Volvo is making a bold statement in the electric sedan market with its newly revealed ES90, a sleek liftback that aims to challenge established competitors like the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE. While SUVs have dominated Volvo’s recent lineup, this 196.9-inch long midsize sedan demonstrates that the Swedish automaker’s electric technology works just as effectively—and perhaps more stylishly—in a traditional sedan format.
Distinctive Design with Practical Features
The ES90 presents a visually striking alternative to its German rivals, featuring clean surfaces, a strong front fascia, and a sporty fastback profile. Though it appears to be a conventional sedan, it actually incorporates a practical liftback design that enhances its versatility. However, this doesn’t translate to class-leading trunk space, as the BMW i5 still offers more cargo capacity.
Where the Volvo truly shines is in passenger accommodation, particularly for rear-seat occupants. The generous 122.1-inch wheelbase—more than 4 inches longer than the BMW i5’s—ensures ample legroom. This extended wheelbase also exceeds the gas-powered S90’s 120.5-inch measurement, despite the ES90’s overall length being shorter at 196.9 inches compared to the S90’s 200.4 inches.
The ES90 stands nearly four inches taller than its internal combustion counterpart at 60.9 inches, and unsurprisingly carries considerably more weight—up to 5,787 pounds versus the plug-in hybrid S90’s 4,665 pounds. Aerodynamically, Volvo claims the ES90 achieves a drag coefficient of 0.25, the lowest figure of any vehicle the company has produced, contributing to its impressive range capabilities.
Class-Leading Range and Charging
The ES90 establishes itself as a frontrunner in the electric range competition. While the longest-range BMW i5 delivers up to 356 miles from its 81 kWh battery, the most efficient ES90 configuration can travel up to 435 miles on a single charge of its larger 102 kWh power pack. Even the single-motor variants with their smaller 88 kWh batteries can achieve an impressive 404 miles before requiring a recharge.
Unlike Volvo’s EX90 SUV, the ES90 employs advanced 800-volt electrical architecture—a first for an electric Volvo—enabling significantly faster charging capabilities. When connected to a 350 kW DC fast charger, the ES90 can add approximately 186 miles of range in just 10 minutes. The dual-motor variants with 102 kWh batteries can charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 20 minutes, while single-motor models with 88 kWh batteries top out at 300 kW charging speeds. For comparison, the BMW i5 maxes out at 250 kW. The ES90 also includes a small front trunk (frunk) for cable storage, another feature missing from the i5.
Impressive Performance Options
The ES90 lineup begins with the Single Motor Extended Range model, delivering 328-329 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This rear-wheel drive configuration can accelerate from 0-62 mph in approximately 6.7-6.9 seconds and costs £69,650 in the UK.
Moving up the range, the Twin Motor variant combines front and rear electric motors to produce 442-443 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque, reducing the 0-62 mph time to around 5.3-5.5 seconds, with UK pricing starting at £83,250.
At the top of the lineup sits the Twin Motor Performance model, which delivers an impressive 670-671 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque, capable of sprinting from 0-62 mph in just 3.9-4.0 seconds flat. In the UK market, this flagship variant commands only a £4,600 premium over the standard Twin Motor model at £87,850. All ES90 variants are electronically limited to a top speed of 112 mph.
Specifications Table
| Specification | Single Motor Extended Range | Twin Motor | Twin Motor Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 328-329 hp | 442-443 hp | 670-671 hp |
| Torque | 354 lb-ft | 494 lb-ft | 635 lb-ft |
| 0-62 mph | 6.7-6.9 seconds | 5.3-5.5 seconds | 3.9-4.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 112 mph | 112 mph | 112 mph |
| Battery Capacity | 88 kWh | 102 kWh | 102 kWh |
| Range | 404 miles | Up to 435 miles | TBC |
| Max Charging Speed | 300 kW | 350 kW | 350 kW |
| UK Price | £69,650 | £83,250 | £87,850 |
High-Tech Interior
Inside, the ES90 features Volvo’s latest technology, including a 9.0-inch digital instrument display and a prominent 14.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen powered by Google’s software. The interior embraces Scandinavian design principles with light-colored materials to maximize the sense of spaciousness.
Every ES90 comes equipped with a panoramic roof that Volvo claims provides up to 99.9 percent UV protection. An optional electrochromic glass roof allows drivers to adjust the transparency level as desired.
A prominent lidar sensor mounted above the windshield will eventually support advanced autonomous driving capabilities, although Volvo notes this functionality won’t be available until later in the model’s lifecycle.
The 2026 Volvo ES90 is currently available to order in much of Europe, with availability in other markets, including the United States, expected later in 2025 and into 2026.
