Volvo ES90 electric liftback lands with 800-volt tech, 670 hp

By automotive-mag.com 5 Min Read
  • Volvo has unveiled the ES90, the automaker’s second model to ride on the SPA2 platform
  • The ES90 is Volvo’s first EV with 800-volt technology, which enables faster charging
  • Availability and pricing for the U.S. market hasn’t been announced

Volvo on Wednesday unveiled the ES90, a fully electric midsize liftback and the newest member of the automaker’s 90-series flagship lineup.

The ES90 serves as an electric alternative to the S90, but instead of that model’s traditional trunk lid, it features a sloping rear hatch for easier access to the cargo hold. Rear storage space is 15 cubic feet, expandable to almost 26 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The ES90 also features a long 122.1-inch wheelbase and a total length of 196.9 inches. For performance enthusiasts, the top powertrain option delivers up to 670 hp.

The ES90 is Volvo’s second model based on the SPA2 dedicated EV platform, following the EX90 midsize SUV that arrived last year as a 2025 model. Timing for the ES90 in the U.S. hasn’t been announced, but in some European countries, it is already available to order. Volvo said the ES90 will be introduced in other markets later this year and into 2026.

Despite arriving just one year after the EX90, the ES90 ushers in new technology for the SPA2 platform. Chief among these is an 800-volt electrical system, enabling the ES90 to charge faster than any previous Volvo EV—at rates of up to 350 kw—while also improving charging efficiency. The EX90 features a 400-volt electrical system.

Volvo ES90

Volvo said it designed every component in the ES90’s electrical system to operate on 800 volts, including the battery cells, motors (which are also lighter), inverter, and charging and thermal systems. This means retrofitting the system to EX90s already on the road is unlikely. However, this won’t be the case for the ES90’s dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin chips, which Volvo said will be offered as a no-cost upgrade to existing EX90 owners. The extra computing power delivered by the chips allows for faster processing of data for AI-based safety features, sensor data processing, battery management, and in-car media.

Battery options include 92- and 106-kwh units, with the smaller battery’s maximum charging rate limited to 300 kw instead of the full 350 kw of the larger battery. The smaller battery is also limited to single-motor models, which have a maximum output of 329 hp. The larger battery is designated for a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, which in standard guise delivers 442 hp and, in a Performance variant, the aforementioned 670 hp—enough for 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.9 seconds. The top speed is capped at 112 mph for all models.

Volvo ES90

Volvo ES90

The new 800-volt system, coupled with Volvo’s latest battery management system, allows the larger battery to add approximately 186 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging when using a suitable DC fast charger. A 10-80% charge can also be completed in as little as 20 minutes, with a total estimated range of 435 miles, according to Volvo.

By comparison, the EX90 with the 400-volt system adds only 112 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging and requires 30 minutes to charge from 10-80%. These range estimates are based on the WLTP test cycle used overseas and would yield lower figures under the stricter EPA test cycle.

Volvo ES90

Volvo ES90

Inside the cabin, a 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen are backed by Google apps, as in current Volvo models, while retaining wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Digital key functionality and a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system will be available. For the exterior, buyers will be able to choose from seven colors and four wheel options ranging from 20 to 22 inches in size.

The ES90 is just one of five new or updated Volvos launching this year. In February, Volvo revealed the rugged EX30 Cross Country and an updated XC60. Additional models are expected to include an updated S60 compact sedan and a long-range plug-in hybrid tailored for the Chinese market. The current S60 will exit the U.S. market after 2025 and is not expected to return. Volvo has yet to announce U.S. launch timing for these new models.

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