All-new Volvo ES90: Luxurious Swede touts 435-mile range and lightning-fast charging

As the crown jewel of Volvo’s electric range, the ES90 boasts impressively high-tech underpinnings. But has it got the edge over an abundance of premium EV challengers?

Built to rival the likes of BMW’s award-winning i5, Audi’s aerodynamic A6 e-tron, and even Porsche’s explosively powerful Taycan, Volvo’s all-electric ES90 is neither hatchback nor saloon. According to Volvo, its new four-door exec sits in a class all of its own. Purportedly, the ES90 combines the ‘refined elegance of a sedan, the adaptability of a fastback, and the spacious interior and higher ground clearance associated with SUVs.’ 

So it’s tricky to pigeonhole but, wherever it belongs, the elegant design is sure to win favour. Subtle and stealthy, yet not sterile or stale, the new ES90 is our segment favourite when it comes to styling. And it’s clearly a Volvo. Up front, the signature Thor’s Hammer lights return in all their LED-encrusted glory, while faint bonnet creases and a deep front valence inject a little character.

That’s plenty to like in profile, too. A flowing roofline, accentuated arches, and a stubby tail, put us in mind of Polestar’s current range — which is unsurprising given their strategic connection. However, the Volvo’s rear is arguably its weakest angle — it’s just a little too insipid for our taste. That hatch does at least offer wide access to a practical 424-litre boot with the seats up, or 733 litres with them folded flat. And there’s also a 22-litre frunk (front truck, for those not in the know) that’s neatly sized to store the charging cables.  

Speaking of which, the ES90’s true pièce de résistance is its battery – or, rather, batteries. New 800-volt technology makes its debut here allied to a choice of three motor and two battery configurations. In short, this means performance ranges from 328 bhp and 6.9 seconds to 60 mph in the base, single-motor car, to a heady 671bhp and four-second sprint in the twin-motor machine. 

Meanwhile, driving range starts at 404 miles for the smaller battery and rises to 434 miles in the range-topper — not class-leading, but more than enough for most. But it’s that higher-voltage architecture — double what it’s EX90 brother supports — which allows the ES90 to add 186 miles of charge in just 10 minutes. 

Inside, the ES90 panders to all the usual Scandinavian minimalist cliches. Which will be a delight for some, and a turn-off for others. Physical buttons are scarce, with a vast portrait touchscreen operating the lion’s share of the car’s functions — of which there are many. Highlights include six interior ambient light themes for enhanced ‘sensory well-being’, as well as an adjustable electrochromatic panoramic sunroof — try saying that three times fast. Plus, top-of-the-line variants receive a Bowers & Wilkins sound system with no fewer than 25 separate high-fidelity speakers. Abba’s ‘Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!’ has never sounded so good.

Being a Volvo, safety is also paramount. Both occupants and pedestrians are better catered for thanks to a rigorous adherence to the firm’s own self-imposed, and particularly stringent, safety standards. In practice, that means the ES90 is equipped with systems ranging from a strong safety cage and optimised deformation zones, to active radars and lidar sensors to prevent accidents from occurring. There’s even full-cabin occupant sensing which can detect ‘submillimetre scale movement, such as the soft breathing of a baby, to help you avoid leaving loved ones behind’. 

So how much will Volvo’s technological tour de force set you back? Prices start at just shy of £70,000 and rise to nearly £90,000 in top-spec guise. Not cheap, then, but neither are its rivals, and many of those don’t feel quite this plush or polished. If you agree, you’ll be interested to know the UK order books are now open, with the first cars expected to arrive early next year.

Hero image credit: Volvo