2 Ausgaben kostenlos für Sie
Fachmagazin taxi heute: Ihr Zugang zu exklusiven Inhalten rund um die Taxi- und Mietwagenbranche.
Aktueller Termin
Meist gelesen
Driving report Volvo ES90 RWD - Simply: Luxury
The big luxury sedans are anything but easy, for they too have been hammered by the all-pervasive SUVs in the past decade. Alfa Romeo, Opel, Citroën, Jaguar, Lancia, Peugeot or Cadillac – unlike the German premium brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes, almost the entire competition has left the segment. Volvo, by contrast, is now adding a sedan counterpart to its premium SUV EX90. It benefits not only from its eye-catching design but also from the 800-volt on-board network, something the EX90 has lacked so far. Sure, switching to electric propulsion exclusively as a premium manufacturer is not easy, because in many markets around the world there are many customers who still want to drive with a combustion engine. Yet the pleasing styling, premium equipment and fast charging technology make the Volvo ES90 a true alternative to Audi A6, BMW 5 Series / i5 and Mercedes E-Class / EQE.
Only 180 km/h top speed
Surprisingly: for many customers, the base version available from €71,990 may already be the right choice, because powered by a 245 kW / 333 PS motor on the rear axle, the ES90 is surprisingly well motorized. Anyway, the ES90 has little sportiness about it and deftly mimics an excellent cruiser with whisper-quiet operation. For that reason, when choosing the equipment, you may gladly skip the largest available 22-inch wheels, because that makes bad roads feel too rough even with the air suspension. 21- or even 20-inch wheels are the better, more comfortable choice. Steering, ride comfort and brakes—even when considering the noticeably high weight of over 2.4 tonnes, you cannot fault the base version. Only the overly early governed top speed of 180 km/h is a nuisance, which in the tough competitive environment costs customers not only in Germany. What the Volvo ES90, as well as its SUV brother EX90, lacks is an expanded driver assistance package that offers Level 3 support. The Pilot Assist functions up to 150 km/h – but it doesn't take your eyes off the road.
Up to 700-kilometer range thanks to gigantic battery
If the 333 HP entry model with its 92 kWh battery pack in the underbody isn’t enough for you, and you want to order all-wheel drive, you have all the options. Optionally Volvo offers the ES90 AWD with 330 kW / 449 PS (from €88,990) or a massive 500 kW / 680 PS (from €94,490) – faster than 180 km/h, however these two, apart from the image sprint, are not allowed to glide more sportily. They do have a higher energy consumption than the rear-drive version at 15.9 kWh per 100 km, but thanks to a 106-kWh battery pack they can even manage 700 kilometers to the next charging stop, while the base version offers 650 kilometers. With the 800-volt on-board network, the stops at the Supercharger lose their fear, with a charging power initially of 350 kW (base version up to 310 kW). From 10 to 80 percent the four-door charges in 20 minutes. And that’s not all, because the ES90 can charge bidirectionally and is, depending on the market, also equipped with a comfortable Plug-and-Charge function.
Plenty of space for passengers – not much room for luggage
In the interior, the ES presents itself as elegant as one would expect from a Volvo. Assuming you opt for the optional leather package, because the standard leatherette equipment named Nordico still looks pretty good – but does not feel premium. Therefore, immediately choose the interior Nappa leather package, which costs at least €1,500 depending on trim, or at least the wool upholstery, because then it fits front and rear splendidly for the occupants. This is ensured not only by the wheelbase of 3.10 meters, but also by comfortable, front and rear climate-controlled seats and a low level of noise. The Google-based operation is as puristic as usual and works perfectly. The 9-inch instruments behind the steering wheel could be a little larger, and for the front passenger there is currently no display available, just as for the rear. That cannot be offset by the 1,610-watt Bower & Wilkins system for an extra €3,460 with its 25 hidden speakers, wherever they may be. The dashboard is dominated by the 14.5-inch touchscreen and the driver receives important information via a head-up display. Unusually small for a five-meter-long upper-class limousine: the mere 424-liter cargo space, which can be expanded to 1,427 liters by folding the rear seats.
For us at the wheel: Stefan Grundhoff; press-inform
Technical data: Volvo ES 90 RWD
Motor: Electric, rear-wheel drive
Power: 245 kW / 333 hp
Max torque: 480 Nm
Top speed: 180 km/h
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 6.6 seconds
Drive: Rear
Standard consumption: 15.9 kWh / 100 km
Cargo space: 424 – 1,427 liters
Curb weight: 2,410 kg
Max charging speed: 310 kW
Price: from €71,990
Taxi-Fahrzeuge (Pkw) , Taxi-Newsletter, Taxameter, Taxi-Fahrer , BZP – Deutscher Taxi- und Mietwagenverband , Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) , Krankenbeförderung , Weiterbildung , Taxi-Konzessionen , Verkehrspolitik , Mietwagenbranche , Taxi-Apps , Berufskraftfahrer-Qualifikations-Gesetz BKrFQG) , Taxizentralen , Personal, Gehälter, Arbeitsschutz , Wirtschaftsnachrichten , Werbung , Taxi-Folierung , Taxi-Umrüster , Straßenverkehr , Elektromobilität, Taxifuhrpark und -flottenmanagement , Taxi-Versicherungen , Hybrid, Diesel, Erdgas , Taxi-Magazin
