Volvo is on track to phase out its lineup of gasoline-powered vehicles by the end of the decade. As that time approaches, there鈥檚 a new electric addition for 2025: The EX90 is expected to arrive later in 2024 from Volvo鈥檚 assembly plant in North Carolina. 

The automaker鈥檚 new seven-passenger battery-electric utility vehicle will be sold alongside the gasoline- and hybrid-powered XC90. According to Volvo, the XC90 will remain available and will receive at least one last makeover before being retired.

The EX90 and XC90 look similar, but the EX90鈥檚 grille-less nose and larger 鈥淭hor鈥檚 hammer鈥� headlights and taillights (a Volvo trademark) are major differences. The EX90鈥檚 flush-mounted door handles pop out and illuminate as the driver approaches the vehicle, and the body panels are also made from partially recycled steel and aluminum. 

Despite the EX90鈥檚 battery-electric platform (shared with the more premium Polestar 3), the vehicle is practically the same size as the XC. The EX90 is about 7.5-centimetres longer and the differences in width, height and in distance between the front and rear wheels are almost negligible. The same goes for cargo capacities, whether the rear rows of seats are upright or folded flat, but the advantage goes to the EX90 and its small stowage spot beneath the hood.

The EX90 and XC90 have the same 5,000-pound (2,270-kilogram) towing capacities.

Dominating the interior is a giant 14.5-inch vertical touch-screen along with a smaller driver鈥檚 information display. The giant screen operates the key functions, such as infotainment, navigation and climate functions. A solitary dial on the floor console operates the vehicle鈥檚 forward and reverse directions.

Seven-passenger seating is standard, but the second-row bench can be replaced with a pair of high-back bucket seats. Volvo鈥檚 focus on sustainability means that the seat coverings are produced from wool and recycled plastics. There鈥檚 no leather to be found.

There are two powertrain choices for the all-wheel-drive EX90, both with front and rear electric motors. The Twin Motor Plus is rated at 402 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque, while the Twin Motor Performance increases output to 496 horsepower and 671 pound-feet. Both versions are supported by 111-kilowatt-hour battery packs.

According to Volvo, the Plus accelerates to 60 mph (96 km/h) from rest in 5.7 seconds, while the Performance does it in 4.7. Those are great numbers given the EX90鈥檚 2,800-kilogram heft.

Both systems provide bi-directional charging, which means they can supply power for household lighting and appliances in the event of an outage, or they can charge another EV鈥檚 batteries.

At full charge, the base EX90 Plus provides an estimated 480 kilometres of range. The rating for the Performance hasn鈥檛 been announced but it鈥檚 expected to be only slightly less.

Volvo reports that charging the battery to 100 per cent from 10 using a 240-volt Level 2 home charger will take about 11 hours. Charging to 80 per cent from 10 using a 480-volt Level 3 commercial charger is estimated to take 30 minutes. Why 80 per cent? Because the charge speed dramatically slows once 80 per cent is reached, which is the case with most plug-in hybrids and EVs on the market, and automakers want to advertise their quickest times.

The Twin Motor Plus starts at $110,000, which is about $35,000 more than the gasoline XC90. For a so-called base model, it鈥檚 well equipped and includes a fixed-glass panoramic glass roof and a full range of active-safety technology designed to prevent collisions. There鈥檚 adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and active steering assist, long-range pedestrian detection and dual-camera distracted/drowsy driver system with intervention. There鈥檚 also radar-based in-car monitoring that alerts when people or pets have been left unattended.

Available in the Twin Motor Plus trim is a Bowers and Wilkins surround-sound audio package with 25 speakers.

As a flagship status model, the EX90 appears to be the complete package in terms of luxury, performance and safety. It might even make you forget about the XC90, which might be the point.

What you should know: 2025 Volvo EX90

Type: All-wheel-drive electric utility vehicle

Motors (h.p.): Front and rear electric (402/496)

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Market position: Closely related to the Volvo XC90 in terms of size and looks, the seven-passenger utility vehicle has considerable luxury content and leading-edge active-safety technology, and more-than-capable standard and optional power systems.

Points: Styling borrows heavily from the gasoline-powered EX90. 鈥� Simplified interior lacks control knobs and buttons, which could deter some buyers. 鈥� Decent performance and battery range. 鈥� Base models come reasonably well turned out. 鈥� Volvo鈥檚 focus on safety technology is obvious.

Active safety: Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic backup alert (std.); active cruise control (std.); front and rear emergency braking (opt.); inattentive-driver alert (std.); lane-departure warning (std.); pedestrian warning (std.)

Le/100 km (city/hwy): n.a.   

Base price (incl. destination): $110,000

By comparison

VinFast VF9

• Base price: $106,200
• Vietnam brand鈥檚 offering provides up to 530 kilometres of range.

Kia EV9 AWD

• Base price: $63,000
• Premium AWD vehicle makes 379 h.p, 531 kilometres of range.

Cadillac Lyriq

• Base price: $73,800
• Handsome five-passenger RWD or AWD EV, up tp 500-plus kms of range.