Volvo’s commitment to an all-electric future is accelerating, and the 2025 EX90 is leading the charge as their new flagship model. This full-size, seven-seat SUV, designed with luxury and sustainability in mind, represents a significant step forward for Volvo in the competitive landscape of Luxury Crossovers. Built on Volvo’s first dedicated EV platform, the EX90 is not just a replacement for the XC90; it’s an upgrade in size, technology, and ambition, signaling Volvo’s bold move towards becoming an electric-only brand by 2030, with a new EV launch planned each year. Anticipation is high as pre-orders are already open, with sales expected to commence in early 2024. Following closely behind is the 2025 Volvo EX30, a smaller, more accessible subcompact crossover, set to arrive in dealerships in the latter half of 2024, further expanding Volvo’s range of luxury crossovers.
Positioned as a true luxury crossover, the EX90 is expected to start at under $80,000, placing it squarely in competition with other premium all-wheel-drive electric SUVs. This segment includes formidable rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, the much-anticipated Lucid Gravity, and the three-row configuration of the Tesla Model X, all vying for dominance in the luxury electric crossover market.
While the upcoming Polestar 3 SUV, from Volvo’s sister electric vehicle company, is more compact, it shares the EX90’s platform, albeit with unique tuning and suspension characteristics. The 2025 EX90 distinguishes itself within the luxury crossover category by offering a compelling balance of size, performance, and value. Although not the most imposing or powerful in its class, it closely matches its rivals in capabilities while often presenting a more attractive price point, particularly when compared to all but the Rivian. Furthermore, Volvo emphasizes safety and advanced driver-assistance systems in the EX90, incorporating cutting-edge technology and hardware designed for future hands-free highway driving. Volvo confidently asserts that the EX90 will be their safest vehicle to date, a significant claim in the luxury crossover segment where safety is paramount.
Performance in the EX90 luxury crossover is delivered through dual-motor, all-wheel-drive systems, with Volvo projecting a range of 300 miles or more. This range capability is crucial for luxury crossover buyers who expect both performance and practicality.
The interior design of the EX90 takes a minimalist approach, reminiscent of Tesla, featuring a streamlined dashboard dominated by a prominent vertical touchscreen. Externally, the EX90 retains classic Volvo design cues, including the distinctive Thor’s Hammer headlights, a prominent Volvo emblem, vertical taillights, and robust side panels with pronounced rear haunches. A key indicator of the EX90’s technological sophistication as a luxury crossover is the bulge atop the windshield, housing an array of lidar sensors. These sensors enhance the precision of the EX90’s lane-keeping and obstacle detection systems, even in complete darkness, reinforcing its position as a leader in safety technology within the luxury crossover market.
Deliveries of this highly anticipated luxury crossover are scheduled to begin in early 2024. Volvo has indicated that customers who have pre-ordered will have the opportunity to configure their vehicles later in the year, ensuring priority delivery. Initially, availability may lean towards regions with higher EV adoption rates, such as Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Pacific Northwest, the Eastern Seaboard, Colorado, and Texas. Production of the EX90 will take place at Volvo’s plant in South Carolina, and select models priced under $80,000 may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, contingent on battery component sourcing regulations. This potential tax credit further enhances the EX90’s appeal as a competitively priced luxury crossover.
Despite debuting the EX90 well in advance of its production start, Volvo has maintained a degree of ambiguity regarding standard versus optional features. Driving evaluations are also pending. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of the EX90’s overall competitiveness in the luxury crossover market will require a hands-on driving experience and further details on final specifications. Nonetheless, the Volvo EX90 is poised to make a significant impact as a leading luxury crossover, embodying Volvo’s vision for an electric and luxurious automotive future.
