Volvo updates XC40, EX40 and EC40 with new lights, an 11.2-inch screen and up to 584 km of range
Nine years after the XC40 first went on sale, Volvo has given its compact 40 series a wide-ranging refresh covering styling, cabin technology, safety hardware and electric range.
- 9
- up to 575 km
- up to 584 km
- 11.2 inches
What Happened
Volvo Cars has refreshed its compact 40 series line-up, which spans the XC40, EX40 and EC40. The XC40 has been on sale for nine years, and Volvo has now given all three models significant updates it says will make driving easier and more enjoyable day to day. The work covers exterior and interior design, infotainment, driver assistance and active safety. Buyers in selected markets can order from today, production begins later in autumn, and a Black Edition is available.
- Matrix LED headlights restyled with a new take on the Thor's Hammer signature
- The grille changes too, while the front treatment now uses revised bumper, hood and fender surfaces
- Fresh LED rear lights, an updated tailgate and a new rear bumper for the XC40 and EX40
- The EC40 keeps its existing rear-end design
- 18-, 19- and 20-inch diamond cut wheels for the XC40
On the inside, the headline change is a larger 11.2-inch screen that Volvo says is crisper than before and carries its newest user experience. Fewer taps are needed to reach key controls, which the company argues makes the car quicker and simpler to use. The result is described as a more seamless and connected feel for everyday driving.
- up to 575 km
- up to 584 km
Volvo has added Google Gemini, which it calls Google's next-generation AI assistant, letting drivers talk to the car in ordinary language. Route planning, choosing places to stop and dealing with messages on the move are the examples given. The XC40, EX40 and EC40 also gain features after delivery, because regular over-the-air updates push new software to cars already with owners.
Safety remains a selling point. Volvo says the cars draw on its real-world crash research and can react in the moment when a collision looks likely, warning the driver or intervening. That includes automatic emergency braking and automatic emergency steering, which turns the car away from a hazard. A new software-and-sensor system supports the package, bringing radars at the front and corners, a newly fitted front camera, extra radar coverage at the rear corners, twelve ultrasonic sensors and cameras for parking.
Why this matters
These are Volvo's compact models, and the 40 series sits at the centre of the brand's stated route to full electrification, with the EX40 and EC40 as the battery-electric choices. Shoppers in this class get a bigger screen, new safety sensors and a Google AI assistant without waiting for an all-new generation of car.
Terms in This Story
- over-the-air updates
- Software sent to a vehicle remotely, so the car changes without a visit to a workshop.
- Thor's Hammer
- A design name Volvo uses for the shape of its headlight light signature.
- Matrix LED headlights
- LED headlights made up of segments that can be switched on and off individually to shape the beam.
- automatic emergency braking
- A system that applies the brakes by itself when it detects an imminent collision.
A brief summary; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.