Safety in numbers: Volvo EX90 driven in South Africa

The box-fresh Volvo EX90 has touched down in South Africa. Is it the electrified successor to the legendary XC90?

The new Volvo EX90 has touched down in South Africa. And we've driven it. Image: File

The all-new Volvo EX90 promises to be all things to fans of the Swedish brand. “The safest car ever from the safest car company ever,” was one of the memorable tag-lines from the South African launch this week. Of course, being a modern car, the new Volvo EX90 is electric only. And being fully imported it costs R2.65 million. That may sound like a lot from a brand that always offered the most premium experience at an affordable price. However, if you look at the premium EV segment, that’s exactly what the Volvo EX90 offers …

For a big seven-seater EV, the Volvo EX90 nails the brief. It’s quiet, composed, elegant and enormous. The pictures are deceptive and make it look a lot more compact that it truly is. Those are 22-inch diamond-cut wheels, for instance. And the only model on offer in South Africa will be the big-dog Ultra Twin Performance. But more on the specs and performance a bit later. Because what you need to know is Volvo South Africa is currently the market leader in EVs, thanks to the wildly successful EX30. The Scandi-Chino firm currently controls 50% of the market. That may only be 406 units but, like Formula 1, there are plenty of people vying for those few seats.

VOLVO EX90 IN SOUTH AFRICA

Nevertheless, in the steadily evolving landscape of electric mobility, Volvo has once again pulled off a blinder. Immediately, the EX90 promises to do for the electric generation what the XC90 did for family SUVs a decade ago. Much like its combustion-engined predecessor, which redefined family mobility and safety standards, the EX90 maintains core values that define the Volvo brand. When the XC90 launched more than two-decades’ ago, it was more than just a big SUV. It was the clever-money option, it was a paradigm shift. The SUV that combined minimalist Scandinavian design with unparalleled safety. Ditto for the Volvo EX90. It plainly continues this proud lineage, transferring these fundamental principles into an all-electric platform.

From the moment you clap eyes on the EX90, you see the design is quintessentially Volvo. Minimalist lines and understated luxury are imbued with a sense of solidity and sturdiness. While a tad too square for my liking (not that you can complain about boxy Volvos, I guess) the exterior maintains the firm’s characteristic shoulder line and vertical taillight arrangement. Up front, the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights have been reimagined and enhanced for an electric future. In profile, the vehicle’s silhouette conveys strength and practicality. Cleanly folded metal and flush-fitting door handles are all about aerodynamic efficiency to eke out every kilometre or electric range.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

Underneath the sophisticated exterior, the Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Performance boasts impressive technical specifications. The 400V lithium-ion battery offers up 111 kWh and can be quick-charged through a 250 kW DC charger to 80% in just 30 minutes. The twin-EV-motor setup produces 380 kW and 910 Nm. This ensures a zero to 100 km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds and a WLTP claimed cruising range of 610 km. We were privy to only a very brief test drive, but the power delivery was sophisticated and linear, in keeping with a large premium EV. We will need to review one in the future to figure out all the intricacies of the minimalist interior and touchscreen interface.

Nevertheless, true to Volvo’s heritage, safety is of paramount concern in the EX90’s design. The vehicle is equipped with an unprecedented array of cameras and sensors – including LiDAR technology integrated directly into the roof. It looks a bit like a roof scoop on an old rally car, but what it does is enable the advanced driver assistance systems. As mentioned, while we were unable to thoroughly evaluate the semi-autonomy, we have no doubt the tech will put the Volvo EX90 amongst the technological vanguard.

THE VERDICT

Interestingly, Volvo’s considered electric strategy is finding remarkable success in South Africa. No mean feat for a market that’s proven pretty EV averse so far. The smaller EX30 has been a revelation, capturing an astounding 50% of the segment. This success provides a promising backdrop for the EX90’s market entry. And it suggests Volvo’s careful approach to electrification resonates more strongly somehow with consumers.

Perhaps it has something to do with the free charging wall box the company will install at your house. Or the two years free public charging it offers when you buy any Volvo EV. Moreover, what should resonate with customers is how the Volvo EX90 is a true EV reimagining of its iconic family SUV. It carries forward the XC90’s legacy of safety, practicality and thoughtful design while embracing electric mobility.