New Volvo XC40, EX40 and EC40 Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

Visual nip and tuck along with tech upgrades freshen up enduringly popular XC40 and EX40 crossovers

Published on 10 September 2026 | 0 min read

The mild-hybrid Volvo XC40 and the electric EX40 and EC40 it’s spawned have been around for what seems ages now. Mainly because it IS ages! The range has had various visual and mechanical updates along the way to keep it fresh, and it remains a very popular car and big seller here in the UK. Volvo’s attitude is clearly why mess with a winning formula, and this wide-ranging update sticks with the same foundations but with sharpened-up styling and upgraded safety and onboard tech.

XC40 and its electric offspring are core Volvo, and while more expensive than the electric only EX30 are more premium offerings
All models get a visual makeover, with cleaner grille line (black on the XC40, body-coloured on electric) and new lights front and back
Safety tech upgraded with new sensors and control systems • New, bigger Google Gemini enabled infotainment hub
Range/MPG • Engine and motor options more or less unchanged, with mild-hybrid power for the XC40 and electric in a variety of battery and motor configurations for the EX and EC40
Pricing to be confirmed, sales starting early 2027

Design and models available

In a game of spot the difference with the existing XC, EX and EC40 you might have to squint a bit but, while the main body of the car is the same, everything forward of the windscreen is new, ditto the rear lights, bootlid and bumper. True, you might have to remind your neighbours your Volvo is newer than theirs, but the cleaner design, sharper ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlight signature and other details go to show how stylish the 40-series cars were in the first place. In terms of trims and equipment we’ll have to wait for full details but expect a similar progression through the range as before, with some new additions like the glitzy sounding Arianne Cardamom Leather with Brown Ash trimmings on the inside as well as fresh wheel designs and exterior colours.

Interior and tech

This is where the changes are more significant, both under the skin and the bits you interact with. To the latter, you’ll notice the new and bigger 11.2-inch screen in the middle of the car. Mainly because it now looks stuck on and hanging in mid-air rather than neatly integrated into the dash as it is at the moment. Make your own mind up whether that’s progress or not but the Google Gemini powering the system is said to be more intuitive for those happy talking to chatbots about where they want to go, what they want to listen to or anything else. Elsewhere the safety kit – always a big thing for Volvo – has been thoroughly updated with improved sensors, cameras and radar as well as more powerful computers to act on the information they provide. As such the existing driver assistance features should all work that bit better and there are new features like Door Opening Alert to warn of passing traffic or bicycles before you get out. There’s also the option of Pilot Assist with automated lane changing and a 3D view on the 360 cameras.

Batteries/range or engines

The XC40 sticks with two levels of mild-hybrid petrol engines, both driving the front wheels through an automated gearbox. Last time we tried it we didn’t find it terribly efficient, even with the electric boost. But if you’re not ready for electrification it’s an option. If you are making the switch and opting for the EX40 or coupe-esque EC40 there’s more choice, though we’re not yet clear on which the myriad motor and battery combos will be coming to the UK. If it’s as before we’d say the P5 Long Range single-motor is the one to go for, the 252 horsepower plenty to be getting on with, ditto the best-case 335 miles of range. You can go faster with the twin-motor AWD versions but they’re arguably overkill for a family SUV of this type.

Price and release

At the time we got to look round the cars pricing and trim levels were to be confirmed, but the updated models are due on sale in the new year. And if you can’t wait there look to be some discounts on the outgoing versions as a result…

What other cars from Volvo are due this year?

We could tell you, but then we’d have to… Moving swiftly on, the updates to the 40-series cars comes off the back of bigger news like the arrival of the acclaimed EX60.

What other cars that are upcoming will this compete with?

There’s no lack of choice in this premium-ish mid-size SUV and crossover sector, but the XC40 and its electric counterparts remain a strong choice. If you like the Swedish style but want something a bit sleeker the new SUV version of the Polestar 4 might be worth a look, assuming the pricing aligns.