Luxurious! Big! Sustainable! Volvo ES90 says you can have it all…

Volvo’s ES90 has been announced already but a recent press release celebrating its sustainable cred is an excuse for a closer look at this luxurious new model coming soon from the Swedish brand. Basically, a sleeker twist on the already release EX90 SUV, the ES90 pushes Volvo further to the premium with its combination of coupe/crossover styling, huge interior space and powerful electric drive. That sustainable cred means you can indulge yourself with a clean conscience as well, or that’s the idea at least.
• ES90 joins the EX90 SUV and curious EM90 luxury MPV at the very top of Volvo’s premium electric line-up • Varyingly described as a fastback, saloon and SUV even Volvo seems uncertain what the ES90 is, though if you think of it as an upscale twist on the EC40 (previously known as the C40) you’re on the right track • Next-gen 800V electrical system is a first on a Volvo and means the ES90 can go up to 434 miles on a charge by official stats, beating the 373 miles of the related EX90 • No performance figures yet but given the EX90 has over 500 horsepower expect the ES90 to be at least as quick • Google-powered onboard tech for full integration with your existing apps, profiles and accounts • Orders now open, pricing to be confirmed

With its low-slung roofline but raised ride height the ES90 is Volvo’s premium twist on the popular coupe crossover format seen elsewhere in the range on the EC40 (the car previously known as the C40) and the related Polestar 2. Just bigger, and considerably more luxurious. A wheelbase of over three metres should mean huge interior space for front- and rear-seat passengers, though the claimed bootspace looks a little disappointing given it’s actually smaller than that of an XC40 and only a fraction more than the EC40. Pack light and enjoy the room to stretch out in the back! Or stick with the EX90 if you need a more practical luxury electric Volvo.

The ES90’s “software-defined” design is expressed with its gigantic central screen powered by Volvo’s latest onboard tech, intended to enable futureproofed features through ongoing over-the-air updates that may or may not come free down the line. Given experience of the fiddly user experience on others in the range with a similar set-up we’d prefer a little more “human-defined” design and some more physical buttons to avoid having to take our eyes off the road to navigate the menus. Though Volvo does at least promise the car’s safety systems will intervene if you appear distracted. A huge array of sensors – including that London taxi-like LIDAR (short for LIght Detection And Ranging) lump on the roof – combine to keep you safe, the system built to be upgraded along the way as new features are developed. Like other Volvos the infotainment is all Google powered, meaning familiar functions like Google Assistant, Google Play and similar are all integrated. In other news for all its size, weight and luxury the ES90 promises to be the most sustainable Volvo yet through extensive use of recycled metals in its construction, its more efficient battery and cleverly ‘upcycled’ materials like reclaimed plastic bottles used for the interior trim.

Volvo hasn’t shared any stats about the performance or batteries, other than a confirmed official range claim of 434 miles. Which is over 60 miles more than the EX90, and thanks in part to it being the first Volvo with an 800V electrical system. Other manufacturers already offer similar, Porsche and Hyundai among them, the sturdier electrics opening the door to faster charging where the local infrastructure permits. This may be limited at the moment but means the ES90 is futureproofed and ready when these more powerful charging points become more common.

No word on pricing as yet, but if you’re keen you can get your order in for your ES90 now.

It’s a busy time at Volvo, with new additions to the EX30 range like the Cross Country we’ve driven recently, updates to old favourites like the XC60 and this ES90 joining the EX90 in the luxury electric pinnacle of the range.

Things are moving so fast in the electric car sector it’s hard to say, but with Porsche working on a next-gen electric Cayenne on the heels of the latest Macan and BMW’s electric line-up gaining strength there are many and various premium players for Volvo to compete with.