Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volvo EX90 - Range, charging & running costs

The low running costs you’d associate with an EV are obliterated by the EX90’s poor efficiency ratings

Range, charging and running costs rating

3.0

How we review cars
RRP
£83,240 £100,540
Find your Volvo EX90
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Volvo says it’s taken inspiration from yacht design to help make sure the EX90 makes the most of its colossal 111kWh (107kWh usable) battery. That boils down to a sleek front end without the grille you’d find on the XC90, flush-fitting door handles and aerodynamically optimised wheels all contributing to a relatively low 0.29 drag coefficient. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

On paper, the results are pretty impressive with a 374-mile range for both the standard and Performance versions. Volvo claims you’ll see an average efficiency of 2.9mi/kWh, and during our first experience of the EX90 we managed to achieve this figure. That was done under favourable conditions on the west coast of America. In our more recent test we managed just 2mi/kWh around a cold and wet Berkshire. Despite the standard-fit heat pump, in wintery conditions, we saw a 70 per cent charge offering 170 miles of range – dropping to just 140 miles with the sportier dual-motor mode activated. This was achieved with two occupants - with seven on board you’d see even worse results. 

The EX90’s range and efficiency hinges on the environment, but as long as you can find a quick charger that shouldn’t matter too much. It’ll recharge at a rapid 250kW – even without the trick 800-volt architecture that underpins several Audi and Porsche products. That, Volvo claims, makes the EX90 good for a 10-80 per cent charge in around half an hour.

Model Battery sizeRangeInsurance group
Volvo EX90 Twin Motor 107kWh (useable)374 miles50
Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance107kWh (useable)374 miles50

Electric range, battery life and charge time

An official range of 374 miles is what you’ll find in the EX90 Twin Motor – which is pretty competitive against the Mercedes EQS SUV (364 miles) and the BMW iX (380 miles). The Polestar 3, which is lighter and sleeker than the Volvo, comes with the same battery and can return up to 392 miles of range. The Polestar also has a single-motor version to bump this to 438 miles - although it’s worth remembering that the EX90 will soon get a single-motor offering, too. 

The EX90 comes with bi-directional charging – meaning you can use that big battery to send power to external appliances and even to the National Grid. An 11kWh on-board charger is included as standard as well. 

Tax

Given most EX90 owners will receive their cars from the ‘25’ plate change in 2025, we suspect they’ll all be subject to the loss of VED road tax exemption from April 1.

Insurance groups

Although it’ll be cheap to tax compared to a similar-sized petrol or diesel SUV, insurance will be equally expensive because every EX90 sits in group 50 - the highest band. Alongside a standard alarm and gear shift lock, the EX90 has an immobiliser and a ‘double lock’, the latter allowing for exterior and interior locking. 

Depreciation

Residual values are pretty good for the Volvo EX90, because our experts predict that even the most depreciation-prone Performance model will cling on to 57.16 per cent of its value after three years of 36,000 miles. The standard car will fare slightly better at 57.40 per cent - similar numbers to the Polestar 3. 

To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our valuation tool... 

Skip advert
Advertisement

More reviews

In-depth reviews

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    205kW Single Motor Plus 104kWh 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £83,240
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    300kW Twin Motor Plus 111kWh 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £90,140
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    380kW Twin Motor Performance Ultra 111kWh 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £100,540
Select car
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

New & used car deals

Volvo Ex90

Volvo Ex90

RRP £82,660
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £7,495
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,895
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,463 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Protyre area manager Simon Hall inspecting a Vauxhall Corsa's tyre

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change

The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
News
12 May 2025
Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future
Mazda MX-5 EV exclusive image - front

Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future

The next Mazda MX-5 roadster is set to be offered as a pure EV, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
10 May 2025
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”
VW Golf GTI badge

Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”

VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
News
13 May 2025