Volvo EX90: Old vs New - What’s changed in the 2026 update?

Volvo Car Malaysia has launched an upgraded version of the EX90 electric SUV, which was first introduced locally in April 2025. The update brings a lot of substantial improvements to the seven-seater EV, enhancing the overall user experience.

While retaining the same Scandinavian design and premium interior, the latest EX90 gets major improvements under the skin, including a more powerful motor setup, new electrical architecture, faster DC charging and a new-gen core computer.

In today’s story, we are going to find out how the new Volvo EX90 compares with the model it replaces. 

Locally assembled, lower price

The first and foremost difference lies in the fact that where the EV is produced. The outgoing EX90 was built in China and offered a completely built-up unit here, whereas the upgraded version is locally assembled at the automaker’s Shah Alam facility. This has also helped reduce the EV’s price from RM 442,888 to RM 428,888 (on-the-road without insurance)

Additionally, the launch promo offers a RM 25,000 cash rebate plus a complimentary Volvo wallbox worth RM 3,990 to the first 100 customers.

Exterior stays the same

In terms of exterior, things remain largely the same. The EV continues to feature the clean Scandinavian design with smooth surfaces and upright proportions. The front boasts a closed-off panel and pixel-style LED headlights mated to Volvo’s Thor’s Hammer daytime running lights. 

Other continuing bits include power-operated soft-close doors with flush-fitting handles, C-shaped LED tail lights, a powered tailgate and 21-inch eight-spoke glossy black diamond-cut wheels with 265/45R21 front and 295/40R21 rear tyres.

However, the new EX90 gets an updated colour palette, with Mulberry Red joining the existing Onyx Black, Sand Dune, Crystal White and Vapour Grey shades.

Familiar interior with an upgraded roof

Just like the exterior, the 7-seater cabin also remains the same as before, with an advanced electrochromic roof as an important upgrade. Replacing the conventional laminated glass roof, the new unit allows the flow of natural light and cabin temperature to be adjusted at the touch of a button.

The familiar dashboard houses a 14.5-inch infotainment unit with Google built-in, a 9-inch digital driver display, and a head-up display. The EV retains an extensive list of premium equipment, including -

• Wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
• 25-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system
• Digital Key Plus, key card and key tag support
• Powered front seats (with ventilation and massage functions)
• One-pedal driving
• Four-zone climate control with vents for all three rows
• N95 cabin air filter
• Power-folding third-row backrests
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Wireless charging pad
• Always-on connectivity with over-the-air updates support

More power, but slightly less torque

While both the old and new Volvo EX90 are powered by a dual-motor setup, the latter is considerably more powerful than the former. Here’s the comparison -

Specs	Old Volvo	New Volvo EX90
Drivetrain	Dual-motor AWD	Dual-motor AWD
Max power	517 PS	680 PS
Max torque	910 Nm	870 Nm
0-100 kmph acceleration	4.9 seconds	4.2 seconds
Top speed	180 kmph	180 kmph

As we can see above, the power has increased by 163 PS while the torque has been reduced by 40 Nm. Well, despite producing less torque, the upgraded setup is substantially quicker than the earlier model.

Slightly less range than before 

As for the battery pack, the old EX90 used a 111-kW NCM unit and offered a WLTP-rated range of 623 km. The new EX90, on the other hand, gets a 106 kWh NCM battery that allows the EV to cruise up to 617 km on a single charge. Therefore, the updated model has slightly less range than its predecessor. However, this difference is insignificant in everyday use. 

Charges faster than before 

The most technical upgrade you get with the latest version is the switch from a 400-volt to an 800-volt electrical architecture. The new system can transfer the same amount of power using less current, helping reduce electrical loss and heat generation. As a result, the maximum DC charging speed has been increased from 250 kW to 350 kW, cutting the 10–80% charge time to 22 minutes from 30 previously.

Notably, AC charging is still supported at 11kW, with a compatible three-phase charger juicing up 0 to 100% battery in approximately 10 hours.

Much smarter core computer and software

Another key improvement we can find on the new Volvo EX90 is the adoption of a new core computer based on NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin running Volvo's Superset software stack. This platform handles active safety functions, sensor processing and battery management, and it is meant to make over-the-air updates more frequent and more meaningful, covering everything from infotainment to driving performance.

Enhanced safety, but no roof-mounted LIDAR

While the roof-mounted LIDAR sensor available with the outgoing model is no longer offered, the EV continues to use an extensive sensor suite comprising cameras, radars and ultrasonic sensors that offers a real-time view of the surroundings.  

There are two infrared sensors for the Driver Understanding System that monitors the driver for signs of distraction and impairment. The Occupant Sensing System uses an interior radar to detect breathing and flag a child or pet left in the cabin. The new computing system also supports the latest versions of Pilot Assist and Park Pilot Assist.

Other key safety and advanced driver assistance systems include - 

• Dual front, side, inner side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind spot monitoring with steering assist
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Intersection auto brake
• Lane keeping assist
• Rear cross traffic alert
• 360-degree camera 
• Vulnerable road-user detection

In a nutshell, the new Volvo EX90 is a considerably more advanced electric SUV than the older model. Although it is not dramatically different in appearance, it is more powerful, faster, quicker to charge, more computationally capable and, more importantly, RM 14,000 less expensive.

Also read: Volvo Wallbox home charger now on sale in Malaysia at RM3,990