Volvo EX90 Electrically Evolved

By Lee Pang Seng

THE Volvo EX90 might have been in the market for about 16 months but it has already ‘evolved’ to a new level. Don’t expect body design changes or updates as all that ‘evolvement’ is under the skin for a more efficient electrical system.

When the Volvo EX90 was introduced to the Malaysian market in April 2025, it came with the Luminar lidar unit embedded in its roofline. Lidar stands for Light Detection and Ranging and is a remote sensing system that uses laser light pulses to measure distances and create three-dimensional maps of objects and road environments.

Its purpose is to detect pedestrians, lane markers and road obstacles so that the vehicle’s safety systems could be instantly activated when necessary and in a more accurate way. However, Volvo found that this involved two control systems; one for lidar and the other for the vehicle’s safety systems.

Instead of having to update two systems, which involves a higher cost, Volvo decided to combine the lidar functions with the vehicle’s safety systems. This leads to only one control network and updates could be easier made at a lower cost without reducing the effectiveness of the entire safety system. While the preceded model continues with the Lidar system, there would be no further updates as Volvo sees the system still being fully functional as it were.

This was made possible with an 800-volt electrical architecture (up from the previous model’s 400-volt system) that allows a faster charging rate. Fast 350kW DC (direct current) charging from 10-80 per cent now takes 22 minutes while the previous model could only do that in 30 minutes. A quick 10-minute charge now provides a higher range of 250km against the previous model’s 180km.

AC (alternating current) charging via the wall box remains the same in charging capacity and the time taken (10 hours) for a full charge. The battery remains a lithium-ion nickel-rich (NCM) unit and the gross energy capacity is improved, which leads to a slight lower range of 617km (WTLP – Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) against the previous 623km.

The higher volt system has also juiced up the electrical output. It has a stronger punch with 500kw/680hp and 870Nm of torque (previous model output is 380kW/517hp and a higher 910Nm). That means it also takes less time to hit 100km/h from standstill at 4.2 seconds (4.9 seconds). The updated Volvo EX90 continues with two electric motors (one for each axle) to power the Performance All-Wheel Drive system.

Volvo Malaysia also noted that the updated EX90 is powered by a NVIDIA Drive AGX Orin-based core computer that has a high-level of computation to manage functions such as active safety features, car sensors and efficient battery management as well as ‘orchestrate various essential systems and processes inside the car at incredible speed’.

Other than all these underpinnings, you wouldn’t be able to tell the updated EX90 from the preceding model. The body styling continues with its ‘Scandinavian design principles’ in the flush glazing and rounded front and rear overhangs for a wind-cheating outline. The aerodynamic co-efficient stays similar at 0.29 and the Thor’s hammer headlamp design continues to underline its distinctive roots and stance.

Stepping inside, one could enjoy the advanced electrochromic roof that allows the flow of natural light and cabin temperature to be adjusted at the touch of a button. The ventilated Nappa leather upholstery is complemented by tactile, natural wood elements. Here, Volvo says there are two distinctive expressions: Charcoal Nappa leather with Light Ash decor or Cardamom Nappa leather with Brown Ash.

As the seven-seater SUV flagship, the updated EX90 is locally assembled and thus carries a cheaper price than the preceding variant. It is priced at RM428,888 on the road without insurance (RM442,888). Prospective customers might like to know that there is an early bird offer for the first 100 vehicles booked and that includes a RM25,000 cash rebate and a Volvo Wallbox worth RM3990.

The EX90 is backed by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and an eight-year high-voltage battery warranty. Volvo Malaysia also prides itself in that 100 per cent of the range that is available in the Malaysian market are electrified, either as BEVs (battery electric vehicles) or PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles). That’s ahead of its parent company Volvo’s target of achieving 90-100 per cent electrified cars by 2030.

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