Volvo EX90 alternatives - Mercedes EQS SUV 580 and Tesla Model X LR+

Volvo just unveiled its electric flagship SUV - the EX90. The car, as has always been the case with the latest Volvos, is an absolute pinnacle of safety technology. Apart from it, the new SUV looks great, has great performance and offers fairly good range thanks to its large battery. There is just one “but” - it won’t be available until some time next year.

What if you want a luxury electric 7-seater SUV right now? There is no better way than our comparison tool to find out which cars are the closest to EX90 in terms of performance, equipment and price. Quick look through our database reveals two cars that EX90 will be competing against once it hits the market - the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 580 4MATIC and Tesla Model X LR+. Let’s see how these three compare.

Performance

For years to come all new electric cars will be measured against Tesla cars. Model X, despite originally launching back in 2015, is simply unbeatable when it comes to raw speed, even in the lesser LR+ trim that swaps high performance for range, it comfortably beats the EQS SUV 580 and Volvo EX90 both in acceleration and top speed. It does that despite having the lowest torque of the three, but it eclipses both the newer cars with sheer power.

Battery and Range

This is where Tesla loses a bit of ground as it has the lowest WLTP range by some margin - Mercedes manages to squeeze out 42km more than Tesla and even Volvo can travel 30km more. A closer look reveals the reason - Tesla has a smaller battery. Although the company never released its official usable capacity, many researchers concluded it has to be around 95 kWh.

Volvo has 12kWh more and Mercedes has 13.4kWh more - that’s 12.6% and 14% more respectively. If Model X had the same battery capacity it would have travelled for 632km - but it doesn’t and the winner is the EQS SUV 580 4MATIC with Volvo running out of juice 12 km behind it.

All cars make use of DC fast charging to replenish their batteries in about half an hour, all use Lithium-ion chemistry and can charge at home using domestic chargers - Volvo sticks to 11 kW while both Mercedes and Tesla can make use of 22 kW.

Size

These are not small cars - all three are over 5 meters long and it is actually the Volvo that is the shortest, but what it loses in length, it makes up in height. EX90 is nearly 3 cm taller than EQS SUV and a whopping 6.4 cm taller than Tesla. Where Tesla shocks is in the weight department - it is nearly 500kg lighter than EX90 and EQS SUV. That’s despite its super-heavy falcon doors. This weight difference explains its blistering performance and efficiency.

Clever packaging is everything and it shows when it comes to trunk and frunk sizes - it is again Tesla that leads the newcomers. Volvo’s trunk has 365l with the rear seats up which is comparable to a family hatchback, Mercedes manages a more respectable 645l, but Tesla just wipes the floor with competition - 1,050l with rear seats up. All the three cars offer a 7 seat configuration.

Comfort and Safety

When it comes to comfort Mercedes takes a clear lead - it even has “hot-stone” massage seats. Tesla is the only car here to offer heated seats in the third row. None of the competitors skimps on airbags here and all offer full ADAS suite with Volvo and Mercedes using LiDAR for autonomous driving.

Tesla does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Volvo and Mercedes have both onboard. In entertainment size does matter and Mercedes blows the competition out of water with its Hyperscreen, but Tesla has a few tricks up its sleeve - its 17” center screen tilts from left to right. Volvo has the smallest screen, but it's not a bad thing - many people prefer small screens and EX90 has the best graphics on the market thanks to its use of Unreal Engine.

Looks

Tesla is the oldest car in the trio, but its design is standing the test of time greatly. Volvo has the clean Nordic lines with its latest take on the headlights that can wink at people. Mercedes is a Mercedes - it doesn't hide its size, it wears it with pride and oozes quality whichever way you look at it. The best way to compare the three electric SUVs is to use our visual comparison tool - after all beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Verdict

The Tesla Model X has been on the market for so long that we sometimes forget how good it actually is. The EQS SUV 580 and EX90 both struggle to keep up with the much older Tesla in performance and cargo space departments. When it comes to design there is no hiding age, Tesla is doing a good job at keeping its lines clean and modern but both Volvo and Mercedes look miles better. That is true until Tesla pops its rear door open - that trick never gets old.

Volvo EX90 is full of the latest technology, it's made in large parts out of recycled materials and renewable energy is used for its manufacturing - that’s very important these days. Mercedes EQS SUV 580 4MATIC has the longest name in the luxury SUV segment and it plays the classy card when it comes to looks - it is well executed, it has sumptuous interior and a giant Hyperscreen.

Tesla on the other hand has bags of room, performance and falcon doors. It struggles with quality though and its well reported self-driving Autopilot and FSD saga can be enough to put many buyers off. Many people buy it purely for its performance and quality takes a third row.

Availability and prices:

Is the Volvo worth waiting for? For Volvo fans - absolutely yes. When it eventually comes to the market it shouldn’t have any trouble with finding new owners. It offers decent room, decent performance, outstanding safety and quality and that’s exactly what many people are looking for in a luxury SUV.