Let’s address the big question first: does an electric luxury sedan make sense on South African roads in 2026? With the new Volvo ES90, the Swedish brand seems determined to prove the answer is yes. Launched locally in March, the ES90 ditches the traditional boot for a fastback silhouette and relies on a single-motor rear-wheel-drive setup—for now. After spending time with the flagship Ultra model on the varied tarmac of the Highveld, it becomes clear that Volvo is playing a different game to its German rivals.
At 5,0 metres long, the ES90 is a substantial vehicle. However, clever surfacing and the sloping roofline make it appear more compact than the tape measure suggests. This is not a traditional three-box sedan – yet it is and the traditional sedan bootoffers genuine practicality, providing 446 litres of cargo space, expanding to over 1 400 litres with the seats folded.
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The design is classic, modern Volvo. The Thor’s Hammer LED headlights feature a new ‘hammer and nail’ light signature, and the rear C-shaped lights stretch up the tailgate. It is minimalist but eye-catching. On the drive, it drew curious glances from other motorists.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, the ES90 feels distinctly premium but without the bling of a Mercedes-Benz. The materials are high-quality and sustainable, featuring Nordico upholstery and FSC-certified wood. The 14,5-inch portrait touchscreen manages almost all controls, but thankfully Volvo has kept a satisfying physical rotary dial for volume.
The Ultra model evaluated came with the Bowers & Wilkins sound system (25 speakers, 1 610 watts), which is exceptional, offering an ‘Abbey Road’ studio mode for audiophiles.
Rear passengers are spoiled for legroom (899 mm), and the Ultra adds electrically reclining heated rear seats. However, the battery pack raises the floor slightly, so your knees sit a bit higher than in a conventional S90.
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Currently, South Africa only receives the ES90 Single Motor. With 245 kW and 480 Nm driving the rear wheels, it is hardly slow. Volvo claims 0-100 km/h in 6,6 seconds. The power delivery is linear and quiet, prioritising calmness over neck-snapping acceleration.
The standout feature is the ride quality. Our test route included smooth highways, twisty back roads, and badly broken surfaces. The Ultra’s adaptive air suspension is excellent. It absorbs potholes with a muted thud rather than a harsh crash, keeping the cabin composed. For a car weighing roughly 2,4 tonnes, the ES90 changes direction with surprising agility, though you do feel the mass when pressing on through tight corners.
Volvo has worked hard on noise insulation. With double-laminated windows and acoustic foam in the tyres, the cabin is incredibly serene, making it a superb long-distance cruiser.
This is where the ES90 aims to lead the pack. Using an 800-volt architecture, the 92-kWh battery can accept up to 350 kW DC charging. Volvo claims a 10%-80% charge in about 25 minutes. More importantly for local buyers, Volvo claims a WLTP range of up to 755 km.
On the drive, the real-world consumption hovered around 19-20 kWh/100 km (the claimed figure is 15,9 kWh/100 km). This suggests a real-world range of roughly 550 km-600 km, which is still class-leading and enough to get from Johannesburg to Durban without a charging stop.
Unsurprisingly, the ES90 is packed with safety tech. The Luminar lidar (roof-mounted) and the NVIDIA computer core are standard. The Pilot Assist system works smoothly, keeping the car centred in its lane without the ‘sawing’ sensation of older systems. The driver monitoring camera is present, watching for distraction or drowsiness.
Volvo is aggressively addressing ‘range anxiety’ and infrastructure concerns with the purchase package. The price includes a GridCars wallbox with installation, two years of free public charging, and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan alongside the eight-year battery warranty.
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The ES90 is a significant statement. It offers a genuine alternative to the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE, particularly on range and value.
However, there are compromises. The boot space (446 litres) is smaller than an i5’s, and the frunk is laughably tiny—just 27 litres, barely enough for the charging cable. The reliance on the touchscreen for air vents can be fiddly on the move. Furthermore, while the 800V tech is future-proof, finding a 350-kW charger in South Africa outside of major metros is still a challenge.
The Volvo ES90 is not a sports sedan. It is a thinking person’s luxury EV. It prioritises comfort, efficiency, and safety above all else. If you want to waft up the N1 in near silence, worrying less about charging stops than any other EV on the market, the ES90 makes a compelling case for itself.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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