2023 Volvo’s XC90 goes electric

New look, new powertrain and even a new name for your next seven-seat SUV. By Jake Groves.

Future scoop Insider – Volvo XC90 set to go EV – and change its name

1 THE MASTER’S TEACHINGS

A pioneer and huge success in both its generations, the XC90 is a crucial part of Volvo’s electric product plan. Its replacement will remain the brand’s flagship model, but will not be named XC90. Like the outgoing XC90, the new electric SUV will introduce new safety and autonomy standards.

2 A PROPER PREVIEW

Volvo gave us a peek at its new design direction with the Concept Recharge (below). Cues from the concept will span the entire model range from Volvo in future, including a bulbous lidar sensor suite that promises Level 4 self-driving ability aided by artificial intelligence. Regional laws permitting, of course.

3 A NEW TOY BOX

Scalable Product Architecture 2 will underpin the XC90 replacement – an evolution of SPA used in Volvo’s 60 and 90 models. ‘Bidirectional charging’ is promised, where excess charge can be fed back into the grid, and a completely flat floor allows maximum space inside. The rear seats can be raised, so kids can see out like adults.

4 DIGGING DEEPER

Volvo is further integrating with Google, with every future model coming with Android Automotive OS. The OS is designed to show the ‘right needs at the right time,’ using AI to predict what settings you want access to, like Merc’s ‘zero layer’ on the new EQS.

Håkan Samuelsson Volvo CEO

‘This is really exciting. Our first car coming out next year will be a real flagship SUV, and it will be followed by a lot of cars based on the same architecture. We should mark that by deviating from our normal way of giving our cars names like XC – to mark this as the first of its kind, it will have a name more like a child.’

Factfile

• POWERTRAIN 100kWh battery pack (est), twin e-motors
• CHASSIS Aluminium and steel
• DUE 2022