The automotive world is rapidly shifting towards electric vehicles, and the luxury SUV segment is no exception. As we look towards 2024, the competition for the title of “best midsize luxury SUV” is heating up, with established players and exciting newcomers vying for the top spot. Among the most anticipated models is the 2025 Volvo EX90, Volvo’s all-electric flagship SUV, signaling the brand’s commitment to an electric-only future. But does it have what it takes to be crowned the best in its class?
The Volvo EX90 arrives as a three-row, seven-seat, full-size SUV built on Volvo’s first dedicated EV platform. While classified as full-size, it positions itself competitively within the broader midsize luxury SUV landscape, especially when considering electric alternatives. It is slightly larger and packed with more advanced technology than the current Volvo XC90, setting a new benchmark for the brand. Volvo’s ambitious plan includes launching a new EV annually, aiming for a fully electric lineup by 2030, making the EX90 a pivotal model in this transition. Pre-orders are open, and the EX90 is expected to hit the market in early 2024. Following closely behind is the 2025 Volvo EX30, a smaller, more affordable subcompact crossover, further expanding Volvo’s electric SUV offerings in late 2024.
Priced starting just under $80,000, the Volvo EX90 firmly plants itself in the luxury SUV arena. It is set to compete head-to-head with other premium all-wheel-drive electric SUVs, including the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, the forthcoming Lucid Gravity, and three-row configurations of the Tesla Model X. While Volvo’s sister company Polestar will offer the smaller Polestar 3 SUV on the same platform, the EX90 distinguishes itself with size, technology and a focus on family-oriented luxury.
Compared to its rivals, the 2025 EX90 might not be the largest or most powerful, but it holds its own and potentially offers a more accessible price point, undercutting most competitors except for the Rivian R1S. A key differentiator for Volvo, and a core aspect of its brand identity, is safety. The EX90 is touted as the safest Volvo ever produced, incorporating cutting-edge safety and driver-assistance technologies. This includes hardware and software designed to support potential hands-free highway driving in the future, placing it at the forefront of automotive safety innovation.
Performance-wise, the EX90 will offer dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configurations, promising a range of 300 miles or more. Inside, the design ethos leans towards a minimalist, tech-forward aesthetic reminiscent of Tesla, featuring a prominent, vertically oriented touchscreen dominating the dashboard. The exterior design is unmistakably Volvo, retaining signature elements like Thor’s Hammer headlights, a bold Volvo logo, and vertical taillights, combined with strong, sculpted rear haunches. A notable feature highlighting its technological leadership is the bulge atop the windshield, housing lidar sensors. These sensors enhance the precision of the EX90’s lane and obstacle detection systems, even in complete darkness, contributing to its advanced safety capabilities.
Deliveries are slated to begin in early 2024, with pre-order customers gaining priority in configuring their vehicles later this year. Availability is expected across all states initially focusing on EV-friendly regions. Production of the EX90 will take place at Volvo’s South Carolina plant, and select models priced below $80,000 may qualify for the federal clean vehicle tax credit, contingent on battery component sourcing regulations.
While Volvo presented the EX90 well in advance of production and details regarding standard versus optional features are still emerging, the anticipation is building. Driving evaluations are eagerly awaited to fully assess the EX90’s overall competitiveness in the luxury electric SUV segment. As 2024 approaches, the Volvo EX90 is shaping up to be a strong contender for the title of best midsize luxury SUV, particularly for buyers prioritizing safety, technology, and Scandinavian-inspired design in an all-electric package.
