What you may want to know about your Volvo EX90 EV

Updated Dec 4, 2025 Software 1.4.15

These are some things I think you may want to know about a  Model Year 2025 Volvo EX90 EV.  I am doing my best to be accurate, but my opinion may be different than yours.

I bought a Volvo MY 2025 EX90.  I like the car and driving it.  For long distance travel it is a big improvement.    I went from a 2015 era vehicle to the new EV.   With driver assist, on board console and apps it is a lot to take in initially. 

Why did I buy a Volvo?   I did a lot of checking and I liked what I saw in their EV and manufacturing development.   One major thing for us was they know what a large person is.  It is comfortable for us for long drives.  My wife is 6 foot tall with long legs.  I am 6.3 with a tall sitting height and heavy.   We found we could not sit comfortably in or even get in many EV's front seats.   The EX90 7 seats works well for us.  They have been full with adults and grand kids.  It does what we need it to do.

Please read well the online owners manual, it has a lot of information.  The main problem I ran into was incomplete information.   My dealerships service department was great, but they lacked "critical need to know information" in my opinion.  They work hard and do their best.   The Dealer service manager recently bought an EX90 so he could see for himself what customers were trying to explain.    Hopefully service centers and online manuals can have expanded information soon.

Horsepower models

The EX90 has 2 power models.  As I understand it the 500 horsepower model has primarily rear wheel drive bias while the 400 HP model is primarily front wheel drive bias.    Both versions use the same front motor, it is the rear motor that is upgraded for the 500hp model.   Both can be set for constant 4WD on the street or Off Road 4WD max 25mph.

The tires are the same on both models.   The rear tires are wider than the front, limiting tire rotation to equalize wear.    The car is heavy and the tires need to be rated for the weight.   There is no spare tire, not just a Volvo thing.  I guess car companies don't think we can change tires anymore. 

The tire pressure on the door for my Volvo is listed at 41 PSI.   I found one morning when the temperature dropped that all 4 of my tires showed under-inflated.   They were all 38 PSI cold on this cool day.  My tires are labeled for max PSI of 50 PSI, this means hot.   I would not go much above the 41 PSI since tire pressure grows as tires warm up in use.   I put them to 44 PSI for a little margin.   I do not recommend under-inflation for any car, but bigger cars and trucks can soon ruin an under-inflated tire.  With just 3 PSI from recommended to under-inflated you need to check them at least monthly.

You can make your smart phone a key and control opening the car with it.  What my dealer, service department and online Volvo support could not tell me was an Ultra Wide Band, UWB, enabled smartphone is needed for all the functions to work.  The need for a UWB phone is in the online manual, but in an obscure location.  It was a warning in the explanation about transferring a digital key to another smart phone.  See this wikipedia article to see which smart phones have UWB.  These are the features that require a Smartphone with UWB.

• Proximity lock  Without a UWB phone, you must hold the phone next to the driver door handle.  
• Proximity unlock  Without a UWB phone, you must hold the phone next to the driver door handle. If the car has gone into deep sleep mode, this is how to open the car even with UWB from what I see.
• Full function of the Tailgate close and lock button. Without a UWB phone it just close the tailgate, without locking the car. Tailgate close/lock button also sets the maximum auto open height but must be held for all 4 beeps or it will not set.
• Foot activated tailgate open.  You need the UWB Cell phone on you.  Also make sure you don't fall down doing it.
• Proximity Key to start and operate the car.  Without a UWB phone, you have to place the phone in the key location.

You must connect the Volvo App on your phone to the Car AND create a digital key in your Digital Wallet. (Android)

Charging and home charging notes on EVs and the EX90

Driving

Do not think ANY car will be autonomous driving.  Every car maker I know has backed away from claiming fully autonomous driving one day.   Apple has abandoned their autonomous driving project.   About the 2018 time frame I attended a well informed presentation where they explained that to get to the top end driver assist functions would take 5 Billion hours of testing.  Convert that to cost and I don't think any car maker has that much short or long term R&D funding. We still have a long way to go in my opinion.

This is a driver assist car.   It has driver assist functions, but you always need to be driving.   It will even beep and complain when it thinks you are not paying attention. Current function includes distance keeping, max speed setting, lane keeping and curve assist.    I use One pedal drive in "Auto" mode.   It will coast when you let off the pedal and no one is in front of you.   If you have one pedal drive "ON", it begins braking when you take your foot off the accelerator.

The car will tighten seat belts before a collision.   I found this out by passing close to a cement post and all the seat belts tightened up in the car. Or even when parked and a car passes too close.  It also happens if someone tailgates very close.  Be aware.

Parking assist, Lidar and other advanced functions are still to be implemented.

Ignore the circle arrow on the steering wheel.  It does nothing.  It does not "Resume" the driver assist as you think it should.  Resuming driver assist is done by using the shift column the same way as enabling the driver assist, but holding it down a little longer.   

Turning off turn signals    When a turn signal is on and you want to turn it off, lightly turn it on again.  That is how it works for me.   If left turn signal is on, lightly turn on the left turn signal.  Only push down a little bit for left turn signal.  There appears to be two stages in the switch, don't push all the way.   You will get the feel for it.  Practice a little when parked so you aren't distracted when driving. 

VCU update  

The initial vehicle control unit computer has not lived up to it's specifications.   The 2026 EX90 will get an upgraded VCU when built.   Some or all 2025 EX90's will need the VCU replaced.    The latest update letter stated this would be scheduled in the the 1Q of 2026.  Long after the Model Year 2026 production and parts have been available.  Why weren't we put on the front of the list? 

Lidar

Lidar is the infrared radar unit in the car to help with seeing the road.  Cameras cannot tell the difference between a picture of the road and the road, but Lidar can.  Lidar has a greater range than the car sensors and cameras for looking ahead.   Lidar is not yet enabled.   There were online notes stating Q2 2025 it would be enabled, but that has passed.   I think it will most likely be after the VCU update.

Miscellaneous

The EX90 uses a 5G cell connection for apps and communication.  I believe you get this for the first 4 years with the car purchase.   After that you will need to pay Volvo a yearly fee or have a cell phone with the proper network ability.

The center console runs on Android OS.

The car has regenerative braking.   Going down a mountain for 12 miles charged the car 3%, but it took extra charge going up the mountain to begin with.

When you buy the car it shows an expected miles of charge, it soon goes down to around 300 miles for 100% as rated.  The average for me has been 35Kw per 100 miles after 6000 miles of driving.  This is in Texas in the summer and my wife likes it cool in the car so AC is on constantly.

On hot days turn on the seat fans.   They help you feel cool in the front seats.

You can connect the car to your home WIFI.  It will help with updates and messages when parked at home.  You can connect 2.4G or 5G.  I recommend 2.4G.   2.4G is more reliable at longer distances and thru walls.  The speed at a long distance between 5G and 2.4G may not be noticeable.  This isn't Volvo related, it is a WIFI thing.  If your garage is too far from your router you may need a more powerful router.   There are optional WIFI extenders available if needed.

Over the air updates work, but you have to initiate installing the update.   It takes about 30 - 90 minutes.

Most people can't find the door open handles in front of the arm rests on the door.   You have to teach people how to open the door from the inside.  When the driver stays in the car, they have to unlock the car with the unlock button.  To let passengers out or someone back in if you have been parked a while.

I suggest getting the sun window sun shade when you buy the car.   I am in Texas, it can be very bright and sunny.

Software  See software rules for fun

This car depends heavily on software.  I break the software into 2 areas.  The driving software and everything else.    The driving software has been reliable.   The rest of the software still needs work to be world class in my opinion.   Below is a list of improvements I think the car needs.  If you believe these are needed, report them to Volvo.  Use the contact button in the car.   The more people that request proper functions, the faster they will get done.

• Speakers and Microphone as of software 1.4.15

Volvo states in the owners manual states apps are "3rd" party and that is about it.   I understand some are optional, but when they are advertised as part of the cars features they are VOLVO's responsibility in my opinion.

"Hey Google" gives you access to the google app and speaking the address or search will find and map it for you.   This is great when it works.   The problem is it does not always work.  Wifi connection is working, microphone icon shows it is connection.  It doesn't always happen, but tends to stay in this non-working voice condition for a few days at a time.

A software update, a VCU replacement or  maybe both will be needed to fix the microphone and speaker connections from what I have experienced.

• Mapping software does not find NACS super chargers.
  

 The default settings in the Google Map software in the console will find CCS super charging stations along the way and suggest re-charge points.   This is great, but it DOES NOT list NACS capable super charger stations.   No one online or at the Volvo service could tell me how to change this.  This makes travel planning difficult.  

In Nov 2025 I looked hard at this again.  I find settings are currently available to enable finding specific charging stations.  At the Google home page, select the settings button, red arrow.  Then the EV payment Filters.  Then select ALL the charging suppliers you may use.

 

• I have found that unplugging my J1772 home charger adapter by using the  "unplug button" at the charge port is not 100% reliable.   When it doesn't unlock I have to go to the console inside the car to unlock it. As updates have come along it seems to be getting more reliable, but not 100% yet.

           

• The Volvo phone app is rudimentary in my opinion.   The Volvo app needs to be expanded for many more functions.  I cannot use the app to access the cars cameras when parked.
• When parked at home, I want to be able to disable the cameras to save power and wear.   They are always on currently. 
• I want be able to have a video record stored on a micro SD card, just as some other Volvo's can.  The Micro SD slot is already installed in the upper console.
• Small bumps in the road can turn off the Driver Assist. It depends on how much turning force it puts on the steering.  I think it is too easily disabled.
• Bug hits to the front camera can turn off Driver Assist.  It turns back on easily.   I also puts up a warning “Driver System Support Error, Book a Service”. Service is not needed, bug cleaning at the next stop is needed.
• If someone bumps the car when getting in and the car is on a flat surface, it may alarm with a message about the car not holding on a hill.   It keeps beeping.  The only way to clear it is to put the car in D/R. The OK button does not clear it as it should.
• If people change seats after getting in, or packages move on the seat, you may get seat belt warnings from the empty seats.  Sometimes there appears no reason for the alarm.   I just keep all the seat belts plugged in.  I think the logic needs an update
• Percentage of battery left at a mapped destination does not account for high speed limits, hills etc.   80 MPH speed limits may run the battery down faster than expected.
• I want the time before the EX90 goes into deep sleep mode to be a driver/user setting.  Not preset for everyone. 
• The driver assist distance keeping/braking may not adjust for extra distance needed on down hill slopes. Remember you always need to be driving.
• I want to be able to set the sensitivity for "driver alertness" warnings.   I got lots of warnings when I had to keep one eye closed after a surgery.
• I have run into an area in Oklahoma that in auto drive mode the car came to a stop as if there was a car in front of it.  This has happened 3 times I was in the area.  The only thing I could even remotely see that could be doing anything was a transformer on a telephone pole.   Maybe expanded EMI standards are needed as cars with drive assistance become more popular.

Hardware

The Lidar stands out on the top of the car.  It takes a lot of bug hits.   What can be done to keep it from collecting bug guts?

The side windows have had a few whistles while driving the first couple of months.  The window didn't appear to seat all the way consistently at the start.  Over time they appear to be seating and sealing better.  New gaskets probably had to set in.  You may have to use the up button twice to get it to move up and seat all the way. 

There are no handles on the interior for helping people get in/out of the car.  Something I have found helpful in other large cars.   My 90+ year old mother required them.   

Where is the cabin air filter and how do I change it?  My wife has asthma and I need to change it more than normal. It appears it is similar to The XC90 with an access plate under the glove box.   However the filter is not the same, a slight size difference.   Volvo part number for the Cabin Air filter is 32260903.  Wix has one that is the same size,  WP2153.  A FRAM CF12155 or NAPA 232153 may work, but they are slightly smaller.

Turning your car into a battery backup for the house is a possible future function.  It will require a special electronics panel added to the house for this to work.