The Volvo EX90 has been named Electric Car of the Year at the Stuff Gadget Awards 2025, a recognition that underlines the Swedish brand’s ability to balance cutting-edge electric technology with the values that have long defined Volvo. In a premium EV market increasingly driven by headline-grabbing performance and digital excess, the EX90 stood out for a more measured and human-focused approach to innovation.
As Volvo’s flagship all-electric SUV, the EX90 represents the brand’s most advanced expression of what a modern luxury vehicle can be. Rather than chasing novelty for its own sake, the EX90 is engineered around everyday usability, safety and refinement, qualities that resonated strongly with the Stuff judging panel.
A New Generation of Electric Architecture
At the core of the EX90 is Volvo’s next-generation SPA2 electric platform, developed specifically for battery-electric vehicles. This architecture allows for a lower centre of gravity, improved interior packaging and enhanced safety integration, all of which contribute to the EX90’s composed and confident on-road character.
Dual electric motors deliver smooth all-wheel drive performance, producing a combined 380 kW and 910 N.m of torque. The result is effortless acceleration, with the seven-seat SUV reaching 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Despite its size and performance capability, efficiency remains a priority, supported by a 111 kWh battery pack that delivers a combined range of up to 604 km.
An advanced air suspension system further elevates the driving experience, filtering out road imperfections and reinforcing the sense of calm that defines the EX90 from behind the wheel.
Scandinavian Design With Purpose
The EX90’s exterior design reflects Volvo’s evolving Scandinavian aesthetic, blending clean surfaces with subtle futuristic cues. It is purposeful rather than provocative, signalling its electric credentials without abandoning the brand’s familiar design language.
Stuff.co.za highlighted this balance, noting that “the EX90 for 2025 features a sufficiently futuristic exterior design to make you take the similarly tweaked interior seriously.” Inside, the cabin is one of the quietest in its class, creating a serene environment that complements long-distance travel.
True seven-seat versatility sets the EX90 apart in the premium EV space. Unlike many competitors that compromise rear-seat comfort, the Volvo offers genuine practicality, making it equally suited to family duties, executive transport and extended journeys.
Technology Designed Around People
While technology plays a central role in the EX90’s appeal, it is deployed with restraint and clarity. A Google-based infotainment system anchors the digital experience, offering intuitive navigation, voice control and seamless connectivity without overwhelming the driver.
Displays are configured to surface relevant information at the right moments, reinforcing Volvo’s human-centric philosophy. The aim is not to dominate attention, but to support the driving task and reduce cognitive load, an increasingly important consideration as vehicles become more digitally complex.
Premium audio integration and thoughtful material choices further enhance the sense of quality, reinforcing the EX90’s position as a luxury SUV that prioritises comfort as much as innovation.
Award-Winning Safety Leadership
Safety remains the cornerstone of Volvo’s identity, and the EX90 is a clear demonstration of how that legacy is evolving in the electric era. The vehicle’s advanced sensor suite and driver assistance technologies are designed not only to protect occupants, but also to understand and respond to real-world driving behaviour.
This commitment has earned the EX90 global recognition beyond the Stuff Gadget Awards. The model recently claimed the World Luxury Car title at the World Car Awards, where judges praised its refinement, advanced safety systems and distinctive design.
TIME also recognised Volvo’s innovation by naming the EX90’s Driver Understanding System one of its 2024 Best Inventions. The system monitors driver attention and condition, detecting signs of distraction or impairment and intervening when necessary to help prevent accidents.
Recognition That Reflects Volvo’s Values
For Volvo Car South Africa, the Stuff Gadget Award is a meaningful endorsement of the brand’s long-term strategy rather than a short-term win.
“It’s always encouraging to see our vehicles resonate with people who spend a lot of time with the latest technology and cars,” said Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa. “What we’re most proud of is that this award reflects the things that really matter to us at Volvo, namely safety, comfort and technology. The EX90 was designed to make life easier and journeys more relaxed, and it’s good to see that coming through in how the vehicle is being experienced.”
In a segment defined by rapid change and fierce competition, the Volvo EX90’s Electric Car of the Year title reinforces the idea that progress does not have to come at the expense of usability or trust. Instead, it shows that thoughtful engineering and human-focused design can still set the benchmark for premium electric mobility.
