Volvo EX90 - first hand experience?

[Mellowyellow]

I have the R1T, but my wife's coworker is one of those EX90 disaster stories.

This coworkers first EV roadtrip turned into a disaster. Somehow, they managed to trip some type of safety switch or control that disabled fast-charging. A half-day trip from Denver to Grand Junction turned into an overnight ordeal with young kids and a tow from Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction.

I may not have the details right, as I heard this second-hand. But regardless, it turned into a sh*t-show, and they're probably going to sell it.

Based on the available data, I'd at least give Volvo a year or two for working out the big issues before committing. It sounds like the EX90 was rushed to market without proper testing.

Hopefully Volvo is able to work out the issues soon. I think the EX90 has some great features that were executed on poorly.

I've read so many posts from owners that weren't able to charge from day one, AC/DC. WTF Volvo?

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[Mellowyellow]

I'm an R1T owner, but the EX90 was my second choice. Out of spec did a review and called its premium audio system the best audio system they've ever heard, and some other reviewers have raved about the audio. I've seen other reviewers comment on the software interface needing some work, but honestly, if we were 2 years in the past, we'd see that there are many R1 reviewers and forum members talking about how buggy Rivian software was and their story of being stranded in a "bricked" R1. Today, the R1 is quite solid, and I love that my truck continues to improve every month, even years after its release. Despite some of the doomsday advice you're getting, Volvo is an established car brand and you have much more certainty that they will be around 5-10 years from now; I have faith in Rivian's future becaure the product is freaking amazing, but their continued existence is not guaranteed and arguably carries a higher risk of folding than legacy car brands.

My thinking too. It may be a sh!t show but I'm pretty sure I can count on Volvo to make it right. Just a matter of if I want to deal with the headaches and time. I guess if anything happens she takes my R1S and I deal with her Volvo and all the while she falls in love with the Rivian more. Maybe I got to play the long game!

 

[voxel]

Volvo is one of the brands hardest hit by anti-China tariffs. I wouldn’t expect ownership to be less turbulent than Rivian.

EX90 is built in South Carolina with many US made parts… which is the problem according to the sales guy. The EX30 and other Volvos have software issues but better made parts.

 

[voxel]

I had plans to lease and then immediate buy out. But I'm leaning more and more maybe just leasing.

Yeah don't lease and buy out a first gen EV lol

If you are going to lease... there are many options.

With 4 kids, I'd consider a Sienna or Grand Highlander or an ID Buzz (don't road trip with this though).

 

[Mellowyellow]

Yeah don't lease and buy out a first gen EV lol

If you are going to lease... there are many options.

With 4 kids, I'd consider a Sienna or Grand Highlander or an ID Buzz (don't road trip with this though).

I hear you brother but we put on a lot of miles so I'm weary of leasing. She doesn't want any other car....believe me I've tried.

 

[HaveBlue]

My marriage advice is buy her what she wants. Your technical advice may be to lease it though. Can you write off the lease as a business expense? Might be a win win.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

@Mellowyellow
My hot take is, The EX90 is a sound system on wheels, but there are several things that plague the vehicle as a whole. If it were a retired couple buying it, or a couple not necessarily looking to have a large family, then I think it would be a good choice, assuming no glitches or mechanical crap.

While the R1S has a solid following here, I would hesitate to endorse it for a family with 4 kids. getting in and out of the 3rd row can be a pain, especially if car seats are involved.

EV9. This to me, should be the only one you consider. It's as close to a mini van as you can get, without getting a mini van. Sure it's nowhere near the luxury of the others, but for mobility inside the cabin, and family minded features, it really does win out, especially with the middle row captains chairs.

None of the vehicles can match Rivian's frunk and off road prowess, but it's a nice to have, and shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Watch the video below which starts with the EV9, Vistiq, then EX90 and R1S.


TLDW
EV9 - Family friendly, lots of vents etc, easy to access, enough headroom and leg room for all.

EX90 - Feels luxury from top to bottom, sound system is the star of the show, comfortable and quiet interior. Rear doors are a bit smaller, good middle row room provided no 3rd row passengers. poor headroom in the 3rd row, not a lot of rear storage.

R1S - More capable, 3rd row room is a mix between the first two. Only vehicle currently with a pet mode. Great storage (frunk) no B pillar vents for second row, middle seats are heavy to move around. Interior is hard wearing.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Is there a reason? Yes. Is it logical? I can't answer in case she checks the forums and reads this haha. She likes the way it looks and she likes the interior. That is pretty much it.

Completely understandable. I don't care what anyone says, cars are an emotional purchase. The heart wants what it wants.

As for the EX90, like everyone said, there is a lot of early adopter pains going on. I like the idea of it for my wife also, but the thing will probably depreciate hard over the next year so picking up a used one in a year or two would be a bargain - or at that point you can also pick up the 2026-2027 model which could have the 800V architecture and much faster charging times that Volvo has been working on.

TLDR: Probably a great a vehicle to get, just not at the moment.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

If it's an emotional choice, best to just go with the heart while knowing and accepting there will be downsides.

Volvo being an established brand doesn't give it a free pass on reliability or ease of repairs. It is owned by Geely, a Chinese auto giant (like GM) who also own many brands; including Lotus and Zeeker. That being the case, you can count on many parts being produced and sourced from China. There is and will be a cost and logistics penalty to be paid by the consumer, as long as current trade turmoil continues. Volvo is attempting to shift more assembly state-side, but that will only offset tariffs partially. Of all foreign brands, Hyundai and KIA, having deep pockets and greater manufacturing footprint in the US, is probably best positioned to deal with tariffs. But their styling is an acquired taste. The entire industry is facing big challenges. And all of the legacy brands will not be able to address software issues as quickly as Rivian can. Whatever the choice, there will be trade-offs one way or another.

 

[carsly]

I would wait 2-3 years on the EX90. It's a bit of a dumpster fire. I cancelled my order a while back after the lengthy delays. Unclear how long Geely continues to write checks to support Volvo in the US with the tariff situation. If you insist on getting one, I'd look at a 24 month lease so you have a ready exit option that's not too far off.

 

[defcon888]

Dear Rivian family,

I regret to inform you that I have failed in persuading my better half to get a Rivian as well. She has her eyes set on a Volvo EX90 ( for some reason).

I’ve only ever seen a single one on the road. It seems like they’re not selling many of them at all?

I was looking at the EX90 forums and it seems like a complete sh!t show over there. I know forums can be biased and a place to vent and complain (who knew?). Thus, I’m wondering if any members own a EX90 and can provide any honest feedback and first hand experience. It would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,
Charles

We HAD the XC40 Volvo EV. We picked it up in June 0f 2022. Within 3 weeks it was back at the dealer because the tCAM went bad. THey had it for 4 days. THen, 2 months to the day, it went out again and it stranded me at work. They did fix it, but we put money down on the R1T and 8 months from when we got the Volvo, we sold it back to the dealer because it gave us more problems and the customer service was HORRIBLE. When I was stranded I couldn't even unlock the door with the FOB. I called the local Volvo dealer and they couldn't help telling me how to get in. So, I went to YouTube and found a video on how to open the door. When we picked it up originally, the sales guy was more interested in showing us the "cool stereo" instead of how to get in the car if you are locked out.

The other issue is that I work 145 miles from home and I drive 1 day a week and stay locally. I had to regularly stop and charge for 10 mins. in order to make it to work (I work in the bay area and traffic can be horrible). They said "Oh, you can get 225 miles easily".....I barely got 180.

Pros: It drove nice
Cons: Customer Service, relaiblility, range. Nothing special about it. They took the XC40 ICE vehicle and slapped a EV package in it.

Again, we had the XC40...maybe they have inproved the EX. Our experience left a bad taste in our mouth.

 

[Great Gatsby]

We HAD the XC40 Volvo EV. We picked it up in June 0f 2022. Within 3 weeks it was back at the dealer because the tCAM went bad. THey had it for 4 days. THen, 2 months to the day, it went out again and it stranded me at work. They did fix it, but we put money down on the R1T and 8 months from when we got the Volvo, we sold it back to the dealer because it gave us more problems and the customer service was HORRIBLE. When I was stranded I couldn't even unlock the door with the FOB. I called the local Volvo dealer and they couldn't help telling me how to get in. So, I went to YouTube and found a video on how to open the door. When we picked it up originally, the sales guy was more interested in showing us the "cool stereo" instead of how to get in the car if you are locked out.

The other issue is that I work 145 miles from home and I drive 1 day a week and stay locally. I had to regularly stop and charge for 10 mins. in order to make it to work (I work in the bay area and traffic can be horrible). They said "Oh, you can get 225 miles easily".....I barely got 180.

Pros: It drove nice
Cons: Customer Service, relaiblility, range. Nothing special about it. They took the XC40 ICE vehicle and slapped a EV package in it.

Again, we had the XC40...maybe they have inproved the EX. Our experience left a bad taste in our mouth.

Doesn't sound like you are an outlier. I've heard similar stories about Volvo and Polestar as well. Shame really, because they make really good looking vehicles with comfortable interiors.

 

[Mellowyellow]

Do not own; and shit show I agree.

Our C40 may be our last Volvo, which we both LOVE. Had an EX90 res, but once it was pushed back and our R1 res pushed forward the decision was then made.

I think @Count Orlok may have owned one, or I’m remembering wrong.

Looks like the Count didn't get one

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Doesn't sound like you are an outlier. I've heard similar stories about Volvo and Polestar as well. Shame really, because they make really good looking vehicles with comfortable interiors.

When I was working DT Seattle on a couple projects, one of the reps I dealt with had a dad that worked at Volvo as a mechanic for 30 years. I was chatting with him about how nice the new Volvo's were at the time (2020/1) and he immediately just warned me off of them. His words "older Volvo's were like tanks, you could do anything with or to them and they'd keep running, new ones, are absolute garbage, they break all the time"

 

[Great Gatsby]

When I was working DT Seattle on a couple projects, one of the reps I dealt with had a dad that worked at Volvo as a mechanic for 30 years. I was chatting with him about how nice the new Volvo's were at the time (2020/1) and he immediately just warned me off of them. His words "older Volvo's were like tanks, you could do anything with or to them and they'd keep running, new ones, are absolute garbage, they break all the time"

Oh, I believe it. I go down deep rabbit holes when it comes to searching what car I'll buy next, and back in 2020, the XC90 was top of mind. As much as I loved the idea of it, almost every forum, reviewer and person I talked to said to stay away. Just nonstop issues.

Which drives me nuts that they don't seem to be improving on this. Their seats really are very comfortable lol

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