The ES90 is a new kind of large electric Volvo. Jonathan Crouch takes a look...
Ten Second Review
Here's a very different kind of Volvo saloon, the ES90. Derived from the big EX90 electric SUV but a step further on technology, this large electric sedan/fastback offers something interestingly different in the evolving market for premium brand luxury EVs. And it breaks new technology boundaries for Volvo.
Background
Once defined by safety, Volvo is now apparently a brand defined by computing power. The company now describes itself as 'an industry leader in software-defined cars' and says that this model, the ES90, is the most powerful model it's yet created in terms of core computing capacity. It's perhaps more important to note that the ES90, the second large EV the marque has launched, is the first electric Volvo to use a properly cutting-edge 800V electrical architecture - the kind of thing that will allow super-quick charging from the new breed of ultra-fast DC chargers springing up around Europe.
Essentially, this car is the spiritual successor to the Gothenburg maker's most recent combustion big saloon, the S90 (sold between 2016 and 2024). The ES90 has five doors, but as part of a chunky silhouette that's supposed to combine the genres of sedan, fastback and SUV, putting it (according to Volvo) 'fully in a class of its own'. Let's take a look.
Engines and Tech Spec
The design emphasis on luxury carries through to the engineering here. Volvo claims that the ES90 emphasises 'supreme ride comfort' thanks to its dual chamber air suspension and active chassis. As a result, expect it to be comfortable and calm to drive and, thanks in part to the sleek shape of any Volvo yet made (0.25Cd), the Gothenburg marque says it's created the quietest-ever cabin of any model in its history.
Three powertrains are available, starting with a base Single Motor Extended Range model with a rear-mounted 328bhp e-motor developing 480Nm of torque, propelling this big saloon to 62mph in 6.9s. Energy comes from the smaller of the two available batteries, a 'Standard Range' 92kWh unit (88kWh usable) that nonetheless offers 406.4 miles of range.
Ideally though, you'd order your ES90 with the larger 106kWh battery (102kWh usable), which only comes mated to an AWD drivetrain with a motor on each axle. In the mid-level 'Twin Motor' model, the added motor on the front axle boosts total output to 443bhp with 670Nm of torque, which improves the 0-62mph sprint time to 5.6s. Range is 435 miles. As it is for the top 'Twin Motor Performance' flagship model, which has power output upgraded to 671bhp and 870Nm - enough to get the car to 62mph in 4s flat. All ES90s share the same 112mph top speed. And the same core computing dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin configurator, which is apparently capable of making 508 trillion operations per second. Towing capacity varies from 2,000kg for the Twin Motor models to 1,600kg for the entry-level Single Motor version.
Design and Build
The ES90 adopts what Volvo calls 'a new vernacular' for what a premium large saloon should be. At around 5-metres in length, it could be larger - and some competitors are - but it doesn't have to be because with no need for huge engine up-front, the longer wheelbase length (3.1m) can be devoted to a generously-sized cabin. Though marketed primarily as a sedan (despite the fact it has five doors), there are fastback and SUV genes in the elegant shape, as part of a design language supposed to look solid and technology-led. The styling ethos is supposed to echo that of a modern Apple MacBook - something machined from a block of aluminium rather than pressed from sheet metal.
You feel that very much at the front, where there's the latest version of Volvo's 'Thor's Hammer' headlight motif. The rear has C-shaped LED tail lamps that reference those of this model's S90 predecessor. More unusually, further up are slatted vertical lamps that peep out of the tailgate window edges, which from way off can almost make the ES90 look like an estate; there won't be an estate body shape by the way. As with the EX90, more controversial is the prominent positioning of the module for the car's Lidar assistance systems and sensors, like a taxi light at the top of the windscreen. Wheel sizes are 20 or 21-inches and the drag coefficient is slippery at 0.25Cd. This is supposed to be the most aerodynamic Volvo model in history.
Things are rather less unique inside, where the ES90 carries over much the same front-of-cabin design as debited in the EX90. But there's a cleaner centre console and that SUV model's tall centre tunnel has been replaced by a lower, more open design. There's a 14.5-inch central screen with built-in Google services. Plus a 9-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. Lots of effort's gone into premium materials and soft touch points.
Rear seat space, predictably, is noticeably better than that provided by the old S90. And there are 'luxury'-spec rear seats that feature a lounge armrest and can be individually and electrically reclined. Boot space is rated at 424-litres - or 1,256-litres with the back seats folded. Plus there's a 22-litre under-bonnet 'frunk'.
Market and Model
Prices start from around £70,000 for the base 'Plus' version and range up to around £80,000 for the plusher 'Ultra' model; that's similar to many German rivals and only a little less than Volvo's EX90 SUV. As we've told you, there are three different models - Single Motor Extended Range, Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance. And there are seven paint colours to choose from. And four different wheel options ranging from 20 to 22-inches in diameter.
Base 'Plus' trim comes only with the base Single Motor Standard Range powertrain, with standard kit including the various cabin screens, a 360-degree 3D camera system, 20-inch wheels, a Bose premium stereo and an energy-saving heat pump, along with a whole portfolio of driver assistance features. You might hope for leather upholstery from a car of this price, but that wouldn't be very eco-friendly, so instead the seats are clad in recycled fabric. And customers will be able to open their ES90 from their smartphone using a digital key.
Infotainment benefits from over-the-air updates and is based on an evolution of the company's Google software. It includes a variety of Google apps and offers 5G connectivity, along with the usual wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' compatibility. Media connectivity is powerful, thanks to a combination of Snapdragon computing power and the 'Unreal Engine 5 graphics' tech lately used by the gaming industry
Plusher 'Ultra' trim can be ordered with all three models. With this specification, you get Pixel LED headlights, an upgraded chassis with air suspension, bigger 21-inch wheels, laminated glass, a Bowers and Wilkins sound system and all-round ventilated seats.
Cost of Ownership
Thanks to its 800V electrical architecture, the ES90 can offer super-fast 350kW rapid charging. The EX90 SUV was launched with an older-tech 400V platform able only to charge at up to 250kW. When public DC charging with the ES90, that enables 186 miles of range to be added in around 10 minutes with its larger 106kWh battery. Getting from 10% battery capacity to 80% takes 20 minutes with this model. AC charging at home could offer full battery replenishment in around 9 hours 30 minutes if you were able to use an 11kW wallbox with a three-phase supply.
When DC charging, you'll probably be using a range of different public chargers, so the brand has developed a multi-high-speed charging system that allows switching between 800 volt and 400 volt outputs. All three ES90 models benefit from third-party software from Breathe Battery Technologies, a company which helps to cut charging times.
Volvo promises that its provided app will give owners access to an 'ecosystem' of services, which will include public charging stations and smart home charging management. This ES90 will also support a plug-in charge system for public charge points which will automatically start charging the car and will sort payment for you when it's plugged into a compatible charger. In addition, the Swedish maker has developed this and other future EVs with bi-directional vehicle-to-grid compatibility, which allows the ES90 to power home appliances, electronics and even top up other EVs using the energy stored in its battery pack. The power output for bi-directional charging is set at 20kW.
This is also one of the most eco-friendly cars Volvo has ever made. Over 15% of its steel is recycled, as is 25% of its aluminium. And 15% of the plastics used by the car are from recycled sources, which means around 50kg of recycled plastics in every ES90. Other rivals better these figures though and the company doesn't expect complete carbon neutrality for its cars until 2040.
Summary
The Swedish maker reckons that the ES90 is 'a true premium Volvo car designed to elevate your quality of life'. Perhaps. Given that target customers are likely to be from an older demographic, we're not sure that all of them will be that enthusiastic about the idea of 'a software-defined' Volvo. Especially one that advertises its drive assist tech with a taxi-like lidar box above the windscreen.
But if you don't mind any of that and want to switch to a rather different kind of premium brand large luxury EV, then there's lots to like here, regardless of whether you see the ES90 as a saloon, a fastback or even some sort of crossover. And it'll certainly have wider market appeal than the rather frumpy old S90. This is the point from which for Volvo's EV journey starts in earnest. It'll be interesting to see where it takes them.
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