Volvo ES90 (V551, 2025) review: a new-format electric liftback sedan

Volvo ES90 with the V551 index is a large electric liftback sedan that enters the upper segment from 2025 not as just another sedan, but as a blended format between a classic four-door, a liftback, and a slightly raised grand tourer. For the buyer, this matters: the ES90 is for those who want a quiet long-distance EV without the seating position of a crossover, but with a more practical body than a conventional sedan.

It won’t suit everyone equally. If you need maximum cargo volume, very high ground clearance, or the lowest entry price into EVs, it makes more sense to look elsewhere. But if you want a large, modern, tech-forward car for highway driving, city use, and everyday life, the ES90 looks noticeably more interesting than some traditional business sedans.

The model and its place in the market

The ES90 sits at the intersection of classes. In size and status it rivals large premium EVs like the BMW i5, Mercedes-Benz EQE, or Audi A6 e-tron, but in its approach Volvo bets not on sportiness, but on a calm ride, technology, and a practical body. The liftback layout is exactly what makes the model closer to real daily use than many formally similar sedans.

The core idea of the ES90 is that it answers the need for one big family-and-business car: a spacious cabin, a quiet electric platform, proper access to the trunk, and a high level of electronics. It’s not a crossover replacement for bad roads, but it’s also not a low, old-format classic sedan.

Generations and model history

The ES90 currently has just one generation: V551, with series production starting in 2025. There were no previous generations under this name. The model appeared as Volvo’s new electric flagship and is not a direct mirror continuation of the S90, because it differs in platform, body type, and the very logic of how it’s used.

Historically, the ES90 is also important because it shows how Volvo is moving away from the split between a “sedan for status” and a “crossover for practicality.” Here those roles are partially combined into one car: a long wheelbase, a higher roofline at the rear, a large trunk opening, and a new-generation electric architecture.

Engines and transmissions

At launch, only electric powertrains are announced for the ES90. That means engine displacement as a parameter doesn’t apply: no gasoline, diesel, or hybrid versions are listed for the model. There is effectively one transmission—a single-speed reduction gear—and the differences between trims come down to the number of electric motors, the drivetrain, and the battery.

In practice, this means a straightforward choice. The rear-wheel-drive version is for those who want less complexity and sufficient pull without overpaying. All-wheel drive is for regular highway driving, winter use, and those for whom traction reserve matters more than savings.

Body, dimensions, and chassis

The key difference of the ES90 is the body. It’s not a classic sedan with a narrow trunk lid, but a liftback with wider access to the cargo area. For a large electric car, this is very appropriate: it’s easier to load suitcases, boxes, kids’ items, and charging cables.

On the road, you should expect two things from this layout: good straight-line stability thanks to the long wheelbase and low center of gravity, but also noticeable mass, like in most large EVs. In other words, the ES90 should be convincing on the highway, but it doesn’t look like a car for spirited driving on broken asphalt.

Interior, comfort, and safety

The ES90’s cabin is built around space and a digital architecture. The long wheelbase provides plenty of room in the second row, and the higher rear roofline makes getting in less of a compromise than in many low sedans. That’s a plus for those who often travel with four people or use the car as the main family vehicle.

In terms of comfort, Volvo’s strengths are quietness, calm ergonomics, and a solid set of driver assists. From a practicality standpoint, something else matters: in a car of this class, many functions are tied to screens and software logic, so conservative drivers who prefer more physical buttons will need time to get used to the ES90.

Everyday use

In daily use, the ES90 looks more convenient than a classic business sedan thanks to the liftback and a higher seating position, but it’s not as versatile as a wagon or a crossover. In the city it’s a quiet big car with good ride comfort, and on the highway it’s an EV where the battery version, wheel size, and driving pace make the difference.

A practical point for the owner is simple: real-world range will strongly depend on the season, speed, and configuration. On the other hand, the modern high-voltage architecture makes fast charging on the road worthwhile, and the rear-wheel-drive version looks the most rational for those who aren’t chasing maximum power.

Strengths and weaknesses

The ES90 is strong where the buyer wants one large car without compromise on quietness, technology, and body convenience. The weak points are typical of an expensive EV: high mass, dependence on charging infrastructure, and an inevitable premium for a new tech platform.

From an owner’s perspective, the main plus is that the ES90 doesn’t force you to choose between a status car and a convenient daily driver. The main minus is that it’s still a big, expensive EV that truly makes sense only when there’s a clear charging routine at home or along your route.

Tuning and accessories

For the ES90, it makes sense to start not with decorative tuning, but with things that really work in everyday life. If you want to first double-check the model’s specifics, it’s convenient to keep the ES90 review at hand, and then choose basic protection for the cabin and trunk.

In a large EV, dirt, moisture, shoe marks, and scuffs from cables and bags become noticeable quickly. That’s why the smartest accessories to start with are those that protect the cabin floor and cargo area, not those that simply change the appearance.

What to consider for this model

• Floor mats — useful for everyday use, especially if the interior is light-colored and the car often drives around the city in rain or snow.
• Trunk mat — protects the floor from charging cables, shopping, kids’ items, and small debris that appears very quickly in a liftback.

Conclusion

The Volvo ES90 is not just another large EV, but a successful attempt to combine the sedan format, the practicality of a liftback, and the comfort of a flagship car. It will suit best those who drive a lot, value quietness, want a modern electric platform, and don’t need a crossover body.

If you need a максимально universal car for bad roads or your main criterion is price, the ES90 won’t be the simplest option. But as a calm, large new-format EV, the model looks very strong, and this material is based on real selection experience, real-world practice, and real usage scenarios—not decorative descriptions.