When shopping for a new Volvo at Merrimack Street Volvo Cars, you’ll find a variety of trim levels to choose from. Our team prepared this comparison of two popular trims: Core and Plus. Both embody the Volvo brand’s signature safety engineering and clean Scandinavian design ethos, but appeal to different driving habits and lifestyles. signature safety engineering and a clean Scandinavian design ethos, but they appeal to different driving habits and lifestyles. Take a closer look at what makes each trim unique and how its features can shape your daily drive.
Trim Level: Core – for sale Near Bedford, NH
The Volvo Core trim is designed to cover the essentials without excess. It works well for drivers who look for safety, usability, and long-term reliability over decorative upgrades.
Performance Capabilities: Most Core variants, like those for the Volvo XC40 and XC60, use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The hybrid system supports the engine during takeoff and low-speed driving, reducing fuel consumption and smoothing power delivery in traffic-heavy areas around Manchester. It also recaptures braking energy rather than wasting it as heat, improving efficiency during daily stop-and-go driving. AWD provides increased traction and control on slick or icy roads, as well as on uneven or unpaved surfaces throughout southern New Hampshire.
Interior Amenities: Core trim interiors emphasize convenience and utility. A 12.3-inch digital driver display presents speed, navigation prompts, and safety alerts in a single field of view. The 9-inch touchscreen features Google-based infotainment, enabling built-in navigation, voice commands, and app integration, eliminating the need for your phone for every function. That matters on longer commutes toward Bedford, NH, where hands-free usability reduces distraction.
Safety Features: Safety technology is extensive at the Core level. Features such as Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, and automatic emergency braking operate continuously in the background. These systems exist to reduce fatigue and reaction time, particularly during congested driving or poor visibility conditions.
Trim Level: Plus – for sale Near Merrimack
The Volvo Plus trim builds on the Core foundation, adding features that eliminate minor annoyances in daily driving and emphasize convenience, comfort, and increased situational awareness.
Interior Amenities: Cabin materials also change meaningfully. Plus variants often feature upgraded leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and multi-zone climate control. Ventilated seating actively circulates air through the seat cushions, which improves comfort during humid summer drives and longer trips. Heated rear seats and heated steering wheels further support year-round usability.
Advanced Technology: Upgrades extend beyond comfort. Integrated navigation with real-time traffic data automatically adjusts routes, which is especially useful during peak travel times near Merrimack. A head-up display projects speed, navigation directions, and safety warnings onto the windshield, reducing the need to shift focus away from the road.
Safety Features: Plus trims may also include Pilot Assist, the most advanced driver support system from Volvo. Adaptive cruise control and lane centering assistance help reduce stress during long drives. One of the most noticeable upgrades is the 360-degree surround-view camera system, which stitches together multiple exterior cameras to provide a real-time overhead view of the vehicle. It simplifies parking in tight areas around Derry and reduces the chance of curb damage or blind spot mishaps.
Choosing the Right Volvo Trim Near Londonderry, NH
The Volvo Core trim suits drivers who want advanced safety, modern infotainment, and efficient powertrain technology without paying for luxury extras. It works especially well for commuting, family use, and long-term ownership value.
The Volvo Plus trim fits drivers who spend more time in their vehicle and want features that reduce stress, increase comfort, and simplify daily routines. The upgrades focus on usability rather than appearance, which makes the added cost easier to justify.
Visit Us Today at Merrimack Street Volvo Cars
See the difference between Core and Plus trims today at our Manchester, NH, showroom. Climb inside the driver and passenger seats for hands-on comparison of upholstery and surface materials, technology systems, and other amenities. Both trims reflect Volvo’s commitment to intelligent design and safety-first engineering. Visit Merrimack Street Volvo Cars today to explore the lineup and schedule a test drive.