2024 Volvo EM90 EV people-mover revealed

The all-new battery-electric 2024 Volvo EM90 has been unveiled over the weekend as the Swedish brand moves into the luxury people-mover segment to rival the likes of the hybrid Lexus LM and electric Mercedes-Benz EQV.

Billed as a “living room on the move”, the high-end Volvo EM90 is actually a reclothed Zeekr 009 that’s already on sale, with both wagons based on Geely’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform.

The first-ever Volvo-branded MPV in the Scandinavian marque’s 70-year history, the EM90 is said to have been influenced by the 1953 Volvo Duett wagon’s striking shape.

Like every other Volvo, the front-end is dominated by the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights that in this case flank a neat illuminated Volvo logo.

The frontal styling is actually inspired by skyscrapers, a hint at the EM90’s large dimensions at 5205mm long, 2024mm wide and 1859mm high, with a whopping 3205mm wheelbase.

At the rear there’s a pair of T-shaped LED tail-lights and simple surfacing that look van-like.

Under the skin, for now at least, the Volvo EM90 misses out on the Zeekr 009’s wild 400kW/686Nm dual-motor powertrain that can send the MPV from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.6sec.

Instead, the Volvo delivers more sedate pace with a smaller 200kW motor driving the rear wheels.

Fed by a large 116kWh battery, the EM90 has a very impressive 738km range, although that figure is recorded on the less-stringent Chinese CLTC testing regime.

Against the clock, Volvo says its single-motor minivan can launch from 0-100km/h in 8.3sec.

A 10 to 80 per cent battery top up, meanwhile, is said to take less than 30 minutes.

As standard, the EM90 supports bidirectional charging, with the Volvo theoretically able to power your home in a power cut.

On the move, the EM90 should be near silent for occupants as it is equipped with luxury car levels of noise insulation materials and comes with the car-maker’s road noise cancellation tech.

Specially developed ‘silent’ tyres slash the road roar further, while dual-chamber air suspension should ensure a cossetting ride.

Cabin luxury is heightened by a six-seater layout, with Volvo resisting the urge to cram as many seats in as possible.

Instead, there’s a pair of airline-style armchairs in the middle row and a third conventional row of seats.

The middle-row seats can slide fore/aft, recline electrically and are heated and ventilated, with their own control panel to adjust the climate control, audio and other features.

They also get folding tray tables, while there’s a large 15.6-inch screen that can fold down from the ceiling to allow occupants to stream videos, work, take Zoom calls or just sit back and listen to their favourite music on the 21-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

Up front, Volvo says it has enhanced the EM90’s onboard assistant to allow the owner to reconfigure the cabin with simple voice commands, allowing the minivan to switch from a bedroom to cinema to meeting room, with both the climate control and lighting adjusting automatically for each setting.

Ahead of the driver is a large digital instrument panel that sits alongside a large 15.4-inch infotainment system that eliminates all other physical controls.

For now, the Volvo EM90 will only be offered for pre-order in China, where deliveries are expected to begin early next year.

It’s not known if there are any plans to sell it in other markets, but the success of the Lexus LM that arrives soon in Australia could prove a trigger.

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