The 2025 Volvo EX90 is about to change into the model’s all-electric flagship, ushering in what the automaker describes as a “new period” that may, someday round decade’s finish, see it shift utterly to battery-electric autos.
To get a greater sense of what route the Swedish-based, Chinese language-owned automaker is taking, I spent a few days alongside the Southern California coast testing the top-line 2025 Volvo EX90 Twin Motor with Efficiency Bundle.
Briefly: The 2025 Volvo EX90 marks the beginning of a dramatic transformation with fashion, consolation, and all the security options you’d count on from the Swedish automaker. There are just a few quirky options, and it’s actually not low cost, however it’s the appropriate product for individuals who need an upscale battery-electric car carrying the model’s acquainted “Iron Mark” badge.
2025 Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Efficiency
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Powertrain
Twin electrical motors, one on every axle, AWD -
HP/Torque
517 hp/617 lb.-ft. (common Twin Motor model makes 408 hp/568 lb.-ft.) -
Transmission
Single-speed -
Battery pack
111kWh lithium-ion; helpful vitality: 107 kWh -
Vary
EPA est. 308 miles, each twin-motor packages -
Charging
10-80% 250kW DC charger,est. 30 min., 10-80% 50kW DC charger, est. 92 min., 0-100% 240V AC @ 48 amps, est. 10 hrs., 0-100% 240V AC @ 32 amps, est. 15 hrs. -
Towing
TBA
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Peppy engine delivers loads of on the spot torque -
Cabin is quiet as a tomb -
Stable vary, particularly for the single-motor bundle -
Bidirectional battery can energy house, work, or campsite
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Goofy window controls for driver -
Favor typical mirror and steering wheel controls -
Costly, particularly twin-motor premium bundle -
Doesn’t ship as a lot inside area as one would possibly count on
2025 Volvo EX90 Evaluate
Based on CEO Jim Rowan, “The Volvo EX90 is an announcement for the place we’re, and the place we’re going.” Although Rowan has hinted that Volvo could preserve some hybrids — and, extra doubtless, plug-in hybrids — within the lineup previous decade’s finish, he continues to focus on a transition to an all-electric lineup.
The automaker has had a number of fashions, initially known as the “Recharge” line. It began out with inside combustion expertise after which modified for all-electric functions. That requires compromises that Volvo avoids with the skateboard platforms utilized in EX fashions. The EX90 makes use of what’s referred to as the SPA2 structure, a skateboard-like format shifting batteries, motors, and different parts beneath a load ground.
That flat ground is a particular plus, particularly in the event you’re caught in the course of the second or third row — the EX90 is obtainable in both seven- or eight-passenger configurations.
2025 EX90: By the Numbers
The format doesn’t show as advantageous as one would possibly count on for passengers. To begin with, the 2025 Volvo Ex90 measures 198.3 inches in whole size, stands 66.8 inches in top, and measures 77.3 inches in width. It’s a full 3.3 inches longer than the present XC90 mannequin, the obvious comparability, however 1.1 inches shorter. The XC90 can also be 1.8 inches wider.
In relation to what issues to passengers, EX90 front-row passengers get 44.2 inches of headroom and 40.2 inches of legroom. For these within the second row, the numbers are 41.6 and 36.5 inches, respectively. All the way in which in again, the figures stand at 35.8 inches and 31.9 inches.
For the XC90, the entrance row measures in at 38.9 and 40.9 inches of headroom/legroom. The second row is available in at 38.5 and 37 inches, and the again bench at 36.3 and 31.9 inches, respectively.
Surprisingly, that signifies that Volvo’s product growth crew hasn’t achieved fairly the advantages of utilizing a skateboard platform as we’ve seen from another producers. That mentioned, EX90 — like XC90 — does supply moderately good inside area.
And there’s loads of cargo area, with all seats up and 11.4 cubic ft within the cargo bay. That jumps to greater than 67.6 cubic ft with the second and third rows folded flat — together with hidden cargo area.
EX90 Powertrain
A transparent benefit of skateboards like SPA2 is the flexibleness they provide in the case of powertrains. Within the case of the 2025 EX90, Volvo finally will supply a mixture of layouts, together with single- and twin-motor drive.
At launch, search for the “normal” EX90 Twin Motor and Twin Motor Efficiency choices. Volvo locations electrical motors on each entrance and rear axles. The Electrical Rear Axle Drive, or ERAD, combines a torque vectoring/declutch system that permits the motor to be decoupled when coasting to cut back vitality consumption. Below aggressive driving, in the meantime, it will possibly assist shift energy left or proper to boost steering by way of tight corners.
I spend my time in California driving the Twin Motor Efficiency version, which musters up a hefty 517 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque. The usual EX90 Twin Motor bundle delivers still-impressive numbers at 408 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque.
There was no alternative to run a managed launch, however my Apple Watch steered the Efficiency mannequin was repeatedly hitting 60 in simply over 5 seconds.
One other helpful quantity: Volvo charges AWD variations at a towing capability of 4,850 kilos.
On the Street
There’s no query the EX90 is fast, however it’s nowhere close to the quickest within the section. Heck, my private driver, the Ford F-150 Lightning, will hit 60 in simply over 4 seconds. However Volvo makes no pretense that its flagship EV will sort out the likes of, say, a Tesla with a Efficiency or Plaid bundle. It doesn’t have to.
The Volvo does nicely when measured in different methods. To begin with, even on tough pavement, it stays remarkably quiet inside. Passengers might simply talk, even when whispering. The cabin is sort of comfy and, as I’ll get to, plushly appointed.
The semi-active air suspension, with its twin chambers, sucks up all however the harshest bumps. I put that to the check throughout a quick detour by way of the unpaved fields of an area vineyard.
Volvo doesn’t purport to name the 2025 EX90 an off-roader, however it could simply get an proprietor out into the woods for a go to to their nation cabin, particularly with the nimble powertrain able to shifting energy to wherever it’s wanted.
Steering is predictable and presents an affordable degree of suggestions, if not fairly as direct a way of the street as I’m used to with the XC90 or some competing merchandise. Total, the EX90 is nice to drive and decidedly refined in its total manners.
Volvo SUV Design
In silhouette, the similarities between the 2025 Volvo EX90 and the current-generation XC90 are readily obvious — particularly, as earlier famous, with all of them however sharing the identical exterior measurements.
As you’d count on, the all-electric mannequin spent a big period of time within the wind tunnel, each little enchancment in wind resistance aiding within the hunt for higher vary. The obvious indicator is the sealed grille. A conventional one isn’t required since there’s no powertrain to chill beneath the hood. Smaller air intakes under the entrance bumper do assist chill the battery again, motors, and entrance brakes.
Some of the distinctive design particulars comes within the type of a blister above the windshield. That’s the place Volvo mounts the EX90’s LiDAR sensor, a part of the car’s suite of sensors.
EX90 is available in a broad vary of colours and presents patrons a selection of 20-, 21-, and 22-inch tires, relying on trim and choices.
Inside
The brand new EV hews near the decidedly Scandinavian design language we’ve seen on different latest Volvos — easy however elegant — whereas including environmentally pleasant touches which are applicable for an all-electric flagship. The inside supplies emphasize sustainability, with choices similar to grey tailor-made wool and a leather-based various constructed from vinyl and pine oil.
The cabin is, in fact, decidedly high-tech — for higher or for worse — as I noticed in a operating debate with my co-pilot. In distinction to the spartan EX30, the flagship EV does have considerably of a conventional gauge cluster, relatively than requiring a driver to divert their gaze to a nook of the infotainment display. There’s a 9-inch show mounted atop the steering column. A vertically oriented, 14.5-inch touchscreen rises out of the middle stack for infotainment duties.
Why? Why? Why?
Right here’s the place I’ve issues. Like Rivian, Lucid, and some different corporations, Volvo has moved nearly all the things you would possibly need to management onto that tablet-sized show. It’s typically acceptable, however I merely discover it counterproductive to require motorists to faucet and scroll earlier than they will alter sideview mirrors and the place of the steering wheel.
Then, it’s important to use the multifunction management on the appropriate facet of the steering wheel earlier than they will make these changes. Volvo, it was so complicated that my co-pilot requested me to tug over first as I struggled to make a minor tweak to one in all my mirrors.
Add the truth that Volvo adopted the identical foolish manner for the driving force to regulate all 4 home windows. There are simply two typical switches, with a 3rd used to decide on between entrance and rear home windows. I wound up making way more actions than I might have with 4 typical switches.
Volvo, take a tip from Hyundai, which has added a basic management panel to the Ioniq 5 for local weather settings. Name your folks at VW, Lucid, and Rivian to study that even high-tech motorists actually like typical window, mirror, and steering wheel controls. Hopefully, Volvo will make some mid-cycle tweaks — one senior planner admitting they’re getting some harsh suggestions concerning the window controls even earlier than the EX90 formally goes on sale.
If I’m going to degree my complaints right here, let me add the suggestion that Volvo both go for including a sunshade under the panoramic roof or use photochromic glass, which might be turned opaque on the contact of a button. In heat, sunny climes like Southern California, the cabin now can warmth up relatively shortly — which places further range-sapping demand on the battery pack whereas operating AC at full energy.
Vary, Regen, and Charging
All variations of the 2025 Volvo EX90 include a 111kWh lithium-ion battery pack — of which 107 kWh is generally usable. That gives sufficient energy with the twin-motor packages to go 308 miles between expenses, based on the EPA. In fact, vary varies relying upon climate situations and driving fashion, in addition to how a lot time you spend on both metropolis or freeway driving.
Cease-and-go driving really tends to yield higher vary, partly, as a result of the EV’s regenerative brakes recapture vitality usually misplaced whereas slowing or coasting, sending it again to the battery pack. The system additionally permits for One-Pedal Driving. This enables for extra aggressive regen.
There are two choices: computerized, which adjusts the extent of regen based on street and driving situations. I most popular to go away One-Pedal in always-on mode. In lots of conditions, this allowed me to sluggish and even come to a whole cease with out ever having to maneuver from throttle to brake pedal. That mentioned, I’d like much more aggressive regen braking than what EX90 presents.
As to charging, instances fluctuate relying on what kind of charger you’re plugging into:
- 10-80% 250 kW DC charger: est. 30 min.
- 10-80% 50 kW DC charger: est. 92 min.
- 0-100% 240V AC Degree 2 charger @ 48 amps: est. 10 hrs.
- 0-100% 240V AC Degree 2 charger @ 32 amps: est. 15 hrs.
Security & Driver Help Tech
The 2025 Volvo EX90 is loaded with all types of helpful expertise, beginning with its Bowers & Wilkinson 25-speaker audio system. I might think about myself leaning the seat again whereas parked in my driveway, pulling up a blanket as my favourite tunes play. It’s merely higher than the system I’ve at house.
And the automobile comes with a built-in app for the super-high-fidelity Tidal streaming service. However you should use the brand new Google-based infotainment system to entry all your personal streaming apps by way of Bluetooth or the built-in 5G connectivity.
There’s additionally wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, entry to Amazon’s Alexa, a smartphone charger, and quite a few USB ports.
However that is, in fact, Volvo. And it lives as much as expectations with one of many broadest suites of digital security and superior driver help applied sciences you’ll discover in any car. That features Volvo’s Pilot Help. In EX90, it provides the power to vary lanes just by tapping the flip sign stalk.
One other shock: Nevertheless, Volvo has but to go totally hands-free, not like rivals similar to Cadillac and Lincoln, with their Tremendous Cruise and BlueCruise techniques. That shocked me contemplating EX90 is without doubt one of the few autos now on the street so as to add a LiDAR unit, which considerably enhances the capabilities of extra acquainted radar and digicam sensors. Grasp tight, a number of officers mentioned, hinting that functionality might be added later utilizing smartphone-style over-the-air software program updates.
2025 Volvo EX 90 Evaluate Wrapup
Technically, the EX90 is Volvo’s second devoted battery-electric car — although it’s the first to achieve the U.S.. The automaker delaying gross sales of the bottom EX30 mannequin to shift manufacturing to Europe to keep away from new tariffs the White Home has enacted on Chinese language-made EVs.
In some methods, this can be a stroke of fine luck. True, there are extra potential patrons for “reasonably priced” EVs, however the EX30 isn’t going to be delayed for lengthy. And the EX90 exhibits off all the things Volvo is able to delivering in a battery-electric car. Quite a bit, I might declare, regardless of my few grumbles.
As for pricing, the Normal EX90 Twin Motor bundle begins at $79,995 in Plus trim and $84,345 for the Extremely trim. The Twin Motor Efficiency mannequin begins at $84,995 in Plus trim and $89,345 for the Extremely.
When you’re trying to purchase one, the order financial institution for the 2025 Volvo EX90 is now open, and you may configure one on-line. For now, your selections are restricted however nonetheless extra trims and powertrain choices will comply with, doubtless for 2026. Search for the primary of the all-electric SUVs to achieve U.S. showrooms “later this 12 months,” based on a Volvo spokesman.