Volvo has adjusted course on its electrification technique, selecting to not go EV-only however as an alternative persevering with to supply up to date variations of its combustion-powered fashions alongside their electrical counterparts. The primary as an instance this dual-track strategy is the 90 sequence, the place the facelifted XC90 joins the all-new EX90. At a current native take a look at drive occasion, we had the possibility to expertise each SUVs facet by facet, taking every for a spin to see how they evaluate.
The EX90 was initially launched in late 2022, however manufacturing didn’t begin till mid-2024 on account of provide points and lingering software program bugs. However, the second-generation XC90, initially debuted in 2014, obtained a gentle refresh in 2019, and has simply been handled to a extra thorough replace in 2024.
Extra: Volvo’s Reborn XC70 Is For The EV Skeptics
The 2 Swedish SUVs have comparable footprints with three rows of seats. Nevertheless, they trip on totally different underpinnings, because the XC90 retains the unique SPA (Scalable Product Structure) platform, whereas the EX90 makes use of the a lot newer SPA 2 structure. Extra importantly, the XC90 presents mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain choices, whereas the EX90 is completely obtainable in absolutely electrical kind.
QUICK SPECS
With the specs laid out, the query turns into how these SUVs measure up in design, cabin high quality, and on-road character.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest of Them All?
Each fashions reduce an imposing determine on the highway, although the EX90 stretches somewhat longer with its prolonged rear overhang. The XC90’s 2024 facelift, significantly its redesigned entrance fascia, succeeds in giving the veteran SUV a brisker look with out altering the majority of its bodywork.
The XC90’s grille options a particular sample that instantly units it other than the EX90’s minimalist, closed-off face. I personally desire the look of the XC90’s slimmer LED headlights with Thor’s hammer graphics over the EX90’s pixel-style DRLs with the overly advanced split-opening theatrics. As for the fake facet intakes of the XC90, for my part it wouldn’t damage in the event that they had been smaller as they serve no actual function.
Extra: Volvo ES90 Takes On BMW i5 With Extra Type And Vary
From the facet, the EX90 asserts its modernity with a clamshell hood, sharper dynamic traces, and flared fenders that combine extra seamlessly into the physique. The identical applies to the futuristic design of the 22-inch wheels that edge out the fashionable however conservative appears of the XC90’s 21-inch alloys.
The rear finish might be the weakest level of the XC90, with the EX90 trying one technology forward. Don’t get me mistaken – I all the time favored the aristocratic class of the massive ICE-powered Volvo SUV however its tail has remained the identical over the previous decade and it might probably now not conceal its age. Having stated that, I’m not an enormous fan of the break up taillight association of the EX90 with additional LEDs flanking the rear glass.
Minimalism Over Perceived High quality
Shifting inside, the EX90 bets on minimalism, whereas the XC90 does a greater job within the perceived high quality with greater chunks of material and wooden inserts on the dashboard. The floating heart console of the EV has more room for storage and a cool little case for the important thing, however I nonetheless desire the extra conventional setup of the XC90 with the crystal-like shifter.
When it comes to tech, the XC90 has just lately gained a 11.2 inch infotainment show and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The EX90 has a much bigger and extra commanding 14.5-inch touchscreen that’s joined by a smaller however simpler to learn 9-inch instrument cluster.
Extra: This New Seatbelt Reacts To Your Physique Earlier than A Crash Even Occurs
The Google-powered infotainment software program with crisp graphics is shared between the 2, though the absence of bodily buttons and shortcuts is a little more irritating within the EV. General, I didn’t like the very fact I used to be a number of clicks away from accessing the selectable driving modes, however no less than the local weather controls are all the time seen on the decrease finish of the display.
Predictably, the cabins of the SUVs really feel equally spacious. In accordance with the spec sheets, the XC90 has barely much less headroom than the EX90, though it does have a contact of additional hip room on the third row. The boot is sort of an identical, with 662 lt (23.4 cubic toes) for the EX90 and 668 lt (23.6 cubic toes) for the XC90 (each measured with the third-row seats folded). The seats are very good in each fashions, providing nice ranges of consolation and assist for varied physique sorts.
Staying loyal to Volvo’s security fixation (and status), each fashions include refined ADAS suites and a restricted high pace of 180 km/h (112 mph). Nevertheless, solely the EX90 has a roof-mounted LiDAR, with the XC90 nonetheless counting on radar and digital camera sensors.
The Driving Expertise is the Decisive Issue
My drive began with the XC90, as I needed to see if it could nonetheless impress me as a lot as its predecessor did after I first drove it a few years in the past. It most just lately did. The trip is easy, the cabin is serene, and it nonetheless appears like a wonderful long-distance cruiser.
Predictably, the XC90 nonetheless appears like an enormous and heavy SUV once you push it within the corners, with a wholesome quantity of physique roll regardless of the efforts of the self-leveling air suspension. With a mixed output of 449 hp (335 kW / 455 PS) from its plug-in hybrid powertrain, the SUV is not any slouch, but it surely’s clearly extra geared in direction of consolation than outright efficiency.
Extra: Volvo Doesn’t Want Wagons Anymore, Says SUVs Are The Future
The EX90, however, appears like a step into the long run. You instantly really feel the distinction the newer chassis makes in trip high quality, mixed with the extra refined dual-chamber air suspension. In Consolation mode, it glides over bumps, whereas Efficiency mode tightens it up lowering physique roll. Moreover, the steering of the EV feels faster and extra direct, doing a greater job in disguising its heavyweight nature.
The EX90 we drove got here fitted with the Efficiency powertrain which is a $5,000 possibility within the US. This dials up the mixed output of the twin electrical motors to 510 hp (380 kW / 517 PS) from the usual 397 hp (296 kW / 402 PS). General, the half-second benefit over the PHEV within the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) dash won’t sound that massive on paper, however the instantaneous torque supply and general responsiveness make the EV really feel considerably faster on the highway.
Remaining Ideas
After spending a restricted period of time with Volvo’s two flagship SUVs, I reached two clear conclusions. The facelifted XC90 stays a robust contender within the phase, with welcome enhancements within the design and trip high quality. Nevertheless, when pushed back-to-back with the absolutely electrical EX90, it’s clear the latter takes the lead in efficiency, consolation, and driving dynamics. Volvo was proper to maintain the ICE-powered XC90 within the lineup with considerate updates, however for these open to an electric-only possibility, the newer EX90 makes the extra compelling case – even with a better price ticket.
