The EX90 uses a twin-motor setup that drives all four wheels through a single-speed, shift-by-wire transmission. Combined output is 335 kW, or 456 hp, with 670 Nm of torque available from a standstill.

Volvo claims 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, which is quick for a 2.7-tonne SUV. Top speed is limited to 180 km/h. A Performance drive mode is part of the package.

The electrical architecture runs at 800 V, which is what makes the fast charging speeds possible.

Volvo claims up to 625 km on a full charge under the WLTP cycle. Energy consumption on the NEDC cycle is rated at 19.4 kWh per 100 km. Real-world range will be lower, with one test showing around 530 km.

On a 350 kW DC fast charger, the battery goes from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes. An 11 kW on-board charger is standard, and a full 0 to 100 percent top-up on a three-phase 16A supply takes about 10 hours.

A 6 m mobile charging cable with a 15A plug is provided for home use.

Volvo has kept the cabin clean and simple. A 14.5-inch centre touchscreen runs Google built-in, with a 9-inch driver display and a head-up display ahead of the driver. A jewel-design rotary knob handles media.

The materials lean towards calm rather than flashy. Leather upholstery with ventilation, Light Ash decor, Dawn headlining and tailored dashboard and door panels set the mood, while the panoramic roof brings in plenty of light.

Front seats get heating, ventilation and massage, and the driver’s seat has power adjustment with memory. Power side bolsters and four-way lumbar support help on long drives, and the steering column adjusts electrically.

The six-seat layout puts captain chairs in the middle row. The third row gets its own air conditioning, and the climate system is four-zone with a heat pump, an air purifier and a humidity sensor.

Audio comes from a Bowers and Wilkins system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5G capability, over-the-air updates, USB-C ports and wireless phone charging are all included.

Boot space is 324 litres with all three rows up, 690 litres with the third row folded and 1,212 litres with the rear seats folded. A 46-litre front boot and 72 litres of closed storage add to it.

The EX90 measures 5,037 mm in length, 1,964 mm in width excluding mirrors and 1,744 mm in height, on a 2,985 mm wheelbase. Width with mirrors is 2,113 mm, which is worth remembering on narrow roads.

Up front, a body-coloured covered grille replaces a conventional one, and High Definition Pixel lights give the face a distinct signature. High-gloss black mirror covers and window trim add contrast to the body.

Along the sides, 21-inch eight-spoke glossy black diamond cut wheels fill the arches, with glossy black roof rails above. Flush door handles with ground lighting and an electrochromic panoramic roof round off the profile.

At the rear, a power tailgate opens to the load area, and a third-row load cover keeps luggage out of sight. The styling is understated and does not shout about its price, which suits Volvo.

The EX90 carries a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, but no Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP result exists for the India-spec car. Passive safety includes dual-stage airbags, an inflatable curtain, a driver-side knee airbag and whiplash protection.

Child safety gets ISOFIX mounting points on the rear seats and a passenger airbag cut-off switch. Side and rear windows are laminated, and the car comes with an alarm, a first-aid kit and a warning triangle.

Driver assistance is extensive. Pilot Assist, blind spot information, intersection autobrake, run-off road mitigation, rear cross traffic alert with auto brake and steering avoidance for pedestrians, cyclists and scooters are all standard.

Other aids include a 360-degree camera with 3D view, Park Pilot Assist, a door opening alert, road sign information, tyre pressure monitoring and Driver Understanding. Emergency stop assist and a safety call function complete the set.

The EX90 goes up against the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, the Kia EV9 and the BMW iX.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV offers a higher power output, with its 580 version making well over 500 hp, and carries the stronger badge in this segment. The EX90 counters with 350 kW DC charging support, which takes it from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes.

The Kia EV9 claims 561 km on the ARAI cycle, a locally certified figure that is not directly comparable with the EX90’s 625 km WLTP claim, and Kia’s service network is wider. The EX90 leads on power, with 456 hp against roughly 380 hp.

The BMW iX makes more than 500 hp in its xDrive50 form, which is more than the EX90. The EX90 counters with a six-seat layout and a third row, which the five-seat iX cannot offer.