Volvo ES90

Review: Volvo ES90

The Volvo ES90 has touched down in South Africa. We sampled the elegantly-styled fastback sedan in KwaZulu-Natal. First impressions here…

How much does the Volvo ES90 cost?

The Volvo ES90 is priced from R1 590 000 for the Core variant, R1 655 000 for the Plus, and R1 795 000 for Ultra spec. As standard, pricing includes a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and vehicle warranty, and an eight-year/160 000 km battery warranty. Sweetening the deal are 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

Verdict

While ES90 is offered with its maker’s Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance powertrains – producing 330 kW/670 N.m and 500 kW/870 N.m, respectively – overseas, we’d argue the Single Motor is all you’ll ever need with this fastback sedan package. The ES90 is impressively refined, beautifully designed, inside and out, solidly constructed, is equipped with a generous amount of convenience and safety (it is a Volvo, no less) features, and offers what’s arguably one of the most serene driving experiences out there.

Volvo ES90 Single Motor Ultra specifications
Price: R1 795 000
Powertrain: single permanent synchronous electric motor
Transmission: single-speed automatic
Driven wheels: rear
Power: 245 kW
Torque: 480 N.m
0-100 km/h: 6.6 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 180 km/h (claimed)
Energy consumption: 13.5 kWh (claimed)
Range: 755 km (claimed)

 
Volvo ES90 (2026) Launch Review

Verdict

The Volvo ES90 is a top three finalist in the Luxury Car category of this year’s prestigious World Car Awards, which will be announced on the 1st of April. It is also a top three finalist in the Design category. Will it win? It’s hard to say… as its rivals are not available in South Africa.

What I can say, however, is that within its particular niche of the market (an admittedly small one, potentially), it presents a fresh take on the luxury sedan formula. If you want your next luxury car purchase to be electric, and you are open-minded enough to consider alternatives to the SUV, then you should consider the ES90 strongly. Besides, with its sexy fastback looks, you don’t even have to say you bought a “sedan”…

 
Volvo ES90 South Africa: how much does the 755km-range electric sedan cost?

Safety

With safety being Volvo’s core mantra, you can expect a plethora of active and passive systems.

The core model comes with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring with cross traffic alert, lane keeping aid, collision avoidance and mitigation, a rear parking camera, rain sensing wipers, road sign information and connected safety services.

The plus model adds pilot assist with steering support, along with upgraded park assist functionality using 12 ultrasonic sensors.

Ultra models include the full suite and add a 360-degree camera system as standard.

Passive safety provisions include nine airbags, ISOFIX child-seat mounting points, and Volvo’s established structural protection systems.

Pricing and warranty

The Volvo ES90 comes with a five-year/100,000km warranty and maintenance plan, an eight-year battery warranty, five years of roadside assistance, a GridCars wallbox with installation, three years of in-car data and two years of free public charging.

Volvo ES90 Single Motor Core: R1,590,000.
Volvo ES90 Single Motor Plus: R1,655,000.
Volvo ES90 Single Motor Ultra: R1,795,000.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X