We have driven the Volvo EX90 multiple times on multiple continents, from the sunny beaches of California to the unforgiving topography of the frigid Swedish Laplands, but this is the first time we’ve brought Volvo’s latest SUV to our home turf, which should build a better picture of how it performs on a more relatable level. On familiar roads at familiar speeds, it’s here that we can finally delve deeper into how the EX90 fits into our lifestyle and unveil its quirks, as well as any potential annoyances.

We will start with the good, the areas of the vehicle that we have grown to love and appreciate. Our test vehicle, draped in the stunning Vapour Grey, appears picture-perfect in a suburban landscape, and the white and beige interior is beguiling. Pundits often compare Volvos to IKEA but that’s not applicable here. The EX90 is more Restoration Hardware. This is a six-figure SUV after all, starting at a steep $115,600. Yet, the cabin justifies it entirely, from the delicate pores and ridges of the light ash wood that stretches across the dashboard, to the stylish seats that are more alluring and comfortable than those of a top-of-the-line Herman Miller. There are even Bowers and Wilkins speakers embedded into the headrest that complement the other 25 speakers, which produce 1610 watts, and Dolby Atmos floods the cabin with crisp surround sound that elevates modest audio quality to a higher grade of clarity. 

The vertically oriented touchscreen is lag-free and integrates with Google, allowing you to use the Volvo like you would your Android phone or Google Home. You can verbally ask Google to take you home, turn down the temperature, or search for the nearest charging station. The ease of use and low learning curve make transitions into the EX90 simple and intuitive. There are multiple quality of life features as well, such as the parking cameras that display the distance to the object in centimetres, allowing you to park with greater accuracy, rather than relying on the increasing volume of distracting audio chirps and beeps. 

Our favourite feature that isn’t talked about enough is the air quality sensor and air purifier. Yes, most cars have cabin filters that keep out harmful particulates but the EX90 takes filtration to the next level. It monitors for harmful allergens and particulates both inside and outside the cabin, displaying detailed information about the levels of common allergens detected, including pine, ash, birch, cottonwood, elm, and maple. We don’t even know what Graminales are. For someone who suffers from seasonal allergies, being able to monitor these invisible yet irritating particles outside is a blessing. Yet the amount of detail is immense, akin to receiving bloodwork results and trying to decipher their meaning for your health. This Volvo takes care of you without needing to ask. Safety is very on-brand for the Swedes but it’s these little touches that elevate the EX90 from just another electric appliance to a sentient, caring tool that transports you in a large safety net. 

The simplicity and subsequent cleanliness of the cabin is like stepping into an upscale furniture store. The lack of buttons and switches, the modest use of digital screens, and the overall airiness and spaciousness offered by the light-coloured materials lend a sense of ergonomic and functional purpose rather than the flashy, gimmicky, and extroverted designs offered by the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE. Rather than trying to beat the Germans at their own game, Volvo decides to play by its own rules and target a more nuanced buyer seeking a subtle family SUV that doesn’t skip out on the luxury amenities like the exceptional massaging seats and full suite of driver assistance features.

Then we get to the bad. There are a few minor quibbles and ergonomic foibles that didn’t seem like a big deal during our previous brief drives, but they have surfaced into fruition and become exacerbated after daily use. First off are basic user functions, ones that used to have a dedicated switch or lever. For the sake of simplicity and clean designs, these have all been delegated to the touchscreen. Some features make sense for this, such as heating and ventilation, navigation, and audio controls, but others don’t, like steering wheel or side mirror adjustment. To adjust the steering wheel or mirrors, one must navigate to the main menu, click on Driver Adjustments, select the desired option, and use the touchpad controls on the steering wheel to adjust it in the four directions. On the bright side, this choreography is typically performed once or twice when the vehicle is first received and subsequently saved to the memory settings. However, you soon realize that this decluttering trend has also extended to opening the trunk and glovebox – these are unacceptable in our book and require a dedicated button. You can’t use the voice command function to operate them either.

The window controls aren’t much better. Front occupants have only two switches that control the front windows, and there’s an alternating button below that switches the function to the rears. One can get acclimated to this quickly but there is such a thing as overengineering a function that was perfect from the get-go. This appears to be primarily for the sake of simplifying the visual aspects of the interior but without considering the ergonomics that are sacrificed as a result. Unfortunately, the Volvo EX30 also implements this window function. No operable sunroof or ventilated seats, either.

Spending more time with the Volvo EX90 has unveiled multiple ergonomic annoyances and foibles, but also a deeper appreciation of its design and in-cabin health features, from the supportive seats to the detailed cabin purifier. The EX90 is only in its first model year and it’s common for the vanguard offspring to be underdeveloped and over-reaching in many areas, and we hope many of these quibbles will be fixed in future variants. However, the fundamentals are in place and regardless of the road or continent, the EX90 continues to impress us with its on-road manners, upscale interior design, and innovative cabin amenities.

Specifications:

Model: 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra
Paint Type: Vapour Grey
Base Price: $115,600
Price as Tested: $121,050
Wheelbase(mm): 2,985
Length/Width/Height (mm): 5,037 / 1,964 / 1,747
Curb weight (kg): 2,747
Powertrain: 111 kWh lithium-ion battery, two electric motors
Horsepower: 510 hp
Torque: 671 lb-ft
Drive Configuration: Dual electric motors, AWD
Claimed Range: 495 km
Tires: 265/45R21 front; 295/40R21 rear