Volvo ES90

Volvo confirms four new models for the South African market, and they’re not all electric

Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) is set to launch four key new models in the coming year, with the company confirming recently that the new ES90 Sedan was on the radar for local introduction, along with the EX30 Cross Country and updated versions of the XC60 and XC90 SUVs.

VCSA was at the centre of controversy earlier this year after the importer closed around half of its dealerships, essentially only leaving sales representation in the three major centres, and service outlets in more remote regions such as the Eastern Cape.

This, it said, was due to the company shifting its focus to an all-electric future.

However, while the new Volvo ES90 and EX30 Cross Country are fully electric, the updated XC60 and XC90 vehicles will offer a choice between mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid petrol power.

“Our focus is clear: we are committed to offering South African motorists more choice as they make the transition to electric driving,” said VCSA’s new managing director Grant Locke.

“These new vehicles, paired with our ongoing investment in our local operations and services, underline the fact that we are here to stay and grow.”

 
New Volvo ES90 locked in for South Africa

It’s official: the new Volvo ES90 is due to launch in South Africa in “early 2026”, combining a fully electric powertrain with a fastback body style…

Volvo Car South Africa has confirmed that the new ES90 fully electric fastback is scheduled to launch locally in “early 2026”.

Revealed in March 2025, the new ES90 is available exclusively in battery-powered guise, unlike the S90 sedan that exited the local market towards the middle of 2024. In fact, the Swedish brand’s fresh-faced fastback shares its SPA2 platform with the similarly box-fresh EX90.

Though it’s not yet clear which derivatives will be offered in Mzansi, the Single Motor (rear-wheel-drive) version of the ES90 available overseas generates 245 kW and 480 Nm, facilitating a claimed 0-100 kph time of 6.9 seconds and a WLTP range of 650 km from the 92 kWh (nominal) battery pack.

The Twin Motor variant, meanwhile, gains an extra electric motor on the front axle, resulting in all-wheel drive and boosting peak outputs to 330 kW and 670 Nm. This, in turn, translates to a claimed sprint to 3 figures in 5.5 seconds and a single-charge WLTP range of 700 km from a larger, 106 kWh (nominal) battery pack.

 
Volvo ES90 production starts for European markets

Volvo unveiled the ES90 back in March, and now the company is announcing that production is officially underway for European markets at Volvo's plant in Chengdu, China.

Deliveries are set to start "later this year", and the car will soon become available in some of Volvo's key markets in Asia Pacific (which aren't named, however).

The ES90 "carves out a new space for itself", combining "the refined elegance of a sedan with the adaptability of a fastback, while offering the spacious interior and higher ground clearance typically associated with SUVs", Volvo says in its official press release.

So it's pretty much promised to be the best of all worlds, which is an impressive promise - now let's see if it can actually deliver on it.

www.arenaev.com

Volvo ES90 production starts for European markets

Deliveries are set to start "later this year".
www.arenaev.com www.arenaev.com
 
Volvo Begins Production of Flagship ES90 Sedan

Volvo has commenced production of the all-electric ES90 sedan for European markets, with South African sales set for next year

Following its global debut in March 2025, Volvo has started production of the ES90, the firm’s first model to be built on the 800-volt platform. The ES90’s powertrain is expected to offer up to 700 km of operating range and the fastest charging capability yet from a Volvo electric vehicle.

The ES90 incorporates Volvo’s pioneering safety systems, driven by next-generation core computing and built on the brand’s Superset tech stack. Like other recent models, it can receive over-the-air software updates to improve functionality over time.

Orders have commenced in several European markets, with customer deliveries to start in the fourth quarter of 2025. The ES90 is set to join the EX30 and EX90 in the brand’s South African EV lineup in the first quarter of 2026.

Three derivatives will be offered, powered by 245 kW/480 N.m Single Motor, 330 kW/670 N.m Twin Motor and 500 kW/870 N.m Twin Motor Performance powertrains. The Single Motor variant earmarked for our market utilises a 92 kWh battery, as opposed to the smaller 88 kWh unit fitted to models in markets such as the UK. The Twin Motor variants are fed by a 102 kWh (usable capacity) battery pack and is reportedly good for a 4.0-second 0-100km/h sprint time.

www.carmag.co.za

Volvo Begins Production of Flagship ES90 Sedan

Volvo has announced that they have begun production of the all-electric ES90 sedan for European markets, with Asia-Pacific markets to follow.
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Volvo ES90: SA model lineup confirmed

Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) has announced details about the ES90 model lineup ahead of its local launch in the first quarter of 2026.

Volvo’s South African arm has revealed the local ES90 model lineup ahead of the flagship all-electric sedan’s SA launch. Scheduled to land on our shores in the first quarter of 2026, the EX90 SUV’s sedan sibling will be available in three flavours: Core, Plus, and Ultra.

The opening gambit to the lineup, the Core derivative features Nordico upholstery and dark-coloured trim for the interior, a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats with heating functionality, an electrically operated tailgate, Park Pilot Assist, including a reverse-view camera, and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

On top of the Core model’s standard spec, the Plus variant gains an electrically adjustable steering column, front seat cushion extensions and four-way lumbar support, and ambient interior lighting. Plus spec also upgrades to an enhanced air purification system.

Spearheading the range, Ultra spec further features HD headlamps, an electrochromic panoramic roof, massage functionality for the front pews, electrically reclining rear seats, soft-close doors, and Zinc Tailored Wool Blend upholstery. A 360-degree surround-view camera system is also present.

 
Volvo ES90 (2026) Price & Specs

The all-electric Volvo ES90 sedan is about to launch in South Africa. Here’s how much you can expect to pay, plus some early trim level details.

The Volvo ES90 will launch in South Africa in March 2026, with just one powertrain options. It’s interesting to see a sedan being offered locally, with that segment showing serious decline over the years as customers flock to higher-riding SUVs.

In terms of powertrain, the Volvo ES90 features a single electric motor driving the rear wheels. Outputs of 245 kW and 480 Nm give it a claimed 0-100 kph time of 6.6 seconds, but of more relevance is the range. Thanks to a 92 kWh battery, the Volvo ES90 is claimed to have a WLTP range of up to 755 km.

It has 800V architecture and supports 350 kW DC charging which means you go from 10-80% battery capacity in under 30 minutes. Currently, the most powerful chargers offered in South Africa have outputs of 480 kW, but these are rare. It’s more common to find 75 kW chargers dotted around metropolitan areas.

How much does the new Volvo ES90 cost in South Africa?

The new electric sedan is likely to be sold with Volvo’s two-year/100 000 vehicle / 160 000 battery km warranty. A maintenance plan of 5-years/100 000 km is also included. We expect the Swedish carmaker to offer some form of charging incentive too.

Core RWD R1 590 000
Plus RWD R1 655 000
Ultra RWD R1 795 000

 
Volvo ES90 in SA: price and specs

The Volvo ES90 has officially touched down on South African shores, with the Swedish marque’s local arm announcing pricing for its flagship all-electric sedan.

As we reported in January 2026, the local Volvo ES90 model lineup will be offered with the choice of three trim grades: Core, Plus and Ultra. However, at the time, the Swedish automaker’s South African arm had yet to reveal with which powertrain options would feature in its flagship sedan.

As a reminder, the ES90 was revealed with three powertrains: 245 kW/480 N.m Single Motor, 330 kW/670 N.m Twin Motor and 500 kW/870 N.m Twin Motor Performance.

Locally, the EX90’s sedan sibling will be exclusively powered by the Single Motor setup. (The EX90, which we evaluated for a road test in the August 2025 issue of CAR magazine, is only available in Twin Motor Performance flavour in SA.)

Volvo ES90 price in SA

The three-strong local Volvo ES90 lineup is priced from R1 590 000 for the Core Single Motor entry-level model to R1 795 000 for the Ultra Single Motor flagship derivative. Bookended by the former and latter variants, the Plus Single Motor is priced from R1 655 000. Included in the pricing are a five-year maintenance plan and vehicle warranty, an eight-year battery warranty, two years of free public charging, a home wall box (including installation), and three years of in-car data for the Google-powered infotainment system.

Volvo ES90 Single Motor Core — R1 590 000
Volvo ES90 Single Motor Plus — R1 655 000
Volvo ES90 Single Motor Ultra — R1 795 000

 
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