Meet the all-electric Volvo EX90, Volvo’s safest, smartest SUV yet. 380kW power, up to 751km range, in an ultra luxurious package.
Automakers are slowly pushing the all-electric envelope in South Africa and Volvo’s latest offering blends performance and ultra luxury in the form of the EX90. It is the all-electric version of the XC90 and is designed to be the safest vehicle Volvo has ever built.
The EX90 is built from the ground up on the SPA2 platform, which prioritises comfort and safety, with features that include active chassis and air suspension. In addition, and in true Volvo style, it comes with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance features – but more on that later.
South Africa will only receive the flagship variant of the EX90, fitted with a vast array of features as standard. Offered in Ultra specification with the Twin Performance electric drivetrain, the EX90 is powered by dual electric motors, delivering power to all four wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission.
In terms of power, the EX90 delivers a healthy 380kW of power and 910Nm of torque. This enables the SUV to sprint (silently) from 0 to 100km/h in 4.9-seconds! Its 111-kWh battery pack provides a driving range of up to 751km in urban driving and 604km on the combined cycle. When plugged into a 250kW DC fast charger, the battery can be recharged in 30 minutes (from 10% - 80%).
Clean luxury
The exterior comprises LED 'Thor’s Hammer' headlights, gloss black roof rails, high-gloss black lower bumper trims and a body-coloured grille cover. The SUV also has an electrically operated tailgate, a panoramic glass roof, 22-inch five-spoke aero wheels and laminated side windows. Crystal White, Denim Blue, Mulberry Red, Onyx Black, Platinum Grey, Sand Dune, Silver Dawn and Vapour Grey are the body colour options available.
The interior is as minimalist as possible, despite having an extensive list of convenience and safety features available as standard. Among the EX90’s many standard features are a 14.5-inch centre screen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality), a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, wireless charging, USB ports and a nine-inch driver’s display.
For the driver and front passenger, power-adjustable seating with four-way lumbar support and side bolsters makes finding the perfect position effortless. Also included is a massage function and heated front seats, while there is also heated seats for the second row and a heated steering wheel.
Standard offerings include adaptive cruise control with steering support (Pilot Assist), a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, Lane Keeping Aid, Park Pilot Assist, Run-off Road Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, Collision Avoidance and Mitigation, Intersection Autobrake and Road Sign Information.
How does it drive?
Local media only got to drive the SUV in short stints on long stretches of road along Stellenbosch, and this offered a decent barometer for initial first impressions. We did test first with two and then four electric motors in operation, with the latter providing menacing performance in a straight line, even in normal driving mode.
Like many all-electric offerings, there is no gear select lever on the centre console with it instead being found on the steering column. The only main attraction and hub of all connectivity is the 14.5-inch centre touchscreen, leaving all the driving up to the, well, driver.
You do indeed feel like you’re behind the wheel of something very premium and luxurious, aided by the plethora of safety features that Volvo is so well-known for. The heated steering wheel feels great in the hands and the air suspension make the ride inherently subtle, even on the less-than-ideal road surfaces.
As Volvo pens it, the EX90 is crafted with sustainability and safety in mind and attracts those who appreciate sophisticated design and quiet luxury.
Spec, pricing and aftersales
Volvo EX90 – R2 650 000
Pricing includes a three-year/60 000km maintenance plan, a five-year/100 000km mechanical warranty, an eight-year battery warranty, and five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance. Volvo will also provide new EX90 owners with two years of free public charging, a Grid Cars wall box with installation, and 10 GB of Vodacom data per month for three years.
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