The Volvo ES90, the low-roof alternative to the EX90, has entered the European market. We got a chance to get up close with Volvo’s electric sedan in Zurich, and here’s what we discovered.
Design
The Volvo ES90 introduces a new silhouette to the brand, blending the features of a saloon, fastback, and SUV. At 5.0 meters in length, and a wheelbase of 3.1 meters, the ES90 has different proportions compared to the S60 or S90.
The design features a slightly raised stance with the battery pack on the floor. This leads to a higher driving position, but designers have streamlined the body for a drag coefficient of 0.25, the lowest of any Volvo.
At the front, the car wears the familiar Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, while the rear gets a new lighting signature with C-shaped LED taillamps and LED elements integrated into the rear window. A unique welcome and farewell lighting sequence adds novelty. Four wheel designs ranging from 20 to 22 inches are available.
Interior
A 14.5-inch center display complements a head-up display and a 9-inch driver cluster, powered by a 5G-capable Snapdragon processor. Audio options range from a 14-speaker Bose system to a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins High-Fidelity setup producing 1,610 watts.
Upholstery options include Nordico, a leather-free material made from bio-attributed and recycled sources, and ventilated versions with perforations and integrated fans. The optional Birch wood decor spans the dashboard and door panels, illuminated by ambient lighting inspired by Scandinavian homes.
Comfort features include a four-zone climate system with a humidity sensor, heat pump, air purifier, and pre-cleaning function. Heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and wiper blades with integrated heating are available. A panoramic roof with electrochromic shading allows the glass to switch between clear and opaque.
Experience in the Volvo ES90
Ingress in the Volvo ES90 is smooth thanks to its wide-opening doors and low step-in height. The tab-style handles feel different but easy to operate. Once seated, I immediately noticed the exceptional comfort of the front seats. The integrated headrests have built-in speakers, and while they can’t be adjusted, they feel well positioned.
The back and under-thigh support are excellent, and there are cushion extenders that add extra leg comfort. At six feet tall, I found the headroom more than adequate, even with the panoramic glass roof.
The single control tab for all seat adjustments works intuitively. Both the door and center armrests are soft and supportive, and the cabin feels typically Scandinavian with clean surfaces, light colors, and fine textures.
The large vertical touchscreen controls nearly everything, including seat ventilation and steering heating. I’d still prefer physical HVAC buttons, but the interface is responsive. There are two cupholders, a wireless charger, and a neatly integrated storage area in the console.
Moving to the rear, ingress is easy, and the cabin feels airy. The seats are well-padded, with excellent knee room and generous space for legs, though my knees sit slightly raised due to the battery pack under the floor.
The panoramic roof and large rear quarter glass panels let in plenty of light. Rear passengers get seat heating and ventilation, individual temperature controls, and USB ports. The center seat folds down into an armrest with cupholders, and the backrest angle feels natural even though it doesn’t recline.
Specifications
Built on the SPA2 platform shared with the EX90, the ES90 becomes Volvo’s first production model to feature the upgraded 800-volt electrical architecture.
The ES90 is available in Single Motor Extended Range (RWD), Twin Motor (AWD), and Twin Motor Performance (AWD) versions. Power output ranges from 245 kW (333 hp) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) in the single-motor to 335 kW (456 hp) and 670 Nm (494 lb-ft) in the dual-motor, and 500 kW (680 hp) and 870 Nm (642 lb-ft) in the Performance version. The top variant accelerates from 0-62 mph in 4.0 seconds, while all models have a 112 mph top speed.
Battery capacities differ by variant: 92 kWh for the single-motor and 106 kWh for both twin-motor models. Charging from 10-80 percent at a 350 kW DC fast charger takes approximately 22 minutes, while a full 0-100 percent charge on an 11 kW AC setup requires around 10-11 hours.
WLTP combined ranges reach up to 407 miles (655 km) for the single-motor and 435 miles (700 km) for the dual-motor and Performance trims.
The ES90 supports towing capacities of up to 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) and offers a roof load limit of 75 kg (165 lb). Cargo volume measures 446 liters (15.8 cu. ft) with the seats up and 1,427 liters (50.4 cu. ft) folded, complemented by a 27-liter (1 cu. ft) frunk.
Price & Release Date
The ES90 is now available for order in multiple European markets, with production having started in early September. Additional markets will follow through 2026, with South Korea, China, and Europe looking like its main targets.
We’re not expecting Volvo to launch the ES90 in the U.S. anytime soon, as tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles are at an all-time high. Since Volvo Cars currently manufactures the ES90 only in Taizhou, China, and is unlikely to add a second production site, the model may struggle to compete with the Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQE, Audi A6 e-tron, and BMW i5 in America.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
