It would be a little disappointing if a car with a name as long as the 2026 Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance Ultra didn’t have an equally long list of features. Volvo’s electric three-row flagship SUV is a big step toward stylish family vehicles that don’t require trips to the gas station.
The EX90 gets a lot right: it’s stylish, safe, and pretty fun to drive for a family SUV. But one thing often gets overlooked in Volvo’s dedication to safety. Volvo established its Traffic Accident Research Team in 1970 to investigate real-world crashes around Gothenburg, Sweden. The team studies damaged vehicles, injuries, and accident conditions to understand what happens beyond controlled crash tests. More than 50 years later, its findings continue to influence how Volvo designs its vehicles and safety systems.
The EX90 is a modern extension of that research. Instead of focusing solely on protecting passengers during a crash, Volvo has developed technology designed to help prevent accidents in the first place. The EX90 uses cameras, radar, and other sensors to monitor its surroundings, while an interior monitoring system watches for signs of driver distraction or impairment.
The EX90 is packed with technology designed to make driving safer, but does all of that technology make it a better vehicle to live with? After spending some time behind the wheel, I think the answer is a little complicated.
First Impressions And Exterior Design
For those who love Volvo design but don’t necessarily want to scream that you have an EV, the EX90 styling does a great job of that. It looks like a traditional Volvo, but with a slightly different front end. The exterior looks very clean and modern, even more so than a typical gas-powered Volvo.
The flush door handles look great and add to that clean design, but they can be hard to grip and slow to open. They look nice, though, so I’ll give them that. I think these would be less of an issue with Volvo’s app, but I had trouble getting it to work (probably a press fleet thing, not a Volvo thing). I also really like the wheels and the overall proportions. Despite being a three-row SUV, the EX90 doesn’t look or feel enormous. I think the design does a great job of disguising its size.
I’m a big fan of Volvo’s signature Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, not only for their styling but also for how well they work. They performed exceptionally well in the dark and rain, automatically adjusting the lighting for better visibility. As someone who struggles with night driving, these were a great help.
Our test vehicle was finished in Volvo’s new Mulberry Red color, which I determined was actually purple. If you disagree, we can argue about it in my TikTok comments later.
Our test vehicle came in at $96,240, which is a lot of money, but you also get a lot for that price. Lots of space, lots of safety, lots of features, and lots of SUV. SUVs are expensive these days, especially electric ones, but I’m not mad about the price. From the factory, this setup gets up to 305 miles of range, but ours has an EPA-estimated range of 298 miles with our bigger wheels.
For 2026, the Volvo EX90 starts at $78,090, including the $1,395 destination fee. Here’s how the pricing stacks up for the whole lineup this year:
| EX90 Plus | $78,090 |
| EX90 Ultra | $85,740 |
Our test vehicle came priced as such:
- Base MSRP: $89,845
- 22-inch 5-Y Spoke Glossy Black Diamond Cut Wheels: $1,800
- Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound: $3,200
- Delivery, Processing, and Handling fee: $1,395
- Total: $96,240
What It’s Like To Drive
On paper, the EX90 Twin Motor Performance Ultra’s 670 horsepower sounds like a lot. To be fair, it is a lot. But it doesn’t feel like too much when you’re just cruising in traffic. It’s smooth, comfortable, and feels almost floaty on the road. Like you are wearing a pair of fancy, ultra-cushioned sneakers. It also handles very well, taking corners like a well-balanced champ. It’s one of those vehicles you can drink hot coffee in and not worry about spilling it on yourself if you hit a pothole. This is a good time to mention that I don’t think Volvo actually wants you drinking in here because it lacks substantial cup holders.
If you are trying to impress your friends and want to show them the acceleration, this is where things get interesting. I actually did this test about 5 times because I thought my timer was broken. Volvo says the 0-60 MPH time is something like 4 seconds. I saw more like 3.87 seconds on my runs with Performance All-Wheel Drive engaged, which is wild! It’s also pretty unusual to be so far off from the company estimates. Regardless, I was impressed with the acceleration.
I kept the regenerative braking on the medium setting for most of the week and enjoyed the ride. The highway ride was also solid, and the driver-assistance features were good. Essentially, the EX90 maintains the whole traditional relaxed driving character that Volvo is known for. But don’t overlook that nearly 700-horsepower spec. If you need that speed, you have it.
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Twin-Motors |
| Horsepower | 670 HP |
| Torque | 672 LB-FT |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| 0-60 MPH (As Tested) | 3.87 Seconds |
| Curb Weight | 5,930 LBS |
| Range | 298 Miles |
| Starting Price | $85,740 |
| As-Tested Price | $96,240 |
Interior, Tech, And Daily Usability
Let’s start with what I like, because the EX90 has a lot of great features. The front seats are extremely comfortable, and though many people might see massaging seats as a gimmick, I found the Volvo version worked better than others I have tried. I felt like they actually reduced my fatigue and kept me alert on a long drive. I also found the second row captain’s chairs awesome. You can opt for a bench seat if you want to have seating for seven, but I much preferred the captain’s chairs. The second row was spacious and comfortable, good for adults and children alike. However, I would reserve the third row for your smaller children or enemies. It’s pretty tight back there, including the cup holders.
The Bowers & Wilkins sound system was also probably one of the best I’ve experienced in a vehicle. I actually thought I was listening to a different version of a song, but it was just extraordinarily clear and crisp coming through the EX90’s speakers. You get tons of charging ports, including two in the front, two in the middle, and two in the third row. And! You get a four-zone climate control setup so that everyone can set their own temperature.
Now, come the don’t likes: our fancy wool seats weren’t ventilated. You can opt for ventilated leather seats, which I’d choose if I were actually buying this car. I really liked the wool seats, but living in Florida, I want air-conditioned seats in the summer. That might not apply to everyone, though. Similarly, the panoramic electrochromic roof looks great and makes the cabin feel airy. I appreciate the natural light it lets in and the ability to block it out with the touch of a button. However, it still lets in too much heat. The roof feels hot and definitely makes the cabin hotter, even with the opaque setting on. I wish there were some kind of shade you could use to cover it all the time. In the summer heat with the sun directly overhead, there’s just no way around it.
Volvo wants you to use the main touchscreen for everything, and it does a good job. They’ve also included a smaller driver display behind the steering wheel for secondary information like your speed and navigation. However, I find the single-screen setup and lack of buttons make life a little more complicated than it needs to be. Everything requires taking your eyes off the road to make changes. Opening the glove box is a small round button on a large screen that I would never remember where to press without looking. Same with the trunk. These buttons don’t seem to register right away, so you have to linger on them a little before the glove box or trunk responds.
I think I’d eventually get over the screen situation and figure it out. I still love a button, though. My biggest issue remains the Driver Attention Monitor system, which seems hell-bent on annoying me more than keeping me attentive. Although perhaps I am attentive while annoyed? If you aren’t looking directly ahead, prepare for a beep. If the camera can’t register your eyes because of glasses, prepare for beeps. If it can’t see your eyes long enough, it starts a seatbelt-like alarm to force you into submission. Even when my arm blocked the camera for a while because I was driving like Paul Walker, the alarm filled my ears.
But in the end, those are minor annoyances that might not bother you. The cabin is quiet, well-built, and a great daily driver.
Charging The EX90 Was A Breeze
As with any electric vehicle, charging is a big part of ownership. Volvo made big changes between 2025 and 2026, including a new 800V architecture. I charge a lot of EVs at public charging stations, but I have to say I was very impressed with what Volvo is doing with the EX90. En route to the charging station, I pre-conditioned the battery to prepare it for charging. That basically just means that you are getting the battery to the right temperature to charge.
When I arrived at my luxurious public charging station, the Volvo was ready to go. We plugged into a high-speed charger capable of 350 kW. Volvo says charging from 10% to 80% SoC takes around 22 minutes, but we started at around 30%. We reached 90% in 29 minutes at a max charging speed of 290 kW, and it cost us a little over $20. I was impressed by these results.
Final Verdict: Would I Actually Recommend It?
The EX90 is a pretty impressive vehicle no matter how you slice it. I enjoyed the interior and how comfortable it was, especially if you need the extra room of a third row. It’s also surprisingly quick, though I think the real appeal is how comfortable and easy it is to drive. You have 670 horsepower at your disposal, but you don’t have to think about it unless you want to.
The tech is great, and while I wish the Driver Attention Monitor were a little less zealous, that doesn’t overshadow the rest of the experience. I still wish Volvo would bring back a few buttons, but I could probably get used to the touchscreen eventually.
| Category | Score (Out Of 10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Experience | 8/10 | Performance, ride quality, steering, handling, acceleration, confidence |
| Daily Livability | 8/10 | Comfort, visibility, cargo, passenger space, practicality |
| Interior & Tech | 8/10 | Materials, screens, controls, sound system, usability |
| Design & Presence | 9/10 | Styling, stance, wheels, road presence, uniqueness |
| Value For The Money | 8/10 | Price vs features, competitors, overall experience |
| Total Score | 41/50 | 8.2/10 |
At $96,240, our EX90 certainly isn’t cheap, but I’m not particularly upset about the price. You’re getting a lot of SUV for the money, and the excellent charging experience made me appreciate it even more. If you’re looking for a comfortable, spacious electric SUV that doesn’t feel enormous or drive like one, I think the EX90 is a pretty solid choice. Plus, who doesn’t like almost 700 horsepower hiding in a tidy, responsible-looking Swedish body?
Volvo has managed to make an electric SUV that still feels very much like a Volvo. I just wish it would stop yelling at me.
