2024 Volvo EX90 Debuts as Volvo’s Flagship Electric SUV

Published on November 9, 2022 in New Models by Gabriel Gélinas

The all-new 2024 Volvo EX90 may not be the Swedish automaker’s first fully electric SUV, but it’s definitely the most advanced and sophisticated yet. It also marks the beginning of a new era for Volvo in its quest to become an EV-only brand by 2030.

Following the seven-passenger EX90, which will be built in the U.S. and China and should hit the market in the second half of 2023, we’ll see the introduction of a new electric model every year for the rest of the decade.

A True Flagship

Styling is inspired by the Concept Recharge unveiled in 2021 and driven by a focus on aerodynamics, which is key to maximizing EV range. The EX90 boasts a drag coefficient of 0.29, an impressive figure for a vehicle of this size.

Naturally, it shares several design cues with other Volvo products, such as the Thor’s Hammer headlights and vertically arranged taillights. However, there are plenty of unique touches, as well, like the flush-mounted door handles. What’s more, the EX90 stands out with an unprecedented safety arsenal including a LiDAR at the top of the windshield. More on that later.

111kWh Battery

The company was kind enough to provide specs for the 2024 Volvo EX90, starting with the fact the dual motors generate a combined 509 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque. Energy comes from a 111kWh battery, while range is estimated at 600 km based on the WLTP test cycle—probably around 530 km when using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s more realistic calculations.

Volvo claims the EX90 can charge from 10-80 percent in less than 30 minutes when plugged into a DC fast charger, though it failed to specify how much current is involved here. Interestingly, it’s the first Volvo to offer two-way charging capability, meaning EX90 customers will be able to plug in another vehicle, various power tools and devices or even their house and use the energy from the battery—like a generator on wheels.

Safety First

According to Volvo, the new EX90 is the brand’s safest vehicle ever as it was designed and engineered to be able to scan, analyze and react to its surroundings. The exterior is equipped with an array of ultrasonic sensors (16), cameras (eight) and radars (five), but the centrepiece is a roof-mounted LiDAR.

What’s a LiDAR? Well, the word stands for “light detection and ranging,” but the device itself uses infrared light instead of radio waves to calculate the distance between two objects. In the case of the EX90, it can detect pedestrians up to 250 metres away and something as small and dark as a tire on a black road 120 metres ahead. All this while traveling at highway speeds, day or night.

Semi-Autonomous Driving

Safety is further enhanced by an array of advanced driver assistance features such as Assisted Driving, where the vehicle handles driving duties including lane changes on the highway. More cameras and sensors are mounted inside the cabin in order to monitor the driver and passengers. Let’s say you stop paying attention or fall asleep behind the wheel—the EX90 will first warn you with increasingly clear alerts, and if you still don’t react appropriately, it will safely pull over and automatically contact emergency services.

Volvo says Level 3 autonomous driving capability is built-in the EX90 and can be activated through an OTA software update where local regulations will allow it.

Minimalist and Digitalized Cabin

As you can see, there are no physical buttons on the centre stack. All the controls can be found on the portrait-style, 15-inch digital interface. Located at the bottom are two rows of controls for climate or other vehicle functions (they can be configured depending on the driver’s needs).

The Volvo EX90 also benefits from a series of Google apps, some of which make it possible to control charging sessions remotely, as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system with Dolby Atmos technology comes standard. You can turn your smartphone into a digital key to lock or unlock the vehicle, with the ability to share that key with other family members or friends if necessary.

The Car Guide will have the opportunity to test drive the new 2024 Volvo EX90 sometime in the next few months, so watch this space for a more detailed review.