Volvo EX90 named finalist in the 2026 Car of the Year (COTY) competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure

Volvo’s flagship all-electric luxury SUV earns its place among the country’s top contenders for the 2026 South African Car of the Year title.

• The Volvo EX90 has been named a finalist in the South African Car of the Year competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure.
• The EX90 has won the World Luxury Car title, Electric Car of the Year at the Stuff Gadget Awards 2025, and achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
• Built on the SPA2 platform, the EX90 delivers seven-seat luxury, class-leading safety technology and up to 604 km of electric range.

The Volvo EX90 has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure. Volvo’s flagship all-electric luxury SUV is one of 18 selected finalists vying for the 2026 title, following the latest round of voting by the South African Car of the Year (SACOTY) jury. 

“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,” said 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 nomination comes on the back of significant international acclaim. Since its global debut, Volvo’s all-electric seven-seat SUV has garnered multiple high-profile awards, including the World Luxury title at the World Car Awards, where it was recognised for its refined interior, advanced safety technology and distinctive Scandinavian design. 

The EX90 has also been named Electric Car of the Year at the Stuff Gadget Awards 2025, reinforcing its position as a benchmark in the premium electric SUV segment. Most recently, the EX90 achieved the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP safety testing, earning particularly high scores for adult and child occupant protection. The result further underscores Volvo’s long-standing leadership in automotive safety and its commitment to real-world protection.

Following an in-depth selection process by SA COTY’s expert jury, each finalist was evaluated on quality, safety, performance and suitability for local conditions. The shortlisted vehicles will now proceed to an intensive three-day testing programme at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane.

“We sincerely congratulate all the finalists of the 2026 COTY competition on reaching the final round. 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 it continues to provide a credible platform through which we can meaningfully advance our road-safety message, commented Presodhini Naicker, Executive of Marketing and Communication at Old Mutual Insure.”

Designed to redefine all-electric luxury 

Built from the ground up on Volvo’s SPA2 electric platform, the EX90 represents a new era for the brand. Offered locally in Ultra Twin Performance guise, the EX90 features dual electric motors delivering 380 kW and 910 N.m of torque to all four wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission. A sophisticated active chassis with air suspension ensures a smooth, refined and supremely comfortable driving experience. 

The 111 kWh battery pack delivers a range of up to 604 km on the combined cycle, while DC fast charging at up to 250 kW allows a 10-80% recharge in approximately 30 minutes. 

Volvo has a proud history in the South African Car of the Year competition. The brand has previously claimed overall victory with the XC90 in 2016 and the S40 2.4i in 2005, and most recently saw the all-electric EX30 recognised as a finalist in the 2025 SACOTY awards.