Volvo ES90 (2026) Review

Introduction

With limo-like proportions and all the luxury you could wish for these days, the Volvo ES90 is certainly not a car that’s easy to ignore.

Stretching five metres in length, it boasts plenty of kerb appeal and the mish-mash styling that sees SUV, saloon and fastback features all merged into a single car, actually works.

It’s a fully electrified car and is the second model to be built on Volvo’s scalable SPA2 platform, following on from the EX90 SUV, and it’s this architecture that the Swedish carmaker will use moving forward for its electric vehicles.

The interior is very upmarket with every creature comfort imaginable, although modern Volvo owners will notice the lack of physical controls in favour of touchscreen dependency. That said; there are all manner of short cuts, along with a Google-based infotainment system to make life run a little smoother.

The ES90 is available in trims called Plus and Ultra with a choice of three powertrains across two battery sizes. The Single Motor Extended Range features a 92kWh battery with 333hp and 480Nm of torque. This rear-wheel drive model can deliver between 341 and 411 miles on a single charge. There is a Twin-Motor all-wheel drive option with a larger 106kWh battery that delivers 456hp and 670Nm of torque, while achieving 348 to 426 miles. Then, at the top of the tree is the Twin Motor Performance variant with the same 106kWh battery, but with 680hp and 870Nm of torque – this has the same 348 to 426-mile range.

All powertrains are available in Ultra specification, but entry-level Plus can only be matched to the single motor unit. Prices start from £67,560.

We opted for the Single-Motor Extended Range car in high-end Ultra grade for our test drive, priced at £77,260.

What are the Pros & Cons of the Volvo ES90?

Pros: 

• High-end and plush interior
• Easy to drive
• Refined
• Vast amount of storage space including a compact frunk
• Impressive range
• Google infotainment set-up

Cons: 

• Rear visibility is non-existent
• Very touchscreen dependent
• Limited drive modes and regenerative braking settings

What are the first impressions of the Volvo ES90?

It would be fair to say Volvo designers wanted the ES90 to stand out in a crowd and it does just that with its larger-than-life proportions, slightly raised ride height, sleek saloon-esque curves and hatchback-like tailgate.

At the front, the car is instantly recognisable thanks to the signature Thor’s Hammer lights that now appear to be knocking in a large LED nail for good measure. The Volvo shield badging sits proudly on the front of the car and there are flush door handles, tinted rear windows, a sloping roofline, C-shaped tail lights, the VOLVO name spelt out across the tailgate, black wheel arches and sill trims, plus snazzy 21-inch alloy wheels.

The ES90 is available in seven colour shades and with a choice of four alloy wheel designs varying in size from 20 to 22 inches. Our car was a Sand Dune shade which was a little too much like beige for our liking.

What are the Volvo ES90’s key features?

The Volvo ES90 is available in two trims called Plus and Ultra – both of which boast plenty of on-board tech. The ES90 Plus features a 14.5-inch portrait infotainment screen which is the access point to many of the vehicle’s functions. There is a nine-inch driver display screen, Nordico upholstery, wood inlays, powered and heated front seats, heated outer rear seats, and four-zone electronic climate control. There is full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium Bose sound system, Google services including navigation, 20-inch alloy wheels, a heat pump and lots more besides.

Step up to high-end Ultra, as tested and it gains high definition pixel headlights, improved chassis control along with air suspension, 21-inch alloy wheels, dark tinted rear windows, an electrochromic panoramic sunroof, soft close doors, puddle lights, laminated side and rear windows for improved insulation, upgraded upholstery with ventilated seats, along with a massage function, plus a pitch-perfect 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

What’s the range of the Volvo ES90 and what are the battery options?

The Volvo ES90 is available with two batteries offering a total of three power outputs.

The Single Motor Extended Range rear-wheel drive version features a 92kWh battery that can deliver between 341 and 411 miles on a single charge.

The Twin Motor all-wheel drive cars have a 106kWh battery which can achieve 348 to 426 miles between charges - this applies to both the standard and Performance models.

How does the Volvo ES90 perform and handle when put to the test?

We tested the Volvo ES90 Ultra with the Single Motor Extended Range powertrain featuring the smaller 92kWh battery. With 333hp and 480Nm of torque, it could reach 62mph from a standing start in a very respectable 6.6 seconds. But if you need something quicker the Twin Motor version sees the time drop to 5.4 seconds, with the Performance car completing the 0-62mph dash in just 4.0 seconds. All cars have a top speed of 112mph.

Despite having the ‘lesser-powered’ model it certainly had plenty of punch and the instant acceleration makes very light work of overtaking slow-moving traffic, of which there was plenty during the run-up to the Easter break in the Cotswolds. Even at quicker speeds and when pushed on through twisting lanes, the rear-wheel drive ES90 still feels confident and composed, it’s not quite so engaging as the BMW i5, but it’s certainly fast enough.

And it’s superior when it comes to refinement. There is a little wind noise from the mirrors at higher speeds, but otherwise, occupants are treated to a nicely hushed cabin and the air suspension does a worth job of ironing out the creases on our crumpled roads.

There are drive modes called Standard and Off-Road, along with soft or firm adjustments for the steering and suspension feel – these are all adjusted via the touchscreen so, in reality, will rarely be explored. The same can be said for the strength of the regenerative braking with One Pedal Drive settings of Off, Auto and On.

In busier towns with cars and pedestrians darting out from all angles, the driver visibility is great forwards or sideways, but almost non-existent through the rear screen due to the trio of large headrests. Maybe a digital rearview camera similar to that used by sister company, Polestar, will be the way forward for the ES90 later down the line.

It would be fair to say the ES90 coped really well with everything we threw at it, but without being too flashy in the process. It’s quiet, confident and calming which is very much the Swedish way.

How fast can the Volvo ES90 charge?

Charging speed is something the Volvo ES90 really excels at thanks to its 800V architecture. The smaller 92kWh battery has charging speeds of up to 310kW, while the larger 106kWh unit sees that increase to 350kW. To cut through all the number jargon, all versions of the ES90 can get a 10 to 80 per cent fast charge in just 22 minutes.

Most owners will be looking to keep costs down by charging at home or via a work-based wallbox. A zero to 100 per cent boost takes 16 hours via 7.2kW charger or 10 hours if using an 11.5kW unit. These times increase slightly to 18 and 11 hours respectively for the twin motor models.

What are the day-to-day running costs of the Volvo ES90?

Pricing for the Volvo ES90 is competitive for a high-end executive car. The entry-level Plus trim with Single Motor Extended Range battery costs from £67,560, while the Ultra version with the same powertrain is priced at £77,260.

Move up to the Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance, which are only available in Ultra specification, and they are priced at £81,460 and £88,060. All prices are on-the-road.

Every model exceeds the government’s threshold for the Electric Car Grant so there will be no discounts on that front. In fact, as they all cost above the new 2026/27 £50k Expensive Car Supplement threshold, owners will face an additional cost of £440 from years two to six.

The first-year road tax bill will be £10, increasing to the standard fee of £200 after 12 months, and anyone considering the Volvo ES90 as a company car will see an attractive four per cent Benefit in Kind tax rating.

The Volvo ES90 is sold with a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty package that is increased to eight years or 100,000 miles for the battery.

What’s the cabin and interior like with the Volvo ES90?

Volvo designers always score well when it comes to car interiors and the ES90 is no exception, boasting a clean, minimalist, clutter-free cabin that’s richly equipped and packed with high-end fixtures and fittings. The aim was to deliver lounge-like luxury and comfort, which has been achieved thanks to sumptuous seats that are powered, heated, ventilated and even offer a massage function. The steering wheel can also be warmed against the winter chill which is a feature we always appreciate.

There are ambient lighting themes to suit your mood such as Restful, Winter Bliss and Soft Pastels, along with four-zone climate control and an electrochromic panoramic sunroof which can be transformed between a tinted and transparent covering. Another clever touch is the subtly hidden VOLVO name in morse code on the dashboard – the perfect Easter Egg for the season.

The main focal point is the 14.5-inch portrait infotainment screen, which is easy enough to master. And that’s just as well as virtually every function is operated via this screen such as opening the glovebox, finding the drive modes and much, much more.

Creature comforts are plentiful and the range-topping ES90 Ultra has a superb 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio, as well as Google-based navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth and lots more besides.

Behind the steering wheel is a small, but clear nine-inch driver readout that can be personalised to taste – after all, the only really essential numbers are the range and current speed. Many rivals offer an over-complicated display that’s a myriad of figures, graphics and maps. Sometimes, less really is more!

Everything works well enough, but our only real grip was the lack of physical controls as the car is so reliant on its touchscreen.

Is the Volvo ES90 practical, and how big is the boot?

When it comes to kerb appeal, the Volvo ES90 has it in spades, stretching 5,000mm in length, 2,120mm across (including mirrors), 1,554mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,102mm.

The cabin is ultra-spacious with bundles of room to stretch out up front and ample leg, head and shoulder space for two more adults in the back, or three at a bit of a squeeze. The slightly elevated seating makes accessing child seats effortless, and there are Isofix anchors to the outer rear seats.

The boot is accessed via a large powered tailgate and it can accommodate 424 litres of luggage. The rear seats can be lowered individually in a 40:20:40 formation and, with all three dropped down, the boot capacity increases to 904 litres up to the tonneau cover or 1,427 litres to the roof. In keeping with Swedish branding, Volvo calls this the ‘IKEA mode’. The ‘proper’ tailgate is more practical than the letter-box style usually seen on a saloon styled car and there is a small frunk area beneath the bonnet that can hold an extra 22 litres of goodies.

There are further storage options scattered throughout the cabin, including a glovebox that is opened via the touchscreen, quite narrow door bins, twin phone trays – one of which offers wireless charging, front and rear cup holders, a central cubby and four USB-C ports to keep devices connected on the move.

The Volvo ES90 offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, so can power up external devices such as e-bikes, air pumps, camping lights and other electrical appliances directly from the car. It can also be connected to your home to supply power back to the grid, or keep white goods connected during a power cut.

How safe is the Volvo ES90?

At the time of writing, the Volvo ES90 has not been tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating, although its larger sibling, the EX90 which is built on the same platform, was awarded a maximum five stars. So we would expect the ES90 to receive the same top marks.

Volvo is on a mission to eliminate fatalities or serious injuries from anyone inside a Volvo, and analyses all accident and near-miss data to help learn, adapt and improve safety technology.

Both Plus and Ultra trims are generously equipped with safety systems and driver assistance aids, including automatic headlights with active high beam, blind spot detection with steer assist, cross traffic alert and rear collision warning and mitigation. There is front and rear park assist, pilot assist, park pilot assist, a 360-degree camera, driver attention monitor, intelligent speed assistance, run-off road protection, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping aid, intelligent speed assistance, Isofix child seat anchors, plus a full suite of airbags.

Can I choose optional extras with a Volvo ES90 lease?

The Volvo ES90 is well-equipped in both the Plus and Ultra trim levels, but customers can stamp their individual style on the car via a number of optional extras. For example, the alloy wheel upgrades cost £795 or £995; an electrochromic panoramic sunroof is £995 and upgraded paint costs £845.

Dark tinted windows add £495 to the asking price, while upgraded upholstery is priced between £800 and £1,495 with charcoal headlining costing £245.

There is also a Driver Support pack that introduces an active four-C chassis, four corner adaptive dampers with electronic air suspension, speed-dependent ride-height adjustment and stationary rear lowering. This pack costs £1,995.

Other add-ons include upgraded interior cabin floor and boot mats, a dash camera, foldable towbar, load carriers and pet accessories.

What are the Volvo ES90’s main rivals?

There is not too much competition in the executive saloon sector, and it’s worth reminding ourselves that the ES90 also introduces that fastback tail end alongside crossover/SUV ride height, making it even more unique.

However, expect would-be buyers to also be considering the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW i5, Mercedes EQE, plus the upcoming Polestar 5 and Lexus IS.

What's the final verdict of the Volvo ES90?

While the Volvo EX90 has had some early teething problems, the ES90 really does feel like the complete package.

It’s got an imposing road presence, but still boasts agile handling. It can turn on the speed when necessary, but always maintains its composure.

The interior is feature-rich, boasts premium-quality materials and fixtures and has a superb sound system.

We would prefer a few more practical switches and controls, but that was our only real gripe. It’s certainly a thoroughly modern take on the more traditional Volvo S90 which it replaces.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Volvo ES90

**Correct as of 27/04/26. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12 monthly payments, or £11,942.16 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.

Every lease deal is a fixed monthly cost for the whole of your contract, apart from changes to government costs, e.g. VAT changes or road fund license cost changes and in certain specific cases where the funder changes the price. Electric range quoted is WLTP.

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