Volvo EX90: Pioneering the Future of Vehicle Safety

If the future has arrived, it seems it's Swedish, features seven seats, and boasts an impressive 25 speakers. Additionally, it can see in darkness, comprehend your vocal commands, and apply the brakes before you realize they're necessary. This is how Volvo envisions the future of automobiles with their latest top-of-the-line model, the Volvo EX90. It stands out as the most advanced electric vehicle from Volvo yet, potentially making it one of the most feature-rich family SUVs available in South Africa.

Introduced close to Paarl during extensive highway maintenance work that led to an event with more focus on slide presentations rather than driving sessions, the EX90 is hailed as "the safest Volvo ever" according to Tarcísio Triviño, the managing director of Volvo Car South Africa. At the launch, he shared with journalists, "Given what you'd expect from the most secure vehicle produced by one of the safest brands around, safety was undoubtedly top priority."

What makes it so safe, exactly? A high-tech concoction called Safe Space Technology. The star of the system is LiDAR — a laser radar system that scans the road 250 metres ahead with what Volvo says are 33 million computations per second. That’s faster than most arguments on X.

“Some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have previously incorporated LiDAR, but these systems were typically found only in their high-end models,” explained Volvo’s Felipe Yagi. “The EX90 will come equipped with LiDAR as a standard feature.”

This marks the first time a carmaker has integrated LiDAR technology across every model worldwide. However, this system does not operate independently; up to 12 cameras, as well as radar and ultrasonic sensors, contribute data to what Volvo refers to as an extensive safety package. This approach isn't solely focused on preventing collisions after they occur. Instead, it aims to stop incidents from happening altogether—such as spotting pedestrians at turns or reacting swiftly to vehicles abruptly braking ahead of you—and stepping in where human reaction times fall short.

_{Photo courtesy Motorpress.}

And then there are the brains within the car itself, or more accurately, two of them.

There are two chips in the car," Triviño responded when asked by Wheels about NVIDIA's involvement. "One chip handles the infotainment system and audio alerts, while the other supports the capabilities for current autonomous features.

That isn’t a mistake. This is how Triviño explained the autonomous features — which is logical in a vehicle that doesn’t claim to operate entirely on its own but is definitely getting ready for such capabilities in the future.

The EX90 runs on the new SPA2 platform and carries a 400-volt battery architecture, supporting fast charging up to 250kW.

“From 10 to around 80 percent would take you roughly 30 minutes,” said Yagi.

Range? “Around 614 kilometres on a diverse cycle.” Again, that’s the brochure number. What it does in Joburg traffic during load shedding with aircon and Spotify on full blast remains to be seen.

It wouldn’t bother you much even if you had to stay inside for some time. The interior features eco-friendly materials, a sleek Scandinavian design aesthetic, and an exceptionally impressive audio setup.

“In the EX90, we have an impressive 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system delivering 1610 watts of power,” stated Yagi.

That's sufficient for operating a residential area lighting system—or simply drowning out the noise from the children in the rear seats.

Those kids sit in one of seven seats — all electronically adjustable — in a car that was clearly designed with long-haul comfort in mind.

The centrepiece of the cabin is a 14.5-inch touchscreen that controls nearly everything. “You are greeted by this beautiful 14.5-inch screen,” said Yagi. “Almost all of the functions are controlled from there.” Volvo’s system runs on Google Automotive Services, which means native integration with Maps, Assistant, apps and voice commands.

An unusual feature is the fairly small yet charming 9-inch digital instrument panel positioned behind the steering wheel. In response to whether this design stemmed from customer feedback regarding the EX30, which lacked an instrument cluster entirely, Triviño clarified: "That wasn’t a direct outcome. Our approach differs because we’re targeting a specific demographic... along with the tech available for the EX90."

It is also enhanced with a head-up display. Therefore, it’s not about having less — it’s about requiring no additional features.

From a South African viewpoint, one of the most pragmatic aspects of this offering might be the inclusion of localized infrastructure bundling. Each Volvo EX90 comes with an integrated wallbox charger set up either at the buyer's residence or workplace. Additionally, for two years, customers will have access to complimentary charging services thanks to Volvo's collaboration with GridCars.

Three years of in-car data is also standard, with 10 GB of Vodacom data per month as part of the package. The EX90 is its own Wi-Fi zone, cloud connection and digital concierge.

Even the key is future-forward.

“ we offer three access options,” explained Yagi. “First is the digital key, second is an NFC card, and the third one is a key tag.”

If this makes it seem like Volvo is attempting to tackle multiple fronts simultaneously—it certainly is. However, this isn’t accidental.

We are introducing five new car models this year," stated Triviño. "This year, we anticipate a slight rise in sales volumes; however, starting from 2025, we project an annual increment of 1,000 vehicles until we reach a 20% market share. This is what we aspire to accomplish.

To put it differently, this isn’t just a technology showcase. The EX90 represents a carefully planned initiative. This model builds upon the EX30, which has quietly become quite successful in South Africa. As Triviño points out, Volvo has secured both the top and third spots in electric vehicle sales. Additionally, he asserts that they hold a 50% market share within the local luxury electric car sector.

These figures represent significant strides for a brand that is still considered somewhat beneath the mainstream spotlight. However, the EX90 certainly won’t fly below anyone’s notice. Standing at 1.75 meters high, featuring an impressive wheelbase close to three meters, and embodying a style that blends elements of a futuristic spacecraft with a sleek, minimalistic living space, this vehicle commands attention.

Then comes the handling of the car. It may be brief, but it’s clear that this isn’t merely a spacious, silent cabin equipped with added technology. The steering feels precise, the brakes offer regenerative capability, and the acceleration—boasting an impressive 4.9-second sprint from zero to 100 km/h—is unexpectedly dynamic for such a heavily armored behemoth akin to a rhino.

Price and availability

The Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Performance has a retail price of R2,650,000. Available in eight colors with two choices for interior trims, this model also offers additional benefits included in the purchase: a three-year/60,000 km service plan, five-year/100,000 km warranty, an eight-year battery guarantee, as well as five years of unlimited-mileage road-side support.

* Arthur Goldstuck serves as the CEO of World Wide Worx and is also the editor-in-chief. .co.za Follow him on Bluesky at @art2gee.bsky.social .

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