Volvo EX90 review: too large, too heavy and too expensive for the UK
But there is some feel and feedback. It isn’t a lot, but going fast on a wide bend you can balance the car slightly on the accelerator and push until the tyres make their presence known. Fun?
Not really, but it’ll do it if you really want to.
The Telegraph verdict
In the UK, it’s too big, too heavy and too expensive. This is the first ever 100 grand Volvo. I asked if the company’s reach might be exceeding its grasp here and received the reply: “A lot of our customers are very rich people.”
I’m not sure what to make of that, but the EX90 represents a 20 per cent increase in price from the much-loved XC90 SUV in the UK. And while Volvo isn’t the first maker to push its products into the pricing upper stratosphere (see: JLR, BMW, Mercedes-Benz), there’s a slight concern that they might start to run out of rich people to buy their cars. Driven moderately in warm conditions, the EX90 achieved only 2.86 miles per kWh of battery power, giving an actual range of 306 miles against a 374-mile claim.
At UK motorway speeds in the winter, you’d be looking at about 275 miles, maybe worse. Moreover, even on the claimed figures, the EX90 will emit CO2 at a rate of 38g/km (based on the latest UK electricity charging figures). Form an orderly queue, then, for the old petrol/hybrid XC90, which gets a facelift sometime soon.
As it stands, I can’t see a compelling case for the battery EX90 – in the UK at least.
The facts
On test: Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance Body style: five-door, seven-seat EV SUV On sale: now (first deliveries in the autumn)
How much? range from about GBP96,255 (GBP100,555 as tested) How fast?
112mph, 0-62mph in 4.9sec How economical?
3.5 miles per kWh (WLTP Combined), 2.86m/kWh on test Electric powertrain: 111kWh gross (107kWh useable) lithium-ion NMC 811 battery, with twin permanent magnet AC motors driving the front and rear wheels with dual-clutch system on the rear axle and step-down gearing for both motors; four-wheel drive Electric range: 374 miles (WLTP), 306 miles on test
Maximum power/torque: 517bhp /671lb ft CO2 emissions: 0g/km (tailpipe), 38g/km (CO2 equivalent well-to-wheel) VED: GBP0
Warranty: three years/60,000 miles