Introduction: The Moment It Shifted

I first laid eyes on the ES90 in rainy February at the freezing-clean docks of Stockholm, where the northern air smelled of salt, cedar and resolve. The Swedish skyline glowed and the new large saloon quietly waited under a veil of grey clouds. I felt something significant at that moment: this wasn’t just another electric car. It was a statement.

And then, a few months later, I found myself behind the wheel of that same machine, but this time under the golden light of the French Riviera. Driving the ES90 along Monaco’s cliffs, the Mediterranean spread like a mirror to my left, the engine silent, the world rushing past in gentle waves. By the time I returned to Kent, I knew: I’ve driven few cars that make you feel so deeply.

This is the ES90 in all its emotional, technological, Scandinavian glory.

Scandinavian Design: Quiet Luxury, Bold Presence

Every time I stop the ES90 in a driveway, turn off the engine and just sit, it’s like entering a Swedish winter cabin by a frozen lake. The ambience is minimalist yet warm; the materials speak quietly but clearly: brushed aluminium, the grain of light-grey wood, the soft leather under your fingertips. Volvo calls it “interior reimagined for the electric era”.

From the moment I pressed the start button in Stockholm, I felt a sense of calm. The dashboard spans cleanly across the car’s width; the 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen is framed by subtle metal detailing; the seats cradle you in that unique Scandinavian balance of comfort and support.

Then you look outside: the silhouette is aerodynamic yet strong. The flush door handles, the sweeping roof-line, the coupe-style rear tailgate, it says “saloon” but whispers “fastback hatch”.

Close the door, let the world fade, and there’s this rare, priceless sensation: silence. You press your back to the seat, look ahead, and breathe in freedom.

Performance & Charging: From Idle to Instant

What the ES90 delivers is not just serenity, it’s power, seamlessly integrated. On the coastal roads of Monaco, I pressed the accelerator and felt the surge: no shout, no roar, just effortless authority.

Built on Volvo’s next-generation 800-volt platform, it offers charging speeds of up to 350 kW and, depending on the variant, an estimated range of up to 435 miles. In the Performance version, power climbs beyond 600 hp, with 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds.

Ten minutes at a fast charger was enough to keep me going. The sensation was one of near-effortless travel, as though distance and charging anxiety had simply melted away.

Emotionally, it’s a mix of inherited Volvo calm and new-generation EV confidence. You’re not shouting “look at me” you’re saying quietly, “I’m in command, I choose this.”

The Journey: From Stockholm to Monaco

My two key moments define the story: the launch in Stockholm, where I felt the car’s soul in its birthplace, and the Monaco drive, where I lived its promise.

In Stockholm, the design team spoke of how the ES90 combines the refined elegance of a saloon, the adaptability of a fastback, and the spaciousness of an SUV. Looking out over the Baltic, I realised this was more than a car, it was Scandinavian heritage fused with future technology.

In Monaco, with the Riviera sun cutting through the glass roof, the ES90 proved itself more than capable of blending serenity and excitement. Between the cliffs and the sea, it felt like the right companion for both the boardroom and the weekend escape.

Because in a crowded EV luxury market, emotion wins. Range, speed, tech, yes, they’re critical. But the feeling of connection, that quiet sense of belonging behind the wheel, is what truly matters.

Technology That Feels Human

Some EVs try to show off. The ES90 doesn’t shout, it delivers.

Its lidar sensor sits neatly integrated into the roofline. The infotainment system, powered by Google, is intuitive and instantly familiar, paired with a crisp 14.5-inch touchscreen. Everything about the interior technology is designed to fade into the background as you drive.

Charging is fast 10 to 80 percent in around 20 minutes under ideal conditions. Storage is generous, and the liftback tailgate adds a touch of practicality rarely seen in premium electric saloons.

You feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. Ahead of time, not burdened by it.

Practical Luxe: Beauty Meets Real Life

In my week with the ES90, I realised how practical luxury can be when executed right.

The elevated driving position gives you that sense of calm command. The cabin is serene, cocooned from the outside world. The boot swallows luggage with ease, and every material, every texture, feels purposeful.

Emotionally, you feel like you’ve made a choice for life, not just for status. You feel smart. You feel future-proofed.

Verdict: More Than a Car, a Statement

If I were to sum up the ES90 in one line: it’s Swedish purity of design meeting electric potency, wrapped in a feeling of calm confidence.

Having attended the launch in Stockholm and driven it through Monaco’s coastal roads, I can say this isn’t just another EV. It’s a moving piece of design philosophy, an embodiment of balance, serenity, and progress.

When you drive away in the ES90, you’ll feel it: that subtle but unmistakable shift from driving a car, to inhabiting a space of ambition, comfort and tomorrow.

In a world crowded with electric saloons, the ES90 stands out because it moves both your heart and your mind.

Discover more about the Volvo ES90 at volvocars.com/uk