The electric car world has seen a few seven-seat SUVs hit the ground running recently and for good reason. The dream of lowering your emissions without sacrificing space for the family is a tempting one. But let’s be honest, there still aren’t a whole lot of options out there.
Enter the flagship Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance. It brings together the elegant design and thoughtful functionality Volvo is known for, now paired with a premium tech offering and a powerful new electric drivetrain.
Will it be enough to tempt buyers over the line? I've spent a week with it to find out.
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Volvo EX90 2025: Ultra Twin Motor Performance
| Engine Type | 0.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Fuel Efficiency | 0.0L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 7 |
| Price From | $134,990 |
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
8 / 10
There are two grades available for the new Volvo EX90, and for this review, we're testing the flagship Ultra Twin Motor Performance.
While it shares the same motor configuration as the lower Plus variant, the Ultra gets a performance tweak that improves its 0–100km/h sprint time. Naturally, it also comes with a suite of luxurious extras befitting its flagship status.
Starting at $134,990, before on-road costs, the Ultra sits comfortably in the middle of its electric upper-large SUV rivals.
It’s more expensive than the Kia EV9 GT-Line (from $121,000) but undercuts the luxury-laden Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4Matic (from $222,400). It also only costs $6600 more than the top-spec PHEV XC90, making it a compelling step up if you require electric performance and efficiency.
With a claimed WLTP driving range of 570km, the EX90 Ultra holds its own in the segment, offering solid long-distance capability.
The Ultra is well-equipped as you’d expect with electric front seats that feature heat, ventilation and massage functions. There is a heated steering wheel, fixed panoramic sunroof and a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
Volvo has confirmed the panoramic sunroof will have an adjustment setting between clear and opaque in a future update, as it currently doesn’t have a blind.
Some great practical and family-friendly features include heated rear outboard seats, powered third-row seats, a powered tailgate, a 34L frunk for charging cables and an integrated kid’s booster seat in the middle row for those transitional stages.
The well-rounded suite of technology is based on the EX90's new Polestar 3 cousin and includes four USB-C ports plus a digital key via the Volvo app. The app also allows you to check on the status of the vehicle, open and close the boot lid, remotely unlock/lock the vehicle and pre-set the internal climate.
There is a large 14.5-inch touchscreen multimedia display that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation (with live traffic updates and directions that are pulled into the colour head-up display) and a 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster. The system also has a suite of built-in apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, Spotify etc.
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
8 / 10
The EX90 has swathes of smooth body panelling and a closed-off grille, as we've come to expect from a modern EV. The rear roofline tapers gently, giving it a sleek profile, while the black body moulding around the base and frameless mirrors add some visual interest.
It’s a clear departure from the boxier XC90 and you won’t mix them up but it still features those signature 'Hammer of Thor' LED headlights, which I really like.
The Ultra rides on 22-inch alloy wheels which help fill the arches nicely without making the car look oversized or flashy. The soft-close doors are a luxe touch and the overall fit and finish is up there with the best in the segment.
It shares its platform and technology with the Polestar 3, so if you're familiar with that model, the dashboard and centre console layout will feel very familiar.
I’m a fan of the clean, minimalist look and it works well with the panoramic sunroof, which brings in loads of light. A future update will let you switch the roof from clear to opaque, which should be a nice touch come summer.
The ambient lighting is cleverly integrated with the birch wood trim, and there are subtle ambient lights throughout the cabin that give it a business-class vibe.
And since it’s fully electric, there’s no transmission tunnel, so the middle row gets a completely flat floor. That also means extra space, with a handy storage cubby added under the centre console.
Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 8/10
8 / 10
The EX90 nails the balance between luxury and everyday usability. Up front, there’s loads of head, leg and elbow room, and it’s easy to get in and out thanks to the 216mm ground clearance and wide door apertures.
That said, the flush door handles can be a bit temperamental as they don’t always pop out when you approach and the key card only works from the driver’s side, which can be annoying.
Once you’re in, the front seats are superb. They’re seriously comfortable, with heating, ventilation, massage and extendable thigh supports that make long trips a breeze. It’s easy to find a great driving position and just settle in.
Storage up front is clever and generous. There’s a large glove box, a deep centre console with a hidden cubby, a shelf under the floating centre stack, plus cupholders and big door bins. It's well thought out and practical.
The 14.5-inch multimedia screen looks fantastic and is responsive. Now, I’m a button girl, and usually having to rely on a screen for everything would bug me but this set-up works.
You can pin your favourite features like climate and media controls to the bottom of the display for easy access, and the voice assistant is usually really capable, so you can stay hands-free when needed.
Built-in Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, Spotify, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make tech integration smooth. Navigation directions show up clearly in both the 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster and the colour head-up display, which is a nice touch.
I experienced a couple of tech gremlins toward the end of my week with the car. The Google Assistant stopped picking up my voice commands and calls wouldn’t route through the sound system once connected.
Thankfully, both issues seemed to resolve themselves without intervention, but it's worth noting in case it’s a software quirk that pops up from time to time.
The second-row seats are ergonomic but a little firm - still comfy enough for long trips, especially with heating for the outboard seats.
Access is easy, and my eight-year old had no trouble climbing in or out. The booster seat integration has moved to the middle seat only (instead of both outboards), which might limit flexibility for some families, but for us it works fine.
There are ISOFIX mounts on the outboard seats and three top-tether points across the second row, and yes, you can fit three child seats side by side. Amenities in the second row are excellent with two USB-C ports, air vents, dual-zone climate, map pockets, cupholders and decent storage bins.
The third row is, as expected, best for kids, as toe room is limited and the access is child-sized. Still, it’s well-appointed with two cupholders, USB-C ports, and air vents built into the C-pillars. Even better, it gets two top-tether anchor points, which is a huge bonus for big families.
Boot space is solid because even with all seats up, you get 324L, including a useful underfloor compartment. Fold the third row and it jumps to 697L.
You can also manually raise or lower the boot height thanks to the active air suspension, and the third row folds electrically. There’s also a 12-volt socket and a powered tailgate you can operate via the Volvo app or the multimedia screen.
Up front, there’s a 34L frunk which is ideal for storing charging cables or a tyre repair kit, keeping everything neat and separate.
Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its motor? 9/10
9 / 10
The Ultra is all-wheel drive with twin electric motors, one on each axle. Combined, they deliver a hefty 380kW of power and 910Nm of torque. That translates to a 0–100km/h sprint in just 4.9 seconds, which is seriously impressive for a big SUV.
Do we need it to be this fast? Absolutely not. But do I appreciate the gumption? You bet I do.
Efficiency – What is its driving range? What is its charging time? 8/10
8 / 10
The official WLTP energy consumption figure for the EX90 Ultra is 16.9kWh/100km, and after a good mix of open-road and urban driving, I averaged around 20kWh/100km which isn't bad at all for a vehicle of this size.
The strong regenerative braking helps here, and if you time your deceleration right, you can enjoy a proper one-pedal driving experience, which makes city driving feel effortless.
The EX90 uses a Type 2 CCS charging port and packs a massive 111kWh lithium-ion battery, good for a driving range of up to 570km (WLTP).
Charging speeds are impressive as it supports up to 11kW on AC and a hefty 250kW on DC fast chargers. That means you can go from 10–80 per cent in as little as 35 minutes on a 250kW charger, or in around 10 hours on an 11kW home set-up.
Driving – What's it like to drive? 9/10
9 / 10
Smooth and effortlessly powerful - that’s the best way to sum up the EX90 on the road. Despite its size, you don’t feel the bulk from behind the wheel. It’s nimble when it needs to be and wickedly quick off the line. Even under hard acceleration, I always feel in control, which is a huge plus for something this punchy.
You can customise the steering feel, and I preferred it on the firmer setting as it gave the best feedback without feeling heavy. The active air suspension does a great job of absorbing rough surfaces without softening the handling, so there’s no floatiness, just a composed, comfortable ride.
Inside the cabin, it’s beautifully quiet. That signature EV silence makes the space feel refined, with just the occasional tyre rumble at higher speeds, depending on the road surface but it’s never intrusive.
Visibility is mostly great from the front and sides, but the rear window feels miles away in the mirror, and the B-pillars are a little thick, so there’s a minor blind spot to be aware of.
Parking is easier than you’d expect for something of its size. The 360-degree camera is super clear, and there are plenty of parking sensors. The 12m turning circle is pretty standard, but it still felt totally manageable in tight shopping centre car parks.
Warranty & Safety Rating
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 8/10
8 / 10
The EX90 hasn’t been ANCAP-tested yet, so it’s currently unrated but being a Volvo, you can bet it’s packed with safety smarts.
It features a comprehensive suite of advanced safety tech, including side exit assist, emergency call functionality and a child detection system using radar sensors to monitor for movement in the cabin after the car is locked, designed to prevent children being accidentally left inside.
The second- and third-row seats all feature top-tether points, with ISOFIX anchors on the two outer second-row positions.
There are seven airbags, including a front-centre airbag and curtain airbags that cover all three rows, which is a win for families.
On top of that, it’s equipped with Volvo’s 'Pilot Assist' suite, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, 360-degree camera system, front/rear parking sensors and autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning.
Volvo is also working toward occupant sensing and driver monitoring systems that go beyond the usual alerts. The EX90 includes an interior radar system sensitive enough to detect the micro-movements of breathing, aimed at preventing hot car deaths.
It’s being pitched by Volvo as one of the more safety-forward SUVs on the market, even before it earns its official crash score.
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 8/10
8 / 10
The EX90 is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is on par with most rivals, though Kia still has the edge with its longer coverage. Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
As for costs? For the first five years, servicing is included in the purchase price, so while it’s technically not ‘free,’ it does mean no extra out-of-pocket expenses for scheduled maintenance during that time and that’s pretty solid value in this segment.
Verdict
The new Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance strikes a great balance between sophistication and practicality. It looks sharp, drives beautifully, and delivers a solid range with fast charging to match. Adding to that is a comfortable, family-friendly cabin with space for seven. It’s hard not to be impressed.
There are a couple of technology beats it misses but it's still an easy SUV to live with.
Pricing Guides
Range and Specs
| Vehicle | Specs | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| Plus Twin Motor | Electric, 1 SPEED AUTOMATIC | $124,990 |
| Ultra Twin Motor Performance | Electric, 1 SPEED AUTOMATIC | $134,990 |
