Volvo EX90 Review: The Electric Family SUV That Turns Safety Into a Superpower

You know that moment on the highway when youre half listening to a podcast, half refereeing an argument in the second row, and you suddenly realize you dont actually remember the last 10 miles you drove? Modern family life has turned driving into background noiseuntil something goes wrong.

Thats the uncomfortable truth beneath every school run, Costco dash, and late-night airport pickup: youre juggling kids, notifications, fatigue, and increasingly chaotic traffic in a two-ton machine that still mostly relies on you not having an off day.

Which is exactly the tension Volvo wants to defuse with its new flagship EV.

Meet the Volvo EX90, a fully electric three-row SUV that doesnt just add more screens and range numbers. It quietly rewrites what a "family car" can be in 2026: a vehicle that actively watches your surroundings, watches you, and steps in when your attention or energy inevitably dips.

Volvo EX90: The Electric Answer to Modern Family Chaos

The Volvo EX90 is Volvos new all-electric, seven-seat SUV, positioned above the XC90 as a kind of rolling technology manifesto. Built on a dedicated EV platform with up to around 600 km WLTP range (depending on version and wheel choice, based on Volvos European specs) and fast DC charging, it aims straight at the Tesla Model X, Mercedes EQE SUV, BMW iX, and Kia EV9.

But where rivals talk about performance and screen inches, the EX90 is louder about something else: safety and calm.

Using a roof-mounted lidar sensor, a high-definition camera array, radars, ultrasonic sensors, and an interior driver understanding system, the EX90 is built to reduce crashes, ease fatigue, and make long days in the car feel less like survival mode and more like a controlled, comfortable routine.

Volvo Car AB (ISIN: SE0016844831) has spent decades building its brand on safety. The EX90 feels like the moment that legacy moves fully into the electric, software-defined era.

Why this specific model?

If youre looking at big electric SUVs in 2026, youre spoiled for choice. So why pick the Volvo EX90 over a Tesla, Mercedes, or Kia? It comes down to how all the tech actually serves you when life gets messy.

1. Safety isnt a bullet point, its the whole architecture

The EX90 is one of the first mainstream SUVs to integrate lidar as standard equipment in many markets (check local trims), mounted neatly above the windshield. Paired with cameras and radars, it helps the car "see" the road in 3D, even in low light and bad weather. Volvo says the system is designed to detect small objects at long distances, potentially allowing the car to intervene earlier than traditional camera-only systems.

In practice, that means more robust collision avoidance, better support for highway assist functions, and a foundation for future software updates as automated driving laws evolve. For you, its less about the lidar buzzword and more about the peace of mind that your car is constantly looking for the things you might miss.

2. It watches out for you, not just traffic

Inside, the EX90 uses two interior cameras and various sensors to read signs of drowsiness, distraction, or inattention. If youre nodding off or repeatedly taking your eyes off the road, it can escalate from gentle nudges to actively bringing the car to a safe stop if you dont respond.

This isnt about snooping. Its about having a co-pilot that notices when youve hit your limit, before your luck runs out.

3. True seven-seat practicality

Plenty of EVs claim three rows; fewer make the third row genuinely usable. The EX90s upright SUV shape and long wheelbase give it adult-capable seating in all three rows (Volvo explicitly markets it as a seven-seater) and a flat floor thanks to the battery-underfloor design. Reviews and early test drives consistently highlight the comfort of the cabin and clever storage solutions youll actually use, from bag hooks to large door pockets.

4. Calm Scandinavian tech, not a gadget circus

The EX90s interior leans into clean, Scandinavian minimalism rather than spaceship theatrics. In the center is a large, portrait-oriented touchscreen running a Google-based infotainment system (Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play built in, depending on market). The UI feels familiar if youve held an Android phone in the last five years and is regularly updated over-the-air.

Instead of a sea of buttons, you get a tidy cabin with high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and a focus on clear information. You still have a driver display behind the steering wheel and essential controls on physical stalks, which many drivers appreciate over fully touch-only setups.

5. Performance that feels confident, not reckless

The EX90 is available in dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants with substantial power (exact kW and performance figures depend on configuration and market; Volvo lists both Performance and non-Performance variants). What matters from the drivers seat is that acceleration is smooth, instant, and confident rather than neck-snapping. This is a car tuned for stability, comfort, and easy passing, not for constantly proving its 00 time.

At a Glance: The Facts

Feature	User Benefit
Fully electric SUV with up to around 600 km WLTP range (depending on version)	Enough real-world range for daily commuting plus weekend trips without constant charging anxiety.
Standard dual-motor all-wheel drive (on most trims)	Confident traction in rain and snow, plus strong, effortless acceleration for merging and overtaking.
Lidar, camera, radar, and ultrasonic sensor suite	Advanced surroundings awareness that can help prevent or mitigate collisions and support assisted driving features.
Interior driver understanding system with cameras and sensors	Monitors signs of drowsiness or inattention and can safely bring the car to a stop if you dont respond.
Seven-seat layout with three usable rows	Room for a full family (or friends) without banishing adults to a cramped third row.
Google built-in infotainment system (Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Play where available)	Familiar, constantly updated navigation and apps without relying on your phone for everything.
Over-the-air software updates	Your car gains new features, improvements, and refinements over time, much like a smartphone.

What Users Are Saying

A quick scan through early reviews, forums, and Reddit threads about the Volvo EX90 reveals a consistent theme: this is the EV for people who are a little exhausted by Tesla-style drama and want something more mature and dependable.

The praise:

• Build quality & interior  Owners and test drivers often highlight the solid feel of doors, the quiet cabin, and the tasteful materials. It feels like a premium product designed for daily use, not just showroom impressions.
• Comfort & ride  Many note that the suspension tuning is on the comfortable, composed side rather than harshly sporty. Long drives with kids, pets, and luggage are where it shines.
• Safety tech that feels reassuring  People appreciate the way driver assistance nudges and warnings come across as supportive rather than nagging, and the idea of lidar-based perception gets a lot of positive attention from safety-conscious buyers.
• Infotainment usability  Google Maps built-in and natural voice commands via Google Assistant are frequently praised, especially versus less intuitive systems from some German brands.

The criticisms:

• Price  The EX90 is positioned as a premium flagship EV; Reddit threads regularly call out the high entry price, especially when well optioned.
• Weight and size  Its a big, heavy SUV. Some users mention it feels less nimble in tight city streets or small parking garages.
• Early software quirks  As with many new EVs, early adopters report occasional software bugs or glitches, though Volvos over-the-air updates are expected to smooth these over.
• Charging infrastructure (contextual)  In markets where public fast charging is patchy, a few commenters worry less about the car itself and more about where theyll plug it in.

Alternatives vs. Volvo EX90

The large electric SUV space is getting crowded. Heres how the EX90 stacks up conceptually against a few key rivals:

• Tesla Model X  Offers strong performance, a vast Supercharger network (where available), and more aggressive styling. But it comes with a more polarizing interior design and a safety story that leans heavily on camera-only Autopilot/Full Self Driving instead of lidar. If you prioritize brand ecosystem and performance theatrics, the Model X wins; if you want calmer ergonomics and Volvos safety-first philosophy, the EX90 makes a strong counterargument.
• Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV / EQS SUV  Mercedes brings lush cabins and optional three rows (EQS SUV), plus its own advanced driver assistance. The EX90 pushes back with a cleaner interface, Google-based infotainment, and its lidar stack. Volvo feels slightly less opulent but more straightforward and family-focused.
• BMW iX  Sportier driving dynamics and a bold design, but not a true seven-seater. If handling and design flair are your priorities, the iX may appeal; if you genuinely need a spacious third row and a more understated luxury vibe, the EX90 pulls ahead.
• Kia EV9  One of the strongest value plays in the segment, with three-row seating, good range, and impressive tech at a typically lower price point. The EX90 answers with Volvo-brand cachet, lidar-based safety tech, and a more minimalist, Scandinavian interior aesthetic.

In short, the Volvo EX90 isnt the cheapest or flashiest option, but its arguably the most adult in the room: serious about safety, honest about comfort, and designed for the actual chaos of family life.

Final Verdict

If you strip away the specs, the Volvo EX90 asks a simple question: What if your next family car wasnt just electric, but also actively on your side when youre tired, distracted, or overloaded?

By combining a long-range electric powertrain, genuine seven-seat practicality, lidar-backed safety systems, and a calm, Google-powered interior, the EX90 makes a compelling case as the thinking persons big EV. It doesnt scream for attention; it earns your trust.

Yes, youll pay a premium. Yes, its a large, heavy SUV. And yes, as with any cutting-edge EV, youre buying into a future of software updates and evolving features. But if youre the kind of driver who values safety as much as acceleration, comfort as much as tech, and real-world usability over spec sheet bragging rights, the Volvo EX90 deserves a very serious spot on your shortlist.

For families who want their next car to feel less like a risk and more like a quiet ally, the EX90 isnt just another EV. Its a reset button on what a family SUV can be.