings, it’s a trouble we predict many will see previous throughout the first week of possession.
A high-quality Bowers & Wilkins audio system takes benefit of the whisper-quiet cabin delivering crisp, clear tones by way of 25 loudspeakers. The bundle is tuned to fill the acoustic house of the EX90 cabin fully with wealthy, three-dimensional encompass sound, making certain there aren’t any hole factors no matter the place you’re seated.
Additional again, occupants as much as 170cm in peak are hosted in twin, electrical folding seats. With the seats in place there’s a still-useful 377 litres of cargo house accessible, stretching to 822 litres in five-seat mode, and 1945 litres all instructed.
However past the roominess, know-how, and high quality of the cabin is a vital measure of a household automobile’s value: calm and assured dynamics.
The EX90’s skill to absorb bumps is excellent, the massive diameter wheels heard, however not felt, as they dispatch potholes and corrugations. Physique management is likewise spectacular, the 2700kg SUV feeling far smaller than its dimensions would recommend, becoming a member of excellent all-wheel drive grip in threading by way of corners with formidable accuracy.
Steering really feel is enough for the duty at hand, the electrically assisted association gentle sufficient for every day duties but sharp sufficient to be partaking. The high-definition digicam system and parking assistants help in making the EX90 fairly simple to park, an essential consideration not just for making the driving force look good, but in addition in defending these good-looking 21-inch wheels.
We discovered the braking motion appropriate for progressive stops, however in some ways additionally largely irrelevant. The sturdy regenerative braking accessible and helpful one-pedal management supplies ample stopping energy for many day-to-day situations and might be rapidly tailored to in additional spirited eventualities, including a degree of enjoyment extra usually reserved for smaller, sportier electrical automobiles.
That’s to not say the EX90 isn’t sporty. The Efficiency variant sampled was fast out of the blocks and had loads in reserve for overtaking – and we do imply loads. It’s very simple to search out your self on the improper facet of the authorized restrict when passing, the easy acceleration and quiet cabin giving few cues as to only how briskly you’re travelling. In case you’re shifting throughout from a petrol-powered seven-seater, we predict you’ll discover the EX90 very brisk certainly.
Whereas our time with the Volvo EX90 was fairly temporary, it definitely left an impression. Whether or not tackling former Traditional Adelaide road-rally levels or cruising comfortably on the motorway, the EX90 is extremely laborious to fault. Even the power utilization on take a look at was acceptable given the tempo of the drive, averaging round 22kWh per 100km, or 2.5kWh worse than the declare. Based mostly on that determine, a driving vary of simply over 500km must be doable with out actually making an attempt.
In brief, the Volvo EX90 is essentially the most convincing electrical premium seven-seat SUV we’ve sampled up to now. It’s not solely fantastically completed in and out, however splendidly quiet, spacious, and generously outfitted. Add to {that a} polished drive and spectacular all-electric efficiency, and there may be little or no to criticise right here. Let’s see if Australian status household consumers really feel the identical means.
