2026 Volvo EX40 Review

Electric vehicles (EVs) may not have turned out to be the industry game-changer they were once promised to be, but they’re still a viable choice for many drivers.

Among them is the 2026 Volvo EX40. Previously known as the XC40 Recharge, it’s a twin to Volvo’s EC40, but with SUV styling to the EC40’s sleeker fastback design. It’s also available with a more conventional powertrain that replaces the EV components with a gas engine but packages it in the same body as this.

The EX40 comes in four trims, all with two motors providing all-wheel drive (AWD), and starting with the Core at $65,750, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,150. The next-step-up Plus is $67,140. The Ultra trim tested here starts at $77,100, while the new-for-2026 Black Edition builds on it with black styling accents and wheels for $78,000.

Styling 9 / 10

The EX40 is a handsome and nicely-proportioned vehicle, and its front end incorporates more conventional-looking features to avoid the bland fascias some automakers have adopted with their EVs, since they don’t need conventional grilles. (This is due in large part to the EX40’s shared DNA with the gas-powered XC40.) The interior has a smooth Scandinavian feel to it, especially with the curved-wood accent panel between the upper and lower dash.

Safety 8 / 10

At the time of this writing, the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn’t crash-tested the EX40. The not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had only performed its small overlap front crash, where it rated the top “Good,” but the next-step-down “Acceptable” for how easy it is to use its child-seat anchors.

Driver-assist features on the entry Core trim include emergency front braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, and the back-up camera that’s mandatory. The Plus adds a surround-view camera and side park assist, while the Ultra further adds highway driving assist.

Features 8 / 10

The Core trim includes a nine-inch centre touchscreen with Google Built-In, 12.3-inch digital instrument display, wireless charger, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, but you have to move up to the Plus to get a power passenger seat, which seems a little stingy to leave out of the base trim at this price. The Plus also adds an integrated garage door opener, panoramic sunroof, aluminum trim, and sport-style steering wheel. The Ultra then includes power child-safety door locks, premium audio, heated rear seats, and black roof.

User-Friendliness 7 / 10

I am a fan of buttons and dials because they are simple and less distracting than locating and tapping a screen icon, but Volvo is increasingly moving away from them. Climate functions are in the centre screen, as they are in a number of vehicles today; but while many of those are straightforward, tapping the EX40’s icons for temperature, seat heating, or fan speed can bring up sub-menus, which take even more attention away from the road. Some functions can be voice-controlled, but not all.

I got into the EX40 straight out of the new EX30, which has almost everything integrated within the screen, including tapping icons to adjust the mirrors. I hope Volvo comes to its senses and doesn’t put that into more models in future. Yes, Tesla and some others do the same, but it doesn’t make it a good idea.

Practicality 8 / 10

The EX40 has 536 L of cargo space with the rear seats up, which should get your groceries home or handle your luggage on weekend getaways; and the relatively wide opening and low liftover make it easy to load. For large items, the rear seats fold flat. There’s also a 21-L frunk under the hood. Should you want to pull a small trailer, the EX40 has a maximum towing capacity of 900 kg (1,984 lb).

Comfort 9 / 10

The seats are as comfortable as they look, offering full support for long drives, and with a pull-out cushion extender for those with long legs. The second-row seats are also well-done and with good legroom for the size of this compact vehicle. The ride is smooth, and while there’s obviously no engine sound, the well-insulated cabin keeps out road and wind noise.

Power 9 / 10

The EX40’s two motors produce a combined 402 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque. That’s a lot for this small vehicle, but it’s well-managed. It will accelerate to highway speed in a blink, and effortlessly give you passing power, but it’s also easily modulated for suburban roads or crawling through traffic.

Driving Feel 9 / 10

The EX40 is an adept little machine, with responsive handling and a low centre of gravity that takes it effortlessly through corners. The steering feel is selectable, and the “soft” setting is a bit vague, but the “firm” choice is just right and with good feedback. As electrified vehicles do, the EX40 has regenerative braking, capturing otherwise-wasted energy during deceleration and feeding it into the battery. It can be increased to “one-pedal” driving, where it’s strong enough to slow and stop the vehicle, and in most circumstances, you only need to use the throttle and not the brake pedal. It’s set up very well, and I used it almost exclusively for the way it enhanced the driving experience.

Fuel Economy 7 / 10

The EX40 uses an 82-kWh battery, and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) rates it at 418 km on a full charge. Volvo estimates a full charge will take eight hours on a 240-volt home or public charger; and 28 minutes to go from 10 to 80 per cent on a 200-kW public fast-charger. That 418-km range would have been impressive a few years back, but many small EVs are now well beyond it, such as the Toyota bZ and Volkswagen ID.4 at a rated 468 km, or the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at 504 km.

Value 7 / 10

Value is subjective, and for as nice as the EX40 looks and drives, my tester overall didn’t feel like it was bumping close to $80,000, especially when some mainstream EVs come in well below that but offer more range. Of course, nothing is inexpensive at the premium-brand level — a Lexus RZ matching the EX40’s range and features can hit $85,000 — so be prepared if you’re shopping in this segment. You can also look at Polestar, Volvo’s all-electric subsidiary, where the Polestar 4 with AWD and a range of 499 km is $72,700 (all prices include freight).

The Verdict

If you are willing to spend for the 2026 Volvo EX40, you’re going to get a well-done EV that’s a treat to drive and almost ridiculously comfortable. It has some quirks, including some distracting functions, but overall, if you’re going to plug in, this is a good way to do it.