Cupra Terramar vs Volvo Es90

What's the difference?

The Cupra Terramar VZe looks fantastic on the road and confidently handles most things you throw at it. The plug-in hybrid set-up offers a nice blend of performance and efficiency. But… when you start digging into the price and ownership promise and what you do (and don’t) get for your money, it doesn’t always feel like the most compelling package. Sexy and sporty? Definitely. Value-for-money? Mmm.

More stylish than ever before, as quiet and refined as you'd expect from a luxury car and yet the stand out feature might once again be safety. Despite seemingly every new car being loaded to the gills with safety features, Volvo has managed to demonstrate industry best-practice and leads the way again.

I would encourage engineers from every other car brand to drive the ES90 to learn how to better integrate the modern suite of active safety features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning.

But beyond that, is the ES90 a car worthy of consideration? Well, pretty much everything it does the EX90 does too, so if you prefer an SUV that’s definitely worth consideration. But if you don’t want an SUV, if you prefer a sedan or just love to be different, the ES90 is a very attractive proposition in more ways than one.

Design is one of the areas where the Terramar makes a strong first impression. It’s sharply styled, and very much aimed at buyers who aren’t quite ready to let go of their sportier tastes, even if their car choice suggests otherwise. The stance is wide, the proportions are tidy and those 20-inch copper alloy wheels do a lot of the heavy lifting visually.

Up front, the grille features a triangular LED lighting signature that, for anyone who grew up with it, looks a little like the Triforce (Zelda). Around the back, there’s a full-width light bar with a 3D illuminated logo which enhances the overall 'cool-edge' style the Terramar has.

Inside, that same theme carries through. The cabin is clean but still visually interesting, with plenty of soft-touch materials and leather throughout. Copper-coloured accents are used generously but not to the point where it feels overdone and give it a firm identity.

The optional panoramic roof lifts the space and the 12.9-inch central display sits front and centre, giving the cabin a properly high-end feel.

Discussing Volvo design will draw different opinions depending on your age. As a millennial, I grew up at a time when Volvos were, to quote a famous movie line from the 1990s, ‘boxy, but good’.

But over the past two decades Volvo has smoothed off those boxy edges and become one of the most style-conscious car companies in the world. It has embraced its now-unique place as a Scandinavian carmaker and uses softer edges and more Nordic design themes (such as light coloured interior woods) to ensure the ES90 is simply a good-looking car.

What it isn’t, at least not technically-speaking, is a sedan. That’s because it has a liftback rear-end design, rather than a traditional ‘three-box’ sedan with a conventional boot. That shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for anyone and it means it’s a far more practical design.

It also sits taller than a conventional ‘sedan’, which is an increasingly common trait for modern European sedans as they try to woo would-be SUV buyers. It’s not a lot, you certainly wouldn’t call it a tall or high-riding car, but it is noticeable.

Ends up as an ‘in-between’ design, neither one thing or the other. The closest thing it reminds me of is the short-lived BMW 5-Series GT, which is damning with faint praise, but it speaks to the challenge of making something that simply isn’t an SUV appealing to the modern SUV-obsessed market.

The very stylish cabin features that previously mentioned light coloured wood (at least in our test car) and that unique Scandinavian look. It’s the closest you’ll get to sitting in a Swedish lounge room on wheels.

In terms of practicality, the Terramar feels a little mixed depending on where you’re sitting.

Space and comfort first. The front row is where it feels most at ease. The sport seats are supportive, with enough adjustment to stay comfortable on a longer drive and the added heating and driver’s memory function round things out nicely. That said, elbow room can feel a little tight if you’re sitting alongside someone broad-shouldered.

The rear row is more of a compromise. Legroom behind my driving position is on the tighter side, and for context, I’m 168cm, though headroom holds up reasonably well, even with the panoramic roof. The shape of the seat base and storage cut-outs also make the bench feel narrower, so it’s better suited to two adults than three.

Storage is about what you’d expect, without really exceeding it. Up front, the glove box is the largest cubby, supported by a centre console, a phone cradle and a pair of cupholders, although they’re different sizes, so only one emotional support bottle will fit.

In the rear, it’s a similar story. You get a couple of bottle holders and cupholders, but you miss out on map pockets.

On the tech and amenities front, most functions are housed within the 12.9-inch media display. The graphics are clear and the touchscreen is responsive, though the touch-based climate controls underneath it can be fiddly at times. That said, the overall layout becomes fairly intuitive after a short adjustment period, even if physical buttons would still be welcome.

Connectivity is well covered, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the former holding a steady connection during my time with it, along with built-in navigation. Charging options are solid, too, with four USB-C ports across the cabin, a 12-volt outlet and a wireless charging pad.

The rear gets its own climate control, though without fan speed control, and again, at this price point, it feels like there’s room for a little more in the way of convenience features - particularly things like heated outboard seats.

At the back, boot space comes in at 400L, which is the smallest in the Terramar range due to the battery placement. It’s broadly in line with key alternatives like the BYD Sealion 6 Premium, which offers slightly more capacity, but the difference isn’t dramatic in day-to-day use.

In practice, it’s been enough for a week of errands with a small family, and the flat loading floor and powered tailgate make it easy to live with. There’s no spare tyre, though, just a puncture repair kit, which won't suit everyone.

In terms of space the ES90 is very generous, which it should be given it's a five-metre long car. There’s loads of room front and the back so you’ll seat four adults in absolute comfort, and can squeeze in a fifth if needed. Thanks to the relatively flat floor, as well as the panoramic roof that can either be opaque or clear, the cabin feels spacious and bright even in the rear.

As for luggage space, the boot measures 424 litres, and obviously it’s very easy to access via the power liftgate. But it’s still not as big as an SUV. The EX90 offers up 655 litres of space in its five-seat configuration. Which is at least a small part of the explanation why SUVs have become the more popular choice.

But what really stands out in the cabin isn’t the space, it’s the technology. The ES90 Ultra’s multimedia system is centred around a 14.5-inch touchscreen that runs all the car’s key functions; you also get a 9.0-inch driver’s display.

Notably, Volvo has opted to offer Google’s operating systems built-in, which means while you can still run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, if you have a Google account you can sign-in and have your contacts, address book and other details integrated into the car.

It’s a really fast system, too, supported by the most powerful software Volvo has ever put inside one of its cars. Having a big tablet-style screen is great and feels very modern, but if it runs slowly, with lag between commands, it’s not as useful. This Volvo system, particularly the transitions between menus and even the voice assistant, reacts with lightning-fast speed.

Then there’s the sound system we mentioned earlier. It’s a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins set-up with 'Dolby Atmos' and an app called Abbey Road Studios. This app has been produced in conjunction with the iconic recording studio made famous by The Beatles. The speakers and the app were all developed together to provide a superior audio experience.

The speakers themselves are incredibly powerful while staying crystal clear, with the Abbey Road app providing the ability to change the sound between 'Modern' and 'Vintage' settings that make you feel like you’re inside a recording studio.

Put simply, it is as impressive a sound system as I’ve ever experienced in a car.

The ES90 range consists of two models at the time of publication both powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor, with the twin-motor option available on the EX90 SUV currently not offered in Australia (emphasis on the word ‘currently’).

The range begins with the Pure from $88,880, before on-road costs, and is completed by the current range-topping Ultra variant, which we're testing, priced from $107,990, plus on-roads.

That means it’s cheaper than its direct rivals in the luxury electric sedan market. Audi’s e-tron GT starts at more than $200,000, the BMW i5 line-up is priced from $155,900 and the Mercedes-Benz EQE range begins at $134,900. So, even with this more expensive Ultra variant, Volvo has a clear head-start on the competition.

And Volvo hasn't managed that by skimping on standard equipment. The ES90 comes loaded with adaptive air suspension, 22-inch alloy wheels, a comprehensive safety package (as you’d expect from Volvo) as well as an electrochromic panoramic roof, a smart key you can add to your phone and 'Nordico' upholstery - Volvo’s sustainable synthetic leather.

There’s also a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, but more on that later…

Under the bonnet, the Terramar VZe pairs a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine with a single electric motor, for a combined output of 200kW and 400Nm.

On paper, those figures sit a little behind some of the more value-focused plug-in hybrid options, like the BYD Sealion 6 Premium and GWM Haval H6 GT, and it’s also front-wheel drive, where some rivals offer all-wheel drive.

In practice, though, it doesn’t feel underdone. The six-speed automatic shifts cleanly and the transition between electric and petrol power is smooth. As a whole, the set-up feels well calibrated.

As the name suggests, the ES90 Single Motor is powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that drives the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. The motor makes a healthy 245kW and 480Nm, so the 0-100km/h sprint time is 6.6 seconds - sprightly for such a big car.

As alluded to earlier, there is a Twin Motor, all-wheel drive ES90 variant available in overseas markets, with 500kW, but Volvo Australia is yet to confirm when, or even if that will arrive here.

The VZe uses a 20kWh lithium-ion battery, which is on the smaller side compared to some alternatives but it still delivers a useful amount of electric driving range at 109km (WLTP).

With its Type 2 CCS charging port, you can access DC fast charging at up to 50kW, with a claimed 0-80 per cent top-up taking around 26 minutes. On AC, it’s more of an overnight affair, so it suits a home charging routine.

Officially, energy use is rated at 1.8L/100km on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle, and after a mix of highway and urban driving, I saw a trip computer figure of 1.5L/100km.

That’s an impressive result but it comes with a bit of context. I'm charging it daily to make the most of the claimed electric-only range, and that has a big influence on the numbers you’ll see in the real world.

Built on Volvo’s 800-volt electrical architecture, the first Volvo to feature the technology, the ES90 is powered by a 92kWh battery that provides up to 554km of driving range on a single charge.

Volvo quotes an NEDC energy consumption of 18.5kWh/100km, with 300kW DC charging able to take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. A full, empty to 100 per cent charge using a 16A outlet will take 10 hours.

It should be noted that the EX90 SUV will be upgraded to the 800V architecture with the 2026 model year introduction.

On the road, the Terramar VZe makes an immediate impression. Power delivery is prompt, and even with the battery depleted, it feels responsive off the mark. There’s enough in reserve that you don’t feel like you’re chasing performance, even when you lean on it.

The handling follows a sporty brief. Suspension tuning does a good job of smoothing out the bigger bumps, but it still lets a fair amount of road feedback in, particularly when you’re pushing through a corner. The steering is on the firmer side and the brakes are quite sensitive, which takes a moment to adjust to, but together they give the car a more engaged feel. That said, it won’t be to everyone’s taste.

Visibility is one area that takes a bit more effort. The lower window line and thicker pillars give it a more enclosed feel than a typical mid-size SUV, so you find yourself being a bit more deliberate with blind spot checks, particularly around the A-pillar.

Ride comfort holds up despite the firmer set-up, and the sports seats do a good job of keeping you settled. Around town and under electric power, the cabin is impressively quiet, though you notice more road and engine noise creeping in at highway speeds or under heavier acceleration.

Around tighter spaces, it feels smaller than it is. The 11.5-metre turning circle and quick steering make it easy enough to manoeuvre, and the 360-degree camera is a useful addition, although the image quality doesn’t quite match the expectations set by the price point.

As you’d expect from a luxury, electric car the ES90 is a quiet and refined vehicle to drive. Being a Volvo, the company has used its experience where it matters, and there is excellent insulation from the outside world. Unlike some EVs that lose the engine and hope that just makes things quieter, the ES90 gives you a genuine feeling of insulation from the exterior hustle and bustle. 

Performance is adequate from the single motor but it’s by no means a sports sedan with only 250kW/480Nm and such a big vehicle. But it has the instant response that is an EV trademark so it has all the performance this type of car and the drivers it will attract would likely need. If buyers start banging on the door for more power, Volvo can oblige, but for now it does the job you expect of a luxury four-door.

While it has the sedan silhouette, the taller body and raised ride height on the air suspension are noticeable. You will find yourself looking up at SUV drivers, but not all of them. It’s roughly the same seat height as you’ll find in a modern small SUV, so a slight elevation rather than a big boost.

The ride is what you expect from this type of car. You can adjust the suspension and steering between ‘soft’ and ‘firm’ settings, but even with the latter selected there is a lot of compliance and the ride remains comfortable.

The steering is fine most of the time, but when you have to do parking maneuvers you certainly notice the ES90's steer-by-wire technology. The steering literally feels like an old computer game steering wheel set-up, with very little resistance as the wheel lightly spins from lock-to-lock. It’s not a bad feeling, but it is a bit odd and takes some getting used to.

The ultimate take-away from the driving experience is just how relaxed it is - quiet and effortless are the two words that probably best sum it up.

This is obviously the area that Volvo is famous for, but with seemingly every other brand forced to raise their own safety features over the years, does the Swedish brand still do anything special on this front?

Absolutely.

Put simply the Volvo suite of active safety systems is better developed and better integrated. Every rival car to the ES90 will have a similar list of features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure assist, road sign information and more. But Volvo has made it work so well that unlike rival models, you never even think of turning them off, they don’t beep and bong ad nauseum, they only work if you need them in an emergency - which should be the standard.

One thing to note is the ‘bump’ on the roof (you may see in the images) to house a Lidar system. However, Volvo split with its supplier and has decided to abandon this technology for the ES90. That means the 2026 model year examples will not have the roof bump, but still come loaded with five radars, seven cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors for the excellent coverage of the surrounding environment.

The only thing that stops the ES90 being worthy of a 10/10 safety score is the lane keeping assist could do with some fine-tuning, as it has a tendency to move in the lane slightly too much.

There is no current ANCAP score for the ES90, but the EX90 SUV does, and given the organisation's previous sharing of scores between different models based on the same core underpinnings, there is no reason to believe the ‘sedan’ wouldn’t be just as safe.

In terms of ownership, the Terramar is covered by Cupra’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. That’s fairly standard for the segment, though it sits behind some rivals now offering longer seven-year plus programs. Inclusion of five years' roadside assistance is a welcome addition.

Servicing can be pre-purchased with either a three- or five-year plan, with the latter priced at $2590, which is in line with what you’d expect for this class. Intervals are set at every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres.

One thing to keep in mind is the size of the Cupra service network. It’s still relatively limited, with around 14 centres nationwide, so depending on where you’re based, that may take a bit more planning.

The ES90 is covered by Volvo’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which is competitive for the luxury market even if it’s shorter than the cover some mainstream brands offer.

Servicing costs are currently unclear, at the time of publication. Volvo Australia typically offers five-year servicing plans for its models but is yet to finalise the cost for its electric vehicles.

Despite its long history in Australia, Volvo still has a relatively small footprint in this country with only 28 dealers/service centres spread across the country. However, more are planned to expand that coverage in the coming years.