Volvo EX90 Review 2026: The Seven-Seat Electric Flagship
All images in this article have been taken from Volvo’s press and media page
The Volvo EX90 is Volvo's answer to a question few electric SUVs have properly solved: how do you build a seven-seat family flagship that doesn't compromise on range, safety, or refinement? This Volvo EX90 review looks past the launch-year headlines and the reliability threads that dominate the search results, and asks a simpler question: is it worth buying, or leasing through salary sacrifice, in 2026?
We've weighed the official range claims against independent real-world testing, addressed the software and build-quality criticism head-on, and worked out what it costs to run through The Electric Car Scheme. If you're cross-shopping seven-seat electric SUVs for your family or your fleet, here's what you should know before you commit.
Volvo EX90 Review Verdict: The Seven-Seat Electric Flagship
The EX90 is a well-accomplished, large SUV. It's spacious enough for seven adults (at a push), its cabin is calm and well finished, and its safety credentials, including standard lidar-based driver assistance, are hard to match at this price point. It sits alongside the rest of Volvo's electric range as the practical, family-focused flagship, and it remains one of the very few seven-seat electric SUVs on sale in the UK.
The caveat here is that this is still a young, software-heavy platform, and early cars have had a rockier introduction than Volvo's safety-first reputation might suggest.
UK deliveries began in 2024, so it's not the newest platform on the market. Buyers who want the space and the badge (and who are comfortable with a car that's still maturing through over-the-air updates) will find plenty to like. Buyers who want a fully settled ownership experience from day one should read the criticism section below before they decide.
Volvo EX90: Real-World Range vs Claimed
The Volvo EX90 range varies significantly by powertrain. The EX90's official WLTP range varies by powertrain: up to 351.1 miles on the Single Motor, up to 383.4 miles on the Twin Motor, and up to 376.6 miles on the Twin Motor Performance. All three use the same 800V architecture introduced for the current model year, which brings a 10 to 80% DC rapid charge time of around 22 minutes.
Independent testers have found the real-world figure sits some way below that, particularly in cold weather. Auto Express recorded efficiency of around 2.7 miles per kWh on an earlier EX90 in cold conditions, against 3.5 miles per kWh for a BMW iX tested in the same conditions. WLTP-to-real-world shortfalls are common across large, heavy electric SUVs rather than an EX90-specific flaw, but the gap is worth factoring into range planning for UK winter driving rather than relying on the 383-mile headline figure.
| Trim | Powertrain | Price from | WLTP Range | 0-62mph | Charge 10-80% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Single Motor (245kW / 333hp) | £73,160 | Up to 351.1 miles | 6.8 seconds | 22 minutes |
| Plus | Single Motor (245kW / 333hp) | £80,160 | Up to 351.1 miles | 6.8 seconds | 22 minutes |
| Ultra | Twin Motor (335kW / 456hp) | £93,860 | Up to 383.4 miles | 5.5 seconds | 22 minutes |
Figures are Volvo's official WLTP and manufacturer performance data, correct at the time of writing. Twin Motor Performance (500kW / 680hp) is also available and completes 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds, with a WLTP range of up to 376.6 miles.
Seven-Seat Practicality And Interior
The EX90's cabin is where many of its flagship credentials show up, and the full Volvo EX90 specs for battery, motor, and dimensions are in the table above.
The minimalist dashboard is dominated by a 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen running Google-based infotainment, and the overall feel is calm rather than showy, in keeping with Volvo's Scandinavian design language. Families cross-shopping for a seven-seater will find the second and third rows properly usable by adults rather than an occasional-use afterthought.
Boot space with all seven seats in place is a modest 324 litres, which is tight for a car this size once the third row is occupied, though there's an additional 72-litre underfloor storage area for cables and smaller items.
Folding the back seats down opens up considerably more room for luggage or a full weekly shop, and the individually folding backrests across both rear rows add flexibility for mixed passenger and cargo loads.
Volvo EX90 Problems: Is it Reliable, And Is It Made In China?
Any search for the Volvo EX90 turns up a forum thread's worth of buyer doubts. This section answers the three questions most prospective buyers are asking: is it reliable, is the software any good, and where is it built?
Reliability
The EX90 has been subject to several recalls since launch, including a second-row seat bolt defect in early production cars, a headlight software bug that could temporarily disable low or high beams, and a power tailgate defect affecting a batch of vehicles in which the drive unit could allow the tailgate to drop unexpectedly. Volvo has addressed each through free repairs or over-the-air updates.
Software
As Volvo's first ground-up, software-defined platform, the EX90 launched with some promised features not yet active, and owners have reported infotainment glitches, driver-assistance quirks, and charging inconsistencies on early builds. Volvo continues to push regular OTA updates, and later production cars have generally reported fewer issues than the earliest examples.
Made in China
Volvo Cars is a Swedish brand, majority-owned by China's Geely Holding Group since 2010. UK and European market EX90s are built at Volvo's plant in Chengdu, China, alongside production for other Asian markets, while US-market cars are built at Volvo's South Carolina plant. This is a straightforward supply chain fact rather than a quality signal in itself, and it's consistent with how most premium manufacturers now build cars across multiple global plants.
None of these facts makes the EX90 unreliable in any fundamental sense. Most documented issues sit in software and build quality rather than the chassis, battery, or motors, a common pattern for a new platform in its first eighteen months on sale.
How Much Does The EX90 Cost?
List prices for the EX90 range from £73,160 for the Core trim to £93,860 for the Ultra, with the Twin Motor Performance sitting above that again. Bought outright or on a standard PCP, that Volvo EX90 price puts it firmly in flagship SUV territory.
How Much Does It Cost To Salary Sacrifice The EX90?
The picture changes considerably once Volvo EX90 salary sacrifice enters the equation, thanks to the current 4% BiK rate for 2026/27, against a maximum of 37% for an equivalent petrol or diesel SUV.
| Trim | Powertrain | Net monthly cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Single Motor 92kWh | £856 |
| Plus | Single Motor 92kWh | £965 |
| Ultra | Twin Motor 106kWh | £1,201 |
*Illustrative figure for a 40% taxpayer earning £60,000, 10,000 miles per year, over a 36-month term with a flat payment profile. Actual cost depends on individual circumstances, employer scheme rules, and specification. Get an exact figure with our savings calculator.
Salary sacrifice packages typically bundle insurance, servicing, and maintenance, breakdown cover, and road tax into that single monthly figure, which softens the gap between the EX90's list price and its true cost of ownership. For full detail on how the deduction works, including the effect on take-home pay and pension contributions. Full guidance on Benefit in Kind and salary sacrifice tax treatment is available from the UK government website.
For employers weighing up a flagship model like the EX90, Complete Employer Protection covers redundancy, dismissal, long-term sickness, and resignation after three months, removing the risk of an employee leaving mid-lease. The Electric Car Scheme is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with a 4.8 TrustScore, detailed in our statistics report.
How Does The EX90 Compare to Rivals?
The seven-seat electric SUV class is smaller than it looks, and the EX90's closest genuine rivals sit either side of it on price. This section sets out how it compares against the BMW iX, Kia EV9, and Mercedes EQS SUV on the numbers that matter most.
| Model | Price from | WLTP Range | Seats | 0-62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo EX90 | £73,160 | Up to 383.4 miles | 7 | 4.2-6.8 seconds |
| BMW iX | £66,495 | Up to c.380 miles | 5 | 4.6-6.1 seconds |
| Kia EV9 | £63,999 | Up to 349 miles | 7 | 5.3-9.4 seconds |
| Mercedes EQS SUV | £129,170 | Up to 365 miles | 7 | 4.6-6.0 seconds |
Price and spec figures for rivals are sourced from official manufacturer data and independent reviews, correct at the time of writing.
The BMW iX is the cheapest to get into but doesn't offer a seven-seat option at all, which rules it out for larger families. The Kia EV9 undercuts the EX90 on price with a bigger boot and a strong warranty, though it feels a step down in outright fit and finish, and sits alongside it in our roundup of the best electric family cars. The Mercedes EQS SUV comes closest to matching the EX90 for luxury and third-row usability, but it costs considerably more to buy or lease, making the EX90 the more realistic flagship choice for most family and fleet buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Volvo EX90 Any Good?
Yes, with caveats. The EX90 is spacious, well finished, and among the safest large SUVs on sale, but it's a young, software-heavy platform that has had a bumpier start than most Volvos. It suits buyers who want the space and safety case and are comfortable with ongoing software updates.
What Is the Real Range of the Volvo EX90?
The Volvo EX90 range runs from 351.1 to 383.4 miles WLTP depending on powertrain. Independent cold-weather testing by Auto Express recorded meaningfully lower real-world efficiency than the WLTP figures suggest, so treat the headline range as a best-case number rather than a UK winter guarantee.
Is the Volvo EX90 Selling Well?
Reasonably well for a premium flagship, though Volvo doesn't publish detailed UK sales splits by model. The EX90 has established itself as Volvo's flagship electric SUV globally, with strong demand outside its home US market, and UK interest, including salary sacrifice enquiries, has grown since deliveries began.
Is the Volvo EX90 Made in China?
UK and European market EX90s are built at Volvo's plant in Chengdu, China, while US-market cars come from Volvo's South Carolina plant. Volvo Cars is a Swedish brand majority-owned by China's Geely Holding Group.
What Are the Issues With the Volvo EX90?
The EX90 has had recalls covering second-row seat bolts, a headlight software bug, and a power tailgate fault, alongside broader infotainment and driver-assistance software glitches typical of a new software-defined platform. Volvo has addressed the documented issues through free repairs or over-the-air updates.
The Volvo EX90 earns its place as one of the UK's few seven-seat electric SUVs, combining a calm, well-equipped cabin with strong safety technology and a WLTP range that's competitive on paper. It’s worth being aware of the real-world range shortfall in cold weather and the early recall history, and buyers who want a completely settled ownership experience from day one may prefer to wait for further software maturity.
For families and fleets who value the space, the safety case, and the Volvo badge, and who are comfortable with a still-maturing platform, it remains a strong option, particularly once you run the numbers through The Electric Car Scheme. For a wider look at the class it competes in, see our guide to the best electric SUVs.
Get a quote to see how much you could save on an electric car through salary sacrifice by using The Electric Car Scheme’s quote tool.
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Last updated: 11.08.26
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
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