Volvo's New ES90: A Sleek Electric Sedan with an SUV Edge

The newest addition to Volvo's growing stable of full-electric vehicles is a clever remix of the brand's familiar design elements and new technologies. Meet the all-new 2026 Volvo ES90. A tall sedan with an SUV twist, this class-bending vehicle is expected to arrive sometime next year boasting impressive range and wicked-fast charging thanks to its 800-volt EV architecture.

The ES90's crossover design bears resemblance to its Swedish counterpart, the Polestar 2 Both electric vehicles combine the styling cues of a sedan—complete with a three-box profile and a liftback-style rear hatch—with the practicality associated with an SUV. Nonetheless, due to its extended dimensions including a 122.1-inch wheelbase over an overall length of 196.9 inches from bumper to bumper, the ES90 dwarfs the P2 in size across all metrics. This significant difference in scale means their similarities are more superficial. Tesla Model 3 rival and more of an option for those seeking a full-sized version Model S , yet even in this aspect, the Swedish car distinguishes itself with its more vertical design — attributed to its SUV-like 7.1-inch ground clearance and higher ride height — along with a somewhat extended wheelbase.

2026 Volvo ES90: The Elevated Electric Sedan Combines Security and Fashion

To get an accurate sense of the size of the Volvo, you might want to visit your nearby Toyota dealership for a look. the Crown This version is of similar size but offers a somewhat distinct approach to blending elements of sedans with utility vehicles.

Volvo’s design language is well defined, so you won’t find many unexpected elements in the ES90’s appearance. Essentially, it’s a sedan version of the EX90 electric SUV From the distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights to the sleek interior featuring high-quality, eco-friendly materials, the car really shines. My favorite design element can be spotted at the back, just above the horizontal C-shaped taillights typical of the brand's saloons. There, vertical LED strips frame the rear window, connecting this model seamlessly with Volvo’s lineup of sport utility vehicles.

Underneath the back hatch, the ES90 offers 14.97 cubic feet of storage space which increases to 25.89 cubic feet once the rear seats lay flat for larger objects. Additionally, there’s a 0.78 cubic-foot front trunk located beneath the hood. This front compartment is roughly equivalent to the size of a small suitcase. large backpack , which may not be substantial, but acts as a handy storage space to stow a charging cord or roadside emergency kit neatly out of sight.

Volvo for life

Similar to the EX90, the ES90 also features prominent lidar hump Atop its windshield, the vehicle showcases an advanced system designed not only to enhance driving aids but also to highlight the brand’s cutting-edge technology. While it might seem excessive compared to current standards, as mentioned during the EX90 launch event, Volvo refers to their “Volvo for Life” strategy as being forward-thinking. This ensures adaptability with upcoming safety innovations and continuous software upgrades throughout the electric vehicle's lifecycle. Accompanying the lidar sensor are five radar units, eight cameras, and twelve ultrasound detectors positioned across the car’s frame. These components currently contribute to functions like crash avoidance, pedestrian protection, lane maintenance support, and speed adaptation; however, they could potentially drive even greater autonomous functionalities in the future.

The ES90 comes equipped with interior radar and camera sensors that are used to power the driver alertness monitoring system and full-cabin occupant detection. The latter, I'm told, is submillimeter-scale sensitive and able to detect even "the soft breathing of a sleeping baby" in the back seat and alert a forgetful parent leaving the vehicle.

800-volt EV architecture

Future buyers can select from three distinct setups for their ES90 during customization: Single Motor, Dual Motor, and Dual Motor Performance. In the Single Motor configuration, a 92 kWh battery pack pairs with a 245 kW electric motor located at the rear axle, providing approximately 329 horsepower, 354 lb-ft of torque, and achieving a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of 6.7 seconds.

The dual-motor setup features a 130 kW engine on the front axle and a more powerful 300 kW unit at the back, both powered by an enlarged 106 kWh battery pack. This combination boosts overall performance to 442 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque, reducing the zero-to-sixty time to 5.3 seconds. In contrast, the Dual Motor Performance variant steps things up with 220 kW and 280 kW engines respectively for the front and rear axles, delivering a combined power output of 670 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque. Among these configurations, this high-performance version accelerates from standstill to sixty miles per hour in merely 3.9 seconds.

Volvo anticipates that the ES90 could travel approximately 404 miles using the smaller battery or about 435 miles with the larger one under the less stringent European WLTP test conditions. However, U.S. EPA ratings have yet to be released; these tests tend to be stricter and typically result in figures that are roughly 10 percent lower.

The ES90 will be the inaugural Volvo model to utilize an 800-volt variant of the company’s SPA2 EV platform, offering enhanced efficiency and quicker charging over the 400-volt system used in the EX90. According to Volvo, this single-motor electric SUV can recharge from 10% to 80% in approximately 20 minutes when connected to a 300-kilowatt DC fast-charging station or a 350 kW outlet for dual-motor versions. Additionally, the ES90 will come “hardware-ready” for bidirectional charging At home and with support for plug-and-charge payments for easier charging at public stations when traveling.

Worldwide, the ES90 will include a Combined Charging System port for AC and DC rapid charging The car company has not disclosed if they will adopt CCS or the North American Charging Standard for the U.S. market, but (like the EX90 already does It will definitely accommodate both types of connections and Tesla's Supercharger network through adapters.

Cabin and infotainment

Within, Volvo’s interior showcases a minimalistic and spacious Scandinavian aesthetic enhanced by an available electrochromic panoramic roof that adjusts from nearly fully opaque to completely clear at the press of a button. The electric vehicle features a sleek dashboard featuring a sizable 14.5-inch central touchscreen, along with a 9-inch digital instrument panel. Additionally, subtly integrated for only the driver's use is a heads-up display projected onto the windscreen.

The ES90 handles infotainment through its Google Built-in software package, utilizing Google Maps for navigating, Google Assistant for managing voice commands and searches, and the Google Play Store for accessing various music and media streaming applications. Users have the option to connect their personal devices as well, supporting both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for smartphone mirroring. The vehicle’s Digital Key Plus feature enables unlocking and starting using an iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android device. Additionally, compatibility with Google Home facilitates seamless interaction with external technology systems.

Volvo states that the ES90 will feature the most silent interior the brand has ever offered. For those wanting to break the silence, buyers can choose from three different sound systems, with the premium option being a Bowers & Wilkins setup featuring 25 speakers, delivering 1,610 watts of power, supporting Dolby Atmos, along with Volvo’s latest technology improvements. Abbey Road Studio Mode , where I had the chance to experience it firsthand last year.

Arriving next year

The 2026 Volvo ES90 will mark the sixth fully electric model in the manufacturer's worldwide lineup, alongside the recently rebranded EX40 and EC40 , the compact EX30 The Chinese-market EM90 electric minivan and the top-of-the-line EX90 SUV are being introduced. Drivers in Europe have the opportunity to place orders for the new ES90 as soon as today when the booking process begins. According to the manufacturer, pre-orders will become available in additional regions starting later this year and continuing through 2026, which means it could take some time until reservation options appear in North America (with delivery expected even further down the line). Keep an eye here for future updates regarding U.S. pricing and estimated ranges.

Initially released on March 5, 2025 at 2:10 a.m. PST.