Automotive
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
It’s been a protracted while since Volvo unveiled its all-electric 7-seater SUV in Stockholm, Sweden two years ago until present day for the actual test drive. Yet, patience and perfection will at all times take precedence when constructing a vehicle enhanced with elevated levels of software, technology, and innovations. Inbuilt the US on the Volvo Cars factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina, the flagship SUV maintains its Scandinavian influence, design, and safety while offering one other full-size, luxury-electric utility to the marketplace.
To change into aware of the offerings of the most recent EV to tempt our passions for sustainability, we headed to Southern California’s Newport Coast where the international media launch of the 2025 Volvo EX90 was being hosted. A very powerful news pertaining to the event is that the Swedish EV will achieve 300 miles when outfitted with 20” and 22” wheels and 310 miles when paired with 21” rims. This range appears to be the gold standard since anything less makes you wonder in case your vehicle is fit for longer state-to-state drives. Furthermore, the e-SUV is powered by one of the vital electrifying sound systems I actually have ever witnessed from Bowers & Wilkins and its recent Abbey Road Studios sound mode. Impressive is an understatement.
Volvo says the EX90 embodies the corporate’s Scandinavian design principle of form following function. The flagship electric SUV is built on a wholly recent platform with architecture focused on advanced safety and intelligent mobility. The EX90 is earmarked as the primary Volvo to represent a fresh generation of all-electric vehicles while symbolizing the most recent evolution of the corporate’s engineering techniques. When viewing its profile, the EX90 looks graphically digitized in comparison with the XC90 gas model. Onlookers will know that is an electrical vehicle, especially the grille-less front fascia and heavily covered rims for more efficient airflow. Do not forget that the posh SUV will attract families, not individuals on the lookout for an uber sporty or ruggedly styled electric SUV. That’s where Rivian is available in!
The Sand Dune EX90 I drove was the assertive Twin Motor Performance AWD model energized by a 111kWh battery and two everlasting magnet electric motors distributing 510-horsepower and 671 lb-ft of torque. Paired with 5-spoke aero wheels, the twin air suspension allows for a soft or firm ride depending on the topography and type of driving you like. In “performance AWD mode,” the front 265/40 R22 and rear 295/35 R22 Pirelli Scorpion tires gripped the asphalt and darted away like greyhounds out of the gate. Nevertheless, this method will zap your energy quickly. MSRP is $93,345 for the EX90 Twin Motor Performance Ultra and $84,995 for the EX90 Twin Motor Performance Plus. A second powertrain alternative is the Twin Motor setup with 402-horsepower that starts at $79,995 for the Plus and $84,345 for the Ultra.
The e-SUV can restore juice from 10% to 80% in about half-hour using a DC fast charger (as much as 250kW). Nevertheless, EV owners will almost at all times charge overnight at home using a Level 2 unit equivalent to the $599 ChargePoint Home Flex, which I had installed. Trust me, EV life might be much simpler knowing that your vehicle is fully charged at the start of the day. Depending on where you reside expect to pay anywhere from $750 to $1,500 for installation from a licensed electrician. Download the ChargePoint app to activate a public charger before arrival and to establish the session payment. One other significant Volvo technology is bi-directional charging, which lets owners utilize the EX90’s battery to power their homes or one other EV.
Easy and savvy is one of the best approach to describe the welcoming and holistic interior led by leather-free Dawn Quilted Nordico bio-based seat upholstery. The cabin’s organic feel calms the senses and evolutionary technology satisfies your connectivity desires. A Google built-in 14.5” vertical touchscreen and 9” instrument cluster screen serve because the brains of the EX90, incorporating Google Apps, Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant to alter settings equivalent to the temperature. Sound is provided by a reference-quality Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system with Dolby Atmos and headrest-integrated speakers. In Abbey Road Studios sound mode, the depth takes on the studios’ acoustics so the sound plays how the engineers intended it to. The cabin is quiet until you crank up the 25-speaker 3D sound through the beautiful metal and designer grilles.
Just a few more features I enjoyed were the floating center console with extra storage, a big panoramic glass roof, automatic third-row seats that fold quickly, front seat massaging, and white veneer trim. Moreover, the EX90 is operable through your smartphone, which loads your profile when entering the vehicle. As well as, the EX90 is engineered with natural, responsibly sourced materials. For instance, the e-SUV comprises 15% recycled steel, 25% recycled aluminum, and over 105 kilos of recycled plastics and bio-based substances. Just a few things I don’t like concerning the EX90 are the digital steering wheel and mirror adjustments operated through the screen. The glovebox button can also be on the screen. I prefer physical adjustments just as I prefer physical knobs and buttons for basic operations equivalent to volume and channel tuning. Also, rolling down the back windows is difficult as they share adjustment tabs with the front windows.
As with all of Swedish society, the EX90 relies on safety, a free-flowing mindset, and human-centric technology that creates safer and value-based lifestyles. Specifically, Volvo’s laser-based radar system — dubbed lidar – utilizes eight cameras, five radars, and twelve ultrasonic sensors to perform an array of safety tasks equivalent to scanning the road to detect objects in daylight or complete darkness. Inside, sensors evaluate your awareness level and warn when you’ve change into drained or inattentive. If the driving force doesn’t react, the EX90 will stop safely and call for help. Furthermore, the EX90 is delivered to life through NVIDIA DRIVE Orin. This impressive core computer advances the ownership experience through AI-based energetic safety features, driving assistance systems, introductory autonomous driving, and over-the-air software updates. Impressively, the system chip can multitask 250 trillion operations per second.
The long run is becoming greener because the mobility sector improves transportation efficiency and sustainability. In fact the EV charging infrastructure has to extend and battery technology needs to enhance repeatedly, yet Volvo is revving up its EV lineup to further the cause.
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This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com