Volvo has lately been in the business of redefining luxury and new powertrains. This is rather pertinent considering the future's shift in what automobiles aim to be and what trend the industry will set its sights on. Enter the EX90, the flagship 7-seater SUV offering that pushes the above.
Related: Volvo EX90 launched in South Africa!
Volvo regards the EX90 as the pinnacle of its innovations in design, engineering, and safety. Volvo, as we know, strives to deliver on the safety front while offering a driving experience like no other. Does the EX90 still live up to this? Let's assess that. Our test unit was the single variant offering, the Ultra Twin Performance.
Pros
- Exemplary EV powertrain with excellent calibration
- Cabin materials are well executed
- Well-tuned suspension with good road-holding despite the weight
Cons
- The minimalism can be irksome
- Seems expensive when compared to its competitors
Styling
The latest Volvo design language is rather bespoke to the more EV-centric offerings. The exclusion of large airdams (Which isn't necessary, considering you don't need a radiator to have airflow), the clamshell bonnet, and evidently, you can see the relation to other EV offerings such as the EX30. In the aggressive front, the active Thor's hammer headlights are something to marvel at as they blink and adjust accordingly—the lower gloss black trapezoidal trim, bumper creases, and vertical foglamps round off the front end. Along the side, flush door handles, a high shoulder line and gloss black side skirts are subtle, but your attention is drawn to the 22-inch dual tone turbine wheels. In the rear, the divorced tailight arrangement stands out the most here. The Sand Dune paintwork is an interesting colour choice for Johannesburg's lack of greenery. The EX90 blends in but has a presence on the road. Regarding SUVs, the EX90 has cues that make it a looker, but errs more to the subtle end.
Space and Comfort
The EX90's interior is meticulously crafted with sustainable but premium materials. Our test unit came trimmed with charcoal seats and birch decor. The seats are trimmed with sustainable vinyl, and Volvo has ensured that the seat ergonomics are top-class, even with a built-in massage function. The interior trim is the birch wood component and even features the themed jewel-patterned backlit illumination to handle the ambient lighting component. It's cleverly done, and the vehicle doesn't feel like a disco in the evenings.
The touch and feel are indeed premium, and the little switchgear available makes it feel good to operate. The steering wheel is a lovely size with a mini instrument screen that displays your range, maps, and scans from the Lidar system. The EX90 also utilises a massive panoramic roof that spans the roof, but a retractable shade would be welcome for those harsher South African summers.
Much of your attention will be drawn to the 14.5-inch vertically oriented touchscreen Google-based infotainment system. As you'd expect, the system's operation is Android smartphone-like, requiring the same touch gestures. The system is snappy, and praise goes to the surround-view augmented reality tech. It's rather odd, though, that despite this vehicle having a Google-based system, it doesn't natively support Android Auto.
If you are an Android user, using that sort of vehicle functionality would require setting up your Play Store Account and loading apps onto the system like a phone. It seems a bit roundabout when Apple CarPlay is natively supported, and honestly, the same could be done for Android Auto, with the current system being an option. However, you do need a Wi-Fi connection to run the apps as well, and it's worth noting that our unit came with a dongle to do so. Google Maps, of course, is a native application here. Much of your vehicle interaction is done via the infotainment screen, with only a stray rotary volume dial and a Play/Pause button.
While the tech is appreciated, the minimalism can sometimes be irksome in the form of needing to go through a swipe or two on the infotainment to open the glovebox, the key's omission of locking buttons with that action being proximity based now and despite being recharageable, tends to need charge often, , to name a few. Sometimes the convenience isn't in the minimalism but in how easily and quickly it is to perform a particular function, but that's just this writer's opinion.
The Bowers & Wilkins handles the Hi-Fi of your EX90 lounge experiences, with 25 speakers, some even in the headrests, elevating the sound experience in that space. Speaking of space, as you'd expect, the EX90 is large and can easily accommodate larger families, thanks to the 7-seater layout. Regarding boot space with all upright seats, you can expect 324 litres and up to 1316 litres, depending on how you arrange the second and third rows.
Performance
The EX90's powertrain features a twin motor setup with power to all four wheels. You can expect a hefty 380kW and 910Nm and a battery capacity of 111kWh. Power delivery here is well calibrated, and if you choose an On/Off switch on the accelerator, you can do so with performance mode enabled. The power curve is set up well, and you don't find yourself lighting up tyres efficiently.
The Drive
Naturally, the EX90 has air suspension fitted. The ride quality is exceptional, with only harsher bumps on the road being subtly noticeable. It's not a floaty ride by any means, and the vehicle manages its weight decently, though it has a kerb weight of 2712 kg DIN. Regarding handling, it errs more on the neutral end, as you'd expect with an SUV of this weight and size.
Fuel Consumption
The 111kWh capacity battery is rated to have a combined cycle range of 604 km. During our testing, mainly urban driving, we averaged around the 400km mark on a full charge with occasional hard acceleration.
Safety
Volvo has stated that the EX90 is designed to be the safest Volvo yet, with a comprehensive bouquet of safety features. There's even a LiDAR radar system with cameras to complement. You can find the following notable features as standard:
- 7 airbags
- Whiplash protection
- 360-degree camera
- Lane Keeping Aid
- Park Pilot Assist
- Run-off Road Mitigation
- Blind Spot Information System - Cross Traffic Alert
- Collision Avoidance and Mitigation
- Intersection Autobrake
- Road Sign Information
- ISOFIX
When typing this article, the EX90 has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.
Price
| Model | Pricing |
| Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Performance | from R2 650 000 |
*The pricing stated here was correct when published and is subject to change without further notice.
Rivals
- Mercedes-Benz GLS
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio
- BMW X7
- Lexus LX
The Verdict
The luxury of the EX90 is certainly appreciated. As far as EVs go, the powertrain is rather pleasant to operate. The only thing about the EX90 is that the minimalism can be detrimental as much as it is innovative, when the EX90's competitors seem more convenient to live with. Some functions require an extra step, which could have been a single gesture. It works for vehicles like the EX30, which can dare to be more experimental in our view. Despite this, seeing a different interpretation of some industry trends is still lovely.
