Volvo refreshes XC40 design but drops electric EX40 from the US market
Volvo's 2028 XC40 gets a redesigned look, a bigger screen and upgraded safety tech, but American buyers will no longer be able to get the electric EX40 version.
Volvo has unveiled an updated version of its compact XC40 SUV, arriving as a 2028 model. The XC40, in production since 2017 and one of the brand's top sellers both in the US and globally, receives a notable exterior redesign featuring a simplified front bumper, a reworked grille and revised headlights, while keeping the brand's signature "Thor's hammer" lighting motif.
Same look for both versions
The electric EX40, the battery-powered counterpart to the XC40 previously known as the XC40 Recharge before being renamed in 2024 to match Volvo's EV naming scheme, receives identical styling changes. The two models will look nearly identical apart from grille design and badging.
Bigger screen and AI assistant
Inside, the cabin gains a larger 11.2-inch display, up from 9 inches previously, running an updated version of Android Automotive that includes Google's Gemini AI assistant, already rolled out across most other Volvo models earlier this year. Gemini can adjust vehicle settings, manage infotainment and provide information such as nearby restaurants or route suggestions.
Upgraded safety systems
The SUVs get an improved sensor suite with high-resolution cameras, ultrasonic sensors and updated radar, enabling a detailed 3D view of the vehicle and an automated lane-change feature within the Pilot Assist system. Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson has said the company is in no hurry to move toward hands-off driving systems.
EX40 exits the US
In the United States, the electric EX40 will be discontinued once current inventory sells out, a decision attributed to weak sales and its overseas manufacturing. US buyers will only be able to get the XC40 in B5 trim, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 247 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a small electric motor. The EX40 will continue to be sold internationally. The updated XC40 is expected to reach US dealerships in early 2027, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.
