Volvo EX40 Review & Prices

The Volvo EX40 is a rather direct descendant of the petrol-powered XC40, where a lot of its alternatives are bespoke electric SUVs from the ground up. It’s a stylish, reasonably posh and practical choice of family car, but it’s no fun on a winding road and the interior feels a bit dated.

When compared to the Audi Q4 e-tron, Peugeot E-3008 and even its own smaller stablemate, the Volvo EX30, the EX40 does look slightly long in the tooth. Think of it as the cool older sibling who’s over their uni days and settled down. Still charming, but now it’s Junior who’s stealing all the attention.

That’s fine though, because it’s a handsome car nonetheless. You can accuse the latest crop of EVs of being fussily-styled, but the EX40 is rather low-key about its electric credentials. Sharp lines and smooth surfaces grace its jacked-up body, with only the blanked-off grille and lack of an exhaust pipe to indicate that the XC40 is battery powered.

Volvo EX40 electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 296 - 348 miles (WLTP)
Efficiency: 3.4 - 3.6mi/kWh
Battery size: 69kWh, 82kWh
Max charge speed: 135 - 205kW
Charge time AC: 0-100% in 8 hours (11kW)
Charge time DC: 10 - 80% in 33 mins (135kW, 155kW), 10-80% in 28 minutes (205kW)
Charge port location: Left rear
Power outputs: 252hp, 408hp

The interior is much the same story, but age has caught up to it more than it has the exterior. The dashboard is chunkier than you’ll find in the E-3008 and not quite as interesting to look at as in a Genesis GV60, and while the infotainment system is easy on the eye it’s a bit fiddly to use on the move.

A tall roofline and loads of leg room mean the EX40 is comfortable for all occupants. You can even fit three adults in the back, as the rear bench is quite wide. The 461-litre boot is big enough for a family of four’s luggage, but it’s nowhere near as spacious as the Audi Q4 at 520 litres. Still, you get a 31-litre front boot which is handy for cable storage.

Range varies from 296 miles in the entry-level Single Motor model to 348 miles in the Extended Range version. The top-spec Twin Motor version sits in the middle with 332 miles of range.

Around town the EX40 gets jiggled around a bit over broken roads - especially on the optional 20-inch wheels, but it settles down into a comfortable cruise on the motorway. It feels a bit out of its depths on twisty roads though, as bumps and dips on country lanes really do make the EX40 feel unsettled.

For daily life and the odd motorway journey the EX40 is worth considering; you can check out new Volvo EX40 deals and Volvo EX40 lease deals on Carwow. There are used Volvo EX40s available through our network of trusted dealers, as well as other used Volvos for sale. Carwow can help you sell your car when it’s time to make the change, too.

The Volvo EX40’s price varies dramatically depending on the trim level you go for, starting at around £46,000 for the Single Motor version in the base-spec Core trim level. You get a wireless charger, adaptive cruise control, rear-view camera with front and rear parking sensors and 19-inch wheels as standard.

Plus trim is the next step up, but you’ll pay over £5,000 more for it, then a couple of thousand more again for Plus Pro and finally the range-topping Ultra model at around £56,000. Extended range cars are almost £2,000 more on every trim level bar the Ultra, which gets the bigger battery as standard, and you’ll pay over £5,000 more again for the Twin Motor setup.

That puts it almost on par with the Audi Q4 e-tron and Cupra Tavascan throughout the range, and around the same price as the Peugeot E-3008 until you get to Plus Pro spec; the Audi, Cupra and Peugeot do feel more modern inside though, and they’re more fun to drive.

The Volvo EX40 is smooth and relaxing to drive, but it wobbles about a lot over bumps

In town

A relatively compact SUV with electric power is always a good recipe for the demands of town driving. The high seating position aids visibility, and the instant-on nature of the electric motor lets you zip in and out of gaps without a fuss, though single-motor models in particular feel a bit lethargic unless you really put your foot down, which can catch you out if you're used to zippier EVs.

Broken road surfaces that wouldn’t faze a Volkswagen ID4 can make the EX40 jiggle about, made slightly more pronounced by the larger 20-inch wheels fitted to the top two trims. You get plenty of driver aids to help you navigate the urban jungle, with emergency brake assist, rear park assist and road sign information data all fitted as standard.

On the motorway

The EX40 is at its best when cruising along on the motorway. Its hushed cabin allows the bare minimum of road and wind noise in, and the torquey electric motor makes short work of overtaking manoeuvres. Although like all EVs, long stints at motorway speeds will drain the battery more quickly than stop-start driving at town speeds.

Above 40mph, driver alert control with lane keeping mitigation will alert you if you inadvertently wander out of your lane. Oncoming lane mitigation (active between 37 and 87mph) adds to this feature by actively steering you back into your lane if it detects that a collision with oncoming vehicles is imminent.

On a twisty road

The EX40’s heavy battery pack counts against it down a twisty country lane. Even though the majority of that weight is below the floorboards, this is not a vehicle that enjoys being hurried around corners. And if you find yourself on a country road with lots of bumps and undulations, the EX40 will wobble about a lot – on particularly bad stretches your head will be tossed to-and-fro like you're on a ship in a storm.

Even though grip levels are good, there is a fair amount of body lean. A BMW iX3 offers a sportier driving experience if that’s what you’re after.

The EX40 will happily take four tall adults and there’s plenty of storage space for their effects. The boot is smaller than in most alternatives, though

The EX40 has a tall roofline which gives it a feeling of spaciousness. It also doesn’t compromise on interior room compared to its petrol-powered siblings. Both front seats offer four-way lumbar support, manual cushion extensions and height adjustability. Finding a comfortable seating position shouldn’t be a problem here, and Volvo has ensured that there’s plenty of storage solutions for your odds and ends, too.

The centre console offers two cupholders and a useful shelf below the audio controls for your phone. Wireless charging comes standard on all trims.

The front door pockets are deep enough to take a large handbag and a big water bottle at the same time. The front centre armrest opens up to reveal another usefully sized storage area, while the glovebox is a great place to hide smaller items out of sight.

Space in the back seats

The rear is suitably spacious, with the two outermost seats offering plenty of leg and headroom for just about any size or shape. The centre seat is also more accommodating than in some alternatives, although there is still a hump in the floor that impinges on the legroom.

You can fit three adults abreast as the EX40 is quite wide. When only travelling with two rear passengers, the centre seat backrest can be lowered to reveal a pair of cupholders.

There are two easily locatable ISOFIX mounting points and storage space is taken care of by a pair of large door bins and front seatback pockets.

Boot space

With 461 litres of boot space, the Volvo EX40 has just about enough space for a family of four’s luggage needs. It’s easy to load thanks to a wide and square layout, and there’s no load lip to worry about. The charging cables won’t get in the way either, as there’s a 31-litre storage space under the bonnet where you can store them. A ski-hatch allows you to transport long items without having to lower the rear seats.

Some electric SUV alternatives are even more spacious, though, with the Audi Q4 e-tron offering 520 litres of boot space, and the BMW managing 510 litres. The Mercedes EQA, however, has just 340 litres.

The EX40 has the same stylish, minimalist interior as other XC40 models, but the design is showing its age and alternatives have even slicker infotainment setups 

The Volvo EX40 is very well-equipped, even from the basic Core trim, with comfortable textile-covered seats and the same 9.0-inch infotainment unit and 12.0-inch driver display you get in higher trims. Build quality is superb, with plenty of plush looking and feeling materials used throughout the cabin.

The standard charcoal-coloured trim inserts and headlining combine with the dark fabric of the seats to create a rather sombre interior atmosphere. The optional lighter wool blend seat trim makes a big difference, as does the panoramic sunroof fitted as standard to the Ultimate trim.

Even so, the interior design is starting to look a bit dated compared with flashier alternatives. However, a cool illuminated strip of trim across the doors and dashboards adds some welcome character at night.

The 9.0-inch infotainment screen comes standard with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio. The system responds quickly, but it can be difficult to operate on the move – something you’ll be doing often as just about every major and minor function is controlled through the infotainment screen. The system in a Mercedes EQA in particular is slicker and more intuitive to use.

There is standard wireless charging across the range, with USB ports offered front and rear to charge additional electronic devices. Google Maps and Volvo Car Apps are both included with every new Volvo EX40 for four years. The standard eight-speaker audio system sounds great and can be controlled via steering wheel satellite controls as well as the touchscreen. Music fans may also want to experience the Harman Kardon sound system available on the Ultimate trim.

The Volvo EX40 is available either with a 238hp single-motor powertrain in normal and extended range variants, or a 408hp twin-motor powertrain.

The 238hp version is rear-wheel drive and has a 69kWh battery pack that promises up to 296 miles between charges. It feels very responsive and its 7.3-second 0-62mph time is quicker than both the lower spec Audi Q4 e-tron offerings, and the Mercedes EQA.

You can also opt for a larger battery in your EX40 Single Motor, offering up to 348 miles of range.

The 408hp EX40 has an electric motor at each axle meaning it’s four-wheel drive, and its extra power allows it to launch to 62mph in a very rapid 4.8 seconds. It’s fitted with the 82kWh battery, giving it up to 332 miles of range. You won’t hanker for more power, although alternatives like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y both have a 350-mile-plus range capability.

Charging using a 150kW fast charger can get you from 10-80% in 33 minutes in the single-motor cars, but the twin-motor models can charge at 205kW and complete the same charge in 28 minutes. A more likely scenario will be where you use a 7kW home wallbox, which will get you from completely empty to 100% in 11 hours.

As it is an EV, you’ll be in the lowest band of Vehicle Excise Duty, but you’ll have to pay the luxury car supplement in years two to six due to the EX40’s price. The company car Benefit In Kind (BIK) rate is also in the lowest band, making it an enticing proposition for company car drivers.

Volvo is known for building some of the safest vehicles on the road, and the EX40 reinforces this with its full five-star Euro NCAP rating. The 97% adult occupant rating is exceptional, and it scored an above average 87% for child occupant safety as well - but it’s worth noting that these scores were achieved in 2018, and has expired since.

Aside from the impressive crash protection, there are plenty of standard active and passive safety systems. All trims come with a full complement of airbags including driver knee and side inflatable curtains.

Automatic emergency braking, cruise control, driver alert with lane keeping aid, oncoming lane mitigation and rear park assist are also standard. The top Ultimate trim also gets Pilot Assist which incorporates adaptive cruise control with distance alert and queue assist – taking the stress out of motorway driving.

Volvo finished bang-on in the middle of the 2024 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, coming 16th out of 32 manufacturers entered, which isn’t hugely confidence inspiring but not a horror show either.

The EX40 has a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, extendable by up to a year and an additional 20,000 miles. Audi offers a warranty that can be extended up to five years, while Lexus and Toyota both offer 10-year/100,000-mile warranties so long as you keep up with your main dealer servicing.