Previously tipped for consideration for our market, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has now confirmed that the 6-Seater variant of the Volvo EX90 will be officially introduced here sometime in 2026.
VCM Managing Director Chris Wailes told AutoBuzz.my, at a press conference following the launch of the ES90 in Malaysia, that the six-seater SUV will be making its debut here “this year”, alongside other updates to the rest of the EX90 range, which will soon be locally assembled here.
The six-seater variant of the Volvo EX90 has been previously hinted for launch in Malaysia, as a replacement of sorts to the EM90 MPV, which will not be making its way to our shores due to its market-specific design for China.
Now the most popular EX90 variant in Thailand, the six-seater variant essentially swaps the bench seats in the second row for two individual captain seats, freeing up a centre walkway for third-row access.
Despite setting its sights at the luxury MPV market, it should be noted that the captain chairs on the 6-Seater – at least of the car in Thailand – are not powered (manual sliding fore-aft adjustments, manual recline), and also lack any sort of seat ventilation and massaging functions like those you’d find on a typical Chinese luxury MPV. They do however come with an adjustable centre armrest, with hidden cupholders on both sides.
And while they do offer a more spacious seating arrangement for the six passengers inside, the six-seater also does sacrifice slightly in terms of boot space, with 344 litres on offer with all three rows of seats up, compared to the 384 litres on the seven-seater. Maximum capacity with all seats folded down is also slightly lower at 2,082 litres, compared to the 2,135 litres on the seven-seater.
Nevertheless, the new variant will be introduced in Malaysia likely as part of the refreshed EX90 lineup, which is set to become a locally assembled model. As part of the 2026 update, the Volvo EX90 will receive an upgraded 800V electric architecture, enabling faster charging speeds of up to 350 kW (or 250 km in 10 minutes) using a DC fast charger.
In its global reveal, Volvo also said that the new 800V architecture will help reduce the weight of the battery and electric motors translating to more range, while also delivering “more power for faster acceleration,” although specific powertrain figures are not available yet.
READ MORE: Volvo EX90 updated for 2026 with 800V architecture for faster charging, new ADAS features
Additionally, the 2026 Volvo EX90 will also see its ADAS systems updated thanks to the upgraded “core computer”, featuring dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processors that deliver 500 Trillion Operations Per Second (TOPS), compared to the 200 TOPS on the current setup.
The addition of this powerful processor will result in the addition of several new ADAS features, most notably Emergency Stop Assist (ESA), which will automatically bring the car to a safe, controlled stop, if it detects that the driver is incapacitated. The automatic emergency steering functionality has also been expanded, particularly in darkness, along with improved Park Pilot assist for parallel parking.
The new core computer will also be offered to existing EX90 owners through a one-time free upgrade at an authorised service centre, but VCM has yet to announce any details on that for our markets.
But perhaps more noticeable in day-to-day use will be the addition of the electrochromic feature for the panoramic glass roof – definitely a welcome change especially in our Malaysian climate.
READ MORE: Locally assembled 2026 Volvo ES90 launched in Malaysia – RWD, 651 km range, RM340k
If you’re hoping for more models to follow suit, though, perhaps don’t get your hopes too high up yet – VCM said that other models such as the China-exclusive XC70 is currently “not yet” being considered for Malaysia.
Wailes explains the reason for that is due to market positioning, as it is unclear where the model will fit into the local lineup, and customers might feel confused if there are too many options on offer. Nevertheless, the Volvo EX60, which only just made its global debut overnight, has been confirmed for Malaysia, with more details on its availability to be revealed in due time.
