Volvo ES90: This Lavish Saloon Offers Something A Little Different

Volvo’s all-electric ES90 is a niche car: an out-of-favour saloon in a world of sports utility vehicles. Motoring editor Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby discuss the lavish new cruiser.

Test Drive: Volvo ES90

JT-P: Taxi! What is that bump on the roof?

JT: Yes, it’s quite a carbuncle, isn’t it? That’s Volvo’s Lidar system, technology that makes the ES90 one of the safest Volvos of all time. It’s an updated version of the system in the new EX90 SUV, a car I drove last year.

More cameras and sensors?

Lots more. Five radars, seven cameras and no less than 12 ultrasonic sensors create what Volvo likes to call ‘Safe Space Technology’. That lump affords the only saloon on the Volvo fleet all-round advanced visibility.

Does it work?

I’ve just returned from Monaco where the ES90 was launched to the world’s press. It’s certainly well-built, refined and a relaxing drive, but all that technology comes with a caveat. More on that later.

So why has Volvo gone for a saloon instead of an SUV? Is anybody buying them these days?

Volvo certainly hopes they will. Although it looks like a regular saloon, the ES90’s floor is much higher, offering owners a more commanding driving position, just like an SUV. The ES will do battle with electric rivals like the Porsche Taycan and BMW i5.

Sounds expensive…

I drove the 92 kWh single motor model, which starts at £69,760. But, depending on the specification, the ES90 can cost up to £79,190. Twin motor and ‘performance’ versions will follow, meaning this limousine-like EV could easily top £100,000.

Yikes! How did the single motor model drive?

Rather well. The cabin is a serene place to travel, with luxury trim and a minimalist cabin that oozes refinement. 0–62mph is dispatched in a leisurely 6.6 seconds and official range is over 400 miles, although 330 is more realistic. The Performance version will trim the 0–62mph sprint to a supercar-like four seconds.

More of a luxury cruiser than a driver’s car then?

Exactly. It’s not as much fun to drive as the i5, but air suspension ensures comfort is supreme. At five metres long, the ES offers exceptional rear legroom. Thanks to an enormous, fixed glass room, there’s a lovely feeling of airiness, too. The cabin is as quiet as a Rolls-Royce but if you want sound, Volvo has fitted a premium, 1610-watt Bowers and Wilkins system to thrill music lovers, with added Dolby Atmos.

What makes it so good?

Count 25 speakers and a range of settings to suit every ear. The stand-out choice is Abbey Road Studios Mode, which brings the acoustic settings of the famous Beatles’ studio into your car.

Anything else we should know about?

That spacious cabin is complemented by a huge boot, plus a raft of safety features you would expect from a company like Volvo. Also, it’s not a BMW, Audi or Mercedes!

Meaning?

It seems odd saying it, but the ES90 is actually the leftfield choice for executives who would usually buy a German car. The Volvo has a certain charm missing from many rivals, plus 800v rapid charging is super quick, and it isn’t a ubiquitous SUV.

What isn’t so good?

Bizarrely, it’s what’s missing from the ES90 that bugs me most: buttons! The driving experience is blighted by a giant infotainment screen that overwhelms the dashboard and operates many of the essential driving controls. And I don’t just mean the heating. The door mirrors, even the steering column adjustment all require some screen tapping.

But you get used to that, right?

I don’t think car designers need to reinvent the wheel! Physical buttons are safer to use – and safety is meant to be Volvo’s USP.  That bunion on the roof also does the styling no favours, plus visibility through the tiny rear screen is terrible. Somehow, I doubt the out-of-favour saloon design will tempt execs away from rival brands either.

How infuriating! 

Sadly for Volvo, I don’t expect the ES90 to be a runaway sales success it probably deserves to be. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd, this big saloon will likely be a rarity on British roads.

Discover more about the Volvo ES90 at volvocars.com

Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.