Volvo Cars Australia remains committed to its all-electric offering by 2026 and has recently introduced a number of new electric vehicles to the Australian market. At the pinnacle of that range is this Volvo EX90 Ultra with twin motor performance, the ultimate expression of Scandinavian elegance in a seven-seat, fully electric family SUV.
The EX90 exterior takes inspiration from the seamless, elongated lines of luxury yachts. The result is a deceptively simple body with long, sculpted lines that are lowered at the front and stretched at the rear. The windows and door handles on the soft close doors sit flush when driving and the wing mirrors are frameless. The exterior is all brought together in a cohesive way that’s elegant, confident and, of course, incredibly aerodynamic.
The Ultra trim comes with High-Definition Pixel Hammer of Thor headlights that have more than a million pixels that adapt the shape of the light with total precision. As other road users’ approach, the high beam light projecting onto them dims automatically while still casting high beams on the surrounding road. And to mark every journey, a glittering light sequence will activate when you approach or leave the car.
The twin electric motors combine for a maximum of 380kW of power and an impressive 910Nm of torque with a bias towards the rear wheels. Despite weighing 2,815 kg the all-wheel drive EX90 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 180 km/h. The Volvo EX90’s roof load limit is 100kg, which includes the weight of the roof box and its contents, and it has up to a 2,200kg braked towing capacity.
Power is delivered smoothly and seamlessly adding to a very comfortable driving experience thanks to the four-corner dual volume active air suspension. Shift-by-wire technology allows you to easily shift between Reverse, Neutral and Drive with one single movement using the steering column mounted gear selector. From here you can also operate Parking mode with electric parking brake and driver support systems, such as adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist.
A 111-kWh Lithium-ion battery with battery cooling and heating to optimise the charging and discharging cycles provides the energy for the EX90. The official combined Electric consumption is 22 kWh/100 km with a maximum range up to 570km (WLTP). I nearly much matched that figure for my week with the EX90, as I averaged 21.6kWh/100km giving me a real-world range of up to 513km.
The maximum power that the EX90 can draw from a fast DC charger is 250 kW, enough to allow it to recharge from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes in optimal conditions. The EX90 also supports up to 11 kW AC charging from a home wall box or you can charge using the seven-metre home charging cable connected to 220V standard household socket. The charging port is located on the rear passenger side of the vehicle and has a green light illmated next to it when charging is occurring. The main display shows charging status, provides options to start/stop charging, and allow you to manage settings.
The EX90 does not come with a key fob, but rather a smart wallet-sized key card gives you full access to the car and you can unlock your car by swiping the card over the door handle, and can drive away after putting the card on the wireless phone charger pad. When leaving the car, a swipe of the card over the door handle will lock the car. Or you can use Digital key plus on your phone, but I would prefer to have a key fob, as the iPhone I was loaned with the car went into SOS mode, so I couldn’t use it to access the car.
Like a Scandinavian home, you feel at ease the moment you step into the quiet EX90 cabin. It is filled with nature-inspired materials, but not nature itself thanks to the pollen filter. The characterful design elements have a crafted feel, with rich textures finished in organic shades. The Birch décor in this EX90 is genuine wood decor and delivers a natural, warm feel that adds to the sophisticated ambience of the Volvo. When darkness falls, the back-lit decor, sidestep lights and soft lighting in the cupholders and storage areas helps to achieve this. The discreet, elegant vent adjuster design of the horizontal air vents combines glossy black with chrome in a very integrated surface detailing. Because calm is the ultimate luxury.
The elegant simplicity of the centre console helps give the front row a spacious feel and is also very practical. The padded armrest adds comfort, and when you lift it, you’ll find a deep storage compartment. Pull back the console’s roll-top cover to access the two cup holders with grippy sides and a removable base for easy cleaning and a space to stash small items. You can charge your phone on the wireless charging pad at the front of the centre console. And pop your bag or takeaway on the floor-level storage area under the floating centre console where there are the two USB-C ports and an elastic strap to hold your phone in plastic. There are no moulded drink bottle cubbies in the front doors and you can only fit a larger sized drink bottle if it is laid flat.
The Charcoal coloured Nordico upholstery combines polyester from recycled PET bottles and PVC with bio-attributed pine resin sourced from sustainably managed Scandinavian forest and is durable and easy to clean. All seven seats are designed to provide ergonomic support with the front seats delivering maximum comfort with their ergonomic shape being designed to help reduce pressure and ease shoulder strain.
You can fine-tune their position with power adjustments for recline, forward/back, and single seat height adjustment from buttons on the side of the seat and press the centre button here and you have additional adjustment from the screen for tilt and side bolster support and lumbar support. Cushion extensions are standard for extra thigh support. The adjustments for the driver’s seat are automatically saved to the active profile.
The backrest features ten massage points, and you have five programs, three speeds and three intensities to choose from. The programs are Swell, Tread, Combined, Lower back, and Shoulders and they all give a very nice massage. You can combine the massage with either heated or cooled seats in this Ultra trim EX90. Both functions work well and the cooled seats were quiet when operating with the built-in fans drawing air through the perforated upholstery in both the cushions and backrests.
The tailored sport design heated steering wheel with hand-stitching gives a crafted look and you can feel the quality as well. The only gloss black material used in the EX90’s cabin is on the steering switches with their non-descript icons. The height and reach of the steering column are power-adjustable and you can store your preferences in a personal profile so the cockpit remembers them for the next time. The driver has a 9” display above the steering wheel and head-up display as well and they can easily reach the parking ticket holder conveniently located on the windscreen.
Built-in Google apps and services make your Volvo as intuitive to use as your smartphone and all are displayed on the 14.5” touch screen. All vehicle controls are undertaken from the screen down to opening the glovebox or adjusting the side mirrors. The voice-activated Google Assistant listens to you and performs your commands while you can stay focused on driving and it will even tell you a joke. Google Maps is fully integrated and helps you reach your destination faster with real-time traffic info, automatic rerouting and voice control. It’s easy to use and provides helpful information for an electric car including range, estimated battery level at arrival and charging stations along your route.
The car includes five years access to the following Google Services: Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store. After that period a prolongment or renewal will be offered, a subscription fee will in such case be added. Connectivity is subject to network coverage. Fair Use Policy for data applies. Your car is fully connected to your digital life, even without your phone. Which is good if you are an Android user because Volvo still doesn’t support Android Auto, only wireless Apple CarPlay available.
You can conveniently you can listen to your favourite music via Bluetooth, DAB or YouTube, or even podcasts and audiobooks on the exceptional Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System with 25 speakers, 1610W output, Dolby Atmos compatible, and subwoofer. You can control the audio system with the elegant rotary knob at the front centre armrest and enjoy the beauty of a Scandinavian design piece where the light subtly shines through the knob with a jewellery touch.
Dolby Atmos allows you to experience immersive audio with individual sounds that move all around you to create a multi-dimensional soundscape. Or you can use the Abbey Road Studios mode that allows you to recreate the acoustics of Abbey Road Studios in your car. This sound mode captures the unique sonic DNA of this legendary space. Choose the close-up, intimate experience of listening from the control room or enjoy the acoustics of the live studio space. The other sound modes are Individual Stage, Concert Hall and Jazz Club.
The panoramic roof runs almost the entire length of the car, allowing natural light to stream in. The tinted glass is infrared-coated and laminated to reduce glare and provide sound insulation. It blocks around 80 per cent of the sun’s heat to help keep the cabin cool on sunny days and I did not feel any radiant heat when I was driving the EX90. The laminated glass also helps strengthen the roof for added security in the event of a break-in.
The Volvo EX90 is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats in the second row of seats, and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions. But the top tether anchorage points are not labelled on any of the seats that have them and I think this could be a little confusing for owners. ANCAP noted that care is needed when installing the Type A capsule in the third-row seating positions and one of the selected Type A convertible seats could not be correctly installed in rearward facing mode. Volvo recommends that children travel rearward-facing up to at least four years of age.
The middle seat on the second row is an integrated booster cushion that conveniently folds up to provide safe and comfortable seating for children over four years. When not in use, the booster cushion is stored neatly out of sight in the second-row centre seat cushion. It’s comfortable to sit on and lets the child enjoy a better view. In this seven-seater variant, the child can be moved closer to the adults in the front as the booster seat slides forward.
The outer second row seats are heated and I found them to be very comfortable with ample head and leg room. The centre seat can be folded down arm rest with flip up cup holders in it, which is handy because the drink bottle storage in the rear doors is limited to slim or squishy type bottles only. Rear passengers get dual zone rear temperature control with shared digital air speed controls. There are two central air vents with individual direction and on/off controls and vents in the B pillars as well. For charging devices in the second row there are two USB-C ports below the central air vents. I liked the flat rear floor with the carpet mat completely covering it.
To access the third row, you use the lever on either of the two outer second row seats and slide the seat forward. As this function only tilts the second row seat it means you could still have a child’s booster seat in it and access the third row. The gap is just large enough for an adult to fit through and you can raise and lower the rid row seats from buttons on the C pillar. Volvo says that third-row passengers up to 170 cm tall can travel in comfort, but I found the head and leg room to be tight for me and I think the third row would be best used as occasional seating only, for adults at least. There is one USB-C port on each side and a rigid drink holder moulded into the wheel arch with air vents located in the C pillar.
To open or close the tailgate you simply move your foot under the rear bumper, which is very convenient when your hands are full. Or you can use the digital key on your smartphone, the buttons on the tailgate or the infotainment screen. The boot is still a good size with the third-row seats in use and could fit a pram and the weekly shop with the third-row seats lowered, which can be undertaken using the buttons in the boot. The air suspension also allows you to lower the rear of the vehicle to make it easier to lift items in and out. The boot space has four substantial tie down points, two hooks, and one 12V socket with additional storage under the boot floor. The tyre repair kit can be found in the front boot under the bonnet with more storage here also.
Unsurprisingly the Volvo EX90 has a five-star ANCAP (2025) Safety rating with an Adult Occupant Protection score of 92% and a Child Occupant Protection score of 94%. Dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting airbags, and a driver knee airbag, are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
The Volvo EX90 is fitted with blind spot information with cross traffic alert, an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system capable of functioning at highway speeds, and a lane support system with lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping functionality. ANCAP tests of the AEB (Car-to-Car) system showed GOOD performance with collisions avoided or mitigated in all car-to-car rear and AEB Junction test scenarios, and many AEB Crossing scenarios, where the test vehicle can autonomously brake to avoid crashes when crossing the path of an oncoming vehicle. AEB Head-On system functionality showed GOOD performance. ANCAP tests of lane support system functionality showed GOOD performance, including in the more critical emergency lane keeping test scenarios. The overall ANCAP Safety Assist score is 84%.
For convenience the EX90 has 360-degree view reversing camera with 3D view with front and rear parking sensors and it also displays the distance to the object as you approach it on the screen. In addition to the auto lights, the EX90 also has rain sensing auto wipers.
Each new Volvo comes with a five years/unlimited kilometres manufacturer’s warranty. The high-voltage battery warranty is eight years or 160,000 kilometres (whichever comes first) and Volvo will guarantees the battery retains at least 70% of its original energy storage capacity (State of Health) as long as the owner has adhered to Volvo’s recommended maintenance and operating procedures.
The ambition of Volvo Cars globally is to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and to become a circular business and to progressively reduce their carbon footprint. Volvo Cars are the most transparent car company in the world when it comes to disclosing the greenhouse gas emissions from their vehicles, with the Volvo EX90s delivered to Australia being manufactured in China at Volvo’s Chengdu plant.
Volvo Cars has compared the life cycle analysis for greenhouse gas emissions for the EX90 with their XC90 plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid models, cars that are similar in size but use different driveline technologies. Charging the EX90 using a European average electricity mix, results in its life cycle carbon footprint being about 50 per cent lower than the XC90 mild hybrid, and about 20 per cent lower than the XC90 plug-in hybrid. The EX90 will produce 37 tonnes of CO2e/200,000 km using an EU electricity mix and 46 tonnes of CO2e/200,000 km using a global electricity mix. Using wind-generated electricity reduces the carbon footprint of the EX90 by 35 per cent compared to charging using a global electricity mix and by 17 per cent compared to using the European electricity mix. The EX90 will produce 30 tonnes of CO2e/200,000 km when the power used to charge it comes from wind energy alone.
Grounded in Scandinavian design, where beauty and practicality go hand in hand, the Volvo EX90 Ultra twin motor is a class leader in more ways than one. The Volvo EX90 range starts at $124,990 excluding on-road costs and this Vapour Grey Volvo EX90 Ultra twin motor was $134,990 plus on-roads. You can build and price your Volvo EX90 online or visit your preferred Volvo retailer for more information.
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| Pros | Cons |
| The Scandinavian inspired cabin design | It doesn’t have a key fob |
| Real-world energy use very close to claimed energy use | Android Auto is not still not supported |
| The transparency around greenhouse gas emissions | The top anchorage points are not labelled on the second and third row seats |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.