Volvo is making a bold statement in the automotive world by transitioning to an all-electric future. Leading this charge is the 2025 Volvo EX90, their new flagship SUV that’s poised to redefine the Best Luxury Suvs segment. This full-size, seven-seat SUV isn’t just another electric vehicle; it’s built on Volvo’s first dedicated EV platform, making it a significant step up in size and technology compared to the current XC90. With plans to introduce a new EV annually, Volvo is committed to going fully electric by 2030. The EX90 is available for pre-order now and will officially hit the market in early 2024. Following its launch, the Volvo EX30, a smaller and more affordable subcompact crossover, will join the lineup in the latter half of 2024, expanding Volvo’s electric SUV offerings.
The Volvo EX90: A Contender Among the Best Luxury SUVs
Priced starting under $80,000, the EX90 firmly plants itself in the luxury SUV category. It’s expected to go head-to-head with other premium all-wheel-drive electric SUVs, including formidable rivals like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, the anticipated Lucid Gravity, and three-row configurations of the Tesla Model X. Volvo’s sister company, Polestar, will also offer the Polestar 3 SUV, which, while smaller, shares the EX90’s platform but with distinct performance and handling characteristics. While the 2025 EX90 might not be the largest or most powerful in its class, it holds its own and comes with a more accessible price tag than most competitors, except for the Rivian. Importantly, the EX90 introduces advanced safety and driver-assistance systems, including the hardware and software necessary for future hands-free highway driving, reinforcing Volvo’s long-standing reputation for safety. Volvo confidently proclaims it as their safest vehicle to date.
Technology and Design Defining the Best Luxury SUV Experience
The EX90 offers dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configurations and promises a range exceeding 300 miles, placing it competitively among the best luxury SUVs in terms of performance and capability.
The interior design adopts a minimalist, Tesla-esque approach, characterized by a clean dashboard dominated by a prominent, vertically oriented touchscreen. Externally, it retains classic Volvo design cues, featuring the iconic Thor’s Hammer headlights, a prominent Volvo logo, vertical taillights, and strong, sculpted rear lines. A notable technological highlight is the bulge at the top center of the windshield, housing an array of lidar sensors. These sensors enhance the precision of the EX90’s lane-keeping and obstacle detection systems, even in complete darkness, underscoring Volvo’s commitment to cutting-edge safety technology in their best luxury SUVs offering.
Availability and Market Impact on the Luxury SUV Segment
Deliveries of the EX90 are scheduled to begin in early 2024, with pre-order customers gaining the ability to configure their vehicles later this year for priority delivery. While availability is expected across all states, initial distribution will likely favor EV-friendly regions such as Southern California, Silicon Valley, the Pacific Northwest, the Eastern Seaboard, Colorado, and Texas. The EX90 will be manufactured at Volvo’s plant in South Carolina, and select models priced under $80,000 may qualify for a federal clean vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500, contingent on battery content requirements, making it an even more attractive option in the best luxury SUVs market.
Volvo introduced the EX90 well in advance of its production start, and details regarding standard versus optional features are still emerging. Driving evaluations are also pending. A comprehensive assessment of the EX90’s overall competitiveness within the best luxury SUVs segment will require a hands-on driving experience and further specification details. However, as it stands, the Volvo EX90 is shaping up to be a strong contender, blending luxury, electric performance, and Volvo’s hallmark safety into a compelling package.
