Volvo is expanding its electric vehicle offerings with the upcoming ES90, a sleek all-electric sedan that’s set to challenge competitors in the premium EV segment.
Design and Dimensions
The ES90’s exterior design echoes the gas-powered S90 sedan, but with some key distinctions. While the roofline remains similar, the ES90 stands approximately 4 inches taller. Standard 20-inch wheels, with optional 22-inch upgrades, fill the wheel wells, and the increased metal expanse between the wheels and the beltline gives the ES90 a profile reminiscent of the Polestar 2, a brand also under Volvo’s umbrella.
The ES90 retains Volvo’s signature design elements: Thor’s Hammer LED headlights and C-shaped LED taillights. However, it introduces a novel approach to the third brake light, featuring two vertical light bars positioned on either side of the rear window. In terms of dimensions, the ES90 stretches 196.9 inches in length and 76.5 inches in width, making it 3.5 inches shorter but 2.1 inches wider than the S90. Despite a wheelbase 1.6 inches longer than the S90, the ES90 offers less rear legroom, but front and rear headroom, along with front legroom, are comparable. A significant differentiator is the ES90’s hatchback design, offering up to 44.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 15.8 cubic feet with them up, according to Volvo’s measurements. Furthermore, a small 0.8-cubic-foot frunk is available for storing the charging cable.
Powertrain Options
Volvo will offer the ES90 with a range of powertrain options. These include a single-motor rear-wheel-drive configuration and dual-motor all-wheel-drive setups at two different output levels. The base single-motor setup delivers 329 horsepower and 354 pounds-feet of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in a claimed 6.7 seconds. This base model will be equipped with an 88-kilowatt-hour battery pack, though U.S. range estimates are still pending.
Moving up the range, the ES90 Twin Motor adds a motor to the front axle, resulting in a combined output of 442 hp and 494 pounds-feet of torque, alongside all-wheel drive and a larger 102-kWh battery. Volvo will also offer a Twin-Motor Performance variant, boasting 670 hp and 635 pounds-feet of torque and achieving 0-60 mph in a swift 3.9 seconds, contrasting with the Twin Motor’s 5.3 seconds.
For the European market, the ES90 is rated to tow more than 3,500 pounds with RWD and over 4,400 pounds with AWD, although Volvo’s recommendations for towing in the U.S. market remain undetermined Currently. The ES90 will also utilize an 800-volt architecture. This system not only improves efficiency over the 400-volt system used in Volvo’s EX90 SUV but also allows for faster charging. Volvo estimates that the ES90 can replenish its battery at speeds up to 350 kilowatts via a DC fast charger, adding up to 186 miles of range in about 10 minutes and charging from 10% to 80% in as little as 20 minutes.
Safety and Technology Features
The ES90 shares its mechanical design with the EX90 and will also incorporate the SUV’s core computing technology. Volvo describes the ES90 as a “truly software-defined car designed to improve with time.” Over-the-air updates, based on data collected from both vehicles, are planned to refine battery management, powertrain behavior, and safety technologies. The ES90 is equipped with an “advanced array of sensors,” including a lidar system, five radar units, seven cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. While Volvo has not yet fully detailed the safety technologies, the expectation is that the ES90 will match the advanced safety feature sets offered by its competitors.
Inside, the ES90’s tech suite includes a head-up display, a 9-inch digital instrument cluster display, and a 14.5-inch touchscreen featuring navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, Google Built-In, and a 360-degree camera system. Volvo will offer three audio system options, topped by a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo system with speakers in the head restraints and ceiling for an immersive sound experience. Other expected luxury features include four-zone automatic climate control, independently reclining rear seats with ventilation, and a standard panoramic moonroof with optional electrochromic dimming.
Release and Pricing
The Volvo ES90 is scheduled to launch in Europe before making its way to the U.S., likely later this year. Pricing is projected to start in the low- to mid-$70,000 range.
