Volvo has begun dipping its toe into the electrification pool with the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge, but new electric-vehicle (EV) models are on the way. The EX90 is a 7-seat all-electric SUV that shares some dimensions and positioning with the gas-powered XC90 but brings a load of new safety equipment not seen before in a Volvo.
The EX90 will also be practical, offering up to 300 miles of range on a single charge. Its pricing sets it in head-to-head competition with some of the industry’s heaviest EV hitters, though, so it remains to be seen if Volvo’s extensive efforts in safety and autonomous driving technologies will pay off. The automaker will build all Americas-bound EX90s at its factory outside Charleston, SC.
According to Volvo, the new EX90 has several unique design elements on its body that help improve aerodynamics and airflow. The door handles sit flush against the exterior, and the automaker uses flush glazing. The EX90’s drag coefficient is just 0.29, which Volvo says is “very competitive for a large, seven-seater SUV.” From most angles, the EX90 looks like a sleeker version of the XC90, though its solid grille and pixelated LED “Thor’s Hammer” running lights are a noticeable difference.
Around the back, the new SUV gets reshaped taillights with separate upper and lower light housings. The EX90 measures 503.7 cm (around 198 inches), making it slightly over 3 inches longer than the XC90. It’s also an inch wider than the gas model.
Volvo says it focused heavily on the EX90’s interior lighting and color choices. The automaker crafted the cabin with heavy use of recycled and repurposed materials it calls Nordico, a “progressive and technically advanced” material that it claims sets a new standard for interior design. The automaker notes around 110 pounds of recycled material in each SUV.
Volvo claims the EX90’s interior is one of its most pleasant and elegant designs. The automaker uses unique wood panels and backlighting that it says creates a Scandinavian living room atmosphere that evokes the Nordic wilderness. The automaker also notes its goal of becoming a climate-neutral company by 2040.
The first EX90 models will arrive with a twin-motor powertrain with all-wheel drive. The two motors produce a combined 496 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque and draw energy from a 111-kWh battery. Volvo says the powertrain works in concert with the EX90’s new chassis design to provide a smoother driving experience. The range will extend to 300 miles, and Volvo notes fast-charging times of 30 minutes to recover from 10 to 80 percent battery power.
The EX90 is Volvo’s first model with bi-directional hardware on board. The automaker says owners can use the SUV as a power supply for other EVs, electric devices, and even a home during power outages. Volvo will enable bi-directional charging in select markets in the future.
Volvo is paving the way to a semi-autonomous driving future with the EX90’s sensor array. It gets eight cameras, 16 ultrasonic sensors, and five radar units. On the roof, Volvo fits a lidar system to improve visibility. The automaker claims the system can “see” a pedestrian up to 250 meters away. Inside, the sensors are sensitive enough to detect a child sleeping in the back seat. Volvo says its sensors do not get tired and that the EX90 can model a real-time 3D view of the world around it.
All that tech runs on high-performance core computers powered by NVIDIA Drive. The company built its name making high-end graphics and video components for gaming and development computers, so it’s a natural fit to power Volvo’s numerous safety systems. The lidar sensors can detect small objects yards ahead of the vehicle, and Volvo says the upgraded arrays improve its existing semi-autonomous Pilot Assist feature. Inside, the sensors gauge the driver’s eye gaze concentration and can stop the vehicle if it senses the driver is incapacitated.
The EX90 comes standard with a 14.5-inch touchscreen running on Google’s operating system. The interface gets Google services built-in, including voice assistance, navigation, and more. Volvo notes that 5G connectivity is standard but says that it offers connection options for people living in places without 5G. Wireless Apple CarPlay comes standard, along with a 25-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system, Dolby Atmos sound functionality, and remote functions using a Google smart home device. Volvo also introduced a new phone-as-a-key system with the EX90 that it says will work with most phone models.
The EX90’s navigation system features extensive mapping to public charging stations, and Volvo notes that owners can pre-pay for charging at thousands of stations using its app. Google Maps built-in enables real-time views of charger availability and status. Additionally, the EX90 supports plug-and-charge, which means the owner can pull in and plug in to charge automatically at supported chargers. The vehicle and driver’s profile will handle billing.
The Volvo EX90 will have stiff competition when it arrives. The Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS SUVs will be out soon, offering long-range estimates, solid safety equipment, and upscale finishes throughout. The BMW iX offers polarizing styling but has a posh interior and innovative powertrain features. Finally, the brand-new Cadillac Lyriq gets GM’s best tech goodies, including Super Cruise, so it’s impossible to ignore Detroit in this conversation.
Volvo is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of November 9, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
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