As the most popular Swedish car manufacturer, it’s no surprise that Volvo is committed to the eclectic vehicle revolution. Pledging to be carbon neutral by 2040, the Volvo electric cars lineup is impressive and quickly evolving.
While Volvo has a couple of all-electric models available today, there are sure to be many more options in the next few years. Let’s look at what’s available to buy and pre-order today:
1. 2024 Volvo EX90 (Under $80,000*)
The all-new 2024 EX90 electric vehicle is aimed to level up Volvo’s electric SUV line. From what we’re being told, Volvo put everything, including the kitchen sink, into the new EX90.
Based on the Pulsar electric platform, the Volvo EX90 has a dual electric motor all-wheel-drive skateboard type chassis, with 111 kilowatts of battery that give it an impressive 496 hp and 300 miles of range.
While the exterior styling looks like a sleek and modern version of the popular XC90, the rest of the EX90 is a ground-up redesign and, as you will see, Volvo engineers didn’t overlook any details.
The Volvo EX90 EV comes with advanced safety features including eight exterior cameras, three internal cameras, and Lidar (laser detection and ranging). As you would expect, the eight exterior cameras are used to assist the driver when maneuvering the vehicle.
Unlike any other vehicle we have reviewed, the EV90 has three internal cameras to monitor the driver and passengers. This is called the Driver Understanding System (a pretty straightforward title).
The Driver Understanding System can alert the driver if it detects drowsiness or intoxication. It even has the ability to safely and autonomously pull over and stop the vehicle if the driver is deemed asleep.
The interior cameras can also monitor the passenger seats for pets or occupants that are accidentally left behind (about 40 children a year die from heat exhaustion from being left behind in a vehicle). If the EX90 detects an occupant it will inform the driver upon exit. If that measure doesn’t remove the occupant, the EV90 will automatically adjust the vehicle’s internal temperature to protect the life inside.
The Lidar allows the EX90 to use a laser (instead of cameras like Tesla) to detect upcoming obstacles, even in poor weather conditions like fog that can limit the visibility of cameras.
The interior of the EX90 also makes a bold statement. Starting with partially recycled plastics for the trim and carpets, and extending to sustainable synthetic leather or wool for the seven-passenger seating. These details make it clear that Volvo is taking the environmental impact of car manufacturing seriously.
Audiophiles can even upgrade to a Bowers & Wilkins audio system featuring speakers hidden in the headrests for an immersive sound experience. Above your bass-thumping head is a massive panoramic sunroof that extends the entire length of the cabin.
The first thing you will notice in the cockpit of the Volvo EX90 is the massive 14.5” center screen. Reminiscent of the early Tesla Model S, the infotainment center controls all heating, audio, and navigation.
The EX90 comes with the Volvo Cars app that allows the owner to monitor charging, lock and unlock, and even preheat or pre-cool the cabin. Both the Volvo Cars app subscription and a Google Play subscription come pre-paid with your Volvo for the first four years.
Before you run down to your local dealership, you need to know that there aren’t any EX90s available yet. However, Volvo is taking pre-orders now and you can expect delivery of your EX90 in the fall of 2023.
Lastly, while the Volvo EX90 electric car is assembled in South Carolina it is unclear if it will qualify for a US tax credit under the new Inflation Reduction Act rules. We will update this article as this becomes more clear.
2023 Volvo EX90 EV Features
Starting Price | $80,000* |
Battery | |
Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 11.5 hours |
Max Rapid Charge | 250 kW |
Battery Size | 111 kWh |
Battery Heater | Included |
Charge Port Location | Driver’s Rear Fender |
Bi-Directional Charging | Included |
Motor | |
Motor Size | 320 kW |
Motor Count | 2 |
Horsepower | 496 hp |
Torque | 671 lb-ft |
Performance | |
Range | 300 miles |
0-60 | 4.9 seconds |
Top Speed | 112 mph |
Drivetrain | AWD |
Tow Capacity | 4850 lbs |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity | 7 |
Instrument Display | 9” |
Infotainment Display | 14.5” |
Safety Features | |
Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included |
Active Lane Correction | Included |
Blind-Spot Detection | Included |
Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included |
Warranty | |
Car | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles |
Battery | 8 yrs / 100,000 miles |
2023 US Tax Credit | |
Qualifies? | No |
2. 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge ($55,300)
If you’re looking for an electric Volvo that you can buy and drive today, then you may want to consider the Volvo C40 Recharge. Cars.com shows over 900 new C40s available throughout the U.S.
The Volvo C40 is designed to emphasize the “sport” in sports-utility-vehicles. The 5-passenger, all-wheel-drive, 400+ electric horses propel the dual motor C40 from 0-60 in just 4.7 seconds. That’s 2.4 seconds faster than the gas-eating Range Rover Evoque… Imagine what you’ll do with all that extra time!
The interior of the Volvo C40 combines new technologies with the tactile experience of the past. The 9” touchscreen infotainment system surrounded with traditional chrome knobs and buttons gives the driver the experience of living with modern computers and still knowing how to operate the heat and air.
The infotainment systems is Google Play and Apple Car Play capable
One of the best safety features is the Volvo C40’s ability to read road signs and display the information on the 12” driver’s information screen behind the steering wheel. No passing zone, do not enter, and even a flashing speed limit sign icon will be displayed when detected by the vehicle.
The Volvo C40 comes standard with a panoramic sunroof and, like all new Volvos, the Fusion Microtech synthetic interior fabrics are made from sustainable and recycled materials.
The interior is simple and understated compared to some of the other electric cars in this price range. Although, that’s what we would expect from a company that puts safety above all else.
In a recent press release, Volvo announced that they are now offering a single-motor, front-wheel-drive version of the C40. While the price of this new addition hasn’t been announced, we suspect it to be more affordable than the $53,550, now renamed, “C40 Recharge Twin.”
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge $53,550
Recharge Twin (AWD) | Recharge (FWD) | |
Starting Price | $55,300 | Undisclosed |
Battery | ||
Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 8 hours | 7 hours |
Max Rapid Charge | 150 kW | 150 kW |
Battery Size | 75 kWh | 69 kWh |
Battery Heater | Optional | Optional |
Charge Port Location | Driver’s Rear Fender | Driver’s Rear |
Motor | ||
Motor Size | 300 kW | 170 kW |
Motor Count | 2 | 1 |
Horsepower | 402 hp | 231 hp |
Torque | 487 lb-ft | 243 lb-ft |
Performance | ||
Range | 226 miles | 223 miles |
0-60 | 4.5 seconds | 7.4 seconds |
Top Speed | 112 mph | 100 mph |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
Tow Capacity | 2000 lbs | 1650 lbs |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Instrument Display | 12” | 12” |
Infotainment Display | 9” | 9” |
Ambient Lighting | Included | Included |
Heated Front Seats | Included | Included |
Heated Rear Seats | Optional | Optional |
Ventilated Front Seats | Not Available | Not Available |
Massage Seats | Not Available | Not Available |
Heated Steering Wheel | Optional | Optional |
Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Synthetic Optional | Synthetic Optional |
Sunroof Roof | Included | Included |
Technology | ||
Heads-up Display | Not Available | Not Available |
Active Cruise Control | Optional | Optional |
Road Sign Information | Included | Included |
360 View | Optional | Optional |
App | 4-Years Included | 4-Years Included |
Safety Features | ||
Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included | Included |
Active Lane Correction | Included | Included |
Blind-Spot Detection | Included | Included |
Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included | Included |
Warranty | ||
Car | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles |
Battery | 8 yrs / 100,000 miles | 8 yrs / 100,000 miles |
2023 US Tax Credit | ||
Qualifies? | No | No |
3. 2023 XC40 Recharge Twin ($53,550)
“As we move towards becoming a fully electric company, our design language follows,” said Robin Page, head of design at Volvo Cars. He’s referring to the recent updates to the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge. The smooth grill, reflected in both the C40 and the new EX90, is a clear indication that the XC40 Recharge’s electric power plant has no need for a large bug-collecting grill.
The XC40 Recharge is a smaller, dual-motor, all-wheel-drive SUV and was introduced in 2022 as Volvo’s first all-electric car. The 223 miles of range and an acceptable 0-60 time of just under 5 seconds are good numbers for most urban and suburban commuters.
The XC40 isn’t a new design for Volvo. In fact, the gas-powered version received the European Car of the Year Award in 2018. Surprisingly, this was the first time Volvo had won this award!
The interior of the XC40 Recharge looks nearly identical to the Volvo C40 Recharge with the same 12” driver instrument screen combined with the center-mounted 9” infotainment system. Like its sibling, it’s pre-loaded with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. It’s also Apple Play compatible using the USB port.
The main differences between the Volvo XC40 Recharge and the C40 Recharge are an additional four inches of ground clearance and more room in the rear passenger area and storage.
So if you’re looking for a sporty, all-weather capable electric car that you can pack your camping gear and dog into for the weekend, then the XC40 Recharge may be the right choice. In fact, a quick search of Cars.com shows over 400 brand-new Volvo XC40 Recharge Twins available.
2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin
Starting Price | $53,550 |
Battery | |
Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 8 hours |
Max Rapid Charge | 150 kW |
Battery Size | 78 kWh |
Battery Heater | Optional |
Charge Port Location | Driver’s Rear |
Motor | |
Motor Size | 300 kW |
Motor Count | 2 |
Horsepower | 402 hp |
Torque | 486 lb-ft |
Performance | |
Range | 223 miles |
0-60 | 4.9 seconds |
Top Speed | 112 mph |
Drivetrain | AWD |
Tow Capacity | 2000 lbs |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity | 5 |
Instrument Display | 12” |
Infotainment Display | 9” |
Ambient Lighting | Included |
Heated Front Seats | Included |
Heated Rear Seats | Optional |
Ventilated Front Seats | Not Available |
Massage Seats | Not Available |
Heated Steering Wheel | Optional |
Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Optional Synthetic |
Sunroof Roof | Optional |
Technology | |
Heads-up Display | Not Available |
Active Cruise Control | Optional |
Road Sign Information | Included |
360 View | Optional |
App | 4-years Included |
Safety Features | |
Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included |
Active Lane Correction | Included |
Blind-Spot Detection | Included |
Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included |
Warranty | |
Car | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles |
Battery | 8 yrs / 100,000 miles |
2023 US Tax Credit | |
Qualifies? | No |
Final Thoughts
Volvo is clearly focusing on its goal to be carbon neutral by 2040. An expanding selection of Volvo electric cars and the use of recycled materials prove that they are taking climate change seriously.
So, if you’re a Volvo enthusiast in the market for an electric vehicle and you have the time to wait for delivery, get your name on the interest list for the upcoming Volvo EX90. If you’re in a hurry, then go to your Volvo dealer and test drive the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge that are in stock today. Let us know what you think!
Leave a Reply