Half-Baked Volvo to Hit the Market

It’s no secret that much of the world is upside-down these days. Hell, it seems we no longer follow proper model years anymore! So, would you be willing to buy a car that was 99 percent ready for production? That’s exactly what Volvo is doing with the 2025 EX90, as the initial set of vehicles unleashed to the public will be missing a host of features.

As reported in Car and Driver, the first deliveries of the all-new 2025 Volvo EX90, the flagship replacement for the ICE-powered XC90, will be missing the following features:

• Cross-traffic alert with automatic braking and curve speed assist reduces the Volvo’s speed when using adaptive cruise control.
• Pilot Assist system, in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control, helps your vehicle stay in its lane.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Bi-directional charging capability allows owners to power a grid (or even their house).
• Smart Charging program automatically determines the best time(s) to charge based on pricing, efficiency, and scheduled departure.

None of the above seems like deal-brakers for the initiated, but there is one glaring issue that may be different to some consumers: Volvo claims there will be “slight” battery drainage when the EX90 is parked due to the maintenance of the vehicle’s computer. Every 24 hours, the battery will lose three percent of its power. Ouch! However, after 72 hours without charging, the EX90 will enter a sleep mode and the battery’s energy will be conserved.

In previous eras, cars would not reach production until they were ready. In the case of tech-laden vehicles, they can afford to make these running changes without much fuss because they can be seamlessly added with over-the-air updating, though certain features above may require a visit to your local Volvo dealership. That being said, the EX90 began production early in June, though it was originally slated to appear earlier in the 2024 calendar year.

Interestingly, the EX90 is the first dedicated Volvo EV, as all others have been badged as Polestars, Volvo’s boutique brand.