The EX90 is Volvo’s first model using latest safety tech that understands driver awareness and reacts accordingly.
Can we now call electric premium three-row SUVs a “mini segment?” Why not. What began with the Tesla Model X has grown into options just like the Mercedes EQS, Cadillac Escalade IQL, Cadillac Vistiq (coming soon), Lucid Gravity, Rivian R1S, and Volvo EX90.
Electric premium three-row SUVs won’t ever be essentially the most prevalent category on a fleet selector, but they’ll still fit multiple fleet needs. “Premium executive transport” first involves mind. Think executive and VIP transfers, a premium shuttle for clients and partners between offices, hotels, and airports, or a part of a hospitality fleet for high-end hotels and resorts.
For the EX90, Volvo reports inquiries from rideshare and firms which can be migrating from premium PHEVs to EVs near the identical price point.
What makes the EX90 stand out on this latest category?
The EX90 carries Volvo’s safety credentials and the brand’s Scandinavian design aesthetic of form following function. It’s executive class without trying too hard. And two latest tech advancements profit drivers beyond what you may see. (More later.)
Not all corporate fleet buyers are ready to select the electrical EX90 over a conventional gas-powered premium SUV. Nevertheless it’s a straightforward switch from the Volvo XC90 for individuals who are ready and where it aligns with corporate values and ESG goals.
Within the EX90, all climate control and media settings have migrated to the touchscreen.
Pricing, Specs & Upgrades
The Volvo EX90, released as a 2025 model within the fourth quarter of 2024, uses twin motors and a 111-kWh battery for a top range of 300 to 310 miles, depending on wheel size. The EX90 is available in two trim levels: Twin Motor Electric Plus and Twin Motor Electric Ultra.
I drove the Plus, which produces 402 hp and 568 lb.-ft. of torque. No, the bottom Plus isn’t a speed demon just like the Tesla Model Y or Rivian R1T, but it surely doesn’t have to be for fleets.
Retail drivers needing the additional oomph can upgrade either the Plus or Ultra trims to the Twin Motor Performance. An additional $5k gets you 510 hp and 671 lb.-ft. of torque but doesn’t compromise range — the automobile can decouple the rear motor when it’s not needed for power.
With a base MSRP of $79,995, the EX90’s price tag alone puts it in a rarefied fleet area of interest. That said, it’s still on the low end of the fee totem pole in comparison with its segment competitors. (I’ll look ahead to reviewing the more mass-market 2025 Volvo EX30 after I can get behind that wheel.)
In-built Volvo’s South Carolina plant, the EX90 is eligible for the federal $7,500 incentive, which was still available as of this post.
Options include upgraded audio, running boards, ventilated front seats, a sunshade, and second-row captain’s chairs. For an additional $5k you may upgrade to the Ultra package, which delivers higher suspension, 21-inch wheels, seat upgrades, and ground lighting.
Fleets needn’t hassle with any of the extras, except perhaps the captain’s chairs for $500 more. The bottom model has all Volvo’s tech goodies, safety features, and interior refinement.
Passenger & Cargo Volume
The EX90 may be configured for seven occupants with a second-row bench seat or six occupants with the captain’s chairs. The latter offers quick access to the back row, though each the bench seats and captain’s chairs have a button that electronically folds the second row.
The third row has 31.9 inches of legroom, on par with its luxury three-row competitors but smaller than the full-size SUV segment that features Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. I’m 5’ 8” and fit back there reasonably well, though admittedly would like to avoid it in a business environment or an extended trip. (Those AYSO weekend soccer warriors? Good to go!)
For drivers moving from the XC90, the EX90 offers similar leg and headroom across all three rows. And EX90 provides equal (or barely higher) overall cargo capability, as its dedicated EV platform allows a more seamless packaging of the battery.
The EX90’s interior dimensions rival its luxury competitors, and the usual panoramic glass roof gives it an open feel.
Feel Behind the Wheel
Sliding behind the wheel, the EX90 exudes Volvo’s trademark understated sophistication. Drivers wanting to make a choice from five different entry sounds or lighting effects can go elsewhere.
The usual panoramic glass roof gives the vehicle an open feel. The usual upholstery is known as Nordico, created from recycled plastics and pine oil. Forget leather seats.
All the pieces happens through the middle console 14.5-in. digital touchscreen. In case you prefer tactile control of in-cabin functions, the EX90 will take some getting used to. All climate control and media settings have migrated to the touchscreen, including opening the glovebox. In a nod to safety, a physical defroster button is all that is still.
Thankfully, the touchscreen has turn out to be more intuitive. It uses a brand new contextual operating system that routinely changes the screen view based on driving conditions, which might decrease the variety of screen touches and scrolls to get to the function.
It’s really about training drivers to make use of Google Digital Assistant for in-cabin functions. Drivers can use voice commands to set a destination, play music, control the temperature, and send messages hands-free.
Around back, the touchless rear hatch is a pleasant feature, but for me, it often required a couple of leg sweeps to make it work. (A “kick” looked as if it would work higher.)
Volvo’s Scandinavian aesthetic of form following function is clear in how cupboard space is mixed with vehicle operations.
Digital Keys: Plan in Advance
There are three key options: the Volvo key tag, Volvo card, and digital key in your mobile device.
The digital key works along with the Volvo app, though there’s no have to open the app. The automobile will unlock when your phone is near the vehicle, and if you’re inside, the vehicle is already on. The automobile shuts off and locks upon exiting.
The digital key may be transferred to a different driver remotely and temporarily, which might turn out to be useful in executive transport situations or any trip that requires two drivers.
The cardboard is analogous to the faucet functionality of bank cards; you place it against the door handle to open the vehicle. It’s idea to maintain the cardboard in a wallet as a backup for a valet.
The important thing tag is the closest thing to a fob, but it surely’s not a fob. It’s a small block that connects via short-range wireless communication. It must be charged, which is feasible via the wireless pad within the automobile.
Some fleet managers find digital keys problematic as they’re vulnerable to user errors, phone mishaps, and software glitches — greater than annoyances in fleet usage. While Volvo has redundancies, fleet managers and drivers have to know their options and be prepared.
Speaking of the growing prevalence of phone apps in your automobile: Controlling vehicle functions remotely is becoming a key a part of safety and efficiency and is quasi-essential for EV fleets.
Along with the digital key, the Volvo app handles cabin preconditioning, monitors battery charge and charging progress, and facilitates charging payments. It also sends maintenance alerts and door lock status.
Human-Centric Safety
Now to those tech advancements not visible to the naked eye: Volvo used the EX90 to launch two latest systems that show the evolution of car safety and the software-defined vehicle. As I didn’t have direct (or discernable) experience behind the wheel with either, I engaged with a Volvo product specialist to learn more.
The primary is the Driver Understanding System.
With any newer vehicle nowadays, do you get annoyed by all of the lights and dings if you’re just attempting to back out of the driveway? I worry that the notifications a) dull a driver’s situational awareness and b) would eventually just be ignored, negating their profit.
Volvo is addressing this with tools to know drivers’ awareness of their environments and intervene as vital.
Volvo’s Driver Understanding System uses two cameras to observe eye movements and facial expressions, analyzing eye closures and signs of distraction, drowsiness, or impairment.
If the system detects that the driving force’s state isn’t optimal, it goes into alert mode, which starts with subtle signals that escalate to more pronounced warnings. If vital, the system will then engage energetic safety controls that might slow the vehicle’s speed, activate hazard lights, and even bring the automobile to a stop.
A profit over traditional refueling? The power to initiate and pay for charging routinely with Volvo’s Plug and Charge.
What Can Core Computing Do for You?
The Volvo EX90 is considered one of the primary vehicles to feature core computing, the second big tech enhancement. In this method, core computing replaces traditional distributed ECUs (electronic control units) with a centralized computing framework.
As a substitute of dozens of separate ECUs controlling different vehicle functions, equivalent to infotainment, safety, and powertrains, the EX90 consolidates them into one consolidated, super-fast system. It’s powered by an Nvidia “system-on-a-chip” that’s able to performing over 250 trillion operations per second.
This reduces latency, facilitates speed to market for brand new features, and produces more seamless over-the-air (OTA) updates. Yeah, expect loads of those in the course of the vehicle’s lifetime.
It’s not only a Volvo thing; this can be a major development in automotive technology. My test EX90 didn’t have Apple CarPlay, but it surely was released later, on February 10.
Other cool EX90 features to return include bidirectional charging, ADAS features, and LiDAR, which is able to enable autonomous driving capabilities, are also planned.
The brand new core computing system is just one other step forward for the “software-defined vehicle.” For fleets, this update ability could help with resale value and driver satisfaction over an extended hold period.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotive-fleet.com
