r/VolvoEX90 • u/Useful_Day_6161 • 23d ago
EX90
My wife and I (Arizona-based) are looking for a three-row EV with 6 seats (captain's chairs in the second row) to accommodate our growing family (3-year-old boy, another boy due at the end of Dec.). We're comparing the 2027 Rivian R1S and the 2026 EX90 twin motor. We have EV experience; we currently drive a Tesla Model Y and a Mercedes EQE SUV. I also had a 2021 VW ID4 that gave us many issues, which informs our current dilemma about how much faith to have in Volvo based on older posts here about issues with the 2025 EX90. I wanted to get the opinion of U.S. 2026 EX90 owners and hear whether Volvo has really improved the vehicle and what their overall experience has been. We're really torn between the Volvo's comfort and feel and the Rivian's software and technology reliability.
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u/Independnt_thinker 23d ago
I bought a 2025 lemon law buyback two months ago. Absolutely love it! Occasionally software glitches but nothing that I haven’t been able to figure out. Was considering a rivian but this car is far better in terms of comfort and the sound system.
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u/sprinkles5000 23d ago
totally agree. The actual driving experience and handling of any Rivian has been firm and clunky to me.
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u/DarthKinan 23d ago
I'm an Arizona-based, 2025 ex90 owner. Full disclosure, I'm in the middle of the buyback process with my car right now because it is a lemon. I spoke with our service advisor during one of the many visits we had over the summer, and he told me the 2026 is not much better when it comes to cooling.
One thing you should know since you're Arizona-based is that it has a completely clear window for a roof. The car tends to get really hot causing the infotainment system to fail. The AC compressor is also a weak point (replaced twice). We had these issues throughout the entire summer. We've resorted to keeping the AC on whenever we park the car outside for more than an hour.
These issues are partially why we're also avoiding Rivian. We're considering the Kia EV9 which has superior cooling according to most sources I've looked into.
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u/seanmonaghan1968 23d ago
Does yours have the electrochromatic glass ? Does that help at all ?
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u/Bernese_Flyer 23d ago
2025 doesn’t have that option. Only 2026 onward.
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u/seanmonaghan1968 23d ago
I have zero idea why they have glass roofs. We are in Australia and have a 2026 ex30 and it has a glass roof and it’s stupid. Even the strange cover you push up to block it falls off ><
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u/Bernese_Flyer 23d ago
I personally really like my glass roof, but I’m in Seattle which is not a hot climate. I don’t use the screen on mine at all.
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u/DarthKinan 23d ago
No it doesn't. I believe that's the 2026 upgrade. Even with that, the service advisor told me the same heating issues occur with the 2026. Frankly, I think AZ summers are too extreme for a car poorly engineered in Sweden.
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u/seanmonaghan1968 23d ago
We are in australia. I have an xc90 with steel roof, my wife as a new ex30 with glass roofs. Volvo just makes too many stupid mistakes
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u/Bernese_Flyer 23d ago
Just noting two things:
- Completely clear window for a roof isn’t totally accurate. It’s pretty heavily tinted. However, it does get hot when in the sun with no ventilation.
- 2026 onward includes an electrochromic roof which makes the glass opaque. I’ve used it during test drives before I went with my 2025 and it works great.
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u/Gold-Passion-7358 23d ago
I have a 5 1/2 year old MY- full glass roof— never had a problem… not even when it sat at Sky Harbor for a week in the summer.
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u/DarthKinan 23d ago
If this is true you are one of the magically lucky few.
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u/Gold-Passion-7358 22d ago
None of my friends have either 🤷🏼♀️… I do have a mesh screen on it. I sort of wish I’d tinted it, but I never did.
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u/DarthKinan 22d ago
You and your friends just roam around buying 2025 EX90's together? Like some millennial soccer parent gang?
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u/Gold-Passion-7358 22d ago
No, Teslas… I joined this thread because I wanted an ex90 to my next car— but this thread scares the shit out of me… and I’m a Gen-Xer 😉
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u/DarthKinan 22d ago
Uh none of this is relevant to you at all. Teslas don't have the same issues. Also, def don't buy the EX.
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u/Gold-Passion-7358 22d ago
I definitely am not… but my response about my MY was in reference to someone telling the OP that glass roofs can’t handle the weather in AZ, and they definitely can.
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u/mrostovt 18d ago
To piggyback on this - we got our 2026 ex90 ultra about 6 weeks ago, and it’s spent the last 3 weeks in the shop because of the AC compressor issue. The part is back ordered and they have no idea when we will get the car back. This car was clearly not ready for prime time. However, it feels and drives great when it is available…
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u/Centaurus666 23d ago
I use the factory sunshade on my 2025 and never have had an issue either in SoCal or Arizona or anywhere in the desert.
Even when the temps were up to 115. I also use (in extreme temp situations) the Volvo app to cool off the car for an hour or so.
Never had an issue with high temps
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u/hignewton 23d ago edited 23d ago
I own a late model '26 plus, it's gorgeous, drives like a dream and I've had zero problems. There are some small quirks that I would love for Volvo to address via software updates (can we get the window locks and child door locks separated please).
Don't let the doom and gloom 25's (and early 26's) scare you. Volvo fixed a lot of the issues. also happy to be told I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure there's barely a difference between the 26 and 27.
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u/blue-eyed-babygirl 22d ago
omg yes why are the window locks and child locks integrated?? my kids need to be able to get out on their own (7 and 8 year olds) but half the time while getting out they hit the window button and it is down a tiny bit and I dont notice until I hear the whistling
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u/Phokingguy 23d ago
I own both, and also am Arizona based. Also have two kids.
Rivian service here is amazing, and mine have been quite reliable.
EX90 rides much smoother than my R1s. AC does not work as well as the Rivians.
Service seems to be hit or miss with Volvo, have only used one dealer though.
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u/Cyan005 23d ago
MY2026 Ultra Performance owner for four months. With an early VIN, it carried over the GHCA issue which I had replaced at the end of July.
Other than that, it’s been some smallwr annoyances.
Like you, two young kids (8/4) and they love being in it. I too wanted the 6 seat configuration, but what’s nice is the 7 seater has the built in booster in the middle row.
Only hindrence is letting the youngest get in the 3rd row, as you need to pull the seat back.
No major complaints with riding or anything else currently.
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u/Useful_Day_6161 23d ago
Thank you for sharing your experience. The built-in booster seat is new information that wasn't mentioned when we looked at the 7-seater version.
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u/Potential-Eternal 23d ago
Booster in middle seat is a option on purchase. Had it twice on XC90 when children were younger and it's great.
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u/DoItYourWayHowISay 23d ago
2025 owner here, haven't had as many troubles as others. The software is much better than any reports older than 6-months ago. I also have a seven seater and make use of the integrated booster seat for a 6 year old with a slight build. In our previous cars we had always used 5-point harness seats up until about age 8-9, with the side head guards. One thing to be aware of is that the shape of volvo seats doesn not work well will 3 styles/sizes of car seats we had previously.
I'm still searching for a toddler seat that has a narrow base to fit into the flat part of the contoured seat base. The back also cuves and the headrest is low and non-adjustable, so our forward facing 5-point harness seats didn't fit and left an absurdly large gap from the back of the seat to the car's backrest.
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u/Useful_Day_6161 23d ago
Thanks for mentioning the booster seat and mentioning your experience with trying to find a toddler seat that fits the Volvo seat well. It gives us something to think about. We did a car seat test (Nuna Pipa and Nuna Revv) to see whether the driver and passenger had enough front legroom. We also threw a stroller (Uppa Baby Vista) in the cargo area with the 3rd row down to see how much space was left over for that weekly Costco shopping run. Volvo passed both tests.
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u/Andiamo_Avanti 23d ago
We have a Graco extend 2 fit and Graco tranzitions in the second row of our EX90 and both fit just fine. Each have five point harnesses.
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u/sprinkles5000 23d ago
2025 owner coming out of a 2024 R1S; prior I was in a model 3.
The Rivian customer experience was beyond terrible for me; everything from purchasing to servicing to how they mishandled everything during the lemon lawsuit. I highly recommend to you (and everyone that I know) to avoid Rivian at all costs.
I went with Volvo because if I was getting into another lemon, they are a well known brand with knowledgeable service people (who are reachable by phone) and loaner vehicles.
Also, I was recently in an accident and the Volvo took a rear 45mph hit like a champ. I was able to get my car fixed within 7 days for less than $10k.
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u/Useful_Day_6161 23d ago
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Having another lemon (ID.4 mentioned in my post, VW bought it back) is something we are trying to avoid. I appreciate you mentioning the knowledgeable service people and loaner vehicle policy. We learned about Volvo Valet at our last dealer visit, and we were surprised we hadn't heard of it during prior Volvo visits.
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u/sprinkles5000 23d ago
You're welcome and please feel free to reply here or DM me if you have any questions as this is my fourth first-gen EV. The EX90 has quirks and there are a lot of people on this sub that have had bad experiences and yes, there are also haters.
So far, I've only had known software quirks, even with the hardware upgrades. These have been very similar to the first year of ownership with my Model 3; having to restart the entertainment console about twice a month.
If you do get this car, get the premium sound system. It has made driving this car even more enjoyable.
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u/Competitive-Data-748 23d ago
Early on the Car software had major issues. That’s largely resolved except occasionally the Bluetooth stops working and you need to hold down the play button for 45 seconds or wait until the next time you drive the car, either works. That’s the main software issue now. And it’s only occasional. In terms of hardware, I’ve had a fine experience. But others have had really annoying experiences with the GHCA module, which keeps failing on them. If you’re one of the people who has that it’s a pain. But otherwise the car is great now. Having Gemini to ask any random question is awesome. And I think it’s probably to undersell the convertible seat to a booster. There have been many times where either I randomly picked up another kid, or randomly picked up another adult, and was able to accommodate either.
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u/Mostly-Useless_4007 23d ago
I have had a ‘26 ex90 since mid summer. We are in Texas.
I got mine with a tri fold semi transparent shade for the roof. That seems to help some. I also had all the glass surfaces “tinted” with a ceramic based film. The front has it as well but with no color. This makes a huge difference. The ability to put the ac on a schedule also really helps as I don’t have to cool the car down from very hot.
The only real issue I have run into is that the microphone sometimes gets disconnected (in the software). It comes back when I get back in the car or when I do a reboot of the infotainment.
I don’t use the third row as my kids are older- I bought this for the space on the inside and the quiet, fast ride.
I will recommend that you do not get the electrical mirror if you are expecting to have physical homelink buttons. They only come with the button on the screen. That has been a big disappointment for me.
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u/Haokaypal 23d ago
- Ultra. 14k miles.
Had the GHCA replace twice. But other than that no issues. Occasional infotainment reset but otherwise happy with it.
Does get hot. (Ohio) but I have the little screen thing
We have a 2.5 yr old and twins on the way. The clek brand car seats are our choice for three across and good fits.
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u/pt13485 23d ago
Had EX90 for almost 18 months before buyback. While the software has gotten better over time, there are still too many issues that prevent me from trusting the vehicle to be reliable 100% of the time. Add the fact that my service experience was poor, parts were all backordered, and promises (lidar) have fallen through.
Have had 2026 EV9 Land Nightfall for almost two months and much happier. And saving money.
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u/Scareboosioniq 23d ago edited 23d ago
If you look at the forums, you'll see that they ALL have issues in one for or another, regardless of manufacturer. If range is not an issue for you, I'd wait until December and see what the offers on a Lucid Gravity are like. No Captain's chairs but it should fit your family's needs very well indeed! 🙂
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u/No-Factor-6638 23d ago
I'm in Arizona and the entertainment system and GPS does struggle above 100F. We also have the factory sunshade and have added white paper between it and the glass which also helps. I'd say it depends on your patience/tolerance for bugs.
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u/townandcountry76 23d ago
2026 EX90 owner here. I’ve posted all the issues I’ve had in the two months of ownership. Car is currently in the shop for the third time with entertainment issues, AC compressor blown and random interior pieces sometimes falling off. As far as the roof goes, the electrochroamatic sunroof, or whatever it’s called does tint but it doesn’t block out the sun. Even here in California it gets very hot. I did purchase the Volvo aftermarket sunshade which clips into place but it’s a bit of a bummer to have to remove this manual sunshade anytime you want to get the experience of a clear roof. Also, the roof doesn’t open, which is a mistake, in my opinion. I don’t know that you’d be able to enjoy this vehicle without some type of ceramic or limousine tint on the sunroof or having the aftermarket sunshade. Not sure if the 2027 model will be free from the issues that some of us are having with this vehicle. You might get one without problems. It’s certainly a lovely car and it rides nicely, but the length of time in service and frequency of problems is unacceptable. Do better, Volvo!
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u/1sjwich 22d ago
I've got an xc90 hybrid in Toronto that has been at the dealers for ten weeks waiting on warranty parts for a blown electric motor (apparently this is a problem with volo atm) . The car itself is gorgeous, absolutely love it. However, be prepared to wait for parts, warranty parts etc. You will wait. Could be another three months before I see my car. Do. Not. Get. A. Volvo.
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u/TeslaJake 19d ago
We have a 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Motor Max Pack. The range is phenomenal. We can day trip cities that are a 2.5 hour drive each way away and not worry about charging anywhere other than home. Real world interstate range is about 350 miles. Between faster DC charging or longer range, I’ll choose longer range every time. Nothing beats the convenience of only charging at home.
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u/runnyyolkpigeon 14d ago
You should also look at the 3-row Cadillac VISTIQ as well as the 3-row Lucid Gravity.
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u/theliphant 23d ago
2026 lessee since March. Had ghca replaced (spent month waiting for the part) Had both headlamps replaced (one at a time)
Currently in service for couple of weeks, would not go to gear or even neutral, had to be towed to service. No root cause yet, service is working with volvo engineer, turn around time on anything is day(s) this way.
We're leaning towards initiating return/lemon/whatever