Volvo's 2024 EX90 electric SUV has 16 sensors, 8 cameras, impressive range

Despite a familiar looking exterior, Volvo’s 2024 EX90 three-row family hauling electric SUV will bristle with new features when it rolls off the assembly line in South Carolina late this year.

Hitting dealerships as a 2024 model, the seven-passenger EX90 rides on a new architecture developed specifically for EVs. Volvo expects EPA certification of a 300-mile range on a full battery, with charging times of 30 minutes to go from 10%  to 80% at 250 kW. Charging to 100% on a home 240-volt battery will take 8-9 hours.

Key figures on Volvo’s new electric flagship:

• It rides on the SPA2 modular architecture, which will also underpin a smaller, five-seat EX60 expected in 2025

• It’s about 3 inches longer than an XC90. The third row of seats was designed to be more comfortable, but interior space doesn’t change much.

• Despite its long hood, front cargo space is limited: 50L or 1.77 cubic feet. Think room for a charging cable, with enough space left to coil a garden hose.

• All-wheel drive will initially be standard.

• Two electric motors produce 496 hp (370kW) and 671 pound-feet of torque.

• Prices should start just under $80,000

Best new idea

A diagram labeled “Will it fit?” shows exactly how much cargo space there is behind the third row of seats, when it’s folded, then with the second row folded flat, and when the front passenger seat is tipped and slid forward. Also the height and width of the rear hatch. The graphic includes images of potential cargo, including luggage, a baby stroller, golf clubs, a lamp and a washing machine.

Built in the USA — and China

• Volvo’s plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina, will build EX90s for the U.S. and most European countries. A second plant in Chengdu, China, will supply the rest of the world.

• The XC90 gasoline and plug-in hybrid SUVs will remain in production in Torslanda, Sweden, as long as demand justifies.

Swingin’ Thor’s Hammer

LEDs take Volvo’s dramatic ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlight design to the next level: It’s visible day AND night, instead of just with DRLs, as on current vehicles. The lights also greet the driver with a welcome sequence.

Sensor mania, inside and out

Nobody’s ever going to sneak up on an EX90. The SUV has:

• 16 ultrasonic sensors

• 8 cameras

• 5 radars

• 1 lidar

In addition to sensing oncoming traffic from all angles and pedestrians and cyclists ahead, the EX90 lidar will be able to spot a baseball 820 feet (250 meters) ahead. There’s no night vision display, but lights and sounds will keep the driver apprised.

Volvo says the sensors make the EX90 ready for future software updates “for unsupervised driving in the future.”

The EX90’s interior will be equally thoroughly observed. Occupant sensing radar will be able to detect movements as slight as an infant’s breathing under a blanket. The sensing will stretch from the front footwells to the tailgate, making it virtually impossible to forget an occupant. The doors won’t lock if anybody’s left in the car, unless the driver specifically overrides that features.

The driver can set the climate control to keep pets left inside the vehicle comfortable.

Radical interior

The EX90 is a luxury vehicle, but don’t expect a leather interior. Seats and other surfaces are covered in either a convincing pseudo leather based on recycled and sustainable forest materials or tweedy wool blend.

Wood trim comes from certified sustainably managed forests. The wood is backlit by LEDs intended to simultaneously “create a Scandinavian living room atmosphere” and “evoke Nordic wilderness.”

The dashboard is slim and low, largely because it doesn’t contain any conventional displays or controls. A 15-inch portrait-oriented touch screen in the middle controls most functions. A narrow horizontal screen is attached to the steering column.

A single physical dial on the center console controls audio volume, track and play/pause.

There’s also a configurable color head-up display.

Etc.

• A 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system includes tweeter in the middle of the dashboard styled like a vintage microphone. The front headrests have built-in speakers.

• Your can use your smartphone for a key.

• The EX90’s body panels are a mix of steel and aluminum.

• 15% of the steel and 25% of aluminum used in the SUV are recycled.

• The 400-volt electrical system includes an 11 kW onboard charger

• The electrical architecture is faster and requires fewer wires than current Volvos

• 5G compatibility enables over-the-air updates.

• 19-, 20- or 22-inch wheels are available.

• A big rendition of Volvo’s “Iron Mark” badge adorns the panel where an internal combustion vehicle's grille would be.

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Volvo EX90 electric SUV has 16 sensors, 8 cameras, 300-mile range