Alighting from a BMW M3 at the Mall of the South, Johannesburg South, the driver exclaimed, “Wow, it is such a beautiful machine, this one,” adding, “It’s so pretty and looks like my gorgeous Palesa”.
That was some stamp of approval.
My family and I were on the first day of our adventure with the new Volvo EX90.
The BMW M3 passenger noticed that we were in earshot as he cast a glance at our gleaming Volvo EX90.
“Volvo has done an amazing job,” he said.
“What is it called, my brother? Can it compete with a Range Rover?”
Not to be outdone, I responded: “It’s a Volvo EX90 full electric.
“You should go to your nearest Volvo car dealership and test drive one if you get a chance.
“You will never be disappointed.”
I didn’t let on that I was about to test that very promise on one of South Africa’s busiest routes, the N3.
However, the trip didn’t start without a hiccup.
I tried to plug in the Electric Vehicle (EV) at the mall, but the charger kept erroring.
The help desk insisted nothing was wrong, so I left disappointed, the EX90 locking itself with a polite beep as I walked away.
It was a moment of doubt.
“Are you sure this fancy electric car will make it?” asked my lovely wife, while giving the Volvo EX90 a skeptical look.
We were packed and ready for the long haul to Durban, and her faith in our new EV family member was… let’s call it developing.
But the next morning, I assured my lovely wife, “The Volvo EX90 will take us to Durban’s Ballito without any hassle. We will charge once.”
I trusted that our Volvo EX90 could take me anywhere in Mzansi.
We set off for Durban with the car charged to 310km after a top-up at Thaba Eco Village.
My tech-savvy son, who described the car as a “MacBook Air on wheels,” was the co-pilot.
Within 20 minutes of the drive, the magic began.
My wife, in the back seat, appeared lulled by the blissful silence and buttery-smooth ride.
“This is incredible!” she said, sinking into the plush, reclining seats and queuing up her series on Netflix.
I made a mental note that the Volvo EX90 had officially won over its first critic with its seven-seater luxury lounge.
My wife later said she was amazed by the EX90’s superb long-drive comfort, calling the plush, well-design reclining seats and quiet, smooth ride “a first-class cabin.”
She said it felt like she was in her own mobile spa.
During the drive, up front, my son was entranced with the massive screen that brilliantly showed us every charging station along the N3.
“Look, Dad, there’s one,” he’d say.
But we quickly realised we wouldn’t need to stop at any of them yet.
The car was using power efficiently, and our plan was to recharge at Harrismith.
We realised we could skip all the stations displayed on the screen and head straight for Harrismith.
And what a drive it was, smooth, effortless, and picking up speed was calm and linear, unless you put it into performance mode.
According to the car specs, its twin motors deliver 380kW of power and 910Nm of torque, making overtaking on the N3 completely effortless.
The best part? It’s done in complete silence.
Overtaking trucks was effortless: just a silent, linear surge of power that gently pushed us back into our seats.
The Volvo EX90 is so quiet you can hear a pin drop, which just makes the whole experience feel incredibly calm and premium.
In Harrismith, we found a free charger.
Plugging in was easy, like putting your smartphone on a charger.
The Volvo EX90 informed us it would take 60 minutes to charge up to 90% (420km).
We left to get a bite at the nearby Mugg & Bean.
About half an hour later, I went to check on the Volvo EX90 and was stunned to see that the charging would be done in five minutes – much earlier than I had expected.
I rushed back to inform my wife that we could leave.
“We have to go, the car’s almost ready,” she said while giving me that look.
I lasted seven more minutes before my civic duty kicked in – I had to free the charger for the growing army of EV drivers in Mzansi.
Sure enough, two cars were already waiting.
The army of EV drivers is growing in Mzansi.
We arrived in Durban after 6 pm, the Volvo EX90 having performed flawlessly.
We made it to Umhlanga without a single worry.
Over the next few days, we explored Ballito and Zimbali.
Our stay had one small glitch: the Volvo EX90 wasn’t compatible with the charging station powered by Jaguar at Ballito Junction.
I wasn’t disappointed, since I had experienced the same problem at the Mall of the South.
The next morning, I took the Volvo EX90 to BMW Ballito, using Gridcars charger, where, after only 35 minutes, it was fully charged.
While exploring Zimbali and the surrounding attractions, we topped up the charge at Isibaya Entertainment Centre, which took just 15 minutes.
In no time, we had become accustomed and comfortable with the charging routine.
Not to mention the gawking eyes of the many admirers of the Volvo EX90 in Zimbali and Ballito.
The build quality feels great, the interior is luxurious, and the lighting—inside and out—is fantastic.
The automatic brights work extremely well.
But the VolvoEX90 is not without its own habits.
The steering assist tended to be an irritation, constantly pinging for me to put my hands on the wheel – sometimes even when they were.
I often talked to the car saying “Sorry, Volvo EX90 am concentrating.”
Another issue that took getting used to was the lack of physical buttons for climate control.
But these are small gripes in an otherwise phenomenal package.
The journey back to Johannesburg felt like a victory lap.
We only charged once, proving conclusively that driving a full electric car from Johannesburg to Durban and back – a 1114 km round trip – is not just possible, but thoroughly enjoyable.
The Final Verdict?
I loved the tastefully minimalist design and slickness of operation.
Smooth and silent on the road, it’s a pleasure to drive, more wieldy than you might expect for its size and weight.
The Volvo EX90 is touted as the safest, most connected car Volvo has ever made, and it’s a truly great family car.
It saved us a fortune on fuel and gave us an adventure we’ll never forget.
My lovely wife, son, and I gave the Volvo EX90 our full approval and will encourage all potential customers to explore this “MacBook Air on wheels”.
Generations of Greatness: The Volvo XC90 T8 vs. The Volvo EX90
Volvo’s large SUV legacy is defined by two magnificent machines: the iconic XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid that perfected the formula, and the all-electric EX90 that fearlessly defines the future.
This isn’t just a comparison of powertrains; it’s a conversation between a brilliant old guard and a revolutionary new generation.
The Established King: Volvo XC90 T8
The XC90 is the matured masterpiece. It’s the problem-solver with amapiano charisma, a car that soothed my son after school with its 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system playing the latest Eemoh track.
It represents a pinnacle of internal combustion refinement, seamlessly blended with electric power.
- Its Power: The T8’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor creates a staggering 462PS and 709Nm of torque. It’s devastatingly quick (0-100km/h in 5.3s) but its true character is one of effortless comfort. The air suspension offers a plush, S-Class-like ride that soaks up everything.
- Its Brilliance: Its genius is flexibility. It offers silent electric driving for daily commutes (~60km range) and the familiar, unlimited range of petrol for cross-continent trips without a second thought. It’s the ultimate “have your cake and eat it too” car for right now.
- Its Soul: It feels like a classic, high-quality Volvo. It’s handsome, robust, and its interior, while tech-filled, still offers more physical controls. It’s a known and trusted entity.
The Future is Now: Volvo EX90
The EX90 is the silent successor.
It doesn’t evolve the concept; it rewrites the rules. It’s the “MackBook Air on wheels,” a minimalist tech flagship that prioritises a serene, emission-free experience.
- Its Power: Pure, instant, silent electric torque. The twin motors (380kW/910Nm) provide even more shocking acceleration, but it’s delivered with a calm, linear, and utterly silent sophistication that makes the world outside feel slower.
- Its Brilliance: Its genius is its focused vision. It’s designed from the ground up to be electric, with a massive 111kWh battery offering up to 624km of range. It’s the safest Volvo ever, thanks to its advanced LiDAR sensor that can detect obstacles 250m away. The Google-based interface is more deeply integrated, and the minimalist cabin feels like a lounge from the future.
- Its Soul: It feels like a cutting-edge device. It’s quieter, smoother, and more focused on the well-being of its occupants through tranquility and advanced technology. It requires a shift in mindset towards charging, but rewards you with lower running costs and a truly next-gen experience.
The Generational Handover:
- Choose the XC90 T8 if: You want the proven, flexible all-rounder. You value the safety net of petrol and aren’t ready to fully commit to the EV ecosystem. It’s the pinnacle of its generation, perfect for those who want luxury and performance without any change in habit.
- Choose the EX90 if: You are ready to fully embrace the future. You have a place to charge at home and are excited by cutting-edge tech, minimalist design, and a silent, serene driving experience. It’s not just a new car; it’s the new generation.
The XC90 T8 is the brilliant culmination of yesterday’s promises.
It is the daring embodiment of tomorrow’s possibilities.
Both are exceptional; one is the end of an era, the other is the spectacular beginning of the next.
