Review: 2025 Volvo EX90

Newport Beach, California – Volvo’s second-generation XC90 reboot in 2016 catapulted the brand into the spotlight with its strikingly modern design, spacious and uncluttered interior, and a steadfast commitment to upholding the model’s reputation as a benchmark for safety. The all-new 2025 Volvo EX90 aims to rewrite the rules once again, this time by boldly transitioning Volvo towards full electrification while remaining true to its founding principle of environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation.

The Volvo EX90 is the Swedish automaker’s fourth fully electric vehicle, produced at its facility in Charleston, South Carolina. The EX90’s massive size isn’t just a matter of proportion; it’s also a significant departure from industry norms. There are only a handful of three-row, seven-seat fully electric SUV options available. As the electric vehicle (EV) landscape continues to evolve, established players like the Tesla Mannequin X, Kia EV9, Rivian R1S, and Mercedes-Benz EQB offer a range of options for those seeking to transport seven passengers, but consumers are increasingly craving more choice from mainstream manufacturers.

What a striking introduction to this modest membership. The Volvo EX90 presents a visually stunning exterior, its allure heightened by a sleek, closed-off grille, frameless wing mirrors, and an innovative evolution of the iconic ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights that exude sophistication and modernity. The excessive beams’ activation triggers a pop-up cowl for the headlights, evoking a nostalgic nod to the 1990s with its neat and functional flair.

The sleek, modern silhouette bears an uncanny resemblance to high-end West Elm furniture, but with one notable exception: it’s also a mode of transportation. A subtle bulge on the windshield, housing the LIDAR detection system, slightly mars the otherwise streamlined design, which nonetheless serves as the foundation for advanced driver-assist features. The palette of eight subtle hues, deliberately restrained in their intensity, harmonizes perfectly with the understated elegance of the model’s aesthetic. Given the stunning contrast of Vapour Gray against Orange County’s dramatic blue oceans and fiery red skies, our featured vehicle stands out majestically in its limestone hue, effortlessly elevating the aesthetic appeal.

Within its confines, the interior of this Volvo represents a pinnacle of design, where simplicity and driving prowess take precedence over flashy features and unnecessary novelties. How about sparking joy in the automotive world by combining cutting-edge tech with a dash of decluttering magic? The dashboard exudes a clean, uncluttered simplicity akin to Tesla’s hallmark minimalism, yet still boasts a few distinctive features that catch the eye. The gearshift has been repositioned on the steering column, similar to the Mercedes-Benz EQS, freeing up space in the central console and allowing Volvo to integrate a large wireless charging pad and multiple cup holders. While the floating design bears a striking resemblance to the BMW iX, it’s refreshing to see the Orrefors crystal gear shifters make way for something new. Will the impending XC90 redesign preserve this innovative flair?

The scarcity of tactile interfaces, including buttons and switches, is increasingly concerning, as many aspects of an automobile’s performance are now relegated to the touchscreen, compromising the functionality of features like side mirror controls and steering wheel adjustments. It’s an infuriating twist, but one that’s unfortunately all too familiar – a reminder to take immediate action and avoid further entanglements. Fortunately, the substantial infotainment display responds seamlessly, boasting intuitive usability through customizable widgets and an accessible shortcut bar situated at the bottom, allowing for effortless management of one’s preferences. Users interacting with an Android interface will feel perfectly at ease.

The digital display situated alongside the steering wheel resembles its counterpart in the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but boasts improved resolution. This feature can be customized to display navigation maps or a speedometer of your choice. The Volvo EX90 offers an abundance of normal features, including a head-up display, 360-degree camera, comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies, a expansive panoramic sunroof, and a cabin air purification system.

As I settle into the plush wool-blend seats, I’m enveloped in a warm, comforting Nordic embrace, akin to being swaddled by a luxurious Herman Miller chair. While the fabric may not be entirely sustainable, it is impressively soft and possesses a luxurious texture and sensation. The therapeutic massage function excels in performance, surpassing even high-end vehicles like the Range Rover and BMW iX. The headrests boast a built-in audio system, featuring an optional Bowers and Wilkins sound system that delivers 1610 watts of power through 25 speakers, complete with Dolby Atmos technology, which delighted our ears with its crisp, clear notes and immersive sound. This sound system is arguably one of the best we’ve had the pleasure to test in an automobile. The Twitter display on the dashboard adds a touch of visual flair, transforming the workspace into a mini-gallery, where information and artistry blend seamlessly. While we did discover a number of evident omissions, however. Unfortunately, there is a lack of ventilated seating options, the absence of a five-seat configuration, and an inability to open the roof.

In Canada, all EX90 models feature a unified powertrain comprising a 111-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and dual electric motors, one situated on each axle. With its impressive output of 510 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque, this vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.9 seconds. Canada will introduce a dual-trim strategy, offering both Plus and Extreme variants, with the latter priced at $115,600. The Extreme trim will boast an air suspension system, an energetic chassis, subtle shut doors, therapeutic massage function on front seats, laminated rear windows, puddle lights, and 21-inch wheels. The Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system and 22-inch alloy wheels remain standalone options.

Volvo asserts that its electric vehicle boasts a claimed range of 495 kilometers, pending EPA certification. In fact, a comprehensive test drive around Los Angeles demonstrated an eerily similar result, with the vehicle managing to cover approximately 490 kilometers on a single charge. For such a large and imposing seven-seat SUV, its sheer presence is bound to inspire awe and potentially render even the most anxious drivers calm and collected.

Our initial driving experiences are generally favorable, with a few areas for improvement. Unlike its XC60 and XC90 counterparts, the EX90 glides effortlessly on its 22-inch wheels, traversing rough terrain with aplomb and effortlessly absorbing compressions without ever scraping against the bump stops. The extremely trimmed version is perfectly priced solely for its air suspension, offering a luxurious and silky-smooth ride that feels like a pampering experience as the massage function works its magic on your back.

As we navigated the sinuous routes east of Newport Seaside, we relished the harmonious balance between the linear control offered by the fuel and brake pedals. Unlike some electric vehicles’ adaptive suspension systems, which provide an abundance of bandwidth to refine your inputs and guarantee a smooth, consistent ride by regulating every aspect of the drive with precision. The steering is impressively precise, bordering on being overly sensitive – possibly due to the compact diameter of the steering wheel, which amplifies this sensation.