The Volvo EX90 Electric SUV - The 7-seater to watch in 2024

Is this family 7-seater one EV to watch in 2024? - The Volvo EX90 Electric SUV

There are so many new EVs on route to the UK for 2024, with an array of hatchback, SUV, family and even convertible options set to enter the UK’s leasing market. So much so, that actually choosing your next new green car is not going to be an easy task for most consumers or fleets.

But deciding on a new all-electric car can be a little more complicated than your usual combustion (petrol or diesel) process, with more than just the monthly price to contend with. As we are finding out, the way in which different options perform on range, charging speeds and efficiency can be vastly different.

And even more niche aspects like towing capacity and passenger-carrying ability are piquing the interests of most customers. Indeed, the e-car team have put together a comprehensive electric vehicle comparison which covers just this, with a definitive table on the range, rapid charging capability, acceleration and towing capacity. Every customer will have some underlying requirement or necessity which is fundamental to their purchase / lease.

Where there is an absence of product in the pure electric market has been with pragmatic family options which essentially have 7 seats. Unlike the combustion world, which is littered with medium and large family vehicles, there hasn’t been much in way of choice for UK customers.

How many 7-seater electric cars are actually available?

As at 2023, the main options include - the VW ID Buzz, Citroen e-SpaceTourer / Nissan e-NV200, Mercedes EQB, EQS SUV and EQV.

However, for 2024, we already have two new large SUVs confirmed for our e-car customers to enjoy; the Kia EV9 7-seat and the Volvo EX90. The latter, which is pictured here, is a great addition to the current product suite. Built on a dedicated EV platform, the Volvo SPA2, this follows the recent launch of the Geely produced Lotus Eletre and Polestar 3, which all share similar configurations.

The key difference between them and the Volvo, is the additional space offered in the cabin which translates to either 6 passengers (in addition to the driver) or a sizeable boot space if you decide to fold the rear two seats away. And this will be 65 litres of storage space under the load floor or the 34 litres of space in the front load compartment. As many UK lease customers are discovering, there is no shortage of load space within an EV; the absence of an engine and other parts is paving the way for more practicality.

The 7-seat configuration on the Volvo EX90 EV

But it isn’t just pragmatism which will win the Volvo SUV the accolades in 2024; the Swedish company are also looking to wow with their two robust battery configurations, high-level specification and towing capacity.

In terms of the equipment, enjoy an active chassis, active air suspension, Bowers and Wilkins High Fidelity, 4-zone climate control, heat pump, electrically powered front seats, 22” alloys, 14.5” centre console, 9” steering wheel mounted display, 360 degree parking camera, front/rear park assist, HUD,

keyless start and entry, park pilot assist, folding and heated door mirrors, LED lights, rain sensing wipers, hill start and descent assist, run-off road mitigation, adaptive cruise control, Nordico upholstery, 5G capability, Google assistant (for 4 years), heated steering wheel and an air purifier.

Because of the high-specification, there really isn’t much left to add to this vehicle. Although you can choose from a great array of colours including Onyx Black, Platinum Grey, Silver Dawn, Vapour Grey and Crystal White. Inside, choose from Charcoal Nordico, Cardamom Quilted and Dawn Quilted. Other than that, consider options like mud flaps, running boards or the automatic foldable towbar (with Trailer Stability Assist).

So is the new 2024 EX90 the best for towing?

To be clear, when you are researching the towing capacity of any vehicle, all-electric or otherwise, you need to separate “Braked” and “Unbraked”. It is the former which refers to the capacity of the vehicle where a trailer has brakes included and the latter references a trailer where no independent brakes are present. To operate the brakes, a cable will connect the trailer to your vehicle, so that it has a braking system.

As such, the towing capacity of a vehicle will often be higher where a trailer is Braked as opposed to Unbraked. For EVs, there are a surprising amount of generous towing capacities (Braked) available as at 2023 / 2024. In order these include:

1.  BMW iX - 2500 kg;
2. Kia EV9 - 2500 kg;
3.  Tesla Model X Plaid - 2250 kg;
4.  Lotus Eletre- 2250 kg;
5.  Polestar 3 -2200 kg; and
6.  Volvo EX90 - 2200 kg 

So while the Volvo is more than proficient, and is in the top-10 of EVs to lease, if towing is your key criteria, you can see there are some other great options to add to your list. Whether you are towing a caravan or a trailer, personal or business, it is key that you review the various rules and legislations which apply to this aspect.

And what is also worth noting, is that the information shown for Range on an EV does not include towing. While e-car lease use an EVC™ which sets out the key aspects of the vehicle, our data does not include factors such as weight and towing, nor does any other data organisation.

It is therefore important with an electric vehicle to not only look at the towing capacity; you need to research the range and ensure that this is suitable for needs and requirements, taking into account the reductions through towing. 

But how does the EX90 perform, is it a good BEV to buy or lease?

As discussed, there are two key battery options, the details for which are set out below:

•  Twin Motor - from £96,255 this AWD SUV will have a 107 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 5.9 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 300 kW (or 402hp). Expect a combined winter range of 245 miles with warmer weather allowing for 325 miles. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 11 hour and 30 minute  0 – 100% charging times with the 250 kW DC maximum allowing 32 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 310L is available with this car (when the seats are not folded). It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 110 mpg. This EV will have Bidirectional charging with V2L, V2H And V2G all confirmed . And the car will be able to tow 750 kg (Unbraked) and 2200 kg (Braked); and 
•  Twin Motor Performance - from £100,555 this AWD SUV will have a 107 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 4.9 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 380 kW (or 510hp). Expect a combined winter range of 240 miles with warmer weather allowing for 315 miles. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 11 hour and 30 minute  0 – 100% charging times with the 250 kW DC maximum allowing 32 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 310L is available with this car (when the seats are not folded). It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 106 mpg. This EV will have Bidirectional charging with V2L, V2H And V2G all confirmed . And the car will be able to tow 750 kg (Unbraked) and 2200 kg (Braked). 

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