At the top of the luxury electric SUV market, three vehicles compete for the North Shore Long Island buyer who wants the finest combination of technology, safety, and electric capability. The Volvo EX90, BMW iX, and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV represent different answers to the same question: what does a truly premium electric SUV look like?
Bottom Line: The Volvo EX90 leads on safety technology, 7-seat capacity, and purchase value; the BMW iX leads on range and driving dynamics; the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV leads on interior luxury and brand prestige. For Huntington buyers who prioritize safety leadership and need genuine 7-seat family capability, the EX90 is the strongest overall package.
- EX90: world’s first production SUV with LiDAR sensor, 7 seats standard, starts ~$79,990
- BMW iX xDrive50: 324 miles EPA, sport-luxury driving experience, starts ~$86,100
- Mercedes EQS 450+ SUV: ultra-premium interior, optional 7 seats, starts ~$104,400
- All three support DC fast charging above 150 kW for fast public charging stops
The Luxury EV Buyer on the North Shore
The buyer considering any of these three vehicles is making a significant investment in premium electric mobility. Huntington and Northport households in this segment typically want the finest available safety technology, a cabin experience that competes with any gas-powered luxury vehicle, and the practical capability of a large SUV for Long Island family use and occasional longer trips.
These vehicles overlap at their core but differ meaningfully in philosophy. BMW builds the iX around driver engagement and engineering excellence. Mercedes builds the EQS SUV around the ultra-luxury passenger experience. Volvo builds the EX90 around family safety, space, and technology leadership - and offers a lower purchase price that makes the comparison interesting even for buyers who can afford more.
The right choice depends heavily on whether the buyer values safety technology, luxury ambiance, driving dynamics, or value-per-dollar most highly.
Seating and Space: EX90’s Family Advantage
The EX90 is the most versatile family vehicle in this comparison. Seven seats are standard, with a genuinely useful third row that accommodates adults for shorter trips and children comfortably on all journeys. The EX90’s dimensions are appropriate for Suffolk County parking structures and residential driveways while providing Tahoe-comparable interior volume.
The BMW iX is a 5-seat vehicle. Buyers who need a third row must look elsewhere - the iX’s excellence in the two-row luxury EV space doesn’t extend to three-row capability. For Huntington families who regularly seat six or seven, the iX is immediately eliminated from consideration.
The Mercedes EQS SUV offers an optional 7-seat configuration - though the third row is smaller and less practical than the EX90’s. The EQS SUV’s interior prioritizes passenger experience in the first two rows over rear versatility, which reflects Mercedes’ design philosophy.
Safety Technology: The EX90’s LiDAR Advantage
No production SUV has a more comprehensive safety sensor suite than the Volvo EX90. Volvo equipped the EX90 with a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor from Luminar - the first production SUV in the world to include LiDAR as standard equipment. The sensor creates a three-dimensional map of the vehicle’s surroundings at highway speeds, detecting obstacles that cameras and radar may not resolve clearly in low-light or adverse conditions.
The EX90’s complete sensor array includes 5 cameras, 5 radar units, 16 ultrasonic sensors, and the LiDAR unit. City Safety automatic emergency braking works across this sensor fusion to detect pedestrians, cyclists, large animals, and other vehicles with greater precision and at longer detection ranges than systems relying on cameras and radar alone.
BMW’s iX safety technology is excellent by any conventional standard, with front and rear automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and BMW’s full driver assistance suite. It does not include LiDAR. The gap in sensor sophistication between the EX90 and iX reflects Volvo’s singular focus on safety technology investment.
The Mercedes EQS SUV includes the Drive Pilot system for Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving in specific conditions - an impressive technology achievement. Its active safety suite is comprehensive, though again without LiDAR.
You can verify current NHTSA ratings for all three vehicles at NHTSA vehicle safety ratings.
"The EX90's LiDAR sensor is a genuine industry first, not a marketing claim. When we explain the sensor fusion - the cameras, the radar, and then the LiDAR creating a 3D environment model at highway speeds - buyers who've been considering the BMW or Mercedes often stop and reconsider. Safety technology at this level is what North Shore families are actually buying."
General Manager, Volvo Cars of Huntington
Range and Charging Performance
The BMW iX xDrive50 leads this comparison on EPA range at approximately 324 miles - the most capable range figure of the three. Real-world range on Long Island mixed driving runs approximately 260-290 miles, which provides comfortable coverage for daily use and occasional Manhattan runs without mid-trip charging anxiety.
The Volvo EX90 Twin Motor delivers approximately 300 miles EPA in the standard configuration. Real-world range for North Shore Suffolk County driving runs approximately 245-275 miles - adequate for the vast majority of daily and weekend use cases, and comfortable for the Huntington-to-Manhattan round trip.
The Mercedes EQS 450+ SUV delivers approximately 305 miles EPA. Real-world range is similar to the EX90, with the caveat that the EQS SUV’s larger size and weight affect efficiency in stop-and-go Suffolk County traffic.
All three vehicles support DC fast charging above 150 kW, making public fast charging stops efficient for longer road trips. Home Level 2 charging overnight handles the vast majority of daily needs for all three.
Interior Experience and Technology
The Mercedes EQS SUV interior is the most opulent of the three. The Hyperscreen option spans nearly the full dashboard width with three integrated displays - an architectural statement that signals luxury in the most unmistakable terms. Material quality throughout is at the pinnacle of automotive luxury. For buyers whose primary criterion is cabin experience, the EQS SUV is the class reference.
The BMW iX interior reflects BMW’s design language applied to an EV-native platform - a clean, modern Bavarian aesthetic with premium materials and the excellent iDrive 8 infotainment system. It is unquestionably premium, though it doesn’t attempt the EQS SUV’s show-stopping opulence.
The EX90 interior takes Volvo’s Scandinavian design philosophy to its fullest expression. The Google-built infotainment system, panoramic glass roof, sustainable material choices, and clean dashboard layout produce an environment that feels thoughtfully designed rather than lavishly appointed. The EX90’s interior is premium without ostentation - a different but equally deliberate point of view.
Price and Value: The EX90’s Advantage
The EX90 starts at approximately $79,990 for the Twin Motor configuration - the lowest purchase price of the three vehicles by a significant margin. The BMW iX xDrive50 starts at approximately $86,100. The Mercedes EQS 450+ SUV starts at approximately $104,400.
For Huntington buyers who value safety technology leadership, seven-seat family capability, and the EX90’s comprehensive technology package, that $6,000-$24,000 purchase price advantage over the alternatives is a meaningful consideration. The EX90 is not a budget vehicle - but it is exceptional value at its price point relative to what the competition charges.
Luxury Electric SUV Comparison Scorecard
| Factor | Volvo EX90 | BMW iX xDrive50 | Mercedes EQS SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA Range | ~300 mi | ✓ ~324 mi | ~305 mi |
| Safety Technology | ✓ LiDAR + Full Suite | Excellent | Excellent |
| 7-Seat Capability | ✓ Standard | 5 seats only | Optional |
| Starting MSRP | ✓ ~$79,990 | ~$86,100 | ~$104,400 |
| Interior Luxury | Scandinavian premium | Bavarian sport-luxury | ✓ Ultra-luxury |
FAQ: EX90 vs. BMW iX vs. Mercedes EQS SUV
Which luxury EV has the best safety technology? The Volvo EX90 leads with LiDAR - a sensor technology that creates three-dimensional environment mapping and improves detection in low-light and adverse conditions. No other production SUV includes LiDAR. For safety-first buyers, the EX90 is the clear choice.
Which of these three EVs is best for families? The EX90 offers the most practical family configuration: 7 seats standard, a genuinely useful third row, and family-appropriate cargo space. The BMW iX’s 5-seat limitation removes it from consideration for larger families. The Mercedes EQS SUV’s optional third row is smaller and less practical than the EX90’s.
How much more does the EQS SUV cost than the EX90? The Mercedes EQS 450+ SUV starts approximately $24,000 higher than the EX90. At that premium, Mercedes delivers an ultra-luxury interior experience and powerful brand prestige - but not LiDAR safety technology or standard 7-seat capability.
Is the BMW iX worth the premium over the EX90? The iX provides approximately 24 more EPA miles of range and strong driving dynamics in a 5-seat package. For buyers who don’t need a third row and prioritize range and BMW’s driving character, the iX makes a legitimate case. For buyers who need 7 seats or want LiDAR, the EX90 wins.
Can I get the EX90 at Volvo Cars of Huntington? Yes. Volvo Cars of Huntington serves Huntington, Northport, Commack, and the broader Suffolk County market with EX90 inventory and scheduled test drives.
The Volvo EX90 stands apart in the luxury electric SUV segment through safety technology that no competitor currently matches - LiDAR sensor fusion that represents a genuine step forward in occupant and pedestrian protection. For North Shore Suffolk County families who want the safest large luxury EV available, the EX90 makes a compelling case at a price point meaningfully below its German competitors.
Visit Volvo Cars of Huntington to schedule an EX90 test drive and explore current availability.