Inside Volvo’s ES90 range: what Ultra, Plus and Core bring to the table

VOLVO’S new all-electric ES90 is set to arrive in South Africa in Q1 2026, expanding the brand’s local battery-electric lineup to six models and introducing a new luxury sedan positioned around comfort, technology and refinement.

The ES90 range will comprise three trim levels — Core, Plus and Ultra — each building progressively on the last. While the local launch will initially be limited to the flagship Ultra specification, the full line-up offers a clear picture of how the ES90 is structured and what buyers can expect at each level.

Core: the foundation

The ES90 Core establishes the baseline for the range, offering a strong balance of comfort, technology and safety.

Standard features include four-zone climate control and an advanced air quality system, creating a consistently comfortable cabin environment. A panoramic roof allows natural light into the minimalist interior, which is upholstered in Nordico and finished with Dark Matter décor trims.

The front seats are power-adjustable with two-way lumbar support and come standard with heating. Practical features include a power-operated tailgate, rear parking camera, rain sensor, head-up display and Park Assist Pilot.

Safety is a central focus of the Core specification. Driver assistance systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Run-off Road Mitigation, Collision Avoidance and Mitigation, and a driver understanding system. 

Passive safety features include driver and passenger front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, inflatable curtains, Side Impact Protection System airbags, whiplash protection for the front seats, and ISOFIX anchorages for the outer rear seats.

Plus: added comfort and choice

The ES90 Plus builds on the Core by introducing additional comfort, personalisation and luxury-oriented upgrades.

In addition to all Core features, the Plus includes an air purification system with an advanced air cleaner. Upholstery options expand beyond standard Nordico to include ventilated Nordico or Nappa leather, while the front seats gain four-way lumbar support in place of the Core’s two-way system.

Customers can choose from a wider range of interior colours, including White, Fog Melange/White, Cardamom and Charcoal. Front-seat cushion extensions enhance long-distance comfort, and rear seat ventilation is offered as an optional feature.

Interior ambience is elevated through High-level interior illumination, replacing the Mid-level system in the Core. Optional Birch and Light Ash décor trims allow further customisation. A 360-degree parking camera is available as an option, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist can be specified as part of a package. The steering column becomes power-adjustable rather than manual.

Ultra: the flagship

At the top of the ES90 range sits the Ultra, the most comprehensively equipped and luxurious version of the sedan — and the specification with which the ES90 will initially be offered in South Africa.

The Ultra adds tinted windows, an electrochromic panoramic roof, laminated side and rear window glass, and power-release doors with soft-close functionality. It is the only ES90 variant available with Zinc Tailored Wool Blend upholstery.

Front seats gain power-adjustable side support and a massage function, while rear passengers benefit from a power rear-seat recliner and a luxury armrest. HD headlamps with standard headlamp cleaning are included, and a 360-degree parking camera is fitted as standard.

Looking ahead

“Bringing the ES90 to South Africa has been a long-anticipated moment,” said Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa. “It represents our vision of modern luxury and driving enjoyment, and we cannot wait for customers here to experience it for themselves as the next chapter of our product journey unfolds.”

Further details, including pricing, availability and powertrain options, will be announced closer to the local market launch, with the ES90 initially offered exclusively in Ultra specification.