Next-Level Luxury: What Is the Volvo Ultimate Trim?

Ultimate is more than just a name for these exclusive Volvos.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Feb 15, 2024 | 3 min read

Volvo

The Volvo Ultimate trim stands at the top of the Volvo model lineup for most of the automaker's vehicles. Ultimate level cars and SUVs are intended to deliver next-level style, comfort, and design, in competition with other luxury brands from Asia, Europe, and North America.

Here's what the Volvo Ultimate trim brings to the table.

Volvo

What Vehicles Offer the Volvo Ultimate Trim?

The Ultimate trim takes the top spot on the build sheet for almost every vehicle manufactured by Volvo. This means that the compact S60 and midsize S90 sedans (and their Recharge plug-in hybrid versions), the sub-compact XC40 and C40 Recharge, compact XC60 and midsize XC90 SUVs (as well as their Recharge models), plus the compact V60 Cross Country and midsize V90 Cross Country wagons all offer the Ultimate trim. In most cases, the only trim available below the Ultimate is the Plus.

There are three exceptions to the Ultimate's superiority in the Volvo showroom. The V60 Recharge wagon is found solely in Polestar Engineered trim (a high-performance, sport-oriented model), while the XC60 Recharge SUV sees the Polestar Engineered as the most expensive trim, positioned above Ultimate.

Volvo

What Does the Volvo Ultimate Trim Deliver?

Ultimate-trim Volvos offer the highest level of features and equipment, but that gear varies from model to model. For battery-electric vehicles such as the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, for example, the trim level includes a heat pump for the battery pack, a more extensive range of driver's aides, a heated steering wheel and rear heated seats, and a Harman Kardon audio system — all of which are additions on top of the Plus trim level, which sits beneath Ultimate.

For larger models such as the Volvo XC90 and the XC90 Recharge, the Ultimate adds a head-up display, a crystal gear selector knob sourced from Swedish design house Orrefors, unique gray ash wood interior trim, and nappa leather seats matched with Ultimate-specific leather upholstery on the doors and dash panels. These features are also duplicated on the V60 Cross Country wagon and the XC60 SUV. However, some gas-only Volvos — such as the S60 sedan and the XC40 SUV — do not have all of these premium features.

Every Volvo Ultimate trim also includes the brand's Diamond Cut alloy wheels, ranging in size from 19 to nearly 22 inches (depending on the vehicle).

Volvo

How Much Does the Volvo Ultimate Trim Cost?

The most affordable 2023 Volvo Ultimate trim is found on the gas edition of the XC40, starting about $51,000 — a price representing a nearly $4,000 surcharge over the mid-tier Plus model. The most expensive is the XC90 Recharge Ultimate, which costs about $81,000, or about $6,000 above the Plus version.

If you're shopping for an all-electric Volvo in the Ultimate trim, the XC40 Recharge and its C40 Recharge sibling both come in at around $60,000.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.