Updated Volvo EX90 Configurator Reveals New Juicy Details

Last year, we jumped to build an EX90 to show you what's what in terms of exterior design, equipment, interior looks, powertrain, and accessories. Sadly, it wasn't possible to do so via a Volvo USA platform. We had to use one of the best configurators available: the French one.

This time is no different because American customers are only invited to place a $500 fully refundable deposit, and they'll get access to the customization process when the time is right. It's an invitation-only procedure that will unlock the configuration step before the production process begins.

The automaker says that your retailer of choice will help you with the pricing and the paperwork in 2024, so we expect Volvo to give prospective US owners at least a couple of months to decide on the spec. For now, what's certain is that a "well-equipped EX90" will have a pre-tax cost of under $80,000. What exactly means "well-equipped" is anyone's guess.

But the French wasted no time and updated the configurator. Now, there are three trim levels to choose from: Core, Plus, and the Ultra we told you about last year.

Facts and figures first

The rear-wheel-drive EX90 Core costs €86,300 ($95,117) and includes the Lidar "bubble" that looks like a roof air-scoop, two-zone climate control, five seats (seven are optional), lumbar support for the front passengers, a non-branded 330W 10-speaker sound system, and roof rails.

The EX90 Plus has a starting cost of €92,550 ($101,978) in rear-wheel-drive form or €97,500 ($107,443) for the two-motor variant. It comes with a head-up display and an alert to keep your distance from the car ahead, four-zone air conditioning with a purifier setting that can be activated before entering the SUV, seven seats (or five at no extra cost), third-row climate control, premium floor mats, wood inserts, better ambient lighting, costumer-chosen dashboard and door panels, four-way lumbar support, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system with Centerpoint 360 surround sound technology.

The single-motor EX90 Plus puts out 279 hp (283 ps/205 kW), the two-motor version pumps out 408 hp (414 ps/300 kW), and the two-motor "Performance" goes all the way up to 517 hp (524 ps/380 kW). The latter, however, is an expensive option for the EX90 Plus – customers must pay €10,050 ($11,079) extra to have it. All three, however, are electronically limited to a top speed of 180 kph (112 mph).

As expected, the Performance variant is the quickest to 100 kph (62 mph) – it needs just 4.9 seconds. The non-enhanced two-motor version needs one full second more, while the single-motor requires 8.4 seconds to reach the same speed from a standstill.

If towing is essential for you, the twin-motor EX90 will be your best choice because it increases the capacity from 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) to 2,200 kg (4,850 lb).

It is costly to (almost) have it all

The EX90 Ultra will set some lucky Europeans back €109,750 ($120,940) but will add much more than the Plus version. Customers will receive the cool high-definition pixel lights regarded by some as the new age pop-up headlights, a 360-degree camera system, puddle lights, a six-seat configuration with captain chairs for the second row, massaged front seats, double-glazed front and rear windows, and an unexpected setup for the 21-inch wheels – the rear tires (295/45 R21) are slightly wider than the front ones (265/45 R21). Volvo says it chose this solution to optimize handling and traction.

This comprehensive configurator update also tells us that the EX90 Ultra is now €2,050 ($2,259) more expensive than last year. But for those willing to splurge, the upgrade to the Performance version costs just €5,100 ($5,621) more.

As we did last time, we took advantage of all the new information and built ourselves a new EX90. Again, we went with the Ultra trim level, chose the no-cost third-row configuration, and picked the twin-motor powertrain. Next, the Mulberry Red looked great on this all-electric SUV, so we also ticked the box for this one. To make it into a great-looking car for taking the kids to soccer practice and driving around town, we added the 22-inch wheels. Volvo also allows customers to buy winter wheels, and we picked the 21-inch ones.

Inside, we went with the Cardamom color option for the "biobased" upholstery just because it added the ventilation function. The fact it lightens up the cabin is also a plus. For those concerned about animal welfare, the automaker offers a wool blend.

To have this vehicle ready for all kinds of very comfortable adventures, we added the winter pack that includes a heated steering wheel, third-row seats, and heated washer nozzles. Since driver-assistance features matter a lot nowadays, we got the Cruise pack because it includes Pilot and Park Pilot Assist. It is no Super Cruise, but it'll do the job for easier highway hands-on driving.
Interestingly enough, having the rear windows and windshield tinted was an option. We chose it with the brushed stainless steel side steps and the retractable towbar.

So many available upgrades!

Volvo offers a dual-chamber air suspension system that boasts self-leveling technology, which we found handy because the big 22-inch wheels might need an ally to deal with rough roads.
To enhance the cabin experience, we added the 25-speaker 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins 3D sound system with Dolby Surround.

If owners don't have or don't want a 22-kW charging station at home, they can buy a 10A charging cable that goes right into any home socket. We chose the Level 1, 16A charging cord that works with any dedicated station. It's an accessory customers must pay for.

The last thing we had to deal with was the extended warranty. We picked it because it raises the driving limit to 200,000 km (124,274 mi) instead of 150,000 km (93,206 mi).

The VAT-included price of our 2024 Volvo EX90 Ultra with all these options was €123,280 ($135,840). That's quite a bit more than a well-specced quad-motor Rivian R1S or an FSD-less Tesla Model X Plaid. But given Volvo's plethora of luxurious options for its EX90, the extra cash might be worth it. The Swedes are taking a swing at the established German players who have yet to bring a great all-electric three-row SUV to the market. The sole exception is Mercedes-Benz with its EQS SUV, which looks like an isolation bubble, reminding us more of the defunct R Class than the GLS.

All the abovementioned prices include the value-added tax (VAT), meaning customers don't have to deal with a sales tax. However, remember that US pricing might differ significantly from what Europeans are seeing. After all, a BMW X5 is cheaper in America than over the pond.

Finally, all the 2024 Volvo EX90 models sold in France or Belgium come with four years of guaranteed access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play Store, the remote functions of the Volvo Cars app, and the use of data for these services. Afterward, the owner will be invited to subscribe if they want to take advantage of these apps.