Volvo EX90 first drive | Seven-seat electric flagship arrives

Despite recently refreshing its ageing XC90 SUV to keep it around for a few more years, Volvo is going ahead with launching a new seven-seater SUV, the EX90. The EX moniker is important, signifying that it’s a pure electric model, currently bestowed with a 111kWh battery to provide energy to a pair of motors.

At launch, there’s a Twin Motor Performance version — which we’re driving — and a regular Twin Motor (with no Performance moniker) model, both available in just one top-of-the-range Ultra trim level.

A single-motor version offering more range and less performance is expected later, and Volvo will be introducing cheaper and less generously equipped Core and Plus models to accompany the Ultra version.

In high performance Ultra trim, it’s packed with performance and high-end tech, but also attracts a high-end price tag. You won’t get change out of £100,000, making it the first six-figure car from the Swedish manufacturer.

You get a Volvo that, while stylish and elegant, isn’t particularly aesthetically innovative. It's a three-row SUV with clean, modern lines, but looks exactly like you’d expect a modern Volvo SUV to look like. That’s no bad thing, of course, as the understated style will appeal to many buyers, but if you want innovation, you need to look beneath the skin.

Chief amongst that technology is the prominent LiDAR sensor in a bump above the windscreen. Looking a little like it should light up and say TAXI, it houses a laser that shines invisible light ahead of the car, picks up the reflections, and builds a high-definition 3D map of the world ahead, doing it all far more quickly than the blink of an eye.

The increased definition allows safety systems to react faster and more accurately, which is good news for active safety systems and autonomous driving systems of the future. Or at least it would be if the system was connected to anything. Volvo is having issues integrating the system with its own hardware and software, so, for now, the LiDAR is just gathering (very expensive) data and serving as a reminder that car manufacturers are not software developers.

Inside, the EX90 avoids the pitfalls of the smaller EX30, although retains much of the ultra-minimalist, tech-dependent layout. The dominant feature is a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, mounted vertically in the dashboard’s centre, which is used to control virtually everything in the car, including the side mirrors and even opening the glovebox.  It can be frustrating at times, but once you’ve spent half an hour setting the system up how you’d like it, it’s easy enough. Google integration makes the car feel connected to your life, but other features (such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) are missing, with Volvo promising they’ll appear at some point in the future in an over-the-air software update.

Backed up by a head-up display, the digital driver’s display that replaces a traditional instrument panel is a standout feature. Its crisp, colourful display provides all the essential information you need in a clean, elegant format without any undue distractions. It’s a near-perfect panel.

However, the reliance on digital displays was thrown into focus when a software glitch saw all three switch off, leaving us without a speed readout, navigation or access to any other essential features.

The rest of the interior is rather more traditional and luxurious. Sustainable upholstery options include a choice of a soft wool blend or a high-quality artificial leather made from recycled materials. All seven seats are covered in the plush material, including the rear pair that fold electronically into the boot floor, leaving 655 litres of boot space. Use all seven seats, and that drops to 310 litres (less than the compact EX30’s boot). It expands to a van-like 1,915 litres, with all the seats folded down and cargo loaded to the roof. It’s still a Volvo, after all.

Less Volvo-like is the performance. There’s 517PS and 910Nm of torque available, enough to shove the 2.7 tonnes of EX90 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds. A less powerful version will still deliver 408PS and 770Nm, so both models have sufficient poke. It’ll turn corners well, too, relying on very wide, grippy tyres to fight the laws of physics. It’s stable and confidence inspiring, but lacks any engagement — although that’s not something many will want from a five-metre, seven-seater SUV.

Ride quality leans towards the firm side, as the suspension is tuned to control the vehicle’s tall body, letting road imperfections filter into the cabin. While it's never uncomfortable, it’s perhaps not as luxurious as you might hope for.

Use all 517Nm, and the battery pack won’t last long. However, our real-world driving (which included everything from urban driving to mountain roads) saw the EX90 achieving a range of 363 miles, which is as close to the official 374-mile figure to count as a win.

The EX90 supports 250kW charging rates, allowing the battery to go from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, adding around 250 miles of range. A 12-hour overnight charge on a standard home charger will add about 75% of charge to the battery.

It’s a thoroughly convincing car, offering an impressive blend of performance, refinement and economy, so it’s a shame it’s let down by incomplete software and missing technology. Trust Volvo on its promised updates, and it’ll be transformed, but how long will that take? For those willing to wait, the upcoming single-motor version will offer similar luxury and improved economy at a lower price.