Volvo is known for its premium and safe cars, but the Swedish automaker has never made a minivan before. That changed recently, when Volvo unveiled its first electric minivan, the EM90, at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show.

Siblings Under the Sheetmetal

The EM90 is based on the Zeekr 009, a new electric minivan from Geely, the Chinese parent company of Volvo. The Zeekr 009 was launched earlier this year as the second model of Zeekr. The Zeekr 009 shares the same platform, powertrain, and battery with the EM90, but has a different exterior and interior design.

Both the EM90 and the Zeekr 009 are built on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, which is a modular and scalable platform for electric vehicles. The SEA platform can accommodate different body styles, and performance levels, and is also used by other Geely-owned brands.

Power to the People

The EM90 has a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system that produces 536 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque. Each can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds, and each has a top speed of 120 mph. They also have a large battery pack that can provide over 450 miles of range, according to the Chinese test cycle. The battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes and also supports bidirectional charging. Bidirectional charging means it can be used as a power source for other devices or vehicles.

?si=6rnUl0DIUXOTAf9a

Family Resemblence

The EM90 and the Zeekr 009 have a similar boxy and futuristic shape. However, the EM90 has a more distinctive and elegant front end, with Volvo’s signature Thor’s Hammer headlights and an illuminated grille. The EM90 also has a new illuminated logo on the front panel, which is the first time in Volvo’s history. The rear end of the EM90 features vertical taillights that extend inwards, inspired by the skyline of a modern city.

Luxury Cabin

The interior of the EM90 and the Zeekr 009 are where the differences are more noticeable. The EM90 has a six-seater layout, with leather-wrapped and massaging captain’s chairs in the second row. The Volvo also has a 15.6-inch screen mounted on the roof, which can be used for things like entertainment or business meetings. The EM90 has a 15.4-inch touchscreen on the dashboard, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, both powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The EM90 also has a 20-speaker Yamaha sound system, voice and face recognition, an artificial intelligence assistant, and 30 advanced driver assistance systems.

The Bottom Line

The EM90 and the Zeekr 009 are both impressive and innovative electric minivans but cater to different markets and preferences. Luxury and comfort is the focus of the EM90, while the Zeekr 009 is more focused on performance and technology. The EM90 is also more expensive than the Zeekr 009, with a starting price of $114,000, compared to $85,000 for the Zeekr 009. Why anyone would pay the premium for the Volve version is puzzling, but one look a Whole Foods parking might reveal the answer.

The EM90 is currently only available in China. It will compete with other electric minivans, such as the BYD e6 and the Nio ES8. Volvo has not announced any plans to launch the EM90 in other markets. But, it is possible that it will do so in the future, as the demand grows. The Zeekr 009 is also only available in China for now. However, Zeekr has said that it plans to expand to Europe and North America by 2025.