Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has officially opened registration of interest (ROI) for the all-new Volvo ES90, marking the brand’s first fully electric sedan for the Malaysian market. Scheduled to make its local debut in early 2026, the ES90 will arrive as a locally assembled (CKD) model from the outset.
To encourage early adopters, VCM is offering a 2% early-bird incentive for the first 100 units booked between now and 31 March 2026. Pricing and full variant details have yet to be announced, and interested customers can place their ROI via Volvo Car Malaysia’s official website.
Caption: “Sleek fastback-inspired design with a drag coefficient of just 0.25 Cd.”
First CKD Volvo Electric Sedan for Malaysia
The ES90 represents a significant milestone for Volvo in Malaysia, especially as the brand celebrates 60 years of presence in the country. Unlike the EX90, which was initially introduced as a fully imported (CBU) model, the ES90 will be locally assembled from launch at VCM’s Shah Alam facility.
According to Volvo Car Malaysia, local assembly is expected to allow for more competitive pricing, supported by Malaysia’s current excise duty and sales tax exemptions for CKD electric vehicles, which are in effect until 31 December 2027.
SPA2 Platform with 800V Architecture
Built on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture 2 (SPA2) platform, the ES90 shares its underpinnings with the EX90 and Polestar 3. Notably, the ES90 is the first Volvo model to feature an 800-volt electrical architecture from launch.
This advanced system supports DC fast charging speeds of up to 350 kW, enabling a 10–80% charge in approximately 22 minutes. Volvo also claims the ES90 can regain up to 300 km of driving range with just 10 minutes of charging under optimal conditions.
Powertrain and Driving Range
For Malaysia, the ES90 is expected to debut in Single Motor, rear-wheel-drive form, similar to the variant currently offered in Thailand. This setup features a rear-mounted electric motor producing 333 PS (245 kW) and 480 Nm of torque.
Energy is supplied by a 92 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, delivering a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 651 km. This positions the ES90 as one of the longest-range electric sedans in its segment.
Globally, the ES90 is also available in Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance configurations, with outputs of up to 500 kW (670 hp) and 870 Nm, though VCM has yet to confirm whether these variants will be offered locally.
Aerodynamic Fastback Design
While officially positioned as a sedan, the Volvo ES90 adopts a sleek fastback-style silhouette with a gently sloping roofline. It also features a relatively high ground clearance of up to 178 mm, offering improved practicality compared to traditional low-slung sedans.
Volvo claims the ES90 is its most aerodynamically efficient production car to date, with a drag coefficient of just 0.25 Cd, contributing to improved efficiency and extended driving range.
High-Tech Interior and Premium Comfort
Although final specifications for the Malaysian CKD model have yet to be confirmed, the ES90 showcased in Thailand features a premium, technology-focused cabin.
Key highlights include a 14.5-inch portrait-oriented central touchscreen running Volvo’s next-generation user interface with Google Built-in, paired with a nine-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver.
Depending on variant, interior features may include ventilated and heated seats front and rear, front-seat massage functions, power-reclining rear seats with a lounge-style armrest, four-zone climate control with PM2.5 air filtration, an electrochromic panoramic glass roof, and a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
Advanced Computing and Safety Technology
The ES90 is the first Volvo to utilise the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin core computing system, forming part of Volvo’s Superset technology stack. Capable of processing over 500 trillion operations per second (TOPS), the system manages vehicle safety functions, sensors, battery management, and artificial intelligence-based features.
Globally, the ES90 was originally introduced with an extensive sensor suite including radars, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and a roof-mounted LiDAR unit. However, Volvo has confirmed that LiDAR will be phased out from the ES90 and other models starting in 2026 due to supplier-related issues. As such, it remains unclear whether Malaysian-spec models will be equipped with LiDAR.
Expected Pricing and Market Positioning
In Thailand, the Volvo ES90 is priced at THB 2.99 million (approximately RM386,000) for the Ultra Single Motor variant, with vehicles imported from China. With local CKD assembly in Malaysia, pricing is expected to undercut regional imports, though official figures will only be revealed closer to launch.
With its long driving range, ultra-fast charging capability, advanced computing platform, and local assembly advantages, the Volvo ES90 is shaping up to be a strong contender in Malaysia’s premium electric sedan segment. More details on variants, specifications, and pricing are expected as the vehicle approaches its official launch in Q1 2026.
