Volvo EX90 2026 review: Plus | Kia EV9 rival tested

In early 2021 Volvo got on the EV front foot with a commitment to phase out all internal-combustion engine (ICE) models, including hybrids, by 2030. Volvo Car Australia went one further and staked a claim for an all-EV line-up by 2026.

But the Swedish brand walked all that back a bit in 2024, citing changing market conditions and slow infrastructure growth to arrive at its current 2030 goal of 90 to 100 per cent of global sales consisting of fully electric and plug-in hybrid models with a modest percentage of hybrids, if required.

Read More About Volvo Ex90

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As its name implies the seven-seat EX90 is effectively a zero tailpipe emissions equivalent of the long-serving XC90 ICE SUV and the Plus variant we’re testing here is a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive entry grade sitting under the top-spec dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Ultra.

2026 Volvo EX90 impressive included features

Unlike many ‘base’ models the Plus boasts an impressively long list of included features for its $124,990, before on-road costs, asking price.

Aside from the performance and safety tech we’ll get to shortly, standard spec highlights include:

• Four-zone climate-control
• Heated steering wheel
• 14.5-inch multimedia display
• 9.0-inch instrument screen
• Head-up display
• LED headlights (active), tail-lights & DRLs
• Power-adjustable steering column
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic roof
• 360-degree camera view
• Synthetic leather trim
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Heated power front seats (with driver memory)
• Heated second-row seats
• Power-folding third-row backrests
• Bose audio (14-speaker with digital radio)
• Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store
• Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
• Wireless phone charging

There’s more, but even that list is what you’d expect plus a little more from an SUV in this price bracket and our test example included half a dozen options including Bowers & Wilkins hi-fi sound ($3000), an electrochromatic panoramic roof ($1500), 21-inch rims ($1200), tinted rear windows ($1050), ventilated front seats ($1000) and Denim Blue metallic paint ($0). Price as tested is $132,740, before on-road costs.

A strong alternative to the Cadillac Vistiq (from $116,000), Kia EV9 GT-Line (from $121,000) or Hyundai Ioniq 9 (from $119,668), all before on-road costs.

2026 Volvo EX90 size and space

At just over five metres long, more than 2.0m wide and over 1.7m tall with a 2985mm wheelbase, the EX90 is a sizeable machine.

The Charcoal upholstery and Light Ash wood trim elements on our test car lift the interior vibe, although the grind of family life would mean keeping the cleaning kit handy.

Plenty of breathing space up front with loads of storage including big door bins, a lidded central box, cupholders, an under-console bay and a glove box (which no matter how many times we pressed the on-screen opening button refused to cooperate).

The 40/20/40 split-folding second row seat is comfy and supportive with each section sliding individually to allow negotiation with those in the third row for extra legroom.

2026 Volvo EX90 storage and connectivity

The Volvo offers lots of headroom for me at 183cm tall and ample width, although the rear centre spot is best thought of as an occasional position. Cupholders, bins, vents and pockets aplenty.

With the second row set for adequate legroom for me, the third row lines up as a kid-friendly zone doubling as emergency adult accommodation. Still, there are cupholders and storage bins back there.

There are no less than six USB-C sockets throughout the cabin and a 12-volt socket in the boot.

Speaking of the boot, its capacity is a handy 324 litres with all seats up, expanding to a generous 697L with the (power-folding) third row backrests lowered and 1316L with the second and third rows down.

The power tailgate operates hands-free and there’s a 46L front boot under the bonnet. But the bad news is there’s an inflator repair kit rather than a physical spare tyre. Not good enough.

2026 Volvo EX90 under the bonnet

Power in the EX90 Plus is provided by a single electric motor sending a healthy 245kW/480Nm to the rear wheels and claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is a snappy 6.8 seconds.

The battery is a 92kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) pack which is good for a claimed range of “up to 479km” and the EX90’s 800-volt architecture means on a 300kW DC charger it goes from 10 to 80 per cent full in 24 minutes, which is average for this kind of set-up.

Claimed energy use on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle is 21.6kWh/100km and over a mix of city, suburban and freeway running over a week on test we saw an average of 19.0kWh/100km. Not bad and a real-world range approaching 480km should be eminently doable.

2026 Volvo EX90 drive experience

Once underway the EX90 Plus is an effortless, comfortable and stress-free drive. The front seats are great and although you can feel the car’s 2.6-tonne weight in quicker corners the suspension is well calibrated and the steering (adjustable through three settings) provides surprisingly accurate response and decent road feel.

It’s quiet, which sounds like stating the bleeding obvious in an EV, but even in this context the refinement is serene.

Acceleration is rapid, to the point where it’s hard to justify the dual-motor Ultra’s 500kW/870Nm and the adjustable regenerative braking works beautifully, although it’s worth noting the maximum single-pedal mode doesn’t bring the car to a full stop.

There’s also a ‘Creep Mode’, which sounds disturbing but is designed to help you nudge ahead in heavy traffic as the car in front of you moves on. We gave it a try but ultimately opted for the off position.

In fact, there are a thousand and one adjustments available through multiple vehicle set-up screens. Too many to detail here, but suffice it to say fine-tuning is a fun and worthwhile activity.

That said, there are too many in-screen controls for my liking. Everything from the climate set-up to opening the glove box. Things like exterior mirror adjustment and steering wheel position are referred to switches on the steering wheel but it feels like an unnecessary complication.

No surprise, active (crash-avoidance) safety tech is extensive with things like lane-keeping, speed limit warnings and driver attention alerts operating without undue interference. There are seven airbags on board if a sheet metal interface can’t be avoided.

2026 Volvo EX90 ownership

Although the EX90 tracks maintenance requirements and tells you when it's time for a service, the nominal interval is 12 months or 15,000km. A service plan covering the first three workshop visits will set you back a competitive $1490, and a Service Plan Plus, including wear and tear items like wiper blades as well as brake discs and pads doubles that number to $2990.

Volvo’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is still par for the course in the premium part of the market and there are 39 Volvo dealers across the country (with the exception of the Northern Territory).