Volvo EX40 Review 2024
Volvo EX40 At A Glance
When initially launched the electric Volvo XC40 Recharge impressed with its performance, but the range and price held it back. The latest 2023 models have improved on this with a very useable range of up to 334 miles. It's now also called the Volvo EX40. It's not the cheapest family electric car on sale, but it should definitely be on your shortlist. We'll explain all in our Volvo EX40 review.
The 'standard' Volvo XC40 is one of the best small SUVs you can buy and has proved to be a big hit for the brand. With Volvo’s move to a purely electric future, we’ve since seen the arrival of both a plug-in hybrid variant and a full-on electric version.
Initially launched in 2020 and originally called the Volvo XC40 Recharge, these models sported a punchy twin motor four-wheel-drive system that would provide a total output of 408PS and 660Nm of torque, resulting in the electric XC40 covering 0-62mph in a rapid 4.9 seconds. Not so impressive was the range, with the 78kWh battery delivery an official range of up to 259 miles.
This was followed by single motor front-wheel drive version, but things have all changed for 2023. Complete with a name change. It's now called the Volvo EX40.
As before the Volvo EX40 is offered with the choice of two EV systems - a single motor setup and a dual motor setup, but there have been a number of changes and revisions. Perhaps the biggest change for the EX40 with a single motor is the switch from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, making it (and the updated C40 Recharge) the first rear-wheel drive Volvos in 25 years.
The main reason for this switch is efficiency, with the single motor Volvo EX40 now coming with an official range of up to 290 miles from a maximum of 264 miles achievable on the front-wheel drive car.
The twin motor Volvo EX40 has also come in for some attention as well. It's still just as quick, but the range has been improved significantly, increasing to a much more respectable official maximum range of 334 miles.
Thanks to a subtle facelift in 2022, the Volvo EX40 still looks very sharp on the road. The only tell-tale difference between the standard car and the electric SUV is the concave grille of the standard car has been replaced by a body-coloured panel.
Due to the space saved by the absence of an engine, the Volvo EX40 gains a 31-litre ‘frunk’ storage area underneath the bonnet, while the Volvo EX40 has 413 litres of boot space at the rear (47 litres less than the standard car).
Inside, the Volvo EX40 has a cabin broadly the same as the standard car, which means plenty of premium finishes and comfortable seating. There's also a decent Google-powered infotainment system called Android Automotive (not to be confused with Android Auto) with Google Maps and Google Assistant built-in. Apple users fear not as there's also Apple CarPlay connectivity (though it's wired, not wireless unfortunately).
There are three models to choose from - Core, Plus and Ultra while prices for the Volvo EX40 start at around £46,000. That's more affordable than premium rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron and in even entry-level Core trim there's a decent amount of standard features on offer.