Can Volvo’s Most Powerful Car to Date Deliver on Its Predecessor’s Promise?

Ever since Volvo unveiled the EX90 in 2022, the model has been plagued by problem after problem. Between a delayed roll-out, subsequent software issues and a new tailgate recall (among various other complications), it’s been anything but smooth sailing for the Swedish brand’s flagship EV.

Volvo

However, Volvo has plans to right the ship for the 2026 model year. As part of a new lineup-wide overhaul, the updated EX90 is set to introduce some changes that make it more powerful and more efficient than ever. Can they also make the EV more accessible and easier to live with? We’ll have to see.

Updated powertrain options

As part of its efforts to revamp the EX90 next year, Volvo is making some changes to the powertrain options. To give customers more choice, this means that the brand will be adding a new single-motor variant (like its smaller EX30) to the range.

Volvo

While Volvo has yet to announce pricing, the SUV should fall in below the Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance trims that start from $81,290 — at least if it follows similar conventions to other EVs in the lineup. As such, even if the 2026 EX90 won’t be significantly cheaper than this year’s model, it could bring a lower entry-level MSRP.

That said, if you can stomach the higher price point, the Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance are sure to be worth it. Both cars are getting more power for next year, and the latter will be the most powerful Volvo car ever offered with some 670 horsepower on tap. (For perspective, that’s up from 510 ponies for the 2025 model year.)

Volvo

Of course, these improvements are part of the model’s move to an 800-volt electric architecture. As part of the switch, it’ll also be introducing some notable improvements in charging performance. In theory, at least, then, it should make for a more livable daily driver.

Some smart new tricks

As things stand, the Volvo EX90 runs on a 400-volt electrical architecture. However, for 2026, it will be moving to an 800-volt system. It’s a change that’s bound to improve the EV in a big way.

Volvo

That’s because the switch means that charging will be significantly faster and more efficient for owners from hereon out. For instance, Volvo claims that the 2026 EX90 is capable of adding up to 155 miles of range in just 10 minutes at a compatible charging station. 

Beyond the new charging infrastructure, the 2026 EX90 is gaining a more powerful dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin-based core computer.

With 500 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) of computing power, it enables advanced safety and driver-assist features. So, along with connected alerts for slippery roads and hazards, you’re also getting expanded automatic emergency steering in darkness and Emergency Stop Assist with integrated automatic e-call.

Top it off with a fancy, tint-adjustable electrochromic panoramic roof option and some additional interior upholstery choices, and it makes for a pretty thorough overhaul, all things considered.

More to come

Volvo hasn’t yet announced pricing for the 2026 EX90, though it should be arriving any day now. If you’d like to learn more about the model or check out the updates to the EX30 and EX40, you can head over to the brand’s website.

Ultimately, only time will tell whether these changes are enough to solve common complaints with the model. However, even because of the reduced charging time alone, the new 800-volt architecture is bound to make the EX90 a more practical means of day-to-day transportation.

Hopefully, Volvo figures out the bugs this time. Thankfully, it’ll be replacing the computer on 2025 models as well, so some of these changes will apply retroactively.

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