Volvo EX90 road test in California: how the new luxury electric suv looks and drives

Noteworthy is the phone key technology that allows the use of the smartphone via Bluetooth Lwb as a car key, offering a personalised welcome sequence when entering the car.

The EX90 plays its best cards on safe, autonomous driving, thanks to state-of-the-art sensors such as cameras, radar and lidar.

As for Lidar, it is provided by Luminar Lidar, coupled with the power of the Nvidia Drive platform, allowing a 360-degree view of the surrounding environment, detecting even small objects at a great distance. The lidar technology allows the road to be monitored in all conditions, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of the Pilot Assist system, which now also supports steering during lane changes. In addition, the EX90 is already prepared for future Level 3 autonomous driving, which will allow a driving experience without 'human' supervision. Inside the cabin, integrated sensors are able to monitor the driver's performance, i.e. whether the driver is distracted or, worse, sleepy. In the unfortunate event that one falls asleep or feels ill while driving, the car will safely stop and call for help. Also inside, Volvo has provided LEDs that mimic sunlight to provide a more natural atmosphere in the car. This, according to Volvo engineers should reduce eye fatigue and headaches that can result from exposure to blue light from the displays.

Certainly very useful, given also the tragic events that fill the crime news every summer, is the new technology designed to ensure the protection of dependent occupants inside the passenger compartment. This innovation is based on an advanced radar system that stands out for its extreme sensitivity and precision, being able to detect movements of less than a millimetre, such as those made by a sleeping child or a small animal. The sensors are strategically integrated in the centre console, in the reading lights on the roof and in the boot of the car. These devices are activated as soon as the engine is switched off, carefully monitoring the interior of the vehicle.

In the event that the radar detects the presence of people or animals inside the car when an attempt is made to close the car, the system promptly intervenes and prevents the doors from closing. In addition, a warning message appears on the centre console screen, reminding the driver to check for occupants.

On-board comfort is also achieved by the quality of the air you breathe inside the vehicle. In fact, the EX90 is equipped with state-of-the-art air purification technology called Advanced Air Cleaner. This, according to Volvo, can remove up to 99.9 per cent of allergens, 97 per cent of airborne viruses from outside and 95 per cent of viral particles already present in the cabin. But goodbye also to PM 2.5 particles that are 95% removed.

Volvo EX90, despite its considerable size (after all it is a car just over 5 metres long and weighing over 2.5 tonnes) manages to be agile and effective on the roads. And it also does so on the mixed road where we noticed a healthy behaviour with limited roll and, above all, an absence of the kinetic effect. This is an important factor for an electric car: bevs often make passengers carsick.

The car under test, the 517-horsepower Performance version, is equipped with digitally controlled air suspension, and this obviously improves handling and road holding. The overall feeling behind the wheel is one of precision and sincerity in load transfer. Comfortable in all conditions, it feels like travelling on a classic air cushion.

The steering is particularly precise, while the intervention of the Adas is qualitatively appreciable because it lacks the invasiveness we find in some German brand models. And even activating useful functions like the One Pedal, which allows the car to be driven with just the accelerator pedal, comfort and smoothness of operation are only guaranteed.

These are the positive notes together with a fuel efficiency in line with the market average. What we like less is the ergonomics of some of the controls. Almost all of the car's controls can be activated from the 14.5-inch vertical tablet embedded in the centre of the dashboard. Through this touch screen, based as mentioned on Android Automotive, we can control practically everything from climate control to setting the seat mirrors. Some things are organised rationally and quite conveniently and among these the climate control stands out, which has a dedicated bar/widget at the bottom of the screen. Other controls, however, are hidden in various submenus. We are referring, for example, to the steering wheel adjustment or the position of the mirrors and this makes them extremely uncomfortable.

Furthermore, some settings are activated by icons that are not immediately visible. It is clear that this is the result of a very modern choice in line with cost containment and rationalisation, but at times the ergonomics suffer. On the other hand, the level of finish is free from criticism: the car is built and assembled as it should be in a car of this price. We are talking about a 100,000 euro car and more. Precise materials and assembly without vibrations and creaks.

Obviously, accommodating as many as seven people, the dimensions are generous: 5,013 mm long, 1,964 mm wide and 1,744 mm high. At first glance you can see that the silhouette is very similar to the current XC90. The Volvo has flush door handles and at the rear there is no trim around the wheel arches that some SUVs have to make them look bigger and stronger. Instead, Volvo designers have opted for some subtle creases to make the wheel arches look much bigger than they actually are. Also at the back are the new brake lights that snake around the Volvo logo. Also noticeable are some illuminated stripes on each side of the boot lid, while it's not overlooked how all the corners have been squared off and levelled.

In addition to the three engines, Volvo also offers three trims that are not available for all versions. The basic equipment is called Core and is available for Single Motor and Twin Motor versions. Those who opt for the Core trim can count on a central 14.5-inch LCD frameless colour touch-screen, integrated SIM card, USB-C connection: 2 for the front seats, 2 for the rear (second row) and 2 for the third row of seats, induction charging for smartphones and so on. All the safety and driver support systems described above are also guaranteed. The Plus trim is the only one available for all three engines, and adds a 14-speaker Bose Premium Sound system compared to the Core. Moreover, in this case, the front seats feature electrically adjustable lumbar support, while externally, the EX90 gets, among others, a gloss black front spoiler and roof rails also in gloss black. The top of the range is the Ultra trim, offered for the Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance versions. Compared to the Plus, this offers among other things 21-inch alloy wheels with eight spokes and, above all, the Visual Park Assist 360° with 3D view that allows a 360-degree view around the vehicle (Bird's-Eye) up to a speed of 20 km/h.

Volvo EX90 is available without extra charge for all versions in the colour, Vapour Grey. At the list price, Volvo offers seven further colours for an additional 1,000 euros over the basic price.

As for prices, they start at 85,250 euro for the Single Motor in the Core trim. The same motorisation, in the Plus trim, costs 89,700 euros. The Twin Motor version is priced at €91,500 for the Core trim, €95,600 for the Plus and €102,200 for the Ultra. The Twin Motor Performance version costs 100,650 euros with Plus trim, while it goes up to 107,250 euros if you choose the top of the range version with Ultra trim.

Powertrain: Dual electric motors with permanent magnets

System power: 517 hp

Battery capacity: 111 kWh

Max. system torque: 910 Nm

Autonomy: 590 km WLTP

Traction: Integral

Max. speed: 180 km/h

0-100 km/h: 4.9 seconds

Max DC charging: 250 kW

Infotainment: central 14.5" display

Operating system: Android automotive OS

ADAS: Level 3

Length: 5013 mm

Width:1964 mm

Height: 1744 mm

Mass: 2,736 kg

Luggage compartment: 310 to 1,915 litres