2026 Volvo EX40 Ultra: New York City Buyers Guide

Quick Answer: The 2026 EX40 Ultra

The EX40 Ultra starts at $60,750 before the $1,395 destination charge, and it comes only one way: Twin Motor all-wheel drive, 402 horsepower, 494 lb-ft, a 4.6-second 0-60 time, and an EPA-estimated 260 miles of range from the same 82.0 kWh battery every EX40 shares. New for 2026, the Black Edition appearance package — gloss black exterior trim and 20-inch black alloy wheels — comes standard on Ultra rather than sold as an add-on, so Volvo now markets the two together as the "EX40 Black Edition Ultra." It's the fastest, best-equipped way into Volvo's smallest electric SUV.

Black Edition, standard — not an option box

This is the detail worth getting right before you shop: Black Edition isn't something you check off on an order sheet for extra money on the Ultra. Volvo bundles it in as part of what the Ultra equipment level is, badging the combination "EX40 Black Edition Ultra" rather than offering a plain Ultra alongside a dressed-up one. That means every Ultra on the lot carries the gloss black exterior trim, the 20-inch black alloy wheels, and the black-out styling cues inside and out — there's no cheaper Ultra without it, and there's no way to add Black Edition to a Plus. If the all-black look isn't for you, Plus is where the more traditional trim finishes live.

Why Ultra is Twin Motor only — and what that buys you

Where the Plus offers a genuine choice of powertrains, the Ultra doesn't: it's Twin Motor all-wheel drive, full stop. That's 402 horsepower and 494 lb-ft split across both axles, a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds that's genuinely quick for a compact SUV, and EPA estimates of 103 city / 85 highway / 94 combined MPGe for up to 260 miles of range. Volvo's logic is straightforward — pairing the top trim with the top powertrain rather than letting a buyer stack the Black Edition look onto the range-focused rear-drive setup — and in practice it means Ultra buyers aren't choosing between performance and all-weather traction the way Plus buyers are. They get both, at the cost of roughly 36 miles of range compared to the Single Motor Extended Range option available on Plus.

What Ultra adds over Plus

Beyond the guaranteed all-wheel drive and the Black Edition styling, Ultra carries everything standard on Plus — the panoramic roof, 360-degree camera, air purification with remote pre-cleaning, Google built-in with four years of included services, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — and layers the 20-inch black wheels and blacked-out trim on top rather than replacing anything. Curb weight lands at 4,623 lb for the Twin Motor setup, and max towing holds at 2,000 lb, same as every other EX40 configuration. It's less a different car than the same platform pushed to its equipment and performance ceiling.

Driving it here

The 4.6-second 0-60 is a real number, but the more useful one day-to-day is the all-wheel-drive margin it comes with. A West Side Highway on-ramp in a February sleet storm, a wet approach to the Lincoln Tunnel, a quick merge into aggressive FDR traffic — Twin Motor's standard AWD is the kind of thing you don't think about until the one week a year you're grateful for it. Regenerative braking also does more of the day-to-day slowing in stop-and-go Manhattan traffic than a driver coming from a gas car expects, which tends to mean less wear on the physical brake components over the ownership period.

What buyers say about going electric here

The EX40 Black Edition Ultra is new enough for 2026 that trim-specific reviews haven't accumulated yet, but Volvo Cars Manhattan's record on electrified purchases generally is a long one. A buyer who traded a Tesla in for a Volvo purchased with Justin Hack put it plainly: "Bought a used Tesla Model X — came from out of state. Easy transaction and very clean vehicle... Kudos to Justin Hack who was the salesman who made it seamless. Justin worked very closely with me and in constant communication throughout the process," wrote Arif K. Another customer who chose a plug-in Volvo over eleven other dealership visits credited the same team: "Cannot say enough good — no GREAT — things about working with Justin Hack to buy my XC90 PHEV. I spoke with no less than 12 other dealerships... and I bought from Justin," wrote Rob G. That's the sales experience an Ultra buyer walks into.

Frequently asked questions

Is Black Edition an option on the EX40 Ultra?

No — it's standard equipment bundled into the Ultra trim for 2026, not a separate purchase. Every Ultra carries the gloss black trim and 20-inch black wheels; there's no way to buy a plain Ultra or to add Black Edition to a Plus.

Can I get the EX40 Ultra with rear-wheel drive?

No. Ultra is Twin Motor all-wheel drive only. If rear-wheel drive and maximum range matter more to you than the Ultra's power and standard AWD, the Single Motor Extended Range option on the EX40 Plus is the way to get it.

How fast is the EX40 Ultra?

0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, courtesy of 402 horsepower and 494 lb-ft split across both axles — genuinely quick for a compact SUV in this segment.

What's the range difference between Ultra and the Single Motor Plus?

Ultra's Twin Motor powertrain is EPA-estimated at up to 260 miles combined; Single Motor Extended Range on the Plus reaches 296 miles. The roughly 36-mile gap is the tradeoff for Ultra's standard all-wheel drive and extra power.

Where can I see an EX40 Ultra in person?

It's on the floor at Volvo Cars Manhattan, 565 11th Avenue. Check current inventory or reach out through the contact page to confirm what's on the lot.

Compare it against the Plus

Specs only carry the decision so far — sitting in a Plus next to an Ultra for five minutes tends to settle the rest. Both trims sit on the same showroom floor, and the EX40 Plus guide lays out exactly what the Ultra adds for the difference in price.