The international media run of the Volvo EX90 was held in Los Angeles, unfortunately the carscollection.com invited there. But when my colleagues came home from that drive, I heard many say that the new EX90 was among the best they had driven. After a week with the car here at home in Sweden, I can only agree!

The Volvo EX90 is, simply put, the electric version of the XC90 - and it runs entirely on electricity. You can choose between a Single Motor version or Twin Motor version. The difference is that the Single Motor is rear-wheel drive, while the Twin Motor has all-wheel drive. The Single Motor version offers 279 horsepower, while the Twin Motor delivers 408 hp. The version I test drove for this article was the Twin Motor Performance, and it impresses with a whopping 680 horsepower. It's a lot - and it feels it! The power is there all the time, and the response is instantaneous. The EX90 Performance does 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, and the top speed is electronically limited to 180 km/h.

During the week I borrowed the car, I chose to drive to Västerås for an overnight stay at Steam Hotel - Incidentally, a fantastic hotel with a marvellous spa and pool area. It is also the Steam Hotel that is visible in the background of some of the pictures. The journey there and back was incredibly comfortable, and to be honest - I would have liked to drive further.

The range of the EX90 according to WLTP is 619 kilometres for the Twin Motor version, 580 kilometres for the Single Motor, and 603 kilometres for the Performance version I drove. If you had chosen a previous generation XC90 D4 with a diesel engine, you would have got over 1000 kilometres on one tank - and that's still something electric cars can't reach yet. But things are moving fast, and battery technology is improving all the time.

What you get with the Volvo EX90 today, however, is comfort of the highest order. You sit like a king, with a perfectly elevated driving position and seats that provide both support and a sense of luxury. The car is soft yet nimble and responsive in corners. It's also remarkably quiet, thanks to advanced sound insulation and careful work to minimise noise and vibration. Adding laminated windows makes the cabin even quieter.

For the audio lover, there are three different audio packages to choose from, and if you opt for the most exclusive one from Bowers & Wilkins, you'll get an audio experience that's close to a live concert. The speakers are strategically placed - even in the front seats - creating a fully immersive soundstage.

For those who need room for many passengers, the EX90 is available as a seven-seater, with room for three in the second-row rear seat, or as a six-seater, where two comfortable captain's chairs in the second row provide extra luxury.

In terms of design, the EX90 is clearly a car of the future. It combines Volvo's classic Scandinavian design language with modern lines and aerodynamic proportions. The interior is minimalist but technologically advanced - controlled via a large central touchscreen and a new operating system based on Google Android Automotive. There's access to Google Maps, Spotify and voice control via Google Assistant, making everyday life easier and safer. Of course, Apple CarPlay is available for those who want it.

Volvo calls the EX90 its ”safest car ever”, and that's no exaggeration. The car is packed with sensors, radar and cameras that constantly monitor both the road and the driver. It is also prepared for autonomous driving in the future - something that shows how far Volvo has come with technological development and sustainability thinking.

In short, the Volvo EX90 is better than great. It's powerful, elegant, safe and built with precision. A big step forward for Volvo - and perhaps the beginning of a whole new era in Swedish car history.

Volvo EX90 AWD Performance

Price: From 997 000 SEK

Motor: Electric  

Power: 680 hp, 870 Nm  

Transmission: Front engine, four-wheel drive. Reduction gearbox. 

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 4.2 s 

Top speed: 180 km/h.

Consumption (WLTP): Mixed driving 1.49 kWh/mile. Range 603 km.

Service weight: 2 818 kg  

Dimensions: (length/width/height): 5 037 / 1 964 / 1 744 mm