Volvo’s top EV handed a slew of new features
Launched for the 2025 model year, things didn’t go particularly well for the Volvo EX90. Yes, it’s handsome, comfortable, and packed with safety kit in classic Volvo tradition, but the electric SUV’s software has proved troublesome. Things got so bad that one owner sued Volvo, and another deeply regretted trading in a Toyota for the new EX90. Various social forums are filled with similar complaints from other irate EX90 owners.
Hoping to put these setbacks in the past, Volvo has come out firing with the 2026 EX90. For such a new vehicle, it has received some significant updates, some of which may address the buggy software in earlier examples.
New 800-Volt Electric System Enables Faster Charging
The new 800V architecture replaces the previous model’s 400V system, offering a number of improvements in the process. Heat generation during charging is reduced, while charging speeds have gone up. Also improving charging performance is Volvo’s own battery management software.
Volvo claims that just 10 minutes of charging adds as much as 155 miles of range. Furthermore, the 800V system delivers more power, improving acceleration. The EX90 already rips to 60 in 4.7 seconds, so it was hardly slow before this update.
“The EX90 now features our most advanced electric system, delivering faster charging and higher efficiency, so you can feel more confident and in control,” says Anders Bell, chief technology and engineering officer at Volvo Cars.
Other Tech Updates Boost EX90’s Computing Power
Volvo
The latest EX90 now updates to a dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin-based core computer, and the SUV now has 500 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) of computing power. Nerdy terms aside, it essentially means that safety and performance enhancements can now more efficiently be processed via data, software, and AI.
For owners of the 2025 EX90, there’s good news: A one-time free upgrade of the 2025 model’s computer will be available at a Volvo workshop.
“The additional computing power enables us to harness the power of AI, data and software to further enhance safety and overall performance of the EX90,” says Anders Bell. “This means we can provide our customers with advanced safety and driver support features, along with continuous improvements to the infotainment and battery management systems – all delivered seamlessly over the air.”
Hopefully, all of this means that the glitchy systems plaguing the original 2025 models will be a distant memory.
The following new features are also offered for the 2026 EX90:
- Connected safety alerts for slippery roads, hazards, or accidents
- Automatic e-call with Emergency Stop Assist (if the driver suddenly becomes unresponsive, for example)
- Expanded automatic emergency steering functionality in dark conditions
- Park Pilot assist for parallel parking
- New electrochromic panoramic roof, with glass transparency adjustment
Volvo didn’t explicitly state whether all these features are standard or optional, but that will be confirmed when the 2026 model’s configurator goes live.
Related: 2025 Volvo EX90 First Drive: Electric? Three rows? Luxury? Here’s your choice
Upgraded EX90 Needs To Succeed
Volvo
The first EX90 model year didn’t turn out as planned, and besides scores of frustrated owners, Volvo will want to remedy any reputational damage as quickly as possible. The comprehensive updates applied to the 2026 EX90 promise to do that, but we’ll only be able to cast a final judgment on that once enough owners take delivery and have lived with the vehicle for a few months.
Despite its software issues, EX90 sales reached over 2,500 units in the USA by the end of August, a healthy increase over the 85 units sold over the same period last year.
Pricing for the 2026 model is yet to be announced, although order books have opened. The 2025 version started at around the $80,000 mark.
