Volvo’s EX90 a new leader in safety
A claimed range of 614km, a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds, and seven luxuriously spacious seats. This is what the safest Volvo to date is set to offer the Southern-African market. Heading to the African continent as the first of five new models in 2025, the flagship EX90 is set to redefine the local public mentality around electric vehicles.
Volvo’s biggest local launch to date follows a very successful year for the Swedish manufacturer as it saw an increase in sales, whereas the rest of the market saw a general decline in 2024. Volvo is also very proud to mention that it holds a 50% share in the EV market.
The EX90 is the first of several new models to be launched soon, such as the EX30 Cross Country and the absolutely mesmerising ES90.
While manufacturers usually launch new models with an array of model trim levels, Volvo made this one quite easy for us; only launching the new EX90 in the highly luxurious “Ultra” specification. All features (and there are a lot of them) therefore come as standard.
An array of standard features
Thanks to the fact that this EX90 is completely electronic, and with an absence of a front-grille, this Volvo looks quite minimalist, yet luxurious. The exterior is further amplified by the 22” diamond cut Aero alloys, glossy black roof rails, and high-definition pixel (Thor’s Hammer) headlights. Even the door handles are referred to as “Flush door handles”, which integrate into the door itself. The absence of black plastic wheel arches, door handles or bumpers further helps to let this vehicle look the part.
A similar ideology flows into the interior which, according to Volvo, has been designed with a minimalist mindset to allow for a larger space. A sleek leather and choice between Birch Wood or Light Ash décor panels further pronounces this luxury. In fact, all three of the seated rows have ample leg- and head-room, thanks to its 1,744mm height. With the third seating row folded flat, 655 litres of space will be available in the boot. Fold the second row flat as well and 1,915 Litres will be available, while an additional 65 Litres will be available under the boot floor.
The Ultra model includes features such as the portrait-orientated 14.5” infotainment touchscreen, which houses all operational functions such as the heated seats, and even the adjusting of the side mirrors. A 9” driver display (behind the steering wheel) also helps to accurately show all the necessary information to drivers.
Speaking about the seats, the two front seats are both electrically operated with four-way lumbar support. If the seats are also not relaxing enough, a standard massage function for the front seats will also help to calm the driver and front passenger. Another standard function is that both the steering wheel, as well as the two front seating rows can be heated.
Volvo has always been one of our favourite manufacturers when it comes to its acoustics, and the EX90 is no different. In fact, the new model houses a total of 25 Bowers & Wilkins speakers, further supported by the Dolby (surround sound) Atmos system.
How is it to drive?
The EX90 is powered by an 111kWh battery. Charging this battery from 10-80% at a fast-charging DC (150kW) public charger will take only 57 minutes. A slower 22kW charger will take just more than 4 hours.
While this is one of the largest batteries on the current EV (Electric Vehicle) market, it means that the EX90 is capable of a 627km range. This greatly assists in limiting range anxiety within the Southern-African context.
Like the very rapid EX30, the EX90 is also no slouch. With 380kW and 910Nm in hand, this large seven-seater is capable of a 0-100km/h in only 4.9 seconds. Overtaking any traffic therefore becomes a breeze.
Similar to the largest internal-combustion SUV in the Volvo stable, the EX90 is also off-road capable, thanks to its 210mm ride height as well as its very comfortable air suspension. The latter allows the ride height to be adjusted by as much as 40mm, depending on the surface beneath.
Like most Volvo’s the EX90 is firm but comfortable, with the steering being light yet sharp. A good test for the air suspension was the numerous speed bumps and roadworks outside the Anura Estate, just outside Stellenbosch. The EX90 freely glides over these road obstructions without hassle.
Safety
Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars, is quick to mention that the EX90 is the best and safest car ever made by the manufacturer and, as this SUV is only sold in the Ultra trim, it will be equipped with a suite of new safety features as standard; an ideology clearly promoted well by Volvo’s marketing campaign.
The EX90 has a new LiDAR camera system, which continuously monitors the road and surroundings. This system can detect objects such as pedestrians and cyclists and automatically make braking or steering adjustments. Volvo themselves estimate that this can reduce road fatalities by as much as 20%.
Safety is further strengthened by standard offerings such as adaptive cruise control with steering support, a 360-degree camera, lane keeping assist, park pilot assist, run-off road mitigation, blind-spot monitoring (BLIS), collision avoidance, intersection auto-braking, and road sign information.
Apart from the standard ISOFIX points (on the outer rear seats) as well as whiplash protection (WHIPS), the EX90 also has an array of airbags, including driver- and passenger, driver’s knee, curtain, and side-impact airbags.
Price
While an eye-watering price tag of R2 650 000 might be somewhat higher than predicted, especially by taking the excellent EX30 pricing into account, it is necessary to remember that this is a premium EV (Electric Vehicle), seating a total of seven people, taking a considerable step in terms of safety, as well as range anxiety.
While this price tag mixes with the likes of several German electric vehicles, the Volvo EX90 certainly proves to be the best value-for-money proposition in this luxurious premium market segment.
Take into account that the EX90 will also come standard with a three year / 60 000km maintenance plan, five year / 100 000km warranty, an eight year battery warranty, and a five year roadside assistance package.
Volvo goes even further by providing two years of public charging, a GridCars wallbox (with free installation at home), as well as three years of Vodacom data (10GB per month) for the Google-operated system.
While we still need to properly test the Volvo EX90, we can firmly state that this is a very good offering for premium buyers. It is certainly stepping into the market as one of the most practical, luxurious, and range-topping models on offer.