The new Volvo EX90 is a game-changer in the electric SUV space. After spending quality time behind the wheel, it's clear this flagship model delivers on Volvo's century-long safety promise while embracing the electric future with open arms. Starting at $124,990 for the Plus Twin Motor variant, the EX90 isn't playing in the budget segment (leave that to the Chinese), but what you get for your money is a genuinely impressive piece of Swedish engineering that feels every bit the premium product.
This is Volvo's first ground-up electric vehicle built on a dedicated EV platform, and the difference is immediately apparent. The cabin feels more spacious than anything Volvo has built before, thanks to clever packaging that accommodates seven seats without compromise. The driving experience is serene, powerful when needed, and wrapped in that distinctly Scandinavian sense of calm that Volvo does better than anyone else.
With 300kW of power from the twin motors (one on each axle) and 770Nm of torque, the Plus model we tested will hit 100km/h from standstill in just 5.9 seconds - genuinely quick for a 2.8 tonne SUV. But this isn't about straight-line speed; it's about creating a sanctuary on wheels that happens to be as safe as driving gets in 2025.
Exterior
Let's talk about how this thing looks, because Volvo has absolutely nailed the design brief. The EX90 is handsome without being showy, sophisticated without being stuffy, and thanks to DNA from the XC90, there's a warm familiarity. At just over five metres long (5,037mm to be exact), it's a big vehicle, but the proportions are spot-on, and it doesn't feel as massive as the numbers might suggest.
The exterior colour on our test vehicle (Sand Dune) took some getting used to. Volvo offers eight metallic paint options in Australia: Crystal White, Silver Dawn, Sand Dune, Vapour Grey, Platinum Grey, Onyx Black, Mulberry Red, and Denim Blue. Each option is included at no extra cost, a refreshing change from the usual premium car price-gouging. The paint quality is superb, with a deep, lustrous finish that catches the light beautifully.
Up front, those signature "Hammer of Thor" LED headlights are an absolute showstopper. They're not just for looks either - the automatically dimmed units cast a wide light pattern and switch between high and low beams as other cars approach. When you walk up to the car with your digital key, a little light sequence is performed that genuinely makes you smile. It's a slight touch, but these details matter.
The week of our review of the Volvo EX90 coincided with the first real burst of Spring heat in Sydney, and I'm reasonably sure that there wasn't an insect I didn't hit while commuting from the Southern Highlands. The frontal surface area of the EX90 is wide and tall, and at a precise 90-degree angle to the road.
The flush door handles pop out as you approach, contributing to the clean, aerodynamic profile. Yes, they can be a bit temperamental at times, but when they work (which is most of the time), they add to that futuristic feel. The frameless, automatically dimmed exterior mirrors are another sleek touch.
Around the back, there's a subtle matte black rear spoiler that adds a sporty edge without being over the top. But the real star of the show is what's on the roof - that distinctive housing for the LiDAR sensor. It gives the EX90 a unique profile, and rather than being an eyesore, it's become an identifying feature that says "this is the safest car on the road". The LiDAR's bump gives a whiff of 90s German taxi - but most people won't notice that.
The 20-inch 5-spoke aero silver alloy wheels with black inserts on our Plus model look fantastic and strike a nice balance between style and practicality. They're large enough to fill the wheel arches without compromising ride quality or range.
Interior
Step inside the EX90 and you're immediately transported to a Scandinavian living room. It's minimalist, elegant, and crafted with materials that feel genuinely premium. Volvo has done something quite special here - they've created a luxury interior that doesn't shout about it.
The Charcoal Nordico seat upholstery is a standout feature. Nordico is Volvo's own sustainable material, combining bio-attributed PVC with a textile backing of 100% recycled polyester sourced from plastic bottles. It feels like leather, looks sophisticated, and you can feel good knowing it's not contributing to environmental degradation. The birch wood décor, paired with lovely warm backlighting, adds an authentic Scandinavian warmth to the cabin.
The front seats are absolutely superb. Both the driver and passenger seats are power-adjustable with a memory function, allowing you to find the perfect driving position in seconds. The seats are supportive yet plush, with heating, ventilation, and massage functions that make long drives an absolute pleasure. There's even an extendable thigh support, which was a godsend on those long stretches of highway heading to and from the Southern Highlands.
Now, let's discuss the seven-seat layout, as this is where the EX90 truly excels for families. The second row is genuinely spacious, with individual seats that slide back and forth on rails. Here's the clever bit - the front seats are mounted on plinths, creating space underneath for second-row passengers to tuck their feet. It's a simple solution that makes a massive difference to legroom. The second row seats are also heated for those chillier mornings.
The middle seat in the second row has an integrated booster seat that pops up when needed. For families with younger kids, this is pure gold - no more lugging a separate booster around. There are ISOFIX anchor points on the outer positions too, and you can actually fit three child seats across the second row if needed.
Getting into the third row is remarkably simple. You pull the old-school handle on top of the outer second-row seat backrests, and the whole seat tilts and slides forward in one smooth motion. It takes one hand, which means you can be holding a sleeping child or a bag in the other. The third row itself is best suited for kids or shorter adults, but it's equipped adequately with USB-C charging ports, cupholders, air vents in the C-pillars, and even ISOFIX anchor points - something you rarely find in third-row seats.
When you don't need the third row, the seats can be stowed at the touch of a button in the boot. The second row folds manually but effortlessly. With all seven seats up, you still get 310 litres of boot space, which is remarkable. Fold the third row and that jumps to 655-697 litres depending on how you measure. Fold everything and you're looking at 1,915 litres of cargo capacity. There's also a clever underfloor storage compartment and a 34-litre front trunk (frunk) for charging cables.
The technology interface is centred around a 14.5-inch touchscreen that's responsive and intuitive. Yes, almost everything is controlled through this screen, but Volvo has done it well. You can pin your favourite functions, such as climate and media controls, to the bottom of the display for quick access. There's also a 9-inch driver display behind the wheel and a colour head-up display that keeps key information in your line of sight.
Google services are built in - Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play - along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The integration is seamless. The Bose Premium Sound System with 14 speakers and 760W output is fantastic, filling the cabin with clear, balanced audio. Another very Volvo touch is the inclusion of two small air-conditioning vents in the wireless smartphone charger, which helps keep your phone cool while it charges. Wireless CarPlay is great until it 'cooks' your phone.
Climate control is managed through a 4-zone electronic system, ensuring everyone finds their comfort zone. There's even an Airborne Particulate Matter Sensor and Cabin Pollen Filter, which is brilliant for Australian conditions where air quality can vary significantly. Controls are accessible via the touchscreen, so changes when you're on your own are a bit of a fiddle. Thankfully, the EX90 is fitted with the latest in Voice Control, so simple commands are effortless and hands-free.
The panoramic sunroof is fixed (non-opening), but it's absolutely massive, flooding the cabin with natural light and creating an incredible sense of space. More on this amazing tech in a moment.
EV Features
The EX90's electric credentials are seriously impressive. The 111kWh battery pack is one of the largest you'll find in any electric SUV, delivering a WLTP range of up to 570km. In real-world Australian driving conditions, you can realistically expect around 450-500km depending on your driving style and whether you're cruising along a freeway or running the air conditioning flat out.
Here's where Volvo's thermal management tech really earns its keep. That massive panoramic sunroof could turn the cabin into a greenhouse in the Australian summer, but Volvo has engineered some seriously clever heat management tech. The glass is specially tinted to block more than 95% of UV radiation while allowing light to pass through. The 4-zone climate system works overtime to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature even when it's pushing 40 degrees outside.
During our test drives through various conditions, the cabin never felt oppressively hot despite the expansive glass roof. The system automatically adjusts airflow and temperature distribution, and you barely notice it working. There's also an auto-close feature for the sun blind that activates after 15 minutes when parked in warm weather, protecting the interior from fading and keeping the cabin cooler. It's the kind of thoughtful engineering that makes the Volvo EX90 genuinely suitable for the harsh Australian climate.
The twin-motor all-wheel-drive setup delivers 300kW and 770Nm in the Plus model, which is genuinely brisk. Spreading the torque between the front and rear axles means overtaking is effortless, and merging onto motorways is drama-free. The power delivery is smooth and linear - no sudden surges, just relentless, refined thrust. That torque comes in handy again when you're towing.
Charging is handled via DC fast charging capability, allowing 10-80% charges in around 35 minutes at suitable public chargers (those delivering 670A). For home charging, the onboard charger handles AC charging through a wall box, although a standard wall socket will take over 2 days for a full charge. The electric consumption figure is rated at 22kWh/100km, which is reasonable given the size and weight.
We found the Evie 350kW chargers at Sutton Forest to be the best value for money. Since our time with the EX90, these have been upgraded to 400kW with two additional charger, so we'll be heading there even more.
Like most EVs the EX90 offers One-Pedal Drive mode, which utilises regenerative braking to slow the car when you lift off the accelerator. To me, this feature, along with radar-guided cruise control, is one of the most useless features of any EV. It is guaranteed to make small children and pets sick, and in peak-hour congestion, it will get you to the scene of an accident faster than driving with your eyes shut. There's a reason that cars are still built with a brake pedal.
Volvo includes five years of free servicing within the purchase price, which covers servicing intervals every 12 months or 30,000km. This includes wear and tear coverage for consumables, such as filters and brake pads, which can potentially save thousands over the ownership period. The warranty is five years with unlimited kilometres, which provides solid peace of mind.
During our week with the EX90, we had the opportunity to visit the fantastic team at Tyrepower in Bowral to inspect a screw we had found in a tyre. Whilst on the hoist, we had a good look at the very well protected undercarriage of the EX90, and that's a place I would only want a trained Volvo technician to venture.
Safety
This is where the EX90 sets itself apart from every other vehicle on Australian roads. Volvo has always been synonymous with safety - they invented the three-point seatbelt, after all - and the EX90 represents the next quantum leap in keeping people safe.
The centrepiece is the integrated LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system mounted on the roof. LiDAR uses pulsed lasers to create a precise 3D map of everything around the car, and it's genuinely revolutionary technology. Unlike cameras that struggle in low light or radar that can miss fine details, LiDAR works flawlessly regardless of conditions - pitch darkness, fog, heavy rain, it doesn't matter.
The numbers are staggering: this system can detect pedestrians up to 250 metres away and spot something as small and dark as a tyre on a black road at 120 metres. The system is so good that it spotted a blue-tongue lizard moving across the road and warned me. Volvo's research indicates that widespread LiDAR adoption could reduce accidents with severe outcomes by up to 20%.
But the LiDAR doesn't work alone. The EX90 features the most advanced sensor array Volvo has ever fitted to a production car, comprising eight cameras, five radars, and 16 ultrasonic sensors that work in tandem with the cutting-edge LiDAR sensor. Data feeds into advanced computing platforms that analyse thousands of data points per second, creating a 360-degree real-time view of the world around the car.
What makes this especially clever is how it integrates with the Adaptive Cruise Control. Traditional cruise control systems can maintain speed and distance, but they're reactive (and totally hopeless). With LiDAR feeding the system, the EX90's Adaptive Cruise Control is practically prescient. It detects subtle movements of vehicles ahead and adjusts speed smoothly to maintain safe distances. If someone three cars ahead taps their brakes, the EX90 knows about it before you do and begins adjusting accordingly. Spending many hours on the motorway day and night, it was refreshing not even to notice when an octanagerian in his Peugout found himself in the overtaking lane doing 95km/h as we approached at 110km/h.
The system also includes Traffic Jam Assist, which can handle stop-and-go traffic for you. Combined with the Lane Keeping Aid and steering support, the EX90 can essentially drive itself in highway conditions (though you still need to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road).
There's also a Driver Understanding System that uses interior cameras to monitor where you're looking and how often your eyes are closed, although sunglasses do give the system a bit of grief. If it detects drowsiness or distraction, it provides warnings and can even activate emergency braking if needed. Some might find this a bit "Big Brother," but for families doing long trips through regional Australia, it's a genuine lifesaver.
The active safety features list is exhaustive: Pedestrian, Vehicle, and Cyclist Detection; Intersection Collision and Oncoming Mitigation with Brake Support; Post Impact Braking; Steering Support; Blind Spot Information (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert; Run-off Road Mitigation; Hill Start Assist; Hill Descent Control; and Emergency Stop Assist.
For added protection, there are airbags everywhere, including the driver's airbag, dual-stage passenger airbag, side airbags in the front seats, a driver's knee airbag, and inflatable curtains that protect all three rows. The Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and Whiplash Injury Protection System are both standard.
There's also a 360-degree camera with 3D view and Park Assist for tight parking situations. Combined with the parking sensors all round, squeezing this big SUV into shopping centre car parks is surprisingly stress-free.
Volvo's commitment to safety extends to the car's construction. The EX90 has been engineered with multiple crumple zones to absorb impact energy, while the passenger cell is reinforced to provide enhanced occupant protection. Multiple load paths in the floor structure help manage collision forces from any angle.
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System keeps you informed about tyre health (very useful!), and the Door Opening Alert warns you if opening your door could cause a collision with a passing cyclist or car. It's these little touches that show Volvo hasn't just ticked safety boxes - they've genuinely thought about every possible scenario.
Towing and Off-Road Capabilities
While the EX90 is primarily engineered as a comfortable, family-focused luxury SUV rather than a serious off-roader, it does have some genuine towing capability and surprising terrain management features that are worth noting for Australian drivers.
The EX90 can tow up to 2,200kg of braked trailer, with a maximum towball load of 100kg. For perspective, that's enough to confidently pull a decent-sized boat or a loaded tandem-axle trailer on Australian roads. For unbraked trailers, the limit drops to 750kg. The all-wheel-drive dual-motor setup provides plenty of grip for launches when loaded up, and the regenerative braking system works intelligently to manage energy recovery even when hauling a trailer - though naturally, efficiency takes a hit when you're dragging extra weight behind you.
The EX90 features an Off-Road driving mode that raises the suspension to provide additional ground clearance, making it helpful in navigating rough tracks, steep slopes, or high kerbs. The mode also activates Hill Descent Control (HDC), which enables the car to brake in a controlled and active manner when descending steep terrain, preventing unwanted acceleration and modifying the accelerator pedal response to enhance traction on slippery surfaces.
However, there are real limitations here. The Off-Road mode only functions below 25km/h when raising the suspension. Hill Descent Control extends to 40km/h, but driving at higher speeds automatically disables the full off-road feature. Additionally, activating Off-Road mode disables One Pedal Drive. The system is genuinely designed for light off-road duties - navigating rough fire trails, muddy farm tracks, or steep driveway access points - rather than serious four-wheel-driving.
The Not-So-Good
It wouldn't be a complete review without mentioning what didn't quite work. The NFC smart card key system is meant to be convenient - you just tap it on the driver's door handle to unlock - but in practice, it's frustrating. The cards are unreliable, sometimes requiring multiple attempts to work. The 'target-area' on the door handle is counterintuitive. Perhaps a week with the car isn't long enough to get comfortable with these features.
My only other gripe was the windscreen washer fluid distribution. Many cars today have the water plumbed directly onto the wiper arms, and that's great in the city when the sun is in your eyes, such as when dropping the kids off at school. It's not so great when you've just splattered an enormous locust into your windscreen at a closing speed of 140km/h. All these pathetic washer systems do is create a locust soup in your line of sight. Not a lot of fun when you're driving in the dark.
I must say that, beyond these two suboptimal issues, the Volvo EX90 is a remarkably impressive EV. The Volvo EX90 is proof that Volvo's next century is going to be just as focused on protecting families as its first.
Ready to Experience It Yourself?
The Volvo EX90 Plus Twin Motor represents a genuine step forward in automotive safety, electric vehicle technology, and family-friendly design. It's not cheap at $124,990, but for that money, you're getting a seven-seat luxury EV with safety technology that's genuinely years ahead of the competition, a luxurious and thoughtfully designed interior, and a real-world range that makes it practical for Australian conditions.
If you want to experience the EX90 for yourself, head to Volvo Cars Southern Highlands in Moss Vale. Part of the Allan Mackay Autos family, they've been serving the Southern Highlands community since 1977 and are one of the largest rural Volvo dealers in Australia. Their team knows these cars inside and out and can arrange a proper test drive so you can experience that LiDAR-enhanced safety system and supremely comfortable interior firsthand. Located at 543-511 Argyle Street in Moss Vale, they're perfectly positioned to let you experience the EX90 on the kind of regional roads it's been engineered to excel on.