You are now looking at a 2025 Volvo EX90 Twin Performance Ultra in Sand Dune Metallic, and here are a few notes I made during our week-long test.
You should know: The fully-electric EX90 is just as handsome and sophisticated as its hybrid sibling, the XC90. Volvo only sells this Twin Performance model in our market and lists its power plant as “two electric motors with a high voltage battery”. Peak power and torque outputs are a colossal 380kW and incredible 910Nm!
More info: The Swedish EV builder alleges that this 111kWh battery should be depleted at an average rate of 20.7kWh/100km, gifting you a theoretical range of 615km. Our real-world results, depending on how much we enjoyed the hilarious performance, hovered between 400 and 500km. A deficit which, in fairness, equates to those in ICE vehicles.
What else? Despite riding on ultra-thin tyres and striking wheels, the EX90’s air suspension provided a superb level of comfort. My passengers also remarked on the enormous glass roof and big (14.5 inch) vertical infotainment screen. Being a Volvo, it’s obviously at the forefront of safety features, including a Lidar-equipped “safety shield”.
Why you should: The sprint to 100km/h in this three-row 2.7-tonne tank takes just 4.9 seconds, a fact we confirmed multiple times, with and without a roof-top camping tent. Top speed is limited to 180km/h, the driving experience is super smooth and silent, with three distinct settings on Volvo’s amazing “one pedal drive” function.
Why you shouldn’t: It turns out that this car comes with multiple “buts”. For instance, it can fast-charge in less than an hour but we only have a handful of those in our hood. This vehicle came with a Volvo charge card but the local dealer somehow has a rival charging system. I then took it to the mall’s fast charger but my colleague had set the charging limit to 60%.
Which meant that I had to go back a second time but at least I had a lekker breakfast while waiting. This press vehicle was equipped with a mobile wifi router but you must remember to scour the many menus and activate it. Oh, and the glove box opens with a button on the screen but only if you’re not reversing, because then it won’t allow it.
In closing: The refined Volvo EX90 is not just silent and violent, it’s also smooth and huge, absolutely amazing to drive but currently costs 2.65 million bucks. Included in each sale is a 5-year/100,000km warranty and 3-year/60,000km full maintenance plan.
FULL SPEC LIST
| Engine: | 2x electric motors |
| Transmission: | 1-speed drive, AWD |
| Max. Power: | 380kW |
| Max. Torque: | 910Nm |
| Avg. cons.: | Claimed 20.7kWh/100km |
| 0-100km/h: | 4.90 seconds (claimed 4.9) |
| Top Speed: | 180km/h (claimed, limited) |
| List Price: | R 2,650,000 |