Volvo joined a very small club of premium EV makers last year when it launched the EX90 — a massive, seven-seat electric SUV that wrapped Scandinavian sophistication around cutting-edge digital hardware.

It wasn’t without problems, though. That headline-grabbing roof-mounted LiDAR was effectively ornamental at launch, collecting data rather than actively enhancing safety, because Volvo simply didn’t have the computing power to run it properly. Software bugs didn’t help matters, and the brand’s finances reflected the struggle, with a $1 billion operating loss posted in the second quarter of 2025.

Now comes the ES90, a sleeker, more elegant fastback saloon designed to restore confidence — both internally and in showrooms. It might seem an odd move, given that big electric saloons are a niche segment these days, but Volvo is betting that a blend of refinement, range and tech will make this a quiet hit.

Smooth and serene

The ES90’s shape is striking. It’s more saloon than SUV, though Volvo claims it offers the “higher ground clearance associated with an SUV”. In reality, that’s mostly because of the colossal 106kWh battery pack slotted beneath the floor in the SPA2 platform, which naturally raises the ride height a touch.

The result is a graceful, slightly unconventional design that hides a vast and beautifully appointed interior. Both front and rear occupants enjoy masses of legroom, while the plush faux-leather seats offer generous electric adjustment and massaging functions in some cars. Rear passengers can stretch out in proper limousine fashion.

Cynics will point out that the ES90 is built in Chengdu and clearly aimed at the Chinese market, where big saloons still sell strongly. But Magdalena Molin, Volvo’s ES90 business programme manager, insists many Chinese buyers actually drive themselves, so this isn’t just an executive shuttle.

“The result is a graceful, slightly unconventional design”

Whatever its intended audience, the ES90 rides superbly, especially when upgrading to the air suspension. It glides across the road surface, the cabin sealed off from the outside world, delivering that effortless serenity Volvo does so well. The hush is broken only by the optional 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which includes a clever Abbey Road Studios mode that completely transforms the acoustics — turning even chart-toppers into rich, analogue-sounding mixes. It’s a bit of fun that actually works.

Charging ahead

Under the skin, the ES90 benefits from an 800V electrical architecture, meaning charging speeds of up to 350kW — a serious upgrade over the EX90.

Both the Twin Motor (443bhp) and Twin Motor Performance (671bhp) versions use the same 106kWh battery, good for around 435 miles of range, though filling it completely will take time simply due to its size.

The car tested here, a Single Motor Extended Range model with 329bhp, claims 401 miles between charges and feels perfectly brisk. It’s no drag race winner — the five-metre body, lack of rear-wheel steering and sheer bulk make tight European roads feel narrow — but it’s a wonderfully calm cruiser.

“Under the skin, the ES90 benefits from an 800V electrical architecture”

The interior feels properly premium, dominated by Volvo’s Android Automotive infotainment setup. It’s slick and intuitive but could do with a more integrated appearance within the dashboard; it still looks a little tacked on at this level. And yes, the reliance on touchscreen controls for everything — even adjusting the mirrors — remains frustrating, particularly when trying to manoeuvre a car this large with its easily scuffed 22-inch alloys.

Rear visibility is minimal too, so you’ll be relying heavily on cameras and proximity sensors — thankfully, they work extremely well.

A safe pair of hands

Of course, no Volvo review is complete without talking about safety — and here, the ES90 finally delivers on the promises the EX90 couldn’t.

The big difference lies in its dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processors, capable of a mind-bending 500 trillion operations per second — almost twice the computing muscle of its SUV sibling. This allows the LiDAR, multiple cameras and radar units to work together seamlessly, constantly reading and interpreting the car’s surroundings.

The result isn’t just more alerts — it’s actually fewer. The ES90’s driver assistance features have been tuned to remain largely invisible unless needed.

“It’s difficult to demonstrate on public roads,” says Volvo’s senior safety advisor Thomas Broberg, “because these features only really intervene when necessary — essentially, if you’re driving badly.”

Take the lane-keeping assistance, for example. In most cars it chirps the moment you brush a white line. In the ES90, it stays calm until you drift dangerously close, gently nudging the car back on course. If it senses fatigue or distraction, though, it quietly narrows its tolerance, stepping in earlier to keep you centred.

“While the ES90 will find buyers in China, the rest of the world might take some convincing”

The same subtle logic applies to speed warnings and sign recognition. Drive sensibly and it barely pipes up; push your luck through 30mph zones and it starts to lend a helping hand. It’s exactly how modern driver aids should behave — silent guardians rather than overbearing chaperones.

It’s taken immense computing power and years of software refinement to reach this point, but the payoff is a car that feels aware and intelligent without being constantly intrusive.

A tough sell

Here’s the rub: while the ES90 will find buyers in China, the rest of the world might take some convincing. Volvo has already ruled out a North American launch due to tariff uncertainty, and in the UK prices start from £69,760 for the Single Motor Extended Range model, rising to £79,160 for the Ultra trim and topping out at £87,960 for the Ultra Twin Motor Performance version.

That puts it right in Porsche Taycan, BMW i5 and Audi A6 e-tron territory — all strong competition, and arguably better to drive. Even Volvo’s own sibling brand Polestar has the upcoming Polestar 5, which shares the same platform but looks sharper.

The ES90, though, is an undeniably impressive machine: safe, serene and exquisitely refined. It’s just difficult to see where it fits — a technological EV marvel searching for a market.