Written by Ted Welford Published: 1 March 2024 Updated: 1 March 2024

Overview

The Volvo XC40 has been an enormous success since its original introduction in 2018, outselling all its key German competitors, including the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA. This SUV’s cool design, fairly compact dimensions and practicality earned it lots of fans and has significantly helped to open up Volvo to a younger audience. 

What’s also been central to the XC40’s appeal has been the option of plug-in hybrid versions (now discontinued) and critically, electric Recharge models – the latter being introduced in 2021. 

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But with Volvo now launching a range of new bespoke EVs, including the EX30 and flagship EX90 – due later in 2024 – it’s seen fit to change the name of electric XC40s to EX40. At the same time, the coupe-styled C40 will soon be called the EC40. But though there might be a new name, not a lot else has really changed, aside from a small software-enabled power upgrade, as well as a stylish Black Edition trim level. 

Ahead of the first EX40s arriving in the UK in the middle of the year, we’ve had a very early prototype taste of this new electric SUV on a frozen lake in Swedish Lapland to see what’s what. If you’d prefer to stick with petrol, Volvo will continue to sell this SUV, which you can read more about with our dedicated Volvo XC40 review

What’s it like inside?

It’s business as usual with the EX40’s interior, which remains unchanged compared to the outgoing electric XC40 Recharge. You get the same layout that this SUV has had since its original introduction, albeit Volvo more recently upgraded the portrait 9.0-inch touchscreen to run on Android software, enabling in-built Google Maps, Google voice assistant and the Play store.

The screen remains largely intuitive, but small buttons for fairly critical controls – such as climate settings – are awkward to use. While the general look and layout remains smart, if seen next to Volvo’s latest breed of cars – primarily the EX30 – it starts to look a bit old, with the screen seeming fairly small too. 

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One aspect of the EX40 that you can’t knock is its interior fit and finish. Though one of Volvo’s cheaper models, the quality never seems that way, with a range of upmarket materials used throughout. The Swedish firm has also gone leather-free with its EX40, with a range of sustainable alternative materials being adopted. Our test car also got a fantastic wool textile upholstery, giving it more of a feel of an upmarket Scandinavian lounge, rather than a compact SUV’s interior. 

Comfort

Those seats play an important part in the EX40’s general feel. We’ve previously spent a lot of time in XC40s over the years, and its seats are among some of the best around, offering plenty of electrical adjustment, as well as an extendable seat base – ideal for taller drivers. 

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Though theoretically no different to the XC40, we’ll need more time with this newly-updated Volvo to give a more definitive verdict on the comfort. 

Safety

Volvos are renowned for their safety, and there’s little to suggest that the EX40 will prove any different. All our time with the EX40 was spent on the ice, though with no physical switch to turn off or reduce any of the electronic stability control aids, you can tell this is a car that’s designed with safety in mind more than fun.

Volvo EX40 electric motors and performance

The new EX40 will largely carry over the same two powertrains that have served the XC40 Recharge since launch – a single motor, rear-wheel-drive model with 238hp, and a flagship dual-motor, four-wheel-drive model producing a healthy 408hp. 

Opt for the latter on the EX40, though, and you’ll be able to add a new ‘Performance’ software upgrade, which gives the motors an extra 34hp, taking the total up to a giant 442hp. Volvo hasn’t confirmed final specifications just yet, but based on the XC40, expect 0-60mph to be dispatched in around 4.4 seconds, with the EX40’s top speed, like all Volvos, capped to 112mph. 

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It’s worth noting that existing electric XC40 owners with cars built from the middle of 2023 onwards will be able to upgrade their cars in the same way too – expected to be a £1,500 option. You’ll be able to do this via over-the-air update without having to visit a Volvo dealer. 

Range and charging

The two varieties of XC40 each use a different size battery, with the single motor version using a 66kWh usable battery, while the dual motor packs a 79kWh usable battery instead. 

Again, range figures are still being finalised, but given the XC40 only benefitted from revised batteries and efficiency measures in 2023, any further changes are unlikely. With the current XC40, Volvo claims a range of up to 295 miles with the single motor and up to 334 miles with the dual motor. Expect the Performance upgrade to knock a few miles off the latter, however.

In terms of charging, the XC40 can be rapid charged at speeds up to 200kW, theoretically allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent charge to take place in just 28 minutes. 

What’s it like to drive?

Volvo has previously offered the electric XC40 with two powertrains – a single motor, rear-wheel-drive 238bhp version and a 

Again, there has to be a caveat that our driving impressions are based on very limited time with the EX40, but given the minimal changes compared to the outgoing XC40 Recharge, a car we’re very familiar with, you can expect it’s business as usual. 

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Even on the ice, performance is brisk, though the differences in performance seem negligible – the dual-motor XC40 was already one of the most surprisingly fast cars on sale, and extra power is something it really did not need. 

But even on such a low-grip surface like this, the EX40’s safe and predictable nature shines. It feels secure, even if subjected to a slalom test, with eager electronic stability controls quickly cutting in to tame the experience. 

 What models and trims are available?

Volvo is yet to finalise trim levels and pricing for the EX40, but it’s expected to remain similar to the outgoing electric XC40, with the addition of a new range-topping Black Edition trim. 

Currently, the standard Core version of the EX40 comes with a 9.0-inhc touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats and a full digital dial display to name just a few features. 

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The mid-range Plus brings keyless entry, electric front seats and a more comprehensive safety package including adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. Above this, the Ultimate grade brings an electric panoramic sunroof, pixel LED headlights and a 360-degree parking camera. The new Black Edition sits above this, coming as standard in Onyx Black paint, with gloss black badging and large gloss black 20-inch alloy wheels to go with it.