EX90

Owner notes

11 Things to Know Before Buying Volvo EX90 in Hong Kong

Based on real owner experiences and reviews

1. 01

   The third row is genuinely usable for adults, with 909mm of headroom and 811mm of legroom, plus individual air vents, USB-C charging, and cup holders. However, the passage between the second-row seats to reach the third row is narrow and lacks grab handles, making entry and exit awkward for older passengers or anyone in a hurry.

2. 02

   Software stability is the EX90's most documented weakness. Across multiple markets, owners and technicians have encountered startup delays of several minutes, intermittent failures of basic functions like mirror adjustment and glovebox opening, and occasional mornings where the car simply will not start until the system resets itself. OTA updates are improving things, but early adopters should expect some friction.

3. 03

   Despite weighing over 2,500kg, the single-motor rear-drive Plus version feels nimble through corners with quick steering response. The ride is well-controlled without air suspension (reserved for the Ultra), and there is no turbo lag like the petrol XC90 B5. Hill climbs are effortless on the instant electric torque.

4. 04

   AC charging tops out at 11kW, which is slow for a car at this price point. Overnight home charging on a typical 7kW wallbox will take over 13 hours from empty. The 800V DC fast charging (250kW, roughly 29 minutes from 10% to 80%) partially compensates, but only if you have access to high-powered public chargers.

5. 05

   The One Pedal Drive "Auto" mode behaves differently from other EVs: if the forward cameras detect no vehicle ahead, lifting off the accelerator lets the car coast instead of regeneratively braking. This can feel unpredictable until you learn the logic. The fixed "On" mode provides consistent regen braking regardless of traffic, which most drivers find more intuitive for city driving.

6. 06

   The cabin is exceptionally quiet at speed. Double-laminated glass, active noise cancellation, and the flush exterior design (hidden door handles, frameless mirrors, flat window glass) combine to create one of the most hushed interiors in the segment. Long tunnel and highway sections feel noticeably more relaxed than in the outgoing XC90.

7. 07

   The EX90 is built on Volvo's dedicated SPA2 electric platform and is not simply an electrified XC90. It is 84mm longer, 44mm narrower, and 24mm lower than the XC90, with a completely different driving character: lower centre of gravity, stiffer body, and more planted high-speed stability.

8. 08

   The middle-row centre seat hides a built-in child safety seat that folds out without needing to install a separate car seat. For families with young children, this is a standout convenience feature that no direct competitor in this price range currently offers.

9. 09

   The mechanical headlamp assembly physically opens and closes each time the lights activate, exposing the main beam modules beneath a moving cover. It creates a striking visual effect, but adds a mechanical part that could wear or fail over time, especially in Hong Kong's humid climate.

10. 10

    Earlier 2025 production models used an Nvidia Xavier/Orin chip combination that caused system instability. Volvo has acknowledged this in some markets and is replacing the hardware with a dual Nvidia DRIVE AGX Orin setup free of charge. It is worth confirming with the Hong Kong dealer which hardware revision any available stock carries before committing.

11. 11

    Almost all climate, mirror, and drive-mode controls live on the 14.5-inch touchscreen with no physical backup buttons. Adjusting the wing mirrors or opening the glovebox requires navigating menus, which draws attention away from the road. This is a deliberate design choice, not an oversight, and it is unlikely to change with updates.

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