2025 Volvo EX90 EV: Understated Exterior, Revolutionary Interior

Review: 2025 Volvo EX90 EV Refreshes the Brand Without Showing Off

A brief glance at the 2025 Volvo EX90 may lead to some misconceptions.

In a characteristically Swedish manner, this upcoming electric SUV doesn't showcase futuristic elements on its exterior, but it definitely embraces them within its interior.

The outside of the Volvo EX90 is an expected progression from the XC90 model. In contrast, the interior adopts a highly minimalist design, relying heavily on a touchscreen for most functions and aligning with the trend of software-defined vehicles.

During a recent hands-on experience with the EX90, which is manufactured in South Carolina and scheduled for release this fall, Volvo emphasized the vehicle's advanced software and its development through international collaborations with tech giants like Google, Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Luminar. However, after spending several hours behind the wheel, it became clear that Volvo has stayed true to its core strengths with the EX90—providing a driving experience that prioritizes comfort, safety, and luxury in a subtle, understated manner.

The Volvo EX90, set to

Volvo EX90: Centralized Control via Touchscreen

Upon entering the 2025 EX90, the prominent 14.5-inch vertically aligned touchscreen immediately catches your attention and becomes an essential interface you'll soon master. Complementing this is a 9.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a head-up display to monitor various functions. However, the touchscreen serves as the main control center, requiring you to navigate through screen-based tabs to modify settings for the mirrors, steering wheel, and seats. Notably, the seats feature a central button for power adjustments.

For beginners like myself, using these controls is not as straightforward as using physical adjustment switches. Additionally, the directional buttons on the Volvo steering wheel lack the precise control that Tesla's tactile thumbwheels provide.

However, drivers might realistically need to set this up just once, and Volvo claims its system is more advanced. The system links driver profiles to each recognized smartphone using Phone as Key technology. As a person approaches the vehicle, four to six ultra-wideband sensors around the car identify which phone is near the driver’s door. Ideally, this allows the driver to enter the car with the seats, mirrors, steering wheel, and other settings automatically adjusted to their preferences. If the system makes an error, Volvo assures that the driver can manually select the correct profile. This is a feature I am eager to try out with a range of devices.

2025 Volvo EX90

Volvo EX90, 202

2025 Volvo EX90

Volvo's new screen interface in the EX90 is designed to be intuitive and familiar, resembling a tablet, especially for managing climate controls. At the bottom of the display, there's a fixed row of icons for easy access to the home screen, apps, settings, and climate control information. Just above this are customizable icons that adapt based on what you're doing at the moment. Higher up, widgets for phone and audio provide a quick overview of what's currently playing. Most of the screen space is dedicated to navigation, featuring a clear, vertical map that's easy to read at a glance, although it can also be displayed on the instrument panel. The system is expected to evolve over time with continuous updates. Volvo assures that navigation data and over-the-air updates will remain active even if customers decide not to renew their 5G data subscriptions for apps and streaming services.

Volvo EX90 2025

Volvo EX90, Model Year

The Volvo EX90 of the year

Upcoming 2025 Volvo EX90

Volvo EX90: A Smooth, Agile, and Silent Ride

I had the opportunity to test drive two Twin Motor Performance models of the EX90 SUV, both in the premium Ultra trim, each priced at $93,345. One vehicle featured a Sand Dune exterior, a pale tan color, paired with a Dawn Quilted Nordico interior. The other showcased a Vapour Grey exterior complemented by a tailored wool blend interior. Both SUVs were equipped with 22-inch five-spoke aero wheels.

This model is the most robust and opulent EX90 available, weighing over 6,000 pounds according to international standards, and this led to three delightful surprises during the drive.

Initially, early data suggests that the EX90 is quite efficient for a large, three-row SUV. During a 146-mile circuit that comprised stop-and-go driving on boulevards in Orange County, navigating a challenging mountain route, and high-speed cruising, I achieved an average of 2.7 miles per kWh. Subsequently, on a roughly 40-mile route that featured more boulevard driving along with heavier, slower afternoon traffic, my average improved to over 2.9 miles per kWh.

The EX90 is equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack that contains nickel manganese cobalt cells, totaling 111 kWh in gross capacity. According to Volvo, the battery's usable capacity is approximately 107 kWh. Based on our observations, this translates to a practical driving range of about 300 miles, even without adopting a slow or gentle driving style.

According to the EPA's official ratings for Volvo, the EX90 can travel 310 miles on a single charge when equipped with 21-inch wheels. For models featuring 20-inch or 22-inch wheels, the range is slightly lower at 300 miles.

The 2025 Volvo EX90

Upcoming 2025 Volvo EX90

Volvo EX90, 202

Volvo EX90 of 202

The second delightful discovery was how effortlessly the EX90 handles, despite its three rows of seating and weight exceeding 6,000 pounds. At the event, we drove only the Ultra versions, which come equipped with air suspension and semi-active (multi-stage) dampers. These advanced suspension features are not available in the more budget-friendly Plus versions, so we will need to assess those models' cornering capabilities at a later date. In the Ultra model, you have the option to adjust the steering and suspension settings independently, choosing between soft or firm. I found that setting both to soft resulted in more precise steering and a suspension that tightened up as needed during sharp turns.

The third point, which truly amazed me, was the exceptional quietness of the EX90's ride. This held true whether it was accelerating quickly, cruising at high speeds, or navigating the bumpiest road we encountered in generally smooth Orange County. According to Hannes Veen, Volvo’s senior manager for propulsion systems, the team did not employ active noise cancellation or sound manipulation techniques. Instead, they focused heavily on noise insulation and the use of bushings, including fluid-filled mounts for the motor units.

Although this is Volvo's inaugural "software-defined vehicle" developed internally, it is also engineered primarily in-house, with most of the work taking place near the company's base in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Volvo EX90 of 202

Volvo EX90, 202

2025 Volvo EX90

The Volvo EX90, set for

The EX90 delivers a swift and gratifying driving experience, with one notable exception. In the top-tier Twin Motor Performance Ultra variant, the EX90 is extremely fast. As is typical with larger electric vehicles, it felt even more rapid from the front seats than its 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds would indicate. Although the motor units are identical across the EX90 range, the Twin Motor models generate a combined 402 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, while the Twin Motor Performance versions boost these figures to 510 horsepower and 571 lb-ft. The EX90 primarily uses the front motor during steady cruising, reserving the rear motor for quick accelerations and when extra traction is needed. However, it features a Performance AWD mode that provides a continuous (yet adjustable) power flow to the rear wheels at speeds between 19 and 81 mph, promoting more balanced handling. I couldn’t perceive much of a difference or detect the smooth transition as the EX90 engages and disengages the rear motor using a clutch.

The accelerator and steering responses felt accurate, but the EX90’s otherwise well-tuned handling had one noticeable flaw. Volvo decided to offer only three settings for regenerative braking: off, auto, and on. During our tests, the brake pedal felt extremely soft when the vehicle was stationary, making it difficult to discern whether the friction pads were engaged or not.

The “on” mode provides a genuine one-pedal driving experience, so potent that you might only need the brake pedal for unexpected halts. Switching to “off” results in a coasting effect, eliminating all regenerative braking and mimicking the Neutral mode in a traditional gasoline car. The “auto” mode uses sensors to adapt the braking, but my limited time driving didn’t allow me to fully understand its functionality. I found myself wishing for an intermediate regenerative braking setting—one that would gently reduce speed, similar to how a gasoline vehicle decelerates in Drive or a lower gear.

Volvo EX90 for the Year

2025 Volvo EX90

2025 Volvo EX90

Volvo EX90, 202

The Volvo EX90 offers plush seating and ample room

During my time with the two vehicles, I experienced Volvo's premium upholstery options for the EX90. One vehicle featured Nordico synthetic upholstery, incorporating plant-based materials and seemingly easier to maintain. However, I preferred the tailored wool blend in the other vehicle, which combines recycled polyester and offers the cozy, breathable sensation reminiscent of an outdoor wool sweater.

Overall, the area is quite easygoing and comfortable. People of various heights and sizes will have no trouble fitting into the first two rows, with the second row also featuring an integrated booster seat for younger children. While the third row can be a bit tight for taller individuals to navigate, our test showed that someone who is 6 feet tall can still sit comfortably behind two other 6-foot-tall passengers in the first and second rows. The front seats offer ample space, and the passenger side has a notably deep footwell that serves as a convenient spot for shoes, even though Volvo designed it with safety in mind.

While U.S. cargo space figures are not yet provided, the area seems noticeably more spacious compared to the XC90. The power-operated third row can be folded to extend the cargo floor to 50.2 inches from the rear of the second row, and could potentially exceed 80 inches for longer items if the second row is also folded down. Additionally, there is a front trunk located beneath the extended hood, but despite its wide coverage, it is shallow and segmented by hard-plastic dividers, limiting its practicality.

2025 Volvo EX90

Volvo EX90, 202

Volvo EX90, Model Year

2025 Volvo EX90

Volvo EX90: Enhanced Safety Features with Lidar, Pilot Assist, and V2X Technology

The Volvo EX90 introduces a lidar sensor as part of its safety suite, marking a first for the company. This advanced sensor significantly extends and improves the precision of the vehicle's active-safety systems, offering a clearer view of the road ahead. According to Volvo, this innovation could potentially reduce serious accidents by 20%.

Volvo's Pilot Assist is a driver-assistance feature designed for highway use, incorporating the vehicle's various safety sensors and capacitive sensors to ensure the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel. The system adopts a cautious strategy. To activate it, drivers need to move the shift lever to a position similar to the "B" setting found in some cars. The system allows the driver to remove their hands from the wheel for only 14 seconds. Although one hand can remain on the wheel while driving, both hands are required for assisted lane changes. This cautious approach seems counterproductive, making the feature less practical for use in traffic situations.

dcbel's two-way charger set for 2025 Volvo EX90

dcbel's two-way charger designed for the 2025 Volvo EX90

dcbel’s two-way charger set for the 2025 Volvo EX90

Volvo's partner, dcbel, is introducing a bidirectional charging unit that functions at up to 25 kW, depending on various conditions. This DC unit can support home energy needs, reduce peak electricity usage, or return power to the grid. Additional information will be provided shortly.

Now comes the challenging part: The 2025 Volvo EX90, in the Ultra trim I evaluated, equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system and 22-inch wheels, is priced at $94,640, which includes a $1,295 destination charge. The base price for the EX90 is $81,290. This is approximately $6,000 more than the top-tier, all-wheel-drive Kia EV9 GT-Line, another three-row SUV that also offers bidirectional charging. It seems that the EX90 will not be eligible for the EV tax credit, at least initially.

In the end, it seems that Volvo has maintained its core values. The EX90 presents an entirely fresh approach in its interior design and introduces numerous innovative features. Owners of this vehicle will likely feel no urge to boast about it.

Volvo covered the travel costs to enable us to provide you with this test drive review.

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