Volvo XC90 vs Volvo EX90: is newer necessarily better?

Volvo is very good at keeping its cars up-to-date. The current XC90 went on sale in 2015, yet with a series of subtle facelifts and tech updates it still feels competitive next to the latest cars from BMW and Mercedes.

However, when it decided to make a big, electric seven-seater, Volvo started from a clean sheet of paper. The result was the EX90, and it’s crammed with way more tech than the old hybrid XC90.

But does more equal better? I’ve tested the new EX90, as well as the latest iteration of the XC90, and I’m going to tell you which one is best.

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Volvo XC90 vs EX90: prices and deals

The Volvo XC90 starts from just over £66,000, whereas the electric EX90 costs more than £73,000.

You’ll also pay more to lease an EX90. I looked up deals on both of these cars over three years and 30,000 miles. The XC90 is available from £631 per month with a £7,600 initial payment, whereas the EX90 costs £908 per month with almost £11,000 up front.

That’s quite a large price difference, but the EX90 does come with more kit as standard.

Both cars come with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a reversing camera and a Google-based infotainment system. However, the EX90 has a 14.5-inch central screen – more than three inches bigger than the XC90’s.

The EX90 also has more advanced driver aids. It has sensors monitoring all around the car as you drive to spot and prevent potential accidents before they happen, and it’s got a driver monitoring system as well to make sure you’re awake and alert.

All that said, I still think the XC90 is better value for money.

Volvo XC90 vs Volvo EX90: Design, interior and technology

The Volvo XC90 may have been around for 11 years, but a recent facelift has kept it looking really fresh and modern. I love the sleek headlights and the diagonal grille slats, and the smoked taillights look cool as well.

I’m not convinced that the EX90 looks quite as good as the XC90. I quite like the smoothed-off front end and pixel LED lights, but Volvo has tried to mimic the smaller EX30’s C-shaped rear light design, and I don’t reckon it works as well on this massive seven-seater.

Things get better for the EX90 inside though, because I love what Volvo has done with this interior. All cars get really nice open-pore wood trim, and the materials all feel lovely. There’s no leather in this car at all, yet you wouldn’t know it because the artificial stuff feels so good.

It also has the best infotainment system in a Volvo yet. It’s fast, responsive and easy to use, plus it has apps like Google Maps and Spotify built-in. It’s a shame that there are no physical buttons for the climate control, but it’s the same story in the XC90.

The Volvo XC90’s touchscreen runs the same basic software as the EX90’s, it’s just a bit smaller. This means it’s just as easy to use, but pre-facelift cars from before 2025 have an even smaller screen which is more fiddly to operate.

I reckon the XC90’s interior looks a bit more dated than the EX90’s as well, but it’s still a lovely place to spend time. I like the optional crystal gear selector, and the wood trim is on-par with the electric car as well. I also prefer the XC90’s window switches. There are four of them – one for each window, as opposed to the EX90 which has two and a toggle to go between the front and rear.

On the whole, I think the EX90 has a slightly nicer interior than the XC90. It’s just a bit more modern, and the tech is better as well.

Volvo XC90 vs Volvo EX90: space and practicality

Both of these cars are really spacious in the middle row, but the EX90 is slightly roomier. There’s a smidge more legroom, and it’s better for three people in the back as well thanks to the extra shoulder space. I reckon it feels brighter as well because of the larger windows.

The EX90 is better for carrying adults in the third row as well. It’s still not as good as a Hyundai Ioniq 9 back there, but there’s just about enough space to get by. The XC90 is better suited to kids in the third row, or adults on a very short journey.

It’s another win for the EV in the boot as well. With all seven seats in place you get 324 litres of space, 22 litres more than the XC90. With the third row folded down there’s 697 litres on offer, which is actually 11 litres less than the XC90’s 708-litre boot, but the EX90 also has another 37-litre storage area under the bonnet.

It’s a clear win for the Volvo EX90 when it comes to practicality.

Volvo XC90 vs Volvo EX90: engines, motors and driving

The Volvo XC90 is available with a 250hp mild hybrid engine or a 406hp plug-in hybrid setup. I’d go for the latter, because it’s smoother and more powerful. You also get up to 41 miles of electric-only range provided you keep it charged up.

I tested the mild hybrid, and I only managed to get 24mpg from it. That’s not great, and the PHEV will get over 30mpg even if you don’t charge it.

There are three power options to choose from in the EX90. The entry-level car has a single, rear-mounted electric motor with 333hp, then there’s a dual-motor car with all-wheel drive and 456hp. If you want neck-snapping acceleration, the Performance model has 680hp, but it costs almost £100,000, so I’d stick to the dual-motor model.

All versions get a massive 107kWh battery, and it should get up to 375 miles of range. That would be decent, beating the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, but in the real world I didn’t see anything like this figure.

During my time with the EX90, it averaged 2.0 miles per kWh, which works out to 214 miles of range. That’s just not good enough in a car which costs this much, and with a battery this big.

And that’s a real shame, because the EX90 is a lovely long-distance cruiser. I tested the top-spec model with air suspension, and it makes it feel really expensive as it glides over bumps and potholes. The seats are fantastic as well, and it’s surprisingly easy to drive in town thanks the massive windows.

It’s not great on a twisty road though, because the steering is quite vague so you never really have the confidence to to get a wriggle on. The XC90 is much better in this regard, but it’s not quite as comfortable over bumps.

It’s not far off though, and not having to worry about the rubbish range makes it easier to relax on a long journey. I’m going to have to give the win to the XC90 here. The EX90’s poor range is too much to overcome.

Volvo XC90 vs Volvo EX90: Mat’s final verdict

So then, which of these cars is best?

Well the Volvo EX90 is a very nice electric car. I like the interior, it’s really practical and it’s comfortable to drive. However, the range isn’t good enough for the money. You could have a BMW iX for less than a mid-spec EX90, and that car can do over 300 miles on a charge in real-world driving.

The XC90 may have been around for a long time, but it’s aged like a fine wine. It’s a good-looking, comfortable and posh-feeling seven-seater which is way less expensive than the EX90. Even with the potential fuel savings by running an electric car with home charging, it’ll take a long time to recoup that massive price difference.

And that’s why the Volvo XC90 wins this test. It proves that newer doesn’t always mean better.

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