Road Tested by Hugh Maguire.
The original Volvo XC 90 has become a very well respected large family SUV boasting an attractive design and of course Volvo’s legendary reputation for putting safety to the fore. It is no surprise then that the XC 90 has become a familiar sight on the school run.
The new Volvo EX 90 is then in many ways the electrified sibling but it is quite a different car and not just because it is powered by a huge battery.
Volvo have also introduced an operational design philosophy first seen in the EX 30 and in my opinion its not all for the better with regards to the functionality of how the driver interacts with the car but more on that later.
There are two models available in Ireland the EX 90 Plus starting at €97,790 and the EX 90 Ultra Performance on test here priced from €117,790
So how does it look?
The new EX 90 looks well enough. The odd looking box on top of the roof takes a bit of getting used to. Its not unlike what you would see on the roof of a London Black cab but is in fact the sensors for the LIDAR safety system. Overall though the styling is good in an imposing sort of way. The side profile is attractive in particular towards the rear where it boasts some nice design features such as the tail lights that run up the C pillar and the neat spoiler at the top of the rear hatch. The huge 22 inch two-tone alloy wheels add a bit of flair too.
What’s it like inside?
The electrically operated door handles pop out as the car recognises your key card. Open the big heavy doors and you are greeted by truly luxurious and very spacious cabin.
From space point of view it is really excellent. Up front the electrically adjustable heated seats are supremely comfortable and look fantastic. That second row of seats is equally good and heated too while the two seats in the third row are fine for kids but a bit of a squeeze for adults. Access to the third row is not quite as easy as in some other 7-seat rivals but acceptable nonetheless. Behind that third row there is a decent amount of luggage space of almost 370 litres with those last row of seats in place so that’s impressive. Rear seat passengers have their own small screen too for controlling temperature and operating the heated seats.
There is plenty of storage space, multiple USBC ports and wireless phone charging. I particularly like the standard huge tinted glass roof as it makes the cabin feel very bright and airy. The light grey “Nordico” upholstery looks great even though its actually made from recycled plastic and the light Birchwood trim and metal detailing around the Bowers and Wilkins speakers add a real touch of class. This is one impressive and inviting interior.
However here we come to my main criticism of the new EX 90 for some bizarre reason Volvo have chosen to put all functions of this new EV through a huge 14.5 inch portrait screen. Quite literally everything (except two window switches) go through this screen. For example to adjust the door mirrors its through the screen. To open the glovebox, its two prods of the screen, to adjust your seats or steering wheel, yes its through the screen. To turn on a rear foglight its through the screen and so on and on. Then they added an infra red eye scanner which every time you look at the screen to try to operate some function it barks at you to focus on your driving………and this from a company that used to pride itself on safety. This felt more Tesla philosophy than Volvo and for me that is a mistake. Indeed Euro NCAP have recognised that cars which rely on the touchscreen for the majority functions are inducing distracted driving and from now on manufacturers that do not include real buttons for main functions will score less in the Euro NCAP safety star rating.
That said there is of course a host of safety kit including assisted driving with multiple cameras via the LIDAR system which can give the car a 3D view of its surroundings, facilitating things like autonomous braking for example all in an effort to avoid an accident.
What about performance?
Its mighty quick! There is some lag in the throttle response but after that second or two passes this huge heavy Volvo (some 2.7 tonnes) really gets going. So it lacks for nothing in terms of performance. The massive 111kW battery powers two electric motors for two or all wheel drive. All this mass carries a penalty though and and I soon found out that efficiency in its energy consumption was not a strong point. Volvo claim a WLTP range of some 610km. My test car came with 93% charge and a predicted range of 440km. In reality I achieved just 388 km before needing to re charge. On average the cars trip computer showed a consumption of between 27kWh/100km and up to 31kWh per 100km and I hasten to add I was driving it pretty gingerly to eek out the best range. That is a disappointing result.
How does it drive?
Pretty well actually. The ride and handling is very good despite its mass. The active suspension really soaks up imperfections with ease. It’s supremely quiet and refined so the EX 90 is a really pleasant place to be for all on board. It cossets driver and passengers in a really attractive cabin.
Hugh’s Verdict.
My concerns about reliance on the touchscreen for almost all functions and the question over the real range of the EX 90 aside I can say I truly liked this car. It is beautifully built, finished to a very high standard and feels truly luxurious. The new EX 90 scores top marks as a luxury family 7 seat EV. The only thing holding it back may be it’s price tag which is higher than many rivals.
Likes: Supremely comfortable and luxurious.
High quality interior finish.
Roomy & practical.
Dislikes: Real world range not great.
Why are the steering wheel buttons not illuminated?
Too much functionality through touchscreen.