One of the most contentious points of the all-new Volvo EX90 (RM442,888) is the way you, as the driver, would open and close the windows. It’s something we take for granted in almost every other car—four switches, right? One for each window. But not on the EX90. There are two switches for the windows on the driver’s armrest, and a button next to them with a light-up indicator. When the little light is at the front, the switches operate the front windows. Push the button, the light moves to the back, and the same switches now operate the back windows.
This is contrary to decades of vehicular precedent. For some people, this change will be absolutely infuriating. The good thing for those people is that they will probably find this to be the singular worst offender, as far as the EX90 goes. The ambivalent news is that it is merely a symptom of the EX90’s overall philosophy. Because, with this release, Volvo has rethought and reinvented the car’s user experience, discarding decades of historical assumptions and familiarity in favour of a fresh, 21st-century approach. They are not the first automaker to do this, but they are the first amongst the established continental brands to have deviated so heavily from tradition.
The interior of the EX90 is alarmingly button-free—aside from the aforementioned window controls, the steering wheel has a few buttons, and the centre console has a volume knob, but that’s about it. Side-view mirror and steering wheel adjustments, for example, are accessed through the central touchscreen, whereupon the directional thumb buttons on the steering wheel are used to tweak the positioning.
It is different, and it takes some time to learn and get used to. But is it bad? Some will insist that it is, but objectively speaking, it is far from it. It has clearly been designed very thoughtfully. For example, the steering wheel and side mirror functions are only two touches away on the touchscreen, via a quick-access menu, and the actual final positioning is done on the steering wheel, so mid-drive adjustments are quite possible. And those window controls mentioned earlier: they’re different but not difficult to use once you know the trick.
What you get in exchange is one of the most streamlined, snappy, and utility-focused operating systems available on the market, one that really elevates the EX90’s status as a tech-forward vehicle for the smartphone generation. Quite literally, at that, because the operating system is Google Built-in, and Volvo has left it as it is instead of wrapping it up in layers of drama and forced personality. Consider the battery indicator, for instance, which for most EVs is made extremely prominent on the instrument cluster, accompanied by various animations as if to reassure the driver that it is actually working. On the EX90, it is a tiny rectangular bar, with one number for percentage remaining, and one for estimated range—basically like a smartphone. In fact, the whole operating system feels basically like a smartphone or tablet, which is a good thing if you’re comfortable with these devices.
And it feels like a very nice tablet, too. The central touchscreen is vertically oriented and massive at 14.5in. Google Maps—a native app, of course, which means that for once a car’s own navigation might actually be reliable enough—is impressively, almost comically expansive when viewed at this size, and easier to read. Putting on some YouTube videos while waiting in park barely feels like a compromise over the home viewing experience.
Volvo could have stopped at this singular central touchscreen, but thankfully, they didn’t, because the instrument cluster—which is not an instrument cluster in the traditional sense, really, and more of a secondary screen—is one of the most handy bits of the entire setup. It seems very small, at first, like it was an afterthought; but between its high resolution and the fact that it is mounted on the steering column, bringing it closer to the eyes, means that a surprising amount of information can be displayed. A head-up display completes the informative experience.
Naturally, all the user-facing elements are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the EX90’s underlying technology. It is just about as feature-packed as a modern car can be, with numerous safety systems and driver assistance elements. Cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors accompany a Lidar unit to keep an eye on the road at all times, and its dynamic cruise control and lane-keeping abilities are among the most adept in terms of reducing driver burden.
As for what’s old about the EX90—well, the things that made Volvo’s reputation are still there. The Scandinavian lounge experience is back, if more minimalist than ever. The EX90 is, of course, the all-electric version of the longer-running XC90 and, as such, is a family-sized SUV that seats up to seven. High-ceilinged roominess, aided by the panoramic glass roof, helps combat the restlessness of long trips, as does the 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
The most surprising part of the EX90 is that it is quite an impressive ride. Volvo’s recent history of offerings tends towards practical, fully-featured, and deceptively quick and powerful—but also somewhat lacking in terms of dynamism. This is definitively not the case in the EX90, despite the challenge of handling that comes with a heavy, battery-laden SUV. It is quick enough—510bhp and 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds from its two electric motors—but the steering is remarkably precise and involving, even as it is a light and easy drive. The active chassis, with its electronically controlled shock absorbers, feels responsive and agile, even as the air suspension cushions away the road, and the weight disguise is impressive. It finds up to 623km of range, something of an achievement for a large, tall SUV.
There are some brands founded entirely on radical innovation. Volvo is not, having decades of storied history in the traditional automotive sphere. That they are pushing the envelope somewhat in terms of user interface will not be to the delight of fans of the old school. But for those who grew up with smartphones, or those who are willing to do a bit of mental re-wiring, well, they will get one of the most feature-complete, well-rounded family vehicles available on the market. The Volvo EX90 might even be the new benchmark for electric SUVs.
