The 2025 Volvo EX90 Is Worthy Of The Flagship Title – Even If It Needs A Little Tweak

The 2025 Volvo EX90 is an all-new all-electric SUV set to be the flagship of the Volvo lineup. It slots in above the gas-powered XC90 and plug-in XC90 Recharge giving large families plenty of choices rather than forcing everyone in one direction. The company is still moving toward being fully electric by 2030, but for now there’s a mix of hybrid, gas, and electric vehicles.

All-wheel drive and two powertrain options are available with an EPA-estimated range of up to 310 miles. This new EV is already in production at the Volvo plant in South Carolina with deliveries expected to begin later this year.

What’s New

Everything. This is an all-new EV that carries on with the styling of the existing Volvo lineup, including the distinctive Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, but with a modified grille, since there’s no need for airflow to an engine. It’s an evolution of the Volvo look, not an unnecessary reinvention.

There’s seating for up to seven people, making the EX90 well-suited for large families. A roomy and attractive interior with a minimalist design creates a welcoming experience with a wide range of features and technologies. It also has a choice of two power outputs along with plenty of driving range for road trips.

Interior: An Elegant, Minimalist Aesthetic

Volvo is not a flashy brand, which is something we appreciate. Not every car needs to have quilted, perforated, diamond-stitched, artisan-curated leather interiors with wood trim from trees in a renewable forest at the top of a mountain on a duke’s estate. It’s nice to ease up on all that for a change. The EX90 has a clean, attractive, welcoming interior that is refreshing in its simplicity.

That’s not to say that it’s plain, because it’s a beautiful, carefully crafted interior with elegant details. Instead of leather, there’s something called Nordico. This is a synthetic leather that’s easier to clean, more durable, and made of recycled materials and resin from trees in Sweden and Finland. Not that you’d know to look at it because, although it doesn’t have the same look as leather, it’s still an attractive material with a premium appearance. If it’s not to your liking, there’s also a wool interior that brings some added warmth and texture.

There’s seating for seven with optional second-row captain’s chairs that take that down to six. Front seats are the most comfortable, as you’d expect, but second row passengers won’t complain even with the bench seat. The captain’s chairs, however, are the better option with cupholders built into the armrests that pop out with a light press. Two can fit in the third row, which has good room for adults of average height, but keep the tall folks up front. Accessing that third row is easier thanks to second-row outboard seats that fold and slide forward.

Technology: Say Goodbye To Buttons And Knobs

This is one of those things that you’re either going to think is a brilliant step toward the future or absolutely maddening. We fall sort of in the middle – for now. The EX90 has a large 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen that controls pretty much everything. Simply select what you want to adjust from a menu, let’s say the side mirrors, and then use the steering wheel controls to move the mirrors into the right position. We like this approach for its ability to keep the interior clean and uncluttered, but it can be cumbersome to have so much tucked into those infotainment menus.

A separate nine-inch digital instrument cluster sits in front of the steering wheel and there’s also a 13.2-inch head-up display. Connectivity allows for wireless Android Auto with Apple CarPlay coming soon as an over-the-air (OTA) update. There are USB ports for all three rows, and on the audio front, an available 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system provides beautiful sound throughout the cabin.

Creating Sunlight In The Dark

The lighting in the EX90 is also a unique piece of technology. Traditional lighting inside a car is something that can cause fatigue and eyestrain. It’s partly the light spectrum and partly a subtle flicker that you don’t consciously notice. Volvo is solving that problem with the use of 72 SunLike LEDs located throughout the interior.

They create a more natural light with low reflection and a high color index. This type of lighting is already in use in buildings from schools to homes to museums, but this is the first time that it’s made its way into a car. These lights are used in all the non-decorative areas of the EX90 including the ceiling, floor, door pockets, and trunk. It’s a small detail that can make a significant difference, especially on longer drives.

Exterior Lighting Takes Center Stage With Thor’s Hammer

The exterior of the EX90 is all clean lines and rounded surfaces. It’s a relaxed, low-key look that plays into the idea of harmonizing with the environment rather than standing out. We like this approach, and we like what is easily the signature element of the EX90. Whether in broad daylight or the dark of night, the Thor’s Hammer headlights look wonderful. Once you see them, a Volvo approaching in your rearview mirror is immediately identifiable. It’s also hard not to smile when you know your car has the God of Thunder’s famous Mjölnir as a part of its design.

In terms of size, the EX90 is 3.3 inches longer than the XC90, although they share a wheelbase. Naturally, the electric EX90 is much heavier – by around 1,000 lbs, depending on powertrain and kit equipped to each.

Powertrain: Dual Motors With Two Power Outputs

The EX90 is equipped with all-wheel drive and dual electric motors with a 111 kWh electric battery, but with two different power outputs. The base Twin Motor delivers 402 horsepower with 568 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The Twin Motor Performance takes a leap to 510 horsepower with 671 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. While you’ll get more of a thrill out of the higher horsepower version, you’re unlikely to be disappointed with the base engine.

Charging the EX90 is quick and easy. You can use a Level Two charger, which is what most people choose to install at home, and your EX90 will be fully charged in about 10 hours. It can also use 250kW DC fast charging out on the road, which will take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

Driving Impressions: EV Power And The Sound Of Silence

Every EV is quiet because there’s no engine, but the EX90 takes the idea to a new level. Road and wind noise is almost nonexistent, making for one of the quietest and most relaxing rides we’ve experienced in an electric vehicle. It matches perfectly with the serene interior design of the EX90. This car is an escape from the world outside, providing a refuge where everyone can relax. It is truly a lovely vehicle to drive, but at the same time, it is not a mild-mannered one.

Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.

Our driving time was with the 510-horsepower Twin Motor Performance and it was downright exhilarating. Hit the pedal, and acceleration is aggressive, pushing you back into the EX90’s comfortable seats. It also handled well as we took narrow, twisting roads outside Newport Beach, California. While some SUVs are sloppy in this type of driving scenario, the EX90 lets you have some fun in the corners. It was a genuine surprise to have an SUV this big and heavy deliver such an enjoyable experience.

While we loved the power and the handling, the infotainment setup is an adjustment. So much is baked into the system that if you don’t know where to look, something as simple as moving the steering wheel or side mirrors can be frustrating. This is even harder while you’re on the move. Our sense is that it will become intuitive over time, but we expect a bit of a learning curve.

Pricing and Verdict: A Flagship With a Premium Price

The 2025 Volvo EX90 equipped with the standard Twin Motor is $79,995 for the Plus trim or $84,345 for the Ultra, excluding $1,295 destination. Choose the more powerful Twin Motor Performance in either trim and pricing increases by $5,000. This reflects this SUV’s status as the flagship of the brand. It’s not an inexpensive vehicle, but it does come very well-equipped in either trim and feels the part of a premium EV.

Competition includes the more affordable Kia EV9, the comparably priced Rivian R1S with better off-road capability, and the more luxurious Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, which starts at around $100,000. The EX90 falls in the middle of that list, making it something of a just-right option. Pricing isn’t outrageous. The interior, while not outright luxurious, is still comfortable and attractive in its minimalism. There’s also plenty of power and a driving range long enough to handle long-distance adventures. Families in the market for a three-row vehicles who want to make the move to electric would do well to consider the EX90.