The Volvo EX90 has just entered production in Charleston, South Carolina, and will likely begin reaching American customers next month.
You’re probably acquainted with its specifications, features and how it fits your budget. So, let’s skip the usual rundown and dive into the lesser-known or under-the-radar attributes of the new Volvo electric car that might just surprise you! I experienced/observed these features first-hand recently in Washington, and here’s what I can report back:
Not shaped like a potato
Here’s something many of you have seen, and perhaps not observed. There’s a design trend that is emerging on new-age electric SUVs – A-Pillars that are pulled forwards, and the roofline that slopes downwards to make the silhouette curvy and aerodynamic. This makes the car’s profile look like a jellybean or a potato. While the Swedish designers may have been tempted to drop the roofline a couple of inches for higher aero efficiency, they’ve maintained a clean and recognizable design in the EX90.
A ‘shutter’ that conceals the headlamp
I have to give it to Volvo designers for reinventing the ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlamp for the EV generation. I feel that this is the most creative design or redesign for automotive lighting among luxury models. This is a really cool feature on the EX90 which is what pop-up headlamps see themselves becoming when they time travel! The ‘Thor hammer’ shaped LED modules retract to reveal the matrix LED headlamp that sits behind it when the driver switches on the headlights.
Widest tire ever in a Volvo car
The Volvo EX90 is hoisted on 22-inch wheels (265/40 R22 & 295/40 R22 at the front and rear respectively) which I believe would make the EX90 the Volvo with the widest tire in the United States. Should you know of a Volvo with larger stock wheels, send us a tweet!
Seats made from recycled bottles
The interior of the Volvo EX90 has about 50 kg (110 lbs) of recycled plastics and bio-based materials in the seats and fabrics. Volvo also says that the EX90’s cabin uses recycled PET bottles, and that the electric SUV has the highest amount of non-primary fossil-based materials in its portfolio. Volvo offers wool and wood in the cabin, but says that they are sourced with strict sustainability standards.
Electrically-adjustable steering column
One of the regular complaints that I’ve heard among XC90 drivers is the manual adjustment for the steering column, which to many seems unacceptable for an SUV that costs over 80 grand. This has been fixed in the EX90, which gets the electrically-operated steering column with a memory function.
Rear seat with integrated booster
If you’re new to Volvo, then you probably missed noting this feature. The Volvo EX90, like the gas-powered XC90, comes with integrated booster in the middle of the second row seats. The built-in booster works with the three-point seatbelt, and is for kids who’ve outgrown car seats but aren’t yet suited to the vehicle’s standard seatbelt. It certainly underscores its family car credentials with the integrated booster.
‘Will it fit’ guide on the tailgate
Before you bring out the suitcase, backpack or duffel bag, there’s a sure way of knowing what will and won’t fit in the EX90 when all the seats are up. Just look for the graphic displaying some examples of all the various items that can be loaded into the EX90 are molded right into the inside of the tailgate. From skis, strollers and golf clubs to household appliances, this chart proves the model’s impressive loading capacity, and reduces packing woes.
Boot that lowers
Thanks to adaptive air suspension, the loading lip in the cargo area of the Volvo EX90 can be lowered to help load bulky items. I press the conveniently placed car button with the arrow mark positioned on the right hand side boot sidewall, and the car automatically lowers a few inches to facilitate loading.
Also Read: Here’s why a Volvo XC100 isn’t part of the company’s product plans
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
