In a world increasingly shifting towards electrification, the Volvo EX90 has emerged not just as a competent EV, but as a benchmark in luxury. At the 2024 World Car Awards, announced just ahead of the New York International Auto Show, the all-electric EX90 clinched the World Luxury Car title – an honour awarded by a global jury of 96 automotive journalists representing 30 countries.
This isn’t just a win for Volvo – it’s a powerful statement about where premium mobility is heading.
A Quiet Revolution in Seven Seats
The Volvo EX90 is more than just a striking new entry in the electric SUV space. It’s a sophisticated and serene family cruiser – one that masterfully blends technology, comfort, and understated elegance. Designed as a true seven-seater, it meets the demands of modern families without compromising on space or style. Behind its third row, the EX90 offers 324 litres of load capacity, expanding to 697 litres with the seats folded – a rarity in the luxury electric segment.
Under the hood – or rather, beneath the sleek, aerodynamically optimised bodywork – sits a twin-motor setup producing 510 hp. Test drives during the judging process impressed the jury with its poised ride, whisper-quiet cabin, and seamless delivery of power. But this isn’t a car that shouts for attention – it commands it, silently.
Scandinavian Simplicity Meets High-Tech Precision
Volvo’s design philosophy has long been rooted in the principles of Scandinavian minimalism, and the EX90 is a textbook example of how form and function can co-exist without compromise. The front end, while confident, is softly contoured to support aerodynamic efficiency. Flush glazing and refined surfacing aren’t just about aesthetics – they cut drag and enhance efficiency.
Even the placement of the lidar system – often an afterthought in autonomous-ready vehicles – has been carefully considered. Integrated into the roofline beneath a low-profile cover, it complements the EX90’s flowing form while providing vital input to a suite of sensors that includes cameras, radars and ultrasonics. Together, they deliver a comprehensive and predictive understanding of the road ahead – setting a new standard for active safety in the segment.
A New Take on Modern Luxury
Step inside the EX90 and you’re met with a cabin that redefines premium, not by excess, but by ethical innovation and sensory harmony. The star of the show is Nordico – a soft-touch, leather-free upholstery made from bio-attributed and recycled materials sourced from Swedish and Finnish forests. It’s a material that not only speaks to Volvo’s sustainable ethos, but also feels right at home in a vehicle designed for the environmentally conscious elite.
The back-lit wood trim and sunlight-mimicking LED lighting elevate the ambiance further, creating a space that feels simultaneously futuristic and familiar. According to the jury, the EX90’s cabin is among the quietest in its class, making every journey a calm and cocooned experience.
A Heritage of World-Class Recognition
Volvo Cars has now secured its third World Car Award – a feat few manufacturers can claim. Following the 2018 World Car of the Year title for the XC60 and the recent 2024 World Urban Car win for the EX30, this latest accolade reaffirms the Swedish brand’s growing influence across the automotive spectrum. Not to be overlooked is Håkan Samuelsson, the man who led Volvo’s modern renaissance, having been honoured as the World Car Person of the Year in 2018.
Reflecting on the EX90’s triumph, Samuelsson remarked:
“We’re pleased to see the EX90 get the recognition it truly deserves. It was up against some tough competition, but this award proves that the EX90 appeals to some of the most demanding customers across the world.”
The Future of Luxury is Electric – and Scandinavian
In a crowded field of contenders vying for supremacy in the luxury EV segment, the Volvo EX90 didn’t just stand out – it led from the front. It represents a bold yet balanced vision of what modern luxury should be: intelligent, responsible, and quietly confident.
As the auto industry accelerates into a new electric era, the EX90 makes one thing clear: Volvo isn’t just keeping pace – it’s setting the pace.
