First Drive: Volvo’s ES90 aims to further this brand’s EV intent

What is it?

Volvo may have ‘adjusted’ its electrification plans to allow for a greater number of hybrids over the coming years, but that hasn’t stopped the Swedish brand from continuing its development of battery-powered vehicles. The next instalment in this process is this car – the ES90 – which arrives as Volvo’s new luxurious model.

Based on the same platform as the EX90 electric SUV, the ES90 is jam-packed with features and technology, but will that be enough to put it at the top of the electric tree? We’ve been behind the wheel to find out.

What’s new?

The ES90 arrives as something of a blend between bodystyles. There are hints of a saloon car to it, but you’ve also got elements of fastback and SUV going alongside it. With a 3.1-metre long wheelbase, it’s no compact vehicle, that’s for sure, but this length aims to give the ES90 executive levels of legroom for those in the back.

A rival for the BMW i5 and Audi A6 e-tron, the ES90 also goes up against the Polestar 4 – a car with which it shares some features. It’s unsurprising given both Volvo and Polestar’s positioning underneath the wider Geely umbrella.

What’s under the bonnet?

As with other electric Volvo cars, you’ve got a series of battery and motor setups to choose from. Things range from the Single Motor Extended Range car – which we’re driving here – to the range-topping Ultra Twin Motor Performance, which offers, as the name suggests, the best possible acceleration and, oddly enough, the highest range of the group at 435 miles.

This Extended Range model should still return up to 401 miles of range from a charge, putting it among the heavy-hitters in the segment for this area. A top-whack charge speed of 310kW means you should manage a 10 to 80 per cent charge in a speedy 22 minutes, too.

What’s it like to drive?

It’s a big old bus, this ES90, so piloting it through the relatively narrow roads surrounding Monaco proved to be quite the challenge. That said, this car’s refinement is what really shines through, with both wind and road noise kept to a barely-noticeable murmur. This Volvo’s steering is quite light, mind you, so it does make the whole car feel a little more agile – though it’s lacking in feel, so it can be a little tricky to judge quite where the vehicle is placed through a bend. Even single motor versions like this provide a decent level of acceleration, too, and you’re not left wanting for more. It feels like the ideal long-distance cruiser and, with over 400 miles of range, there’s no reason why the ES90 couldn’t fit that role quite happily. We’re riding on active air suspension, too, which helps to give the ES90 a sumptuous ride quality.

Rearward visibility is pretty terrible, mind you, with the car’s letterbox-style rear screen opening giving you very little view to the back, particularly when the rear headrests are in place. That said, the ES90 has a far higher ride height than you might expect, so forward visibility is pretty good.

How does it look?

The ES90 arrives as Volvo’s first non-SUV electric vehicle and it’s one which feels quite China-ready in design. Buyers there love rear-seat space and a more executive look to things, which is probably why the ES90 features both. It’s not a boring design, for sure, and these things are always down to personal opinion, but you get the feeling Volvo could’ve gone a bit further.

Sure, estate cars aren’t big-sellers, but they are core to Volvo’s history and we feel as though the Swedish brand could’ve injected a boatload of character and heritage into the ES90 by making it a ‘wagon’.

What’s it like inside?

It’s all about space inside the ES90. The level of legroom in the rear is absolutely fantastic; you’re free to stretch out and, because of the lack of transmission tunnel, the rear floor is completely flat, so whoever sits in the middle isn’t getting the short straw. Interestingly, it’s otherwise quite old-school in the back of the ES90, with only controls for the heating and ventilation located back there. No screens and no displays. Everything is trimmed very well, however, with top-notch materials are used throughout.

Up front, it’s all very stripped-back and screen-centric. The seats up front are comfortable and supportive, mind you, and though nearly all functions are controlled via the main screen, at least there’s a roller switch for the volume. A few extra buttons – even just for the heating and ventilation – wouldn’t go amiss. You’ve got a helpful 422 litres of boot space, too, expandable to 733 litres by folding the rear seats. Plus, you’ve got a handy ‘frunk’ at the front of the car for charging cable storage.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the ES90 start from just under £70,000. It’s only slightly more than an entry-level BMW i5, but you’re getting far more range in the Volvo to begin with. Equipment levels on the ES90 are impressive, too, with a 14.5-inch central display bringing a variety of Google-based systems, including Maps. You also get a nine-inch screen ahead of the driver for all of your key travel information.

There’s a new electrochromatic roof, too, which can switch from clear to opaque at the touch of a button, and a hugely impressive Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which includes a clever ‘Abbey Road’ setting which recreates the sound of the iconic London studio. As with all Volvos, the ES90 is also packed with safety equipment, including collision mitigation and avoidance technology, and dual-stage to name just two.

Verdict

The ES90 does a lot of things very well. It has an impressive level of equipment and delivers a huge amount of rear-seat space, as well as all of the equipment you need. Against rivals, it fares well, too, particularly given this car’s over 400-mile range and speedy charge rate.

Sure, it’s not a car that’ll set the world alight, and its rearward visibility isn’t the best, but the ES90 feels like a showcase of Volvo’s transformation into an ever more premium brand both in terms of driving style and material quality.