VOLVO EX90 NAMED FINALIST IN 2026 SOUTH AFRICAN CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The Volvo EX90 has been confirmed as a finalist in the 2026 South African Car of the Year (SACOTY) competition, an event once again sponsored by Old Mutual Insure. Volvo’s flagship all-electric luxury SUV is one of 18 finalists selected following the latest round of voting by the South African Car of the Year jury. The announcement places the EX90 firmly in the spotlight as one of the country’s leading new vehicles, recognised for its blend of safety innovation, premium comfort and advanced electric technology.
“We’re proud to see the Volvo EX90 recognised as a finalist in the South African Car of the Year competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure,” says Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa. “As our flagship all-electric SUV, the EX90 represents the very best of Volvo in terms of safety, luxury and technology, and this nomination is recognition of this.”
The EX90’s local recognition follows a wave of international acclaim. Since its global debut, the seven-seat electric SUV has collected several high-profile awards, including the World Luxury title at the World Car Awards, where it was praised for its refined interior, advanced safety systems and clean Scandinavian design language. Further reinforcing its credentials, the EX90 was named Electric Car of the Year at the Stuff Gadget Awards 2025 and most recently achieved a maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP safety testing. Particularly strong scores for adult and child occupant protection once again underline Volvo’s long-standing leadership in real-world safety and its continued focus on protecting people, not just ticking boxes. Following an extensive evaluation process, the SACOTY jury assessed each finalist on quality, safety, performance and suitability for South African conditions. The shortlisted vehicles will now move on to the competition’s intensive three-day testing programme at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane, where they will be driven back-to-back under controlled conditions.
“We sincerely congratulate all the finalists of the 2026 COTY competition on reaching the final round,” says Presodhini Naicker, Executive of Marketing and Communication at Old Mutual Insure. “As a long-standing supporter, we value SA COTY’s credibility, consistency and relevance. For four decades, the competition has empowered consumers to make informed vehicle choices and continues to provide a credible platform through which we can meaningfully advance our road-safety message.”
Built on Volvo’s dedicated SPA2 electric platform, the EX90 signals a new chapter for the brand. Offered locally in Ultra Twin Performance specification, it features dual electric motors producing 380 kW and 910 N.m of torque, driving all four wheels through a single-speed transmission. An active chassis with air suspension delivers a ride focused on comfort, refinement and composure, whether cruising or covering long distances. Energy is supplied by a 111 kWh battery pack, providing a claimed range of up to 604 km on the combined cycle. When charging is required, DC fast charging at up to 250 kW allows a 10 to 80% recharge in approximately 30 minutes. Volvo also brings a strong legacy to the South African Car of the Year competition. The brand previously claimed overall honours with the XC90 in 2016 and the S40 2.4i in 2005, and most recently saw the all-electric EX30 named as a finalist in the 2025 SACOTY awards.
Take a look at the YouTube video from Volvo showing everything you want to know about the latest EX90 that was released abround a year back - good-looking Scandanavian, this one: Volvo EX90: Everything you need to know | Volvo Cars
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