Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance 2025 Review

From the off there are two dual-motor, all-wheel drive (AWD) versions of the Chinese-built SUV to choose from – Plus and Ultra. The former starts at $124,990 before on-road costs (ORCs), while the 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance tested here is $134,900 plus ORCs.

A cheaper, single-motor rear-wheel drive version is slated for later in the year to form a cheaper entry point into the lineup. It’s also worth noting that the EX90 is closely aligned technically with the smaller, five-seat Polestar 3.

Aside from its hybrid-powered family member, the XC90, pure-EV competition in this segment is rather thin on the ground. However, checking out the boldly styled Kia EV9 is worth it, especially if you’re more budget conscious. Or the recently released Hyundai IONIQ 9 is another option if your bank account is flush with more than $120k.

Speaking of money, a sweetener to offset the cost of EX90 entry is that Volvo includes the first five years of scheduled servicing for free. The intervals are a little shorter than some EVs at every 12 months or 15,000km, but agreeable when you’re getting them for nothing.

The EX90 is covered by Volvo’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery is assured for eight years or 160,000km – whichever comes first. Five years of included roadside assistance adds further peace of mind.

Those who used to love the boxy Swede designs of old might feel right at home with the exterior silhouette of the 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance. Although, for those who didn’t, don’t worry. It’s a very sleek and modern take on tradition – all five metres of it.

Apart from the huge 22-inch wheels and the absence of a traditional grille, the EX90 employs a sense of conforming style over radicalised EV rivals. With the trademark Volvo HD Pixel headlights and LED taillights that venture upwards to flank the rear window, the EX90 oozes luxe appeal.

Other key features include the full panoramic glass roof (that can be optioned with a shade) as well as NFC (near-field communication) technology for locking and unlocking the EX90, which can also be done via your smartphone. LiDAR tech is also fitted, which has a range of up to 250m and can see through some solid objects.

Inside, the cabin is just as visually appealing in a restrained, understated way. And it’s a cruelty-free space, too, with all materials originating from sustainable sources. Still, there’s copious Nordico faux leather throughout.

The front seats are electronically adjustable (including side bolsters) with heating, ventilation and a massage function, while the middle outboard pews and the steering wheel are heated, too. Other kit includes quad-zone climate control (including the third row), a powered tailgate and puddle lighting.

There are some significant mechanical upgrades with the Ultra, too, but we’ll get to those soon.

For a company that is credited with implementing the three-point safety belt in 1959, you’d expect this department to be top notch. And despite the 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance not holding an official rating from any global organisation, it’s still a very safe vehicle.

It’s fitted with nine airbags (including a front-centre airbag and curtains covering all three rows) as well as ISOFIX points and top-tether anchorages. The flip-up centre child seat is a Volvo staple.

In terms of active safety the EX90 gains autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB, active cruise control with stop/go, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, front and rear cross traffic alert, driver attention monitoring, traffic sign recognition, parking sensors and an excellent 360-degree camera with 3D view.

As you’d also expect with a Volvo, the integration of all the systems is well done – including the LiDAR. And if anything isn’t to your liking, it’s relatively easy to disengage a variety of the tech via the central touch-screen.

Speaking of touch-screens, the 2025 Volvo X90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance doesn’t bombard you with them. What’s more, the digital acreage on offer is very useable and intuitive.

Taking care of the infotainment is a portrait-style 14.5-inch touch-screen display that’s powered by the Qualcomm Technologies Snapdragon Digital Chassis. It utilises Google’s Android Automotive with Google Assistant, but if you’re an Apple user, you’ll still be able to access CarPlay – all wirelessly, of course.

While the 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster might appear to be on the small side, it houses useful information and can even display maps with route guidance. It pairs well with the detailed head-up display, too. Elsewhere there’s a wireless charging pad, DAB+ digital radio, voice control and a host of USB-C ports.

For fans of orchestral-quality acoustics, the 1610-watt 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system transforms the EX90 into the Sydney Opera House on wheels. It’s truly one of the best in-car audio experiences, no matter your taste in music.

Annoyingly, the NFC card for vehicle access can be a little hit and miss until you become familiar with it – hint, you glance the front of the door handle. Over-the-air (OTA) updates are also available and there’s a 5G sim card inbuilt, so you’re always connected. It’s also possible to remotely view and manipulate select aspects of the EX90 with the Volvo cars app.

The 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance is almost comically fast.

It’s easy to become blasé about zero to 100km/h times with modern EVs, but a seven-seat SUV weighting more than 2.8 tonnes shouldn’t be able to cross that marker in 4.9 seconds. And with the dual motor (permanent magnet synchronous) AWD setup, the straight-line prowess is ruthlessly efficient.

Negating the 2815kg mass is the fact the e-motors combined generate 380kW and a mammoth 910Nm. It’s all sent through a single-speed reduction gear to all four wheels with seamless and smooth progress.

Off the line the EX90 leaps into motion, yet the rate of speed doesn’t fade for highway on-ramps or overtaking, either. It is limited to 180km/h, but unless you’re on a German Autobahn, you won’t be testing that or the sleek (for an SUV) drag coefficient.

The big numbers continue when it comes to the consumption of the 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance.

Despite its alarming pace, the go-fast variant shares the same 570km WLTP-rated range as the ‘lesser’ EX90. They use the same CATL-supplied 111kWh Lithium-ion NMC battery pack (107kWh net) and share a 16.9kWh/100km consumption rating.

However, the official average proves ambitious. Throughout our week of testing the marker settled on 21kWh/100km, with driving conditions including everything from traffic-jam chaos to suburban duties, highway cruising and spirited road testing.

With more consistent and normal driving, the real-world range is closer to the 500 or 520km mark.

The EX90 has a maximum DC charging rate of 250kW, meaning a 10 to 80 per cent zap can occur in 30 minutes. With the appropriate wall box, replenishing from zero to 100 per cent takes 10 hours when hooked up to an 11kW AC connection.

Hero figures are one thing, but the 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance needs to be comfortable, luxurious and easy to live with – and it is. However, it does take some menu-digging to get the Goldilocks setup for every occasion.

Built on the company’s SPA2 platform, the top-spec EX90 gains adaptive, dual-chamber air suspension to not only compensate for the large 22-inch wheels but also compose the 5037mm long and 1964mm wide seven-seat body. The torque-vectoring dual-clutch rear axle also aids turn to further shrink the dimensions – theoretically, at least.

And don’t worry, while the performance figures could seem intimidating, in its normal driving mode, most parameters (like the throttle calibration) are softened for a more relaxed vibe. There’s even a Soft mode for the suspension which generates impressive compliance and comfort in most environments, with only the odd big hit heard in the cabin.

The steering can be shifted to this mode, too, making its responses light for low-speed city manoeuvres. Combined with the cameras and decent outward vision, the EX90 isn’t as intimidating as it might seem.

Yet, tap the ‘Performance AWD’ setting on the infotainment screen and the EX90’s persona sharpens as the suspension hunkers down. Okay, this is anything but a hot hatch. However, the way in which the EX90 grips and steers is commendable.

In its firmest setting, the ride quality is still acceptable, but it’s the pronounced torque vectoring from the rear axle that transforms the dynamic ability. It helps the EX90 turn and change direction positively, while the pseudo-AWD driveline generates ample traction to harness all 910 Newtons.

Speaking of grip, those Pirelli Scorpion tyres are as wide as some sports cars (265/40 R22 front; 295/35 R22 rear) and deliver confidence-inspiring levels of purchase. Although, you do have to account for the weight, as its presence is acutely felt when trying to arrest speed. The brakes and regenerative system are up to the task.

Essentially, with the configurability on offer, you can really tailor your own experience. Ultimately, the EX90 does celerity and calm in equal measures.

While the 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance might employ AWD and have 216mm of ground clearance, it isn’t going to be venturing too far off tarmac.

Additionally, road-focused tyres wrap the 22-inch alloy wheels – and there’s no spare, just a tyre mobility kit. However, if towing is more your thing, the EX90 has a braked towing capacity of 2200kg with a 575kg payload.

Well, this is a bit fancy. Actually, a lot fancy.

The 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance takes minimalist design seriously – yet it delivers in the details. From the clean integration of the air vents, top-notch fit and finish, premium materials and the gramophone-style Bowers & Wilkins tweeter, everything works.

As does the Cardamon light brown woodgrain dash. It has a party trick, too. At night it illuminates, infused with soft, honeycomb-esque yellow backlighting that couples with the supple front seats to create an upscale, yet homely atmosphere. Even the electric seat adjustment is novel yet effective and in keeping with the Lamino armchair-inspired pews.

While the operating systems works appreciably well, there are a few interior ergonomic quirks. The wing mirrors and steering column must be manipulated via the central touch-screen – same goes for the lights, wipers and even the glovebox. The ‘gear’ selector is mounted on the steering column. The cruise control is engaged through this, too, by pulling the lever down as if you’re re-engaging Drive.

Some might find the oversized volume/play/pause rotating wheel a bit naff, but it’s a well-engineered and beautifully tactile control. Hey, if you’re going to only have one physical control, it better be a good one, right? A bugbear is the lack of big-bottle storage in the door cards, though the cabin is otherwise flush with places to put things.

Speaking of space, the three pews comprising the middle row slide fore and aft, but also flip forward to aid access to the rearmost seats. Therefore, legroom is flexible in the back, although adults will struggle to fit legs and heads comfortably if occupying the third row.

The EX90 isn’t short of amenities, with pillar-mounted air vents for the rear climate controls as well as myriad USB-C ports. Some will find the exclusion of grab handles odd, though, while rear vision is hampered by the tapered roofline and the third-row headrests.

Cargo capacity is generous no matter how many of the seven seats are in use. Taking ‘advantage’ of the EV architecture is a 46-litre frunk (front boot), while at the rear there’s a minimum of 324 litres of boot space. That expands to 697L when the electronically folding (and raising) third row is stowed, ballooning to 2135L when the 40/20/40-split middle row is folded.

A sign that even Volvo is cautious of the EV switch couldn’t be made clearer by the launch of a refreshed XC90. It offers the option to plug in, but it remains a predominately petrol-powered prospect.

That shouldn’t overshadow the achievement here. The 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance reaches a high standard in terms of how it drives, its liveability and, ultimately, how it makes you feel. It takes Scandi-chic luxury to the next level and creates a sensation of effortlessness.

Yes, it isn’t cheap, but if you’re already committing to spending this kind of cash, then stepping up to the Ultra Twin Motor Performance over the Plus is a bit of a no-brainer decision. The extra features like the upgraded audio and suspension hardware mean more than the added pace, though.

Some repeat Volvo customers might be hesitant to embrace the rethink of a traditional seven-seat SUV concept. That’s why the succession plan has an interim failsafe. However, those who believe the EX90 is right for their use case won’t be disappointed.

2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance at a glance:
Price: $134,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors
Output: 380kW/910Nma
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 111kWh lithium-ion NMC (107kWh net)
Range: 570km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 16.9kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested

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