For the longest time, the XC90 was the Volvo. The big boss. The SUV that carried the brand’s premium image. It evolved, added hybrids, stayed relevant. But now it has officially handed over the crown. The all-electric EX90 is the new flagship, and this is Volvo stepping fully into its electric era.
Looks
You immediately recognise it as a Volvo. The Thor’s Hammer lights are still there, but the sealed front grille and cleaner nose make it clear this one runs on electrons. The 22-inch wheels give it proper road presence, and from a distance it looks sleek and modern.
That said, for something replacing the brand’s halo SUV, it feels slightly conservative. It is clean and premium, but not exactly head-turning. We expected a bit more drama from Volvo’s new electric king.
Interior
Pull the flush door handles and you are met with a cabin that feels calm, airy and expensive. Volvo has doubled down on minimalism. A large 14-inch vertical touchscreen takes centre stage, powered by a Google-based system, with a smaller 9-inch digital cluster in front of the driver.
The panoramic roof floods the cabin with light, and the Bowers & Wilkins sound system is genuinely impressive. This is a space that feels grown-up and properly premium.
But it is not flawless. The infotainment can lag at times, and the lack of physical buttons means you are digging through menus more than you would like. Also, the front storage area feels smaller than expected for a vehicle of this size.
The real highlight is space. Seven adults can sit comfortably. That alone makes it one of the more practical electric SUVs on the market.
Performance
Underneath it all is a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing 380kW and 910Nm. For something weighing close to 2.8 tonnes, it moves. The 0 to 100km/h sprint of 4.7 seconds feels believable. It launches with that typical EV shove that never really gets old.
Volvo claims up to 751km in urban driving and 604km combined. The 111kWh battery, with 107kWh usable, can go from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes on a 250kW DC charger.
In our hands, consumption averaged around 21.9 kWh/100km, slightly above the claimed 20.7kWh/100km. Real-world range landed closer to 420km, not the headline numbers, but we were not driving it like a hypermiler either.
On the road, it is surprisingly easy to manage. The ride is plush, the cabin is quiet, and the 12-camera system makes manoeuvring something this large feel less intimidating.
Verdict
At R2,650,000, the EX90 is firmly in serious money territory. There are cheaper electric SUVs out there, but not many offer this combination of seven-seat practicality, performance and understated presence.
The EX90 does not shout. It does not try too hard. It is quick, comfortable and safe in that very Volvo way. If this is the direction Volvo is heading with its electric future, it is a confident one.
