[Driving Review] "A Car You'll Want for Your Family" Volvo's Flagship Electric Sedan ES90

Spacious Interior and Exceptional Quietness Stand Out

Comfortable Ride Over Speed Bumps Thanks to Air Suspension

A Joy for the Ears with "Bowers & Wilkins" Audio System

Volvo's electric flagship sedan, the ES90, has been released in Korea at a price as much as 50 million won lower than overseas markets. This model not only highlights Volvo Korea's commitment but also demonstrates the keen interest that Volvo's global headquarters has in the Korean market. Perhaps as a result, the ES90 has received a positive response domestically, with around 3,500 pre-orders so far ahead of customer deliveries scheduled for October. On September 16, I drove the ES90 for approximately 110 kilometers from Magok in Seoul to Pocheon in Gyeonggi Province.

The ES90 shares many features with Volvo's flagship electric SUV, the EX90. In addition to sharing the 'SPA2 architecture,' both models are 'software-defined vehicles (SDV)' equipped with the Superset Tech Stack, and even feature a similar family look in terms of exterior design.

Volvo ES90. Volvo Korea

Volvo ES90. Volvo Korea

The dimensions are 5,000 x 1,940 x 1,545 mm, which is similar in length to the Genesis G80 (5,005 x 1,925 x 1,465 mm), but the ES90 is both wider and taller. Its ground clearance (188 mm) is also higher than comparable models, making it not only easier to get in and out but also providing a broader driving view. In particular, the wheelbase stretches to 3,102 mm, offering not just comfort but a truly spacious second-row area. When I sat in the rear seat before getting into the driver's seat, there was more than a hand's breadth of space between my knees and the front seat, highlighting the sense of roominess.

Sitting in the driver's seat, I was greeted by three displays: a 14.5-inch center display, a 9-inch driver display, and a head-up display. The center display is for navigation and vehicle control, while the driver display shows speed and driving information, making it easy and intuitive to adapt to the vehicle's controls.

The ES90 utilizes the Hugin Core, which consists of electrical architecture, a core computer, and zone controllers. This allows all vehicle functions and performance to be controlled by software. Since there are no physical buttons for functions like climate control, drivers need to pay attention when operating these while driving.

To address this, the ES90 features the 'NUGU Auto' dedicated automotive AI platform. With this, drivers can use voice commands to play music, adjust air conditioning, close windows, and more, offsetting any inconvenience caused by the absence of physical buttons. The average Korean speech recognition rate is reportedly over 96%.

Volvo ES90. Volvo Korea

Volvo ES90. Volvo Korea

The ES90 model test-driven on this day was the Twin Motor AWD Ultra trim, equipped with dual-chamber air suspension on all four wheels. Its electronically controlled dampers reportedly adjust damping force 500 times per second based on the road surface. Even when crossing speed bumps without slowing down, the ride remained remarkably comfortable.

The twin motors deliver a maximum output of 456 horsepower (335 kW) and a maximum torque of 68.4 kg·m, accelerating from standstill to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. (The single motor variant produces up to 333 horsepower and 49.0 kg·m.) As soon as the accelerator is pressed, powerful force is delivered instantly, propelling the car briskly forward.

Even at high speeds, almost no cabin noise was perceptible. Noise levels are reportedly kept at around 68 dB for the front seats and below 70 dB for the rear seats. This allows the Bowers & Wilkins high-fidelity sound system to shine even more.

The ES90 is equipped with a total of 25 hi-fi speakers, boasting a combined output of 1,610 W. With surround sound processing by Dolby Atmos and the Abbey Road Studio mode, you can experience a diverse range of sounds. Listening to a variety of music genres, from classical and jazz to K-pop, via FLO left me feeling like I was in a dedicated audio room, making the driving experience that much more enjoyable.

Another noteworthy option is the electrochromic glass roof, which enhances the feeling of openness in the cabin. However, under the midday sun, the area above your head can become uncomfortably warm—a slight drawback.

Volvo ES90. Volvo Korea

Volvo ES90. Volvo Korea

The ES90 is priced between 72.94 million and 95.41 million won. Compared to competing imported models, its price competitiveness is outstanding. With its spacious and comfortable interior, powerful driving performance, and Volvo's renowned safety, it stands out as an exceptional choice for a family sedan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.