2025 Automotive Interior Design Commendation – Volvo EX90
- Published on: 5 February 2026
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GOOD DESIGN AUSTRALIA’S AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN COMMENDATION IS A SPECIAL ACCOLADE WITHIN THE AUTOMOTIVE AND TRANSPORT CATEGORY THAT RECOGNISES EXCELLENCE IN AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN AND STYLING.
Calm is the ultimate luxury, and you feel it the moment you step into the Volvo EX90. Designed for families who value space and style, the seven-seat SUV received the 2025 Automotive Interior Design Commendation.
The cabin feels like a modern Scandinavian living room. Sunlight floods through the panoramic roof, illuminating seats sculpted for long journeys and layouts that adapt seamlessly to children, cargo, or both.
Serenity in motion
We spoke with Lisa Reeves, Head of Interior Design at Volvo Cars, about how interior design shapes the way we connect with space.
“As a designer, I’m always interested in how space makes people feel. For the EX90, it begins with that immediate sense of calm you associate with a living room, a feeling of light, spaciousness, and comfort, where everything feels intuitive and considered,” said Lisa.
“Translating that into an SUV that is also engineered to perform and protect you in critical moments is both a responsibility and an inspiration. We worked with lightweight proportions and an open, airy layout, so the interior feels welcoming rather than imposing,” she added.
“By integrating intelligent technology into soft, harmonious forms, we aim to create an environment where you feel relaxed, cared for, and confidently in control, reflecting both Scandinavian design principles and the quiet confidence of an electric Volvo.”
2025 Automotive Interior Design Commendation – Volvo EX90. Image: Supplied
Responsible luxury
Every detail of the EX90 is considered. It’s not about flashy features – it’s about simplicity, comfort, and natural materials.
“Sustainability and tactility were central to the EX90’s material choices,” Lisa said.
“We selected premium, responsibly sourced materials that feel natural and inviting, creating a tactile, comforting cabin experience. Upholstery options include a soft, durable wool blend and Nordico, a leather-like material made from recycled PET bottles and bio-attributed materials from Swedish and Finnish forests,” she added.
“These are paired with calming interior colour themes and carefully chosen décor elements to ensure a refined, luxurious atmosphere. Every material was chosen not only for its feel and quality but also to reflect Volvo’s commitment to a sustainable, human-centric design philosophy.”
Some design elements required pushing boundaries. One standout example is the illuminated backlit wood – real wood panels subtly lit from behind to highlight their natural grain and create a warm, inviting glow throughout the cabin.
“The illuminated backlit wood was a challenge. It was a new concept and took some development testing,” Lisa said.
“Features like the shaping of the natural wood and the illumination are an example of combining art and engineering to create crafted sophistication. These are features of high emotional value and create an extraordinary design.”
Recognising the care and innovation behind the design, the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards’ Jury highlighted how the interior combines complementary styles and materials into a harmonious, inviting space.
“Nicely styled and well executed, including thoughtful material selection. A standout example of automotive design excellence and highly worthy of recognition. Volvo sets a high benchmark for good design in this category,” the Jury said.
Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor. Image: Supplied
A new era for Volvo in electrification, technology, and safety
Volvo’s design team emphasised that from the start, electrification, technology, and safety shaped their approach to the interior.
“Choosing an electric car with advanced technology comes with an expectation of seamless functionality, and creating a sense of ease and trust was a conscious design decision,” Lisa said.
“The electric platform gave us the freedom to rethink proportions and focus on clarity rather than complexity.”
“Lightweight volumes and balanced geometry create an interior that feels intuitive and composed, while technologies such as the 14.5-inch centre display, head-up display, and premium audio systems are integrated to support the experience without overwhelming it,” she added.
Safety is always central to Volvo’s design process.
“The advanced safety systems define the volume framework of the interior, and from that foundation, we create the key lines and forms”, Lisa explained.
“Our goal was to make these elements feel extraordinary and eye-catching without being loud, and clear without feeling minimalist. Striking the balance between pure, harmonious shapes and intuitive readability is what makes the interior feel both safe and inviting, without compromising simplicity or comfort.”
This attention to safety was also a standout to the Jury.
“Packed with intuitive safety technology, the EX90 is unmistakably Volvo in both design and style. Its design language, built on decades of expertise, positions safety as a must-have and defines what high-end truly means,” the Jury said.
Designing luxury without compromise
At every touchpoint, design principles informed the ergonomics and spatial layout, ensuring comfort for every occupant.
“Our guiding principles were inclusivity, comfort, and intuitive functionality”, said Lisa.
“Controls and displays are thoughtfully positioned for natural reach and visibility, while seats with heating, ventilation, and massage options enhance personal comfort.”
“Thoughtful details such as charging ports, cupholders, generous storage, and a flat second-row floor ensure comfort and practicality for everyone, so refinement and family functionality coexist seamlessly,” she added.
From soft, ambient lighting to nature-inspired materials, every element is designed to put occupants at ease, while twin motors deliver confident performance. It’s everything families would want in a car, and more.
“In the EX90, families don’t have to compromise on luxury. Precious materials at eye level create an emotional connection, while durable finishes handle everyday life,” Lisa said.
“The EX90 interior points to the future of Volvo design by combining calm, human-centered spaces with seamless technology.”
“It shows how we can create spacious, balanced, and intuitive interiors that are emotionally connected, inclusive, and confident, where comfort, safety, and innovation naturally create a premium balance,” Lisa added.
Shaping the future of automotive design
This vehicle showcases that exceptional automotive design emerges when disciplines work together from the outset.
“This cohesion starts with teamwork. From the very start, UX, CMF, engineering, and design worked together as one team. This close collaboration ensures every detail – from materials and controls to displays and seating – is intentional and cohesive, creating an interior that feels seamless, intuitive, and fully integrated,” Lisa said.
“When asked what she hopes the interior conveys, Lisa added: ‘The EX90 interior is “just enough”. Nothing could be added, nothing taken away. I hope this idea resonates with people, reminding them to value what truly brings calm and purpose into their lives. Every detail is carefully considered, creating a serene, balanced space where luxury feels effortless, intuitive, and complete, offering comfort and wellbeing for everyone on board.’”
“The EX90 is a good example of design restraint and confidence that less is more. The car world needs more of this. The Volvo EX90 builds upon the well-earned reputation of safe and efficient family transport,” the Jury added.
Good Design Australia congratulates Volvo for showing how thoughtful collaboration and restrained, human-centred design can create interiors that are both elegant and deeply valued by families.
