By Sagar Parikh & Shrawan Raja
The Volvo ES90 captures the spirit of three body styles, amalgamating the attributes of a fastback and a crossover in a business saloon. As a pure-electric alternative to the Volvo S90, it competes with the likes of the Audi A6 e-tron and BMW i5 in the UK.
Recently, we got an opportunity to spend time with a global-spec ES90 and learn all about its design and features, and experience its comfort in detail. Here are some interesting observations we made:
Design
The Volvo ES90 has a distinctly Scandinavian character, courtesy of a clean design. In certain parts, it also looks quite sporty, something rarely said of a Volvo saloon since the discontinuation of the second-generation S60.
The blanked-off upper grille area, active grille, and flush-fitting Thor’s Hammer headlights give the ES90 a low-profile look at the front. The sloping bonnet, with dipped surfaces along the flanks, adds a subtle touch of sportiness, elements that you’d normally associate with Volvos.
The swoopy side profile is the key to the ES90’s sporty styling. The electric saloon features short overhangs, a sleek glasshouse, a sloping roofline, 22-inch wheels, and a short rear deck.
While Volvo Cars has set the ground clearance higher, it has avoided using wheel arch cladding like a Cross Country variant. The wheels fill the arches well, leaving little visible wheel-well depth or open space behind the tyres.
The upright rear contributes to the car’s crossover-inspired look, as do the C-shaped combination lamps and the lights integrated into the rear windscreen. The lidar sensor on the roof gets in the way of the car’s elegance, but Volvo Cars has discontinued this feature with the MY2026 update.
Interior
Inside, the ES90 features a slim dashboard with gently sweeping lines, floating displays in opposing orientations, and a modern three-spoke steering wheel. Genuine wood decor has been generously used on the dashboard, centre console, and doors, which give the cabin a rich look.
Metallic accents are also present throughout the interior to add more upmarket cues, all of which work together elegantly.
A panoramic glass roof fills the cabin with natural light with the convenience of electrochromic shading. The front seats are electrically adjustable and come with power side bolsters, power lumbar support, massage, heating, and ventilation functions. The driver’s seat also gives the convenience of a memory function.
The rear seat features power-reclinable backrests and heating and ventilation functions. A four-zone automatic climate control system further enhances comfort, allowing the rear outboard passengers to independently control their climate settings.
Experience in the ES90
As I walk up to it, the Volvo ES90 feels distinctive. Front ingress is easy even for a six-footer like me, with a well-designed step-in height and large doors.
Tab-style handles and inside releases are simple, but the gloss black door panels collect fingerprints. The front seats feel excellent, with back and under-thigh support and cushion extenders; the headrests are fixed for speakers.
I find my position quickly using one adjustment tab. Headroom is good even with the panoramic glass roof. A large vertical touchscreen runs most controls, including seat heating/ventilation and steering settings, but I would have preferred physical buttons.
Up front I see cupholders and a wireless charger. Rear ingress is easy and space is generous, but my knees sit slightly high due to the battery, even with still good knee room. Rear passengers get B-pillar vents, rear temperature control, seat heating/ventilation controls, and two USB ports.
The middle seat has a small hump and a fold-down armrest with cupholders, and a third passenger would have to be of a smaller frame. The rear backrest does not recline in the variant I sat in, but the fixed angle feels good.
Specifications
At 5,000 mm long, 1,942 mm wide, and 1,554 mm tall, the Volvo ES90 is a proper E-segment saloon. It has a 3,102 mm wheelbase and offers 183 mm of ground clearance. Volvo Cars presents a choice of three variants in the UK: Single Motor Extended Range (RWD), Twin Motor (AWD), and Twin Motor Performance (AWD).
The base variant, with 245 kW (329 bhp) and 480 Nm (354 lb.-ft.) of torque, accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 112 mph. It has an 88 kWh battery pack that delivers a WLTP range of up to 402 miles.
The middle variant packs 335 kW (449 bhp) and 670 Nm (494 lb.-ft.) of torque, reducing the 0-62 mph acceleration time to 5.4 seconds. It upgrades to a 102 kWh battery pack that delivers a WLTP range of 420.7 miles.
The top variant, with 700 kW (939 bhp) and 870 Nm (642 lb.-ft.) of torque, hits 0 to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds. It uses the same 102 kWh battery pack as the middle variant, and while its higher power and torque could typically mean lower range, it can actually travel farther, at 435 miles, also as per WLTP.
Price
Also Read: Is the Sand Dune Volvo EX90 Swedish minimalism at its best?
The Volvo ES90’s prices in the UK range from GBP 67,560 to GBP 86,080.
