The Swedish manufacturer has been going through an unprecedented metamorphosis, electrifying most of its models to meet the now readjusted 2040 deadline to reach zero greenhouse emissions, all the while ditching diesel propulsion. Yes, the company states that its trajectory of having between 90 and 100% of its global fleet electrified, meaning a mix of both fully EV and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) by 2030, is still on course.
Having launched a litany of EV models, including the XC40 Recharge, the standalone C40, and the EX30 compact SUV, the latter is said to command third position among the best-selling EVs in Europe, while it is said to be leading the charge in the Mzansi EV market, accounting for 40% market share. Now the Iron Mark brand is launching its largest and flagship SUV, the EX90, which is essentially an electric version of the XC90, replete with seven seats, which will continue to be sold alongside the similarly configured EX90 following the company’s reassessment of its EV strategy. A good move in the grand scheme of things, but I am still of the view that discontinuing diesel engines in favour of the petrol mild-hybrid variants is not ideal for our market, where the majority of luxury SUVs still offer diesel mills.
That said, the EX90, said to be the brand’s most luxurious and safest yet, comes into a segment awash with rivals such as the Audi e-tron SUV, BMW iX, and Mercedes-Benz EQS that are all vying for their pound of flesh in the segment. Having experienced all of the above, the BMW iX seems to have things thoroughly licked, thanks to a luxurious cabin and drive polish, not to mention a sizeable driving range that allows long-distance sojourns to be more than a mere prospect.
Boasting a new visage, the EX90 remains distinctly Volvo and panders to the simplistic design ethos of the brand, underpinned by those Thor’s Hammer LED headlight motifs and sealed-off grille area. There are 22-inch aero-enhanced alloy wheels, while the rear has those distinct C-shaped light clusters a la EX30. Built on the SPA2 platform that is said to prioritise comfort and safety, the EX90 is suspended on an air-suspension chassis, while a suite of both active and passive safety is the most comprehensive yet in Volvo’s history.
According to the firm, standard offerings include adaptive cruise control with steering support (Pilot Assist), a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, Lane Keeping Aid, Park Pilot Assist, Run-off Road Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, Collision Avoidance and Mitigation, Intersection Autobrake, and Road Sign Information, among others.
The invisible safety shield – which is accessible thanks to its integration with cutting-edge sensing technology, including radars, LiDAR, and cameras – ensures maximum protection for the vehicle and its occupants. Cabin appointments have also taken a leaf from the minimalist rule book as per the EX30, meaning a 14.5-inch screen in the instance of the EX90 that controls pretty much all vehicle functions. While this aids in giving the cabin a cleaner look and makes space for more storage facilities, alas, one needs to go through the infotainment maze in order to make driver adjustments, which includes the steering wheel position. Overall, the interior is spacious and airy with respectable passenger space for the front and second-row seats, while the rear is arguably more conducive for small children.
Powering the EX90 is a 111kWh battery pack that powers both axle motors – hence the Twin Motor suffix – said to deliver 380kW and 910Nm. 0-100km/h is claimed at 4.9 seconds, while the driving range is pegged at 604km, which is relatively good. Sadly, I was unable to prove this, as I had all of 15 min with the vehicle, which isn’t sufficient to glean enough information and impart this to you, dear reader. Hopefully, we will have a more substantial time at the wheel shortly to make a more informed assessment. Our launch unit was also plagued with quality issues, such as a creaky rear bulkhead and a springy throttle that made an incessantly annoying noise when you depressed the right pedal. According to a Volvo SA spokesperson, the vehicles we drove were sourced from the US, while SA-bound models will come from China and will have all these bugbears ironed out when those vehicles hit local showroom floors.
Charging on a 250kW DC public charger, which is currently not available in Mzansi – 200kW is the most powerful DC charger – is said to take the battery from 10 to 80% in 30 min.
Priced at R2,650,000, the Volvo EX90 is playing in a segment of very competent players, particularly the BMW iX, which remains the benchmark in my books. Whether the former can trump the latter as the more complete package remains to be seen. For now, however, the jury is still out.
Included as standard is a three-year/60,000 km maintenance plan, a five-year/100,000 km warranty, an eight-year battery warranty, and five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance. Volvo will also provide new EX90 owners with two years of free public charging, a GridCars wallbox with installation, and 10 GB of Vodacom data per month for three years.
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