Volvo EX90 (Ultra) Review: Electric Luxury For The Modern Family

After spending time with Volvo’s latest electric models, it’s clear the brand isn’t chasing reinvention for the sake of it. Instead, it’s refining what it already does best. The EX90, as the all-electric counterpart to the Volvo XC90, carries that responsibility with quiet confidence.

And in many ways, it delivers exactly what you’d hope for; just with a modern, electric twist.

Aesthetics

Visually, the EX90 doesn’t stray far from what we already know. It carries the silhouette of the Volvo XC90 - boxy, upright, unmistakably Volvo - but cleans it up for the EV era.

At over 5.0 metres long, it’s a big car; but, clever proportions and clean surfacing hide that size well. It doesn’t shout for attention; it simply exists with quiet authority.

Step inside, and that signature Scandinavian minimalism returns. Light, airy, and thoughtfully put together, it’s less about showmanship and more about how everything feels.

The panoramic electrochromic roof floods the cabin with light while keeping heat at bay, and the materials strike that perfect balance between premium and approachable. Volvo continues to avoid over-reliance on glossy black plastics, instead leaning into textures and finishes that feel warmer and more considered.

And thanks to the ‘skateboard’ 106 kWh battery beneath, the floor is completely flat hence giving second-row passengers proper space, while the third row is usable enough for shorter journeys, or younger passengers.

Driving It

If you’ve read my thoughts on Volvo’s latest EV sedan, the ES90, you’ll know how much I appreciated the brand’s approach to comfort and refinement. The EX90 carries that same philosophy, but adapts it to suit a larger, taller form.

The result is a drive that feels composed and reassuring.

The twin-motor setup (456 bhp, 670 Nm) delivers smooth, immediate torque that makes everyday driving effortless. It’s quick when you need it to be, but never feels aggressive or overwhelming.

More impressively, for a car of this size, it handles itself well. You can adjust the suspension and steering weight to suit your preference, tightening things up just enough to feel more connected without sacrificing comfort.

Air suspension does most of the heavy lifting here soaking up bumps, smoothing out rough roads, and keeping everything controlled at speed. It’s not a car you’d want to throw into tight corners, but somehow it remains stable and predictable when the road starts to twist.

And crucially, the cabin insulation is excellent. Road and wind noise are kept at bay, making long drives feel calm and undemanding.

Thoughtful Tech

Like the ES90 sedan, the EX90 is a software-defined car built on Volvo’s Superset architecture. That means continuous improvements, through over-the-air updates; not just bug fixes, but meaningful feature enhancements over time.

The 14.5-inch central display is crisp and intuitive, complemented by a clean driver display and an excellent head-up display that keeps key information in your line of sight.

Pilot Assist remains one of the best systems out there. It handles lane centering and adaptive cruising with confidence, and lane changes feel natural rather than abrupt.

And then there’s the Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Just like in the ES90, it’s exceptional: Immersive, detailed, and powerful. Combined with the quiet cabin, it turns every drive into a private listening room.

Living With It

As a family car, the EX90 makes a strong case for itself.

You get ISOFIX points in the second row, a built-in booster seat and flexible seating configurations that make it easy to adapt to daily needs. The flat floor helps with comfort, and there’s ample storage throughout the cabin.

Range-wise, Volvo claims up to 624 km. In my drive however, I saw closer to 508km - still respectable for a car of this size and weight. Efficiency hovered around 18 kWh/100 km, which feels realistic.

Then again, there are a few areas that feel like they’re still evolving. The system runs on Android, but Android Auto connectivity isn’t available just yet - something Volvo has indicated could arrive via future updates. Likewise, some features, like expanded automated parking functions, feel like they’re on the horizon rather than fully realised today.

In A Nutshell

It’s positive seeing Volvo settling into its electrification era.

And while it’s not perfect, this feels like a car that will only get better with time - the kind of product where software updates could genuinely elevate the ownership experience.

While I tested the ‘Ultra variant’, you’ll find most of what makes it good in the lesser single motor variant too.

And if jumping on the EV bandwagon is too far a stretch, you’ll be pleasantly surprised in the equally impressive XC90 Mild Hybrid model instead.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

---

Car you sell, Carousell. Get the highest quote for your car in just 24 hours, with assistance on paperwork too!