Volvo is making a bold move into an all-electric future, and the 2025 EX90 is leading the charge as their new flagship SUV. This three-row, seven-seat vehicle, while technically a full-size SUV, enters the conversation for the best luxury midsize SUV of 2024, thanks to its advanced technology and competitive positioning. It’s built on Volvo’s first platform designed exclusively for electric vehicles, making it a significant step up in size and innovation from the current XC90. With plans to launch a new EV annually and go fully electric by 2030, Volvo’s EX90, available for pre-order now and hitting the market in early 2024, signals a major shift. Following its launch will be the 2025 Volvo EX30, a smaller, more affordable subcompact SUV, arriving in dealerships in the latter half of 2024.
Volvo EX90: A New Electric Flagship
Priced starting under $80,000, the EX90 firmly plants itself in the luxury SUV segment. It’s poised to challenge established luxury electric SUVs with all-wheel-drive, including the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, the upcoming Lucid Gravity, and even three-row configurations of the Tesla Model X. While Volvo’s sister company, Polestar, offers the smaller Polestar 3 SUV on the same platform, the EX90 distinguishes itself with unique tuning and suspension. Although it might not be the biggest or most powerful in its class, the 2025 EX90 competes closely with rivals, especially considering its attractive price point, notably lower than all except the Rivian. Furthermore, Volvo emphasizes advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies, incorporating both software and hardware designed for potential hands-free highway driving in the future. Volvo confidently declares it will be their safest vehicle to date.
Luxury and Performance: EX90 vs. Competitors
The EX90 will offer dual-motor, all-wheel-drive systems, promising a range of 300 miles or more. This positions it as a strong contender in the electric luxury SUV market, balancing range with performance. When considering the best luxury midsize SUV of 2024, the EX90’s combination of features and price becomes compelling. Its rivals offer similar luxury and electric powertrains, but the EX90 aims to carve out its space with Volvo’s renowned safety reputation and a focus on user-centric technology.
Inside and Out: Design and Technology
Stepping inside the EX90, you’ll find a modern, minimalist interior reminiscent of Tesla, highlighted by a prominent, vertically oriented touchscreen dominating the dashboard. The exterior design is unmistakably Volvo, featuring the iconic Thor’s Hammer headlights, a bold Volvo logo, vertical taillights, and strong, sculpted rear lines. A key indicator of its technological leadership is the sensor bulge at the top center of the windshield. This houses an array of lidar sensors, enabling the EX90 to “see” in complete darkness and significantly enhance the precision of its lane and obstacle detection systems. This advanced technology underscores Volvo’s commitment to safety and innovation, crucial factors for any vehicle aiming for the title of best luxury midsize SUV in 2024.
Range, Availability, and Pricing
Deliveries of the EX90 are scheduled to begin in early 2024, with pre-order customers gaining the opportunity to configure their vehicles later this year for prioritized delivery. Initial availability is expected to lean towards EV-friendly regions across the US, including Southern California, Silicon Valley, the Pacific Northwest, the Eastern Seaboard, Colorado, and Texas. Manufactured at Volvo’s plant in South Carolina, certain EX90 models priced under $80,000 may qualify for the federal clean vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500, depending on battery component sourcing.
Volvo unveiled the EX90 well in advance of its production, and details on standard versus optional features are still forthcoming. Driving evaluations are also pending. Therefore, a complete assessment of the EX90’s overall competitiveness will require waiting for test drives and more comprehensive specifications. However, as it stands, the Volvo EX90 presents a strong case to be considered among the best luxury midsize SUVs of 2024, blending Scandinavian design, cutting-edge technology, and Volvo’s legacy of safety in a compelling electric package.
