It won’t be long before Volvo’s all-electric ES90 is cruising the streets of South Africa. We think. Volvo South Africa is being a little cagey about the specifics, but we know it’s expected to turn up sometime during Q1 2026. The company today detailed the upcoming EV’s three trim levels: Core, Plus, and Ultra.
“Bringing the ES90 to South Africa has been a long-anticipated moment,” said Grant Locke, MD of Volvo SA. “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.”
Volvo ES90 Plus Ultra
Kicking things off is the ES90 Core, AKA the cheapest of the lot. This is Volvo’s flagship we’re talking about, however, which should give you some idea of the “generously equipped” interior, even if it is only the Core model. Nordico upholstery covers the seats here, the front two of which are heated and power-adjustable. Volvo sought convenience by adding a heads-up display (HUD), Park Pilot Assist, and a reverse-view camera to cap it all.
The safety features included in the Core, which include adaptive cruise control and the like, come standard in the Plus and Ultra models, too. The ES90 Plus ups the ante by offering a choice of Nordico or Nappa leather, while the seats boast better lumbar support, a four-way system up from the Core’s two. A 360-degree camera is packed in at an extra cost, while a power-adjustable steering column replaces the Core’s manual adjustment feature.
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The ES90 peaks at the Ultra trim, building on everything that came before it. That means Zinc Tailored Wool Blend upholstery on the seats — the only variant to offer it. The front seats are loaded with massage powers, while the peasants in the back must make do with a powered seat recliner and a “luxury armrest”. HD headlamps (with standard headlamp cleaning) and a 360-degree parking camera, which comes standard in the Ultra.
Pricing, an official launch date, and the ES90’s powertrain options have yet to be revealed in South Africa, though Volvo reckons it won’t be long now. It seems that when the EV flagship does arrive, Volvo SA will limit buyers to the Ultra spec at first, before rolling out the Core and Plus trims at a later date.
