• Rear or four-wheel drive
• Three power outputs in total
• Odd power delivery

Volvo EX90 electric motors

Arguably the base single motor rear-wheel drive EX90 is all you really need. It has a slightly smaller battery but only eight miles less range, and performance is likely to be adequate if rather slow by EV standards. Volvo quotes a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds although we’re yet to sample this powertrain for ourselves.

Two versions of the four-wheel drive EX90 are available, called Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance. Each uses the same size battery, which we’ll explore on the next page. The Twin Motor puts out 408hp and 770Nm of torque (pulling power) with the Performance model taking those totals up to 517hp and 910Nm – the most of any Volvo car. 

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The more powerful model is able to sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds, with the standard car taking a second more – still plenty for a family bus. All are limited to a top speed of 112mph, as is the case for every new Volvo since 2019. We also can’t ignore the EX90’s weight, which is significant at almost 2.8 tonnes, and likely to breach some weight-restricted bridges and roads if loaded up with a family. 

What’s it like to drive?

• Focus on comfort
• Largely delivers with Ultra’s air suspension
• Capable but unengaging in bends

Largely as you’d expect: safely and conservatively. There are few hidden depths to the EX90 as it goes through a corner – it turns in well, albeit with minimal feel, rolls into the apex and flows out again. Only a quick left/right flick unsettles it and even then it’s hardly earth-shattering.

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Sport mode firms things up appreciably in air-sprung Ultra models, but improves capability, not fun. A BMW iX is much more entertaining. We did notice the regular twin motor was keen to spin its front tyres for a moment if you accelerated hard from a standstill, if only after a very long hesitation from the throttle pedal, though.

This is the EX90 telling you the power is there when you need it, but that you don’t really want it most of the time. It’s far better to relax into the seats and go with the ebb and flow of the road. Refinement, especially at speed, is highly impressive with minimal road and wind noise entering the cabin. It’s generally comfortable with pleasing waft, but can be unsettled by crumbling urban roads. Even with the Ultra’s air suspension, it can’t fully control the EX90 and its 2.8 tonnes and 22-inch alloy wheels. 

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Even the speed isn’t as surprising as you’d think the figures would indicate – the 0-62mph time in the Twin Motor Performance is faster than a Honda Civic Type R. It’s quick but not outrageously so, putting on enough speed to be comfortable but without ever feeling like things could get out of control. It’s well-judged for a big family SUV like this, and the automatic regenerative braking enables genuine one-pedal driving. 

We’ve winter tested the EX90 on ice to test its safety systems, and they perform impeccably, reining in any slides that could catch you unawares. The car maintains its grip and poise in slippery bends maintaining its line and generally performing really safety. It’s a car that feels surefooted in these conditions, but you never lose sight of its great weight and size.