Volvo EX40: our test drive in Copenhagen

The Volvo EX40, which as you may have guessed is the electric variant of the Volvo XC40 (not more sold in Denmark and Norway), has changed significantly over time. It now features a better battery, more range, more power, while at the same time maintaining a strong focus on space and safety.

Here is how my test drive went.

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Volvo EX40 2026: our tops & flops

I may have a special connection with the Volvo EX40, because I attended its global launch event back in January 2020 at the Volvo Studio in Milan, Italy, when it was still called the Volvo XC40 Recharge. It was also one of the first electric cars I genuinely appreciated. Over time it has evolved: not only has the name changed, but the front end has been slightly redesigned, it has moved from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, making it much more engaging to drive, and it now features a larger battery with significantly faster supported charging speeds.

In short, it has become more focused on driving pleasure without losing sight of its core strengths: safety, technology, and family-oriented comfort.

For these reasons, it remains one of the most interesting electric cars both within Volvo’s lineup and on the market in 2026. And if you can find a good used example at the right price, it truly works as a single family car, suitable for daily use and, in its Extended Range version with up to 575 km of range, also for longer trips and weekend getaways.

Prices in Scandinavia

Denmark: from 351,200 DKK;
Sweden: from 529,900 SEK;
Norway: from 545,900 NOK;

Comfort at the center (with some compromises)

The Volvo EX40 confirms the brand’s typically Scandinavian approach: less emphasis on outright sportiness and more attention to comfort, safety, and everyday usability. On the road, its tuning is clearly oriented toward passenger well-being, with fairly soft suspension and very light steering, designed more to relax than to engage.

That said, the EX40 does not feel completely detached from the driving experience. Rear-wheel drive helps make the car more balanced and communicative than expected, maintaining a natural sense of control even during direction changes.

The Single Motor version with 252 hp fits the car’s character well. The 0–100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds does not impress on paper, especially in a segment full of much quicker electric vehicles, but in real-world driving the power is always readily available and more than sufficient for comfortable everyday use.

For those looking for more performance, the range also includes a Twin Motor variant with 408 hp, while top speed remains electronically limited to 180 km/h, in line with Volvo’s safety philosophy. Perhaps, however, this is a bit excessive for a Volvo: those 408 hp feel more at home in the related Polestar 2 (here why is my favourite car), which shares much of its technology with the EX40.

Overall acoustic comfort is high, even at motorway speeds, but the presence of a constant noise from the electric motor is surprising: a sort of hum or whine that is always perceptible.

The assessment of advanced driver assistance systems is more critical. In higher trim levels, the “Propilot” package is available, including adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist. The adaptive cruise works correctly, but the lane assist often feels intrusive, with abrupt corrections and an excessive tendency to keep the car rigidly centered in the lane.

Another irritating element is the accelerator response, which at times shows noticeable “dead zones” in the pedal travel. This is likely related to the specific test vehicle, but it negatively affects the overall driving experience.

The EX40 is based on a 400-volt platform and is offered with two battery sizes: 67 kWh or 79 kWh. DC fast-charging power reaches 180 kW and 205 kW respectively, while AC home charging is limited to 11 kW for both versions.

Interior are good, but can improve

The cabin has not undergone major changes since the model’s debut in 2019, and this is partly a strength. Quality materials, a restrained design, and well-finished details, such as the vertical air vents, create a pleasant environment that is fully consistent with Volvo’s identity.

The Swedish brand has avoided the screen overload found in its more recent models. There is a dedicated instrument display, not customizable but capable of showing the navigation map, and a 12-inch central touchscreen for the infotainment system. Below the screen, some physical controls remain, intuitive and practical for everyday use.

The infotainment system is based on Android Automotive, fully integrated with Google services (the EX40 was the first Volvo model to introduce Android Automotive). This is an advantage in terms of navigation and connected features, but also a limitation: any issues with third-party apps, such as Spotify, are not directly attributable to Volvo.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, but only via cable, a detail that underlines how the EX40 is no longer a cutting-edge project.

The rear bench offers sufficient space for two adults, but the high floor compromises leg positioning, reducing comfort on longer journeys. The car’s combustion-engine origins are also noticeable: the central tunnel remains bulky, despite the motor being mounted at the rear.