I have come to Adelaide to drive the new 2025 Volvo EX90. This is Volvo's new fully electric seven-seat family SUV. Volvo is renowned for safety, which is top priority on all family car shopping lists although you'll have to take Volvo's word for it as there's no independent crash test from ANCAP or Euro NCAP yet. In the meantime, let's have a look at how it fares as a BabyDrive…
Quick Links
Volvo EX90 Models and Pricing
The 2025 Volvo EX90 is available in two variants: the Volvo EX90 Plus and the top-spec Volvo EX90 Ultra.
The two models are both all-wheel-drive (AWD) and both have the same 570km battery range. Volvo says they can add 170km in range in 10 minutes when using the right kind of fast charger. Both vehicles have a top speed of 180km which you won't get to try out in Australia!
EX90 Plus – Performance and Features
The EX90 Plus, priced at $124,990 before stamp duty, rego etc, has a twin motor system which delivers 300kW and 770Nm of torque which boils down to it being able to go from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds. That is a similar price to the Kia EV9 GT-Line ($121,000 before costs).
EX90 Ultra – Performance and Features
The Volvo EX90 Ultra, priced at $ 134,990 excluding costs, has a ‘performance' twin motor system which supplies 380kW and 910Nm, which makes it able to go from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Not sure why you'd want to do that in a big seven-seat SUV but it's a good answer to that friend who tells you “Volvos are boring”!
Key Features: EX90 Plus vs Ultra
Volvo EX90 Models and Pricing
The two specs vary by the EX90 Plus model having a 14 speaker Bose Audio system, fixed panoramic sunroof (which Volvo say stops 80% of UV coming through) and although it doesn't have a sun blind there is a protective cover you can purchase. The Plus model also has heated first and second-row seats wireless Apple CarPlay and a head-up display which was still visible with my polarised sunglasses on, which is unusual.
The top-spec EX90 Ultra model comes with a 25 speaker (yes 25!) Bowers and Wilkins audio system, ventilated front seats, tinted rear glass, front massage seats and soft-close doors (which are great for not waking bub when other people are getting in and out of the car).
Wheels and Suspension
The EX90 Plus model comes with 20-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels and a coil spring suspension. There is the option to upgrade the wheels on the Plus model to 21″ 8-Spoke alloys and to upgrade to air suspension.
The EX90 Ultra twin motor performance model comes with 22″ 5-spoke alloy wheels and air suspension.
Exterior Design
On the exterior, the Volvo EX90 looks small for a seven-seat large SUV. It looks modern without seeming too futuristic. The front lights feature the Thor's Hammer design shape and the horizontal lines split to reveal another LED light for night-time driving. It's a real party trick that kind of makes up for the fact no cars have pop-up headlights any more.
At the back there are clean lines and neat rear LED lights.
Interior Design
The interior feels light and spacious with very comfortable electronically adjusted seats. The dash is minimal and elegant crafted with sustainably sourced and ‘Nordico' materials that combine recycled and plant-based ingredients.
Interior Colour Options
The interior is available in three colourways. I think charcoal upholstery with dawn headlining would be practical for family use to make keeping the upholstery clean of kids' spills!
I think the bright white Dawn upholstery and headlining combination is only to be taken on by the neatest of families! Perhaps the cream-toned Cardamom upholstery with charcoal headlining is a compromise for family-friendly colour schemes.
Exterior Colour Options
The exterior is available in 8 metallic paint options; Crystal White, Silver Dawn, Sand Dune, Vapour Grey, Platinum Grey, Onyx Black, Mulberry Red and Denim Blue.
Volvo EX90 child Seat anchor points and family-friendly features
When it comes to installing child seats in the new 2025 Volvo EX90, in the outer second-row seats there are ISOFix points which are easy to locate between the seat fabric and not within plastic guides.
There are top tether anchorages on the back of all three second-row seatbacks that are easily located through the boot.
In the third-row seats, there is no ISOFix…
…but there are top tether anchorages in the back of both third-row seats in the 2025 Volvo EX90.
So in theory you can install child seats in all five rear seats. For the very brief Australian Volvo EX90 launch in Adelaide I wasn't able to bring my child seats and Thule prams for testing, so I am looking forward to fully testing the EX90 with my family, as well as my full range of child seats and prams when I have the EX90 again for a detailed review soon.
Second-Row Seating and Integrated Booster
The second-row seats are all individual seats which should make them nice and comfortable for three passengers across and allow you to distribute legroom and shoulder room as you need it.
The central second-row seat has a built in booster seat base which you can deploy much more simply than installing a child seat! There are instructions so you know if your child is big enough to use it.
Volvo says there is another booster seat accessory with “side support that gives the child a comfortable and safe vehicle journey, while at the same time the vehicle's original upholstery is kept clean” that you can buy too.
Third-Row Comfort and Access
In the third-row seats, the legroom and headroom are good.
Being fully electric, the rear footwells are completely flat, giving fantastic legroom and kick-room in the back and making it easier for kids and adults to move through the rear to access their seats.
Rear Passenger Comfort Features
Rear passengers in both rear rows of seats are kept comfortable with rear aircon vents in the side pillars and controls in the back of the central console box in the second-row…
…and air vents In the side pillars in the third-row seats too.
Charging Ports for Passengers
There are USB-C sockets in the 3rd row too, so passengers can charge devices while travelling.
The second-row passengers also get USB-C sockets in the back of the central console box.
Child Safety Features
A great family feature in the Volvo EX90 is the child lock and sensor so you don't accidentally leave your child in the car.
Safety Features: Volvo's Specialty
When it comes to safety, this is what Volvo is renowned for! Volvo says they wanted to design their safest model yet and reckon they have done that with the EX90, including an advanced sensor and safety system to help prevent accidents from happening in the first place although you'll have to take Volvo's word for it as there's no independent crash test from ANCAP or Euro NCAP yet.
The 5G over the air updates will allow you to upgrade the safety systems as Volvo develop new and improved systems without the need to take your car to a dealership and physically plug it in.
Preventative Safety Systems
The Volvo EX90 comes with a lot of preventative safety technology including: Pedestrian, Vehicle, Cyclist Detection, Intersection Collision and Oncoming Mitigation with Brake Support; Low speed autobrake, rear; Post Impact Braking; Steering Support; Driver Alert System; Lane Keeping Aid; Adjustable Speed Limiter function; Oncoming Mitigation by braking; Blind Spot Information (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA), Front and Rear Collision Warning with mitigation support; Run-off road Mitigation by steering and braking; Hill start assist; Hill Descent Control; Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA); Door Opening Alert.
Driver Support Systems
The Volvo EX90 also comes driver aids including: Traffic jam assist; Adaptive Cruise Control; Park assist Front and Rear; One Pedal Drive; Rain Sensor; LED headlights with active high beam; Drive mode with personal power steering settings; Emergency Brake Assist (EBA); Emergency Brake Light.
Passive Safety Features
The Volvo EX90 also comes standard with: Driver Airbag; Dual-stage airbag, passenger, Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) with airbags in front seats, Inflatable Curtains; Driver's knee airbag; Whiplash injury protection system come as standard.
Other Safety Systems
The Volvo EX90 also comes with Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System as standard.
Media system and parking cameras in the Volvo EX90
The front dash is dominated by the central 14.5″ portrait touchscreen media system in the Volvo EX90, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. It also has Google Services (Assistant, Maps and Play), 5G capability, digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Bluetooth; In-car web apps and Satellite Navigation with Road Sign Information.
You control most things in the car through the media screen, including mirror and steering wheel adjustment, and opening the glovebox…
…leaving the Birch wood dash minimal and free of the clutter of buttons and dials.
Storage and Charging
There is plenty of storage underneath the central console bridge and USB-C charging ports and a wireless phone charging pad.
Camera Systems
The cameras in the Volvo EX90 are excellent quality with lovely clear and crisp images with 360-degree 3D view rear camera and park assist cameras.
Climate Controls
The climate controls are within the media screen, which can be a little tricky to use while driving. However, you can use “Hey Google” and ask it to set the climate control easily.
Driver Display Systems
The head up display is projected into the windscreen in front of the driver. I was wearing polarised sunglasses and I could see the head up display which is not often the case.
The navigation instructions are also given in a tiny screen behind the steering wheel which is really handy when the passenger is using the media screen for something else.
Boot Space and Storage in the Volvo EX90
Storage in the boot of the Volvo EX90 is fantastic! When using all seven seats it has a good size deep boot with small net storage areas on either side behind the wheel arches.
The third-row seats raise and lower electronically with buttons in the boot.
The BEST feature is underneath the boot floor there is an enormous storage space, which I know my family would know how to fill with scooters and musical instruments etc!
What the Volvo EX90 is like to drive
When it comes to driving, the Volvo EX90 is very comfortable. The quiet and smooth ride owes to a number of things. The quiet suspension filters out road noise, the flush glazing and door handles make it more aerodynamic (which reduce wind noise) and of course being fully electric there is no engine noise either.
The comfortable seats, peaceful drive and pleasant interior make it not a tiring car to drive. You get all the lovely benefits of it being an EV like sitting with the aircon running while your child naps in the back or you've got the best parkin space and you're waiting at school pick up! All without burning through fuel and polluting the local environment.
It feels smooth and effortless to drive and much smaller than most large seven-seat SUVs. The visibility is good too.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed driving the new 2025 Volvo EX90 around the Barossa Valley and Adelaide. I look forward to testing it in the coming weeks with my family on board and using our full range of Thule prams in the boot and child seats in the back.
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