If you’re in the market for a three-row electric SUV and aren’t wowed by the Hyundai Ioniq 9 or the Kia EV9, Sweden offers the Volvo EX90, and for the new model year, it’s become more affordable. While the Volvo USA website still only shows the 2025 model, which is exclusively available in twin-motor all-wheel-drive form, Car and Driver reports that the 2026 EX90 will soon be offered in a new, more affordable single-motor RWD variant. In addition, the top-tier Twin Motor Performance trim is much more powerful than before, adding 160 horsepower to its total output figure. Let’s examine the cheaper option first.
2026 Volvo EX90 Gets a New Base Trim, Other Models Get More Power
Volvo
The 2025 EX90’s lineup is restricted to the abovementioned Performance trim and the regular Twin Motor model. The latter starts at $81,290, and the former packs another five grand onto that figure, but for 2026, the Twin Motor is $100 pricier and is now the middle trim in the range. The new single-motor base variant starts at $78,090, and while EPA range estimates have yet to be revealed, it’s likely to go further than its AWD siblings. This produces 329 hp, while the Twin Motor has been upgraded from 402 hp to 449 hp. The increased performance comes courtesy of the new 800-volt architecture, bringing with it faster charging and, hopefully, fewer software glitches.
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Meanwhile, the top-tier Twin Motor Performance has jumped from 510 hp to an impressive 670 hp. That’s the same as a Corvette Z06. This boost may come with some compromises, however, as Volvo has previously said that the top Twin Motor trim’s maximum range would drop from 310 to 305 miles thanks to the fitment of a smaller, 102kWh battery pack. More information will become available closer to the 2026 EX90’s U.S. launch, expected imminently.
How the Base 2026 EX90’s Pricing Compares to Rivals
Volvo
While it’s good news to learn that the EX90 will soon be priced under $80,000, it doesn’t make much of a difference. The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 starts at $58,955 in base S form, and across its six-trim lineup, every option is cheaper, with even the range-topping Calligraphy Design variant starting at $76,490. It’s a similar story with the Kia EV9, which, for 2026, starts at $54,900 (Light RWD) and tops out at $71,900 (GT-Line AWD). Even the Rivian R1S is more attainable, starting at $76,900, but at least the new Volvo will beat the Tesla Model X on price. Before this is discontinued, so that Elon can build more robots, the Falcon Wing-door EV starts at $99,990.
