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The Drive’s Andrew P. Collins praised the 2026 Volvo EX90’s compact seat-adjustment switch after a week of testing, saying its combined controls felt natural to use. He criticized the EX90’s similar window controls, which require toggling two switches between four windows, and said the simpler approach worked better for seats than for frequently used windows.
The 2026 Volvo EX90 uses a single physical switch to handle several seat adjustments, and The Drive’s Andrew P. Collins said he found the setup unusually easy to use after a week with the electric SUV. His review also draws a distinction between that control and the EX90’s two-switch system for four power windows, which he disliked because it requires changing which pair of windows the switches operate.
In The Drive report, Collins describes the EX90’s seat control as a square physical switch that moves the seat forward and backward or up and down. A button in its center changes the switch’s function, allowing it to adjust seat tilt and lumbar support. For vehicles equipped with massage, Collins says related options appear on the main touchscreen.
Collins writes that the control felt natural and ranked among his favorite seat switches in recent experience. He contrasts it with the more numerous adjustment buttons commonly found in luxury cars, where separate switches typically move the seat base and backrest. His positive assessment is a reviewer’s firsthand impression, not a reported consumer survey or a claim that the design is better for every driver.
The window system uses a similar consolidation strategy but drew the opposite response. According to Collins, the EX90 has two window switches for four windows; the driver toggles between front and rear windows rather than using a dedicated switch for each one. He says this is frustrating in his own routine because he often raises and lowers the rear windows while driving with his dog. The article also mentions testing Volvo’s original-equipment dog seatbelts, but offers no detailed findings about them in the material provided.
Why the Seat Switch Works Better
The report highlights a practical question for drivers as car interiors use fewer physical controls: does combining functions simplify a task or add steps? Collins’s experience suggests that the answer can depend on how often a control is used. Seat position is generally adjusted before a drive and then left alone, so one switch with a clear mode button can reduce the number of controls without creating repeated work.
Windows are different in his account. A driver who frequently opens and closes multiple windows may have to make repeated selections when the controls are shared. The distinction matters to people evaluating the EX90’s cabin: a minimalist layout can feel streamlined in one area and less convenient in another. The article presents an individual review, however, and does not establish how other owners or passengers will rate either system.
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Two Controls, Different Routines
Collins frames the seat switch as one positive detail in a week of testing the 2026 Volvo EX90, saying his broader impressions of the vehicle were mixed. The source material does not provide those other findings, so the seat-control assessment should not be read as an overall verdict on the SUV.
The report compares Volvo’s approach with a familiar arrangement in many luxury cars: multiple seat-shaped switches that independently move the seat base and backrest. The EX90 instead assigns multiple functions to one switch, with its center button acting as a mode selector. Collins says massage options, when available, are handled through the screen. His comparison is about the experience of using those controls; the source does not provide design documents, pricing information, or confirmation of Volvo’s reasons for choosing them.
Collins speculates that using fewer buttons may be a cost-saving measure, but the report does not confirm that explanation. He describes the window layout as manufacturing efficiency presented as minimalism, which is his interpretation rather than a stated rationale from Volvo. No company comment explaining either control design is included in the source material.
“This is one area of HMI where I’m actually on board with the idea of ‘less is more.’”
— Andrew P. Collins, The Drive
What the Review Does Not Establish
The report does not establish whether Volvo chose the controls to reduce manufacturing costs; Collins raises that possibility but supplies no company confirmation. It also provides no sales, reliability, usability-test, or owner-survey data to show how the designs perform across different drivers. The article does not specify which EX90 trim or equipment configuration was tested, beyond noting that massage options depend on whether the vehicle is so equipped.
Collins’s criticism of the window controls is tied partly to his own driving routine, including regularly lowering the rear windows for his dog. It is not clear from the supplied material whether the window system can be configured differently, whether other control options are available, or whether Volvo has changed the design for later model years.
More EX90 Test Findings Pending
Collins said his week-long EX90 test produced mixed impressions and indicated that he would discuss those in more detail later. The source material does not give a date for additional reporting or identify any announced Volvo change to the seat or window controls. For now, the specific finding is limited: one reviewer liked the seat switch, disliked the window arrangement, and offered no evidence that Volvo plans to revise either system.
Key Questions
How does the 2026 Volvo EX90 seat-adjustment switch work?
The EX90 uses a square physical switch for several seat movements. Collins says it controls forward-back and up-down movement; a center button changes its function to seat tilt and lumbar adjustment. Massage options, if fitted, appear on the main screen.
What did The Drive reviewer like about the seat control?
Andrew P. Collins said the switch felt natural and easy to use during a week of testing. He described it as one of his favorite seat controls in recent experience. That is his personal review assessment, not a standardized test result.
Why did the reviewer criticize the EX90’s window switches?
According to Collins, the EX90 has two switches for four power windows, so users toggle between the front and rear pairs. He found the extra selection step inconvenient because he frequently adjusts the rear windows while driving.
Did Volvo confirm that the simpler controls are intended to cut costs?
No such confirmation appears in the report. Collins speculated that using fewer buttons may reduce construction costs, but the source does not include an explanation from Volvo.
Does the review show that all drivers will prefer the seat switch?
No. The report records one reviewer’s experience and does not include broader driver testing or owner feedback. Different drivers may have different preferences, and the article does not compare the control across EX90 trims or configurations.
Source: thedrive.com
