Driven. Volvo ES90 Ultra Single Motor
- Jul 9
- 6 min read
I’m not the type that’s often surprised about much in life. As a self-confessed stoic, the ballast is heavy and keeps everything stable. But occasionally you hit a freak wave that flares emotions.
And flare up they did during a week in the Volvo ES90. Let me explain.
It’s little brother, the EX30, was the first EV I truly enjoyed. Minimalist and classy styling, beautiful packaging and amenity, and the emotional connection that I expect from a vehicle of any type. All these factors were present, and it would steer too, which was even more surprising.
Aside from the positive impression cast by its lineage, I saw the ES90 as going against the grain. It boils down to its sedan-like shape and single rear motor, designating it a rear wheel drive. As a nostalgic car enthusiast, the opportunity to drive a large rear wheel drive sedan regardless of the motivation, was something I simply couldn’t pass up.
Walking up to it at pickup revealed just how big it really is. At 5 meters long, 1.94m wide and only 1.55m tall, it casts a visual that we simply don’t see in the motoring world anymore.
I can understand the markets' desire for acreage in terms of storage, but how often do you load your run of the mill SUV to the roof guys? Really?
This low and wide profile makes it a truly lovely thing to look at from any angle. Up front the shape sharpens, but not so much as to be too wedge-like compared to the rear.
And whilst those now familiar “Hammer Of Thor” headlights are razor thin, they are amongst the very best I have ever sampled. They’re bright and adaptive, intelligent enough to go around a corner, but illuminate ahead with high beams, leaving a defined box around the vehicle in front. Truly amazing.
It’s unpretentiously Nouveau Riche in its design, with clean and unapologetic lines that are not trying to be too edgy or pretentious. The Aurora Silver on our example is one of 7 colours on offer, and can look more like lavender than silver in certain light.
In combination with the 22-inch wheels wrapped in liquorice-strip 285/35 rubber up the back, it almost casts a custom-car type overall aesthetic. Up the back I was surprised to see the “boot” lid and glasshouse lift together to reveal the cargo space. It’s a point of contention, because in my simple mind I still call this a sedan; it’s clearly not.
I guess the way it opens may appease the ones that don’t like to go against the grain, because it allows for easier loading of items, and a little more space; just like an SUV but better.
It’s spacious back there too, with 446 litres of space and a soft cover to boot. With the rear row down this can expand out to 1427 litres.
Peering between the two rear-row headrests gives you a first glimpse at the interior. It’s just as appealing as the exterior, with a typical Swedish minimalism bolstered by intentional design.
There are various options available for finishes, but ours had lovely cream-colour throughout, offset by light woodgrain and chrome details.
The front row indulges in beautiful Nordico covered seats that look like high-end ergonomic office chairs. Multiple points of electric adjustability including seat back bolsters make it easy to get comfortable, while various massage programs are a delight.
The driver grips a chunky wheel and vitals are presented on a small screen – this reminded me of the EX30. Thankfully it’s supplemented by a large and wonderfully crisp Head Up Display.
An enormous portrait-oriented 14.5 infotainment screen takes pride of place in the centre of the dashboard. Like the EX30, it runs on an Android Operating System but thankfully Apple CarPlay is available in wired and wireless format, along with native apps such as Spotify and Google Maps.
It’s through this screen where I experienced the most accomplished sound system I have ever sampled in any vehicle, ever. Comprising of 25 Hi Fi speakers, the Bowers & Wilkins system is truly an audiophile’s delight and is deserving of an entire article of itself.
It’s developed in collaboration with Abbey Road Studios and is designed to replicate the acoustic spaces of the world's most famous recording studios.
I found myself listening to all sorts of music, including some old favourites where I’d hear details that I had never come across before. A truly delightful experience that everyone needs to experience once.
Most surprising was was the amount of internal space on offer. The benefit of that body width is evident here, with a breadth that is punctuated by the clean lines of the dashboard.
Leg space in the rear row is another highlight, with 3 adults easily able to sit comfortably. But with one at each heated-and-ventilate end, you’re talking almost limousine-levels of comfort.
All passengers enjoy the sunshine from the panoramic glass roof. It was pleasing to see the addition of electrochromic glass up there, which can be tinted at the touch of a button to manage in-cabin heat.
I can’t recall the last time I was in a cabin that was as quiet as the ES90. I’m not talking about the characteristic quiet you get in an EV, this is clearly a concerted effort by the design team to insulate the cabin from the outside world.
Selecting drive via the steering column mounted gear-lever heralds forward progress, which in its most basic mode is a simple and easy affair indeed. Controls are light and the steering can feel a little woody at times but given the intention its fine.
The chassis rides on air suspension, able to adjust a total of about 50mm depending on drive modes; once of which was denoted as off-road, which always bewilders me.
Perhaps more relevant in its home country where snow features? I’m not a fan of encouraging people to take such cars off-road in Australia we have enough issues with track closures already.
Nevertheless, the system does an incredible job of absorbing bumps of all types, ironing them out to maintain that in-cabin serenity, despite the near 2.5T heft.
It’s no performance car though, with a sprint to the tonne coming in at a respectable 6.6 seconds. There is a twin motor version, but we don’t get it in this chassis on our shores.
Whilst that would be a nice to have, the 245kw/480Nm outputs of this single motor variant are just right for what this vehicle is; a supremely comfortable, spacious and refined sedan.
It’s worth touching on safety if only for a moment. Volvo is synonymous for it, and it’s all there and very well calibrated as I would have expected.
In Volvo’s ES90 I find what I feel is perhaps the car guy’s electric vehicle. That’s a really big call from someone who really isn’t really an advocate.
It’s beautiful outside, casting a low and wide visual that’s punctuated by that huge rolling stock combination. The interior is spacious and beautifully finished, with a truly delightful serenity regardless of external conditions.
And it’s that level of serenity that means the lucky occupants can experience that incredible studio quality sound system at a standstill or on a roll. This combination is what made me forget that there was no engine noise; my one biggest gripe regarding electric vehicles.
It also provides all of this at $107,900 plus on-roads, undercutting the remaining Europeans significantly.
If I was inclined and ready to adopt, there is no doubt in my mind that this is the EV that I would be buying. I can’t believe I just said that.
Like: Funky almost custom-car exterior design, beautiful interior, that sound system!, large rear wheel drive sedan architecture
Dislike: Screen mirroring was glitchy at times, resale value may be an issue (can you see I’m clutching at straws?)
Car Guy Rating – 8.5
In the ES90 I reckon I’ve found the model I’d go for if I was ready to go EV.
Cars need to drive emotion for me, and the ES90 does that despite the non-preferred propulsion methos. I found myself constantly looking back at it when I’d park, the sound system had me hearing new things in music I’ve listened to for 20 years, and I loved the curios looks it would get when driving around
Ultimately it runs against the grain, which means it may not get the volume required, but for someone like me; its perfect. Would Buy
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