Volvo ES90 EV review

Volvo has gone all in on electric motoring. The brand made the decision a few years ago and is making good on that promise. The electrification started slowly, with hybridisation of existing model lines. Then things took a high-tech turn. Fully developed EV platforms and purely battery powered models, such as the EX90 SUV and the feature of this review, the Volvo ES90. Volvo now offers six, pure battery powered models in South Africa. The bulk of these are, as expected, SUVs.

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The ES90 made its debut as Volvo’s first all-electric executive sedan, building on a proud tradition of luxury sedans from the Swedish automaker. It’s bloodline includes the likes of the S90, S80 and 960. The Volvo ES90 went on sale in Msanzi shortly after its was presented on the world stage. Buyers could lay their eyes and hands on the new sedan at local dealerships from early this year. We recently go to experience the Swede first hand as one was loaned to us by Volvo Cars SA.

Sleek as you like

When the Volvo ES90 rolled up to our offices it turned the head of everyone in the vicinity. That trend continued wherever we drove it. The, now, signature ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlamps are adopted here with good effect. The smooth, enclosed nose (no cooling vents needed for radiators and the like) give it a unique frontal aspect. It is a voluminous vehicle, at five metres long and nearly two metres wide, but somehow contains that heft with tight proportions and subtle sculpting of surfaces. Massive, 21-inch alloys fill the arches. The sleek Swede is a looker, of that there is no doubt.

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Tech assault

The sense of sleekness and high-tech feel continues into the cabin. The facia is completely uncluttered with a single, large touchscreen taking pride of place (more on this in a bit). A simple, three-spoke steering with a few buttons sits ahead of another digital display, which provides vital info to the driver. There is also a heads-up display, which is standard across the range, to help the driver keep focus on the road ahead at all times.

The sleek look does come at a price. Volvo has incorporated many functions, almost all, into the infotainment system. The most basic functions, such as setting the side mirrors, adjusting the cabin temp or even opening the glove box are performed electronically. However, it must be noted that the voice control system is one of the better versions we have encountered in a car. Using it gives you the option to perform many functions without so much as taking one’s hands off the wheel. Thankfully, there is a physical volume dial and two buttons for changing radio stations/audio tracks.

The infotainment system is completely Android driven. As a result is features the likes of built-in Google Maps with real-time traffic data – handy. To keep up with the latest updates the car has an onboard dongle, although we hear that an eSIM is now the connection point in the latest units coming to SA. Over the air (OTA) updates take place as and when required by the system to stay up to date.

Commodious cabin

The ES90 interior is sumptuous. Soft-touch materials and open-pore wood make it feel quite premium. Occupants front and rear are treated to plenty of head- and legroom. Friends who joined us for dinner out commented at how the rear cabin felt like travelling in business class. Both front seats are electronically adjustable, also standard across the range. However, the range-topping version Ultra version also has a massage function in addition to seat heating and cooling. Other standard items on the Ultra include four-zone climate control, a full-length panoramic roof with one-touch electrochromic sun shade, hands-free operation of the powered tailgate.

We say tailgate as the ES90 is, technically speaking, a hatchback. The rear door opens with the rear windscreen and gives one direct access to the luggage area. The boot volume itself is a useful, but not gargantuan 424 litres. This is probably a function of the rear-mounted electric drive motor as well as the battery pack. There is a boot-mounted switch that allows one to lower the car to ease loading/off-loading of luggage and the like.

In addition the Ultra variant has power-release doors with soft-close functionality and a Bowers & Wilkins audio system that is an absolute treat to the ears. The latter features no fewer than two dozen speakers. The Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio system (as opposed to stereo) has an ‘Abbey Road’ setting whereby one can listen to music as set up in one of the most renowned music studios in the world, you know, the one that helped launch a small band from England known as The Beatles… As audiophiles we have to admit that we spent quite a lot of time engaging with the system in our office parking. Our only critique of the system is that you cannot listen to music directly from a USB flash drive.

Serene Swede

Sited between the rear wheels is a 245 kW electric motor. A healthy 480 N.m of torque is on tap from virtually the moment the motor starts spinning. Power is sent solely to the rear axle. The drivetrain operates in complete silence, even when you really punch it. Volvo engineers have managed to engineer all unwanted noise out of the cabin.

As a result the ES90 is probably the quietest car we have ever driven. There is no wind noise from the mirrors or A-pillars, a hint of tyre sound, which is quite road surface dependent and no powertrain hum. In fact, despite the high quality audio system, we took to driving the ES90 with the audio volume muted for most of our drives, especially at night. Standard air suspension helps keep unwanted body movements in check, which helps create an exceptional ride quality, even on those massive alloys. We imagine piloting the ES90 through Sweden in the depths of winter will be a surreal experience.

Long hauler

Batteries tend to weigh quite a bit. As a result the ES90 tips the scales at 2,4 tons. That blunts its performance somewhat. It delivers the benchmark 0-100 km/h sprint in 6,6 seconds and is electronically limited to 180 km/h. Volvo fits the local versions of the ES90 with a 92 kWh battery pack. If fully charged, and driven carefully, the company says the large saloon can travel up to 755 km. We saw a far more realistic, but imminently usable 580 km when the car was delivered to us. The ES90 powertrain is built on 800V architecture, which means it can fully charge from a high-speed charger (if you can find one) in 22 minutes.

Summary

To say that the Volvo ES90 left a favourable impression on us is a bit of an understatement. It is one of those cars that its very hard to fault in terms of its design brief and market posistioning. The blocky old Volvos that we knew from way back when are long gone. They’ve been replaced by sleek, high-tech, connected electrified saloons and SUVs. The ES90 is an exemplary example of a battery saloon, a small but premium segment of the market that most people have no interest in. And that, is perhaps its biggest failing: it is an exceptional product that few will ever consider buying and even fewer will get to experience.

Model: Volvo ES90 Ultra
Price: R1 795 000
Engine: single electric motor
Transmission: single-speed, RWD
Max power: 245 kW
Max torque: 480 N.m
0-100 km/h: 6,6 sec
Top speed: 180 km/h
Range: up to 755 km