Aesthetic changes inside and out manage to give one of Gothenburg’s most popular electric-only models a newly found sense of maturity, while new tech makes it safer than ever.
Volvo has unveiled an updated version of its all-electric EX40, which is spearheaded by a more mature design, improved cabin quality, and a raft of new safety features.
Initially named the XC40 Recharge, the EX40 was introduced in 2020 as an all-electric version of the Volvo XC40 crossover and renamed in 2024 to align with Gothenburg’s plans for a full EX-branded EV range.
Now it has undergone a midlife refresh to keep it relevant in an increasingly competitive world, building on three pillars: Design, interaction, and safety. We went to find out if one of the littlest Swedes lives up to the billing.
New Volvo EX40 exterior design
The new EX40 is still very much an EX40. The C-segment crossover measures just over 4.4 metres long, and 2m wide, retaining the elevated ride height and the distinctive kinked C-pillar of the outgoing car. The biggest changes are at the front and rear.
The closed off ‘grille’ found on the outgoing EX40 remains, but the new car’s upgraded unit has been offset with a smooth-fronted bonnet to deliver what EX40 designer Alain Snoodijk describes as a “robustness” and a “confident character”.
On either side of the grille sit newly interpreted versions of Volvo’s signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights, which now feature an LED matrix lighting system. Working together, the new grille, bumper, bonnet, and front wings build a premium aesthetic that isn’t dissimilar to a shrunken down version of the flagship EX90.
Around the back, the new panels continue courtesy of a redesigned bumper and a new tailgate, while the EX40’s distinctive vertical rear lights also benefit from the LED treatment and a softer design.
When asked by EV Powered to describe the EX40’s exterior design changes, Snoodijk explained: “When I started at Volvo five years ago and I first saw the EX40, it reminded me of a little puppy – a kind of strong stance, a little chubby in the good way, and with a robust playfulness.
“With the new car, it still has this puppy character, but has grown up a little. It still has the same character and it’s the same animal, but it has a bit more of a mature expression.”
Volvo offers the new EX40 with a choice of 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch diamond cut alloy wheels depending on powertrain.
Interior design
The biggest change to the new Volvo EX40’s cabin is dropping the centrally-mounted nine-inch touchscreen for an 11.2-inch unit. The system runs on the latest version of Gemini, Google’s AI assistant and enables the driver to interact naturally with the vehicle.
Volvo cites Gemini’s accuracy as its reasoning to do away with physical buttons for the climate control and other key car functions. While the system’s voice recognition proved accurate in the studio where we encountered the car, we have yet to test it in the real world where Volvo says it will also be able to plan routes with charging stops along the way.
The screen’s graphics have also been updated, and are much sharper than the outgoing car’s ageing system. Volvo promises that over-the-air (OTA) updates will keep the EX40 relevant in the ultra-competitive compact SUV market.
Elsewhere, the EX40’s cabin is traditional, old-school Volvo. Available in either subtle dark or muted light tones, the new high-quality fabrics and soft-touch plastics throughout align with the brand’s principle of quiet luxury and are a very much welcome return to form. The same can be said for the physical buttons on the steering wheel for the stereo, assisted cruise control, and digital driver binnacle layout.
Of particular note is the new black aluminium trim with silver dogtoothing. In addition to being a much-welcome antidote to Piano Black, this contrasting colour scheme gives the new EX40 a sense of much-welcomed Volvoness absent from models such as the EX30 and early EX90s.
When paired with the new soft white lighting signature that cascades over the dashboard and door trims, the new EX40’s cabin packs a laid-backness that’s a stark contrast to the shoutiness of some German rivals. The trim cards are also now concave to accentuate the interior lighting and the direction to which it falls.
Inside the doors, the cavernous storage bins remain and are trimmed in a tasteful, robust-feeling fabric, while a twin-mobile phone charger, and huge space beneath the central front arm rest show that Volvo hasn’t forgotten its practical roots.
New Volvo EX40 technology
Like all Volvos, the EX40 is built around what its safety architect, Isabelle Stockman, labels the “Volvo Car Safety Standards”. This is a Volvo data set dating back to 1970, which takes information from real-world accidents and uses it to inform Volvo’s latest safety innovations.
We don’t have space to list every safety feature that Volvo has pioneered, but don’t forget that Gothenburg is responsible for – amongst others – the three-point safety belt, the rear-facing child safety belt, side airbags, and pedestrian detection with full auto brake.
The new EX40 comes with new cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors front and rear, with updated software to match. Its latest ADAS suite ushers in automatic emergency steering, automatic emergency braking, plus collision avoidance and mitigation.
The new EX40 introduces Volvo’s door opening alert, which aims to avoid opening doors into the path of any oncoming cyclists, while a new 360-degree camera with 3D view, and a Pilot Pack with lane change assist are optional extras.
New Volvo EX40 trim levels and pricing
Pricing for the new Volvo EX40 will be announced in the fourth quarter of this year, along with full specs, trim levels, and a date for order books opening. For now, the biggest change in terms of trim levels has been bringing the EX40 in line with the new EX60. The available models are the P5 Long Range, and the P8 AWD. The P5 packs 248bhp, while the P8 has a hefty 402bhp.
The P5 is a single-motor car, while the P8 is twin-motor. Their range depends entirely on the size of the battery and electric motor.
Battery and range
Volvo has changed almost nothing under the new EX40’s skin – it still rides on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) developed by parent company Geely, and has a single choice of battery – a 79kWh pack on both models.
Volvo confirmed that range figures are preliminary, but the P5 has a quoted range of up to 358 miles (a 1.9-mile increase over the existing car), while P8 cars can travel up to 335.5 miles on a single charge (a 3.1-mile jump).
Click here to watch our walkaround video of the new Volvo EX40.
