
Volvo EX90 Review: An Impressive But Incomplete Luxury EV
The Volvo EX90, the Swedish automaker’s new flagship electric SUV, is finally hitting the streets after a year-long delay. Promising a blend of luxury and advanced technology, this EV is undoubtedly a bold step forward for Volvo. However, despite its grandeur, some features are still in development, leaving the EX90 somewhat of a work in progress.
Our first experience with the EX90 took us around Newport Coast in California, where we got behind the wheel of a Twin Motor Performance model clad in a striking Sand Dune exterior. With an EPA-estimated range of up to 310 miles courtesy of its 111 kWh battery pack, the EX90 makes a solid impression in terms of performance. The Twin Motor version delivers a robust 510 horsepower and 671 lb-ft of torque, while the base model offers 402 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. Both trims are expected to recharge from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes with a 250 kW DC Fast charger. However, the much-anticipated bidirectional charging feature won't be operational until a future software update.
On the road, the EX90 feels spacious and comfortable. It’s slightly longer than the Volvo XC90, providing a more serene and calm driving experience. The minimalist Swedish design philosophy is evident inside the cabin, which is both elegant and relaxing. A 9-inch driver’s display provides essential information like speed, range, and navigation, while a clear heads-up display adds to the high-tech feel. The infotainment system runs on Google’s Android Automotive platform, offering voice commands for navigation, radio, and climate controls. Yet, with its minimal physical controls—limited to a large central scroll wheel and a few buttons—much of the vehicle’s functionality is buried within a large 14.5-inch touchscreen.
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While this streamlined approach looks modern, it can be cumbersome for simple adjustments. For instance, tweaking wiper sensitivity or performance settings requires navigating through multiple menus, which can be frustrating. The digital key feature, which should enhance convenience, proved unreliable during our test. Although Volvo is working on refining this with Apple and integrating CarPlay in a future update, our experience involved repeated issues with the virtual key recognition, leading to awkward troubleshooting moments.
Another notable feature is Volvo's Pilot Assist, an advanced adaptive cruise control system. Instead of traditional buttons, activating Pilot Assist involves a somewhat slow process of pulling the drive select lever and waiting for a steering wheel icon to appear on the display. While the lane-change assistant is effective, the process is not as swift as some might hope.
The EX90 is also equipped with a suite of sensors, including a radar system that monitors everything from driver attention to the presence of pets or children left in the car. During our drive, the system alerted us when it detected distractions while navigating the infotainment menus. Although the alerts can be a bit sensitive, they serve as a reminder to stay focused on the road.
A significant aspect of the EX90's technology is its reliance on components from Nvidia, Google, Qualcomm, and Luminar. Nvidia’s ORIN platform handles the compute needs for safety and infotainment, while Qualcomm manages the interior tech. Luminar’s lidar, intended for external safety features, is still in a learning phase and won’t be fully operational until a later date. This lidar is expected to enable hands-free highway driving in the future, but Volvo has yet to provide a timeline for its rollout.
In summary, while the Volvo EX90 shows great potential and offers a taste of the future of luxury electric vehicles, it is not quite ready for prime time. The vehicle is a commendable effort, but its advanced features and technology still require refinement and updates. With continued development, the EX90 could evolve into the sophisticated luxury SUV Volvo aims to deliver. For now, it stands as a promising, albeit incomplete, glimpse into the future of electric mobility.
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