Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance review: Super Trouper on Swedish SUV

For a vehicle created under the auspices of the Geely Group, employing lots of state-of-the-art sortware and built in China, the Volvo EX90 still absolutely reeks of klassick Swedish character.

The EX90 is part of a suite of new-gen models charged with bringing Volvo to the forefront of electric technology; the company even calls it a "software defined" car. It's the most sophisticated Volvo we've seen in New Zealand yet, especially since delays in getting it to market mean this version is heavily updated compared to the global launch model.

The next new-gen Volvo will be the smaller EX60, which takes the company's tech even further forward. But in many respects the EX90 is the foundation for a lot of what's happening, not least because the $159,900 Ultra Performance model you see here is Volvo's flagship. It's supposed to be the brand's ultimate SUV. 

On the outside: what are the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance's main design features?

The EX90 is a genuinely large SUV: at 5027mm in length, 84mm longer than the combustion-based (but roughly equivalent) XC90.

The hybrid XC90 is nice, but the only reason you'd choose one over an EX90 is that you're still not sure about committing to an EV. Try the EX90 and you'll be very sure indeed.

It doesn't look oversized, though. The EX90 is like a minimalist reboot of the XC90: big surfaces with subtle shapes. The front is EV-flat but made very Volvo with a large interpretation of the company's Iron Mark logo and Thor's Hammer running lights. 

Approach with the digital key on your phone (with or without the dedicated app) and the welcome lighting sequence includes a "blink" as the Hammer splits horizonally, revealing the main headlights behind.

Our car's Sand Dune finish is the hero colour for this model and a $1500 option. Big 22-inch wheels are standard (oddly, downsizing to 21in costs extra), but the specific gloss black diamond design shown here is another $6k. Worth it.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance cabin like?

It's pretty hard to match the EX90 cabin's sophisticated simplicity at any price. It's all Scandi-class and soothing tones.

Volvo has been sucked into the Teslasphere completely, with pretty much everything controlled through the touchscreen.

It's all cool sounds, too. You'd buy this car just for the Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system that comes with the Ultra, which is stunning in its own right but also gained an Abbey Road Studios Mode via an over-the-air update post-launch. It's probably the best car audio we've ever experienced; well, except for the Polestar 3 Performance, which has the same system. Listen to an album you know intimately and suddenly, you're hearing new things.

Volvo was one of the pioneers of minimalist, digital-centric interior ergonomics with the second-generation XC90 back in 2015. But it's since been sucked into the Teslasphere completely, with pretty much everything controlled through the touchscreen.

It's well arranged, and like the sister Polestar brand you get a convenient dock of shortcuts at the bottom of the screen. Two in fact, because there's a second layer of "contextual" icons that represent the system's best guess at what you might need next. Pretty clever.

The EX90 is fully Google-integrated, so you can sign into your personal account and unlock a lot of functionality. That makes some aspects of phone projection redundant, but the Volvo still has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can also sign in separately to the likes of Spotify or Apple Music.

So far, so impressive, but Volvo still insists on putting adjustment for the steering and side mirrors in the screen as well. It's particularly irritating for the latter, because there's no option for auto-dipping in reverse when you're trying to park in a tight spot.

We have a similar complaint for the operation of the fantastic electrochromic glass roof, which can be clear or frosted. It's the sort of thing you might change on a whim and often, but again - the control is in the infotainment screen.

You can have 6 or 7 seats, no cost difference. Our test car had the full complement of chairs, and lovely chairs they all are - even in the 3rd row. The flat floor of the EV platform helps with legroom and overall comfort, although we're not quite talking people-mover levels of space back there.

Many owners may simply use the EX90 as a supersized 5-seater. There are controls to power-fold the 3rd row either from the rear door apertures or at the back of the car.

In that configuration you have a massive 690-litre boot. In the cargo area there's also a control to lower the air suspension, to make loading easier. 

Even when Volvo's being cute, it's actually being helpful. Stamped into the tailgate trim is a neat graphic showing all manner of household items and the interior dimensions of the EX90 from a loadsapce POV.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance like to drive?

Hold on to your Stiksens: the EX90 is fast, very fast. Our flagship Performance model boasts 500kW/870Nm and can catapult to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds, in that torque-unleashed way that only EVs can achieve.

There are four drive modes. Honestly, we wouldn't bother most of the time; this car is hugely composed when left to its own devices.

It's a neat trick, but sheer speed is not really what this car is all about. The EX90 is notable for things you don't normally expect in a heavy EV, like delicate throttle control and progressive braking.

It's every bit the luxury express in other words, the main advantage of all that power being an effortless ability to modulate speed and/or overtake. The chassis is that way, too: it uses grunt for good, working with the powertrain and dual-motor AWD to soak up challenging roads.

The ride is deeply impressive for such a weighty machine on 22-inch wheels. There's some fussiness at low speed on rippled urban roads, which is endemic to air suspension; but it's a happy tradeoff for such control and versatility in so many different driving situations.

Drive modes are not always a Volvo thing, but the EX90 has some: Standard, Performance, Off Road and Range (to maximise distance before your next charge). Honestly, we wouldn't bother most of the time; this car is hugely composed when left to its own devices.

You might opt for Range if you're getting nervous about your next charge on a road trip. The monster 106kW battery is good for 600km, which is up there for an EV but still reflects how much power is required to move such a large vehicle (and it'll be a lot more if you're really using all that performance).

There are a lot of kWh to replace when you plug in, but the updated EX90 launched here has 800-volt architecture which enables 350kW charging in ideal conditions. On the right DC station, of course.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle is covered for 5 years/150,000km, with separate 8 year/160,000km cover for the traction battery.

Servicing is required every 2 years/30,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance?

Volvo NZ likes to say the EX90 is in a class of one, as a pure-electric luxury 7-seat SUV. We can't entirely buy into that: Kia might not be a high-end brand, but the flagship EV9 GT is certainly a rival and a similar price. And there are electric people movers that you'd have to consider (yes, we know they're not SUVs).

But still, there's nothing quite like the EX90 in the BEV space for its combination of style, technological sophistication and dynamic excellence. And dare we say brand heritage? That still counts for a lot with some buyers and Geely certainly seems to respect where Volvo has come from.

Volvo is continuing with the XC90 as a combustion-engine alternative to the EX90 and in fact the Kiwi distributor has established pricing parity: the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid is the same $149,990 as the EX90 Plus (the next model down from our Ultra test car).

The XC90 is still an impressive car, but the only reason you'd choose one over an EX90 is that you're still not sure about committing to pure-electric technology. Experience the EX90 and you'll be very sure indeed, trust us. Once you've done that, the $10k extra for the EX90 Ultra Performance looks like a bargain.

Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance FAQs

What kind of car is the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance?

A large 7-seat luxury SUV.

Does the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance have hybrid or EV technology?

It's pure electric (BEV).

What’s the efficency of the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance?

It's rated at 31.9kWh/100km (WLTP). Range is 600km.

Is the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance safe?

The EX90 has a 5-star ANCAP rating, valid until December 2031.

What safety and assistance features does the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance have?

What are the Volvo EX90 Ultra Performance's main rivals?

• Kia EV9 GT ($149,790): Top dual-motor EV9 is also a bit of a luxury rocket: 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.
• Polestar 3 Performance ($174,900): Same powertrain and platform, but a sporty 5-seater.
• Denza B8 ($109,990): Super hybrid not EV, more 4x4 than crossover, still a highly luxurious 7-seater.
• Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX ($149,990): Dual-motor ID.Buzz has heritage and cool-factor (but not the speed).
• Volvo XC90 T8 Ultra ($149,990): Volvo's plug-in alternative to the new EX90.