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Volvo ES90 Takes On BMW i5 With More Style And Range

  • Volvo has unveiled its ES90 midsize electric liftback sedan.
  • Top versions get 671 hp and can reach 62 mph in 4 seconds.
  • The bigger 102 kWh available battery can cover 435 miles.

Volvo is best known for its SUVs these days, but this week it revealed the ES90, showing that its electric tech can works just as well, and look even more stylish, in a traditional midsize sedan.

Designed to take on the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE among other options, the 5m-long (196.9 inches) ES90 arguably looks far better than both, with a strong chin, clean surfaces and a sporty fastback shape. Though it presents as a sedan, it has a practical liftback – but comes up short on trunk space next to the BMW.

Related: Volvo Still Not Sure If It Should Build An Electric Estate

Where it shouldn’t come up short is in interior room, particularly for those in the back. The 3.1 mm (122.1 inches) wheelbase is more than 100 mm (4 inches) longer than the BMW’s, and the Volvo also wins the range war.

While the leggiest i5 can only return 356 miles (573 km) on a full charge of its 81 kWh battery, the rangiest ES90’s 102 kWh power pack can take it 435 miles (700 km) in one go. Dual-motor versions get the larger battery and single-motor models make do with a smaller 88 kWh unit that can still deliver 404 miles (650 km) before needing a top-up.

Charging? No Problem

Unlike the EX90 SUV, the ES90 has 800-volt electrics, can handle 350 kW inputs (the i5 only takes 250 kW) and add 186 miles (300 km) of range in 10 minutes. A small frunk provides space for cable storage, again something the i5 doesn’t offer.

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The lineup start with the 328 hp (333 PS / 245 kW) Single Motor Extended Range, which costs £69,650 in the UK and can reach 62 mph (100 kmh) in 6.9 seconds. A 443 hp (449 PS / 330 kW) Twin Motor drops the 62 time to 5.5 seconds for £83,250, but for only £4,600 more the the flagship Twin Motor Performance provides 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW) and does the run in 4.0 seconds flat. All three are limited to 112 mph (180 kmh).

A High-Tech Cabin

Inside, the ES90 features a 9.0-inch digital instrument tablet, a large 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen with built-in Google tech and light-colored Scandi decor and materials to maximize the sense of space. The sedans come equipped with Lidar for autonomous semi-driving prominently mounted above the windshield, but it won’t be functional until later in the model’s life.

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Volvo ES90 Electric Sedan Leaked, Promises 435-Mile Range (Updated)

  • Volvo’s ES90 electric flagship debuts on March 5, with the facelifted ICE S90 arriving later.
  • The ES90 boasts Volvo’s most advanced computing power, longest range, and fastest charging.
  • The teasers reveal a familiar silhouette with an aerodynamic roofline and split taillights.

Update 3/3: It looks like we won’t have to wait until Wednesday for our first glimpse of the new Volvo ES90, as an apparent official photo has already surfaced online. The image aligns with Volvo’s recent teasers, revealing a chunky and rather tall profile design, complemented by the characteristic front end seen in Volvo’s latest EVs. The original article continues below.

 Volvo ES90 Electric Sedan Leaked, Promises 435-Mile Range (Updated)

Photo Volvo via wilcoblock/Instagran

Volvo is gearing up for the launch of the all-new fully electric ES90 that will take place on March 5. The software-defined sedan will be the most powerful Volvo ever in terms of core computing capacity, and promises to offer a driving range of over 700 km (435 miles). Meanwhile, the company is also updating the S90 sedan, ensuring an ICE option remains available alongside the new EV.

Following the original teaser from last year, Volvo has shared additional photos of the ES90, revealing an unconventional split taillight arrangement at the back. Despite the classic three-box sedan silhouette, the EV features additional LEDs on the sides of the rear window, complementing the main taillights in the traditional position.

More: Volvo To Introduce 5 Models In 2025, EX60 Coming In 2026

Earlier teasers have showcased the ES90’s sleek roofline, familiar greenhouse, flush door handles, and a roof-mounted LiDar. The front end is expected to resemble the EX90, featuring Volvo’s signature “Thor’s hammer” LED headlights.

Longer Range And Faster Charging

Volvo has confirmed that the ES90 will be fitted with an 800-volt system, giving it the longest range and the fastest charging times among its EV lineup.

Besides offering an estimated WLTP range of over 700 km (435 miles), the battery pack of the ES90 will be compatible with 350 kW charging and feature new battery management software. As a result, it will be able to gain 300 km (186 miles) of range in just 10 minutes of charging, while a 10-80% charge will be completed in 20 minutes.

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Volvo also mentioned that the electric motors will be lighter, without getting into details about the combined power output.

In terms of sustainability, the ES90 will use recycled and natural materials in its production. Furthermore, the company will be transparent about the source of the rare metals used in the battery pack, and its carbon footprint.

Advanced Tech Under the Hood

The ES90 is built on the SPA2 architecture that’s already used by the EX90, although the new SPA3 platform will debut with the EX60 in 2026. The electric sedan is set to be the first Volvo to feature a dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin setup, giving it the highest core computing capacity in the brand’s lineup. This configuration will also be introduced in the EX90, with existing customers receiving a complimentary upgrade.

The system supports AI-based active safety features and sensors, contributing to Volvo’s “Safe Space Technology“. In terms of sensor hardware, the ES90 will be equipped with one LiDar, five radars, eight cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors, and an “advanced driver understanding system inside the car”.

As with the mechanically-related SUV, the electric sedan will feature the Volvo Cars Superset tech stack – including hardware and software modules and systems – that will eventually be applied in the automaker’s entire EV lineup. Software updates will allow the ES90 to “continuously evolve and improve over time” in the areas of safety, connectivity, and performance.

The Volvo S90 Is Getting A Facelift

Alongside the ES90, Volvo is developing a heavily updated version of the ICE-powered sedan, one of five new products planned for 2025. Leaked photos reveal a complete redesign of the front and rear ends, giving the classic model a fresh, modern appearance. Originally launched in 2016 with a minor update in 2020, the S90’s facelift extends its lifecycle as an alternative to Volvo’s growing electric lineup.

It remains unclear whether the V90 estate will also receive the new redesign. Last month, Volvo announced plans to introduce “meaningful upgrades” for two of its existing models in 2025, one of which is the recently facelifted XC60.

More: 2026 Volvo XC60 Gets Another Refresh After 9 Years On The Market

By extending the lifecycle of its older ICE-powered models, Volvo is providing alternative options alongside its growing electric lineup, especially after stepping back from its goal of becoming an EV-only brand by 2030. This approach was also used with the recently facelifted XC90 flagship SUV, which remains available alongside the fully electric EX90.

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