A large luxury sedan, such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, often sits near the top of a premium brand’s lineup. These vehicles blend the latest technology and ultimate luxury into a complete package. However, with the rising demand for SUVs and the introduction of new luxury SUVs, the importance of the luxury sedan has diminished over the past few years. While other brands have removed flagship sedans from their product lineups, Volvo has taken a different approach to the segment.
The brand-new Volvo ES90 is the company’s first fully electric luxury sedan, a bold statement by the Swedish carmaker to a segment that’s rapidly dying. Along with its SUV sibling, the EX90, these new electric models are part of the 90 series, which represents the ultimate in Swedish luxury and Volvo’s answer to electrification.
While this new Swedish flagship sedan won’t be coming stateside anytime soon, we did get a chance to experience it at this year’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Test Day in England. Join us as we explain why the ES90 is possibly the most comfortable and luxurious Volvo sedan ever to exist.
This article examines the new technology and interior design of the Volvo ES90, with a brief test-drive review from the recent SMMT Test Day. All information has been sourced from the manufacturer. Pricing and specs are correct at the time of writing.
The Swedish Luxury Sedan: A Dying Breed in 2026
The 2026 model year marks the first year for Volvo with a product line without a sedan model. While it’s no secret that the sedan segment has been declining over the years, for a brand with such a rich history of producing luxury sedans, the absence of a sedan in the 2026 model year reflects the struggles of this dying segment.
Following the S60’s departure in 2024, the 2025 model year also saw the flagship S90 discontinued. The decision wasn’t a surprise, though, as the S90 sold only 1,001 units in 2025, and the smaller S60 moved 13,029 units in 2024. When compared to the XC60 and XC90, which both sold nearly 40,000 units in 2025, it’s not surprising that Volvo ditched its sedan model in favor of a full SUV lineup for the future.
While the ES90 is based on the same chassis as the EX90 currently being built in South Carolina, low demand for the sedan and a new tariff policy are preventing it from coming to the US.
ES90, Volvo’s Answer To An Electric Flagship
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2027 Volvo ES90 Specification |
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Single Motor Extended Range |
Twin Motor |
Twin Motor Performance |
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Horsepower |
333 hp |
456 hp |
680 hp |
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Torque |
354 lb-ft |
494 lb-ft |
642 lb-ft |
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0-60 Time |
6.6 sec |
5.4 sec |
4 sec |
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Drivetrain |
RWD |
AWD |
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Range (WLTP) |
412 miles |
431 miles |
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Charging (10-80%) |
22 minutes |
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Any Volvo model that bears the number 90 in its nameplate is tasked with offering the highest level of refinement and luxury to its customers. The same thing goes for the ES90. As they share the same platform as the EX90 SUV, both models sit at the top of Volvo’s current product lineup.
Representing Volvo’s newest electric flagship, the ES90’s performance figures are impressive by any standard. While it depends on the spec you choose, all models will go over 400 miles on a single charge according to the WLTP standard, and charge from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes thanks to the new 800V architecture.
The ES90 is not a performance-oriented model aimed at blistering acceleration and performance figures. Being an electric vehicle, it still offers some eye-catching figures in the twin-motor performance model. The model has a maximum horsepower output of 680 horsepower, capable of pushing this Swedish flagship to 60 mph in just 4 seconds. Even the entry-level single-motor model produces a zero-to-60 time of 6.6 seconds, giving the ES90 the performance figures it needs to be called a flagship.
Swedish Design At Its Finest
The interior design of the ES90 remains what a Volvo should feel like. A minimalist design layout paired with premium materials and upmarket texture. The dashboard layout is dominated by a 14.5-inch central touchscreen that runs Volvo’s latest infotainment system with Google Built-In, combining the latest technology and Scandinavian luxury. Thanks to a longer wheelbase than the gas-powered S90, the ES90 offers a spacious rear cabin. The Bowers & Wilkins audio system is also found on the top-spec Ultra model, which is still one of the best audio systems on the market currently.
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
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