By Mabuyane Mabuza
There is something rather special about a car that turns heads without shouting for attention. The Volvo ES90 does precisely that. Elegant, imposing and unmistakably Scandinavian, it looks like a Volvo from the future. Then, one Saturday, I walked away believing it had locked itself. My phone was stolen from inside.
It was an unsettling experience in a car I’d otherwise thoroughly enjoyed. It left me with a question that stayed with me long after that Saturday. How much trust do we place in the technology that’s supposed to make everyday driving easier?
Quiet looks and a digital cabin
The ES90 has the sort of road presence that encourages a second look. Its clean lines and sculpted surfaces give it a shape that sets it apart from the traditional luxury saloon. I particularly appreciate that restraint. There’s plenty to look at once you stop and take it in, from the lighting to the way the whole car sits.
Inside, the cabin is clean and uncluttered. The large central touchscreen handles much of what you do in the car, from choosing music and finding your way to adjusting vehicle settings. If you’re a bit old-school like me, you may need some time to learn where everything is. Once I’d taken in all that technology, what stayed with me was how comfortable the cabin felt.
For those of us who spend long hours travelling between appointments, towns and thecountryside, that comfort matters. It’s part of what makes a car genuinely useful, and it’s oneof the things I liked most about the ES90.
The Saturday I thought it had locked
Few carmakers can speak about safety with the same authority as Volvo. In 1959, the company introduced the three-point seat belt developed by its engineer Nils Bohlin and made the patent available to other manufacturers. Today, cameras, sensors and software help Volvo’s cars look out for occupants on the road. I found myself thinking about a different kind of security when I stepped out of the ES90.
The frustrating part was how sure I’d been that the car had locked. I later discovered it had stayed unlocked. Here in South Africa, where opportunistic theft is a real concern, that’s a moment that sticks with you.
I don’t know why the car stayed unlocked that day. Volvo’s owner’s manual explains that walk-away locking depends on the settings and on the car recognising a compatible key. Volvo also advises drivers to check that the driver’s door is locked before leaving. That simple check matters to me a lot more now.
Range and price in South Africa
The ES90 comes with a single electric motor in the Extended Range version offered locally. Volvo quotes up to 755 km on a full charge under standardised testing. What you get on the road will vary with how and where you drive. If you’re planning a longer trip, Volvo puts a 10 to 80 per cent top-up at around 22 minutes with a suitably powerful fast charger. Where you can stop and what charger is available are part of planning the trip.
Prices start at R1 590 000 for the Core, R1 655 000 for the Plus and R1 795 000 for the Ultra.I’m still sold on the ES90. I like the way it looks, the way it makes a long day on the road feel and the fact that Volvo has carried its sense of restraint into an electric car with so much technology.
I’ll also remember that Saturday the next time I step away from a car that can lock itself. I’ll check the door.
