2024 Volvo EX90, electric car to replace XC90, unveiled.

Volvo on Wednesday unveiled the 2024 EX90, a fully electric mid-size SUV with three rows of seating for seven passengers.

The vehicle will begin deliveries in early 2024 and will sit alongside the XC90 at the top of Volvo's lineup. According to Volvo, prices will start at under $80,000, and interested buyers can already pre-order on Volvo's website.

Unlike Volvo's current small electric cars, the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge, which use platforms originally developed for internal combustion engines, the EX90 has been developed from the start for electric drive. The newly developed EV platform is also used in the 2024 Polestar 3, which is scheduled to go on sale at about the same time as the EX90. Both SUVs will also be built at the Volvo plant in Charleston, South Carolina, where the Volvo S60 is currently produced.

Like the Polestar 3, the EX90 will be powered by a 111 kwh battery that will provide a range of approximately 300 miles. Fast charging allows the battery to be charged to 10-80% in about 30 minutes, Volvo said. At launch, the EX90 will only be available with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain with an electric motor at each axle. With 496 hp, which is comparable to the output of Audi's new SQ8 E-Tron tri-motor, Volvo has indicated that more powerful options are planned for the EX90.

The exterior design is not as dramatic as the Concept Recharge that Volvo unveiled in 2021 to preview the EX90. However, there are several new design features. These are aimed at improving aerodynamic efficiency. According to Volvo, the front elements in particular are slightly rounded to help reduce drag, which reduces efficiency. Flush door handles and wheels with an almost completely enclosed design also help reduce aerodynamic drag. Roof mounted rider sensors are also standard.

According to Volvo, Lidar can accurately measure distances and can detect pedestrians up to 820 feet away and will be used for electronic driver assistance features, including planned fully autonomous features. While fully autonomous features will not be available at launch, Volvo has already announced something called Ride Pilot, which will allow true hands-off, eyes-off driving on certain highways. It is not clear when Ride Pilot will be available, but the first market has been identified as California.

The EX90's interior has a clean dashboard that looks like it was borrowed from a Tesla. Volvo has intentionally reduced the number of elements so that the driver can focus on the road. This extends to the user interface, which features intelligent controls so that only the most important information is displayed or requested at any given time. To further enhance safety, Volvo will offer an occupant detection system to ensure that children and pets are not trapped inside the vehicle.

For materials used in the cabin, Volvo will offer new sustainably sourced wood and wool options, as well as a leather-like material called Nordico, made from recycled plastic bottles and sustainable organic fibers. In addition, recycled nylon, including waste fishing nets reclaimed from the ocean floor, will be used for carpeting.

Two-way charging, also known as vehicle-to-grid or vehicle-to-road, will also be offered in some markets. This means that vehicles can release electricity back into the grid, power homes, or power electrical equipment in places where there are no electrical outlets, such as camps or construction sites. It could also be used to charge other EVs. Volvo has not indicated whether this feature will be offered in the U.S.

Other features of the EX90 include a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system with Dolby Atmos surround sound technology, standard or available, smartphone remote access to the vehicle via a smartphone, and smartphone integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Despite the impending arrival of the EX90, XC90 sales are still near record levels. Volvo sold 38,657 units in the U.S. last year, the best record for the current XC90 and the second best in Volvo history. As a result, the XC90 will be sold for some time after the EX90's arrival.