Volvo ES90 Competes with BMW i5, Offering Greater Style and Range | Carscoops

      The liftback sedan offers a choice between single and dual motors, achieving a range of up to 435 miles.

      Volvo has introduced its ES90 midsize electric liftback sedan. The top models deliver 671 hp and can accelerate to 62 mph in just 4 seconds. The larger 102 kWh battery option can provide a range of 435 miles.

      While Volvo is currently recognized mainly for its SUVs, this week it showcased the ES90, demonstrating that its electric technology is equally effective and stylish in a conventional midsize sedan.

      Aimed at competing with the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE among others, the ES90, measuring 5 meters (196.9 inches), arguably surpasses both in aesthetics, featuring a pronounced front end, sleek surfaces, and a sporty fastback design. Although it appears as a sedan, it offers a practical liftback design, though it does slightly lack in cargo space compared to the BMW.

      In terms of interior space, especially in the rear, it excels. The wheelbase of 3.1 meters (122.1 inches) is over 100 mm (4 inches) longer than that of the BMW, and it also leads in terms of driving range.

      The most efficient i5 model can only achieve 356 miles (573 km) with its 81 kWh battery, while the ES90's 102 kWh battery allows it to cover 435 miles (700 km) on a full charge. The dual-motor variants come with the larger battery, while single-motor versions use a smaller 88 kWh unit that still offers a range of 404 miles (650 km) before requiring a charge.

      Charging is efficient, as the ES90 features 800-volt electrics, can accept 350 kW inputs (compared to the i5's 250 kW), and can add 186 miles (300 km) of driving range within just 10 minutes. Additionally, it includes a small frunk for cable storage, a feature absent in the i5.

      The lineup begins with the 328 hp (333 PS / 245 kW) Single Motor Extended Range, priced at £69,650 in the UK, capable of reaching 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.9 seconds. The 443 hp (449 PS / 330 kW) Twin Motor can achieve 62 mph in 5.5 seconds, costing £83,250. For £4,600 more, the high-end Twin Motor Performance model offers 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW), completing the sprint in 4.0 seconds flat. All variants are capped at a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).

      Inside, the ES90 is equipped with a 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a large 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen that incorporates Google technology, along with light-colored Scandinavian décor to enhance the sense of space. The sedans come with Lidar for semi-autonomous driving, prominently located above the windshield, though this feature will be activated later in the model’s release.