The Volvo ES90: A Modern Take On The Saloon
Fully-electric and quite a little bigger than the standard, the Volvo ES90 is a saloon made for today.
As families and singles alike embrace the roomier cabins and commanding stances of SUVs and crossovers, the once evergreen saloons (or sedans) keep their allure among the faithful who look for that vintage poise in their toys. But, as carmakers around the world shift their attention to their younger, bigger lines, Volvo presents the ES90, a saloon that just might work today.
An evolution of the marque’s executive ‘S’ line of cars, the ES90 is Volvo’s ‘first fully electric premium saloon’, though some purists might disagree. Sitting as high as it does, the ES90 is more of a crossover saloon, with its electric platform and increased ride height presenting a taller frame that tests the parameters of the saloon class. That said, thanks to its height, drivers get a more commanding view from the front row, while a longer wheelbase delivers extra legroom to the second row.
Despite its heft, the ES90 is still very aerodynamically efficient. In fact, it’s the most aerodynamic the marque has produced, cleaving through the air in part thanks to its flowing, fastback profile. This maximises its efficiency, allowing for the 800-volt architecture—also another Volvo best—to hold a WLTP range of 651 km and an acceleration figure of 0–100 km/hr in an impressive 6.6 seconds. The system also charges from 10 to 80 per cent in just 22 minutes with a 350 kW DC fast charger. Unfortunately, such charging stations are only available at a few locations across Malaysia, so a full charge with the standard 11 kW AC charger would still take around a numbing 10 hours.
As for its design, a new type of car merits a fresh, modern design, and Volvo has certainly delivered in this regard. At the front, the marque’s signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights express a modernised version of Volvo’s identity, while the rear fascia features new C-shaped LED lamps, complemented by LED lighting on each side of the rear window, creating a fun little ‘welcome and farewell light sequence’.
Inside, Volvo’s proprietary Nordico upholstery ensures a pleasant ride for driver and passenger alike, even on those longer drives. Perhaps where the ES90 truly makes a clang, however, is how much it doesn’t. Engineered for exceptional sound comfort, ultra-low noise levels make it one of Volvo’s quietest cabins ever, allowing occupants to fully appreciate the Bowers & Wilkins sound system—25 high-fidelity speakers delivering a lifelike spatial sound experience—while an exclusive Abbey Road Studios mode recreates the acoustics of the legendary London recording space.
Perhaps a polarising feature inside, though, is the 14.5in portrait infotainment screen that is, maybe, a little more iPad than a traditional infotainment system. Equipped with Google and supported by the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin computing platform—which acts as the vehicle’s core computer—the system eliminates almost every physical button and switchgear (including dedicated rear window switches) for a more Scandi-minimalist design, even when compared to Volvo’s previous creations.
The verdict? The ES90 stays true to Volvo’s core values of reliability and safety, while fitting in today’s SUV-obsessed, electrified world. Although it breaks the mould of what defines a saloon, the ES90 stands as a well-conceived executive car that delivers a comfortable ride and the latest tech a car can hold.
The Volvo ES90 is priced at RM339,888.
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