What is it?
Volvo has a long history of making practical family-friendly cars over the last five decades. It came as a big shock last year, that the Swedish firm has stopped selling its V60 and V90 estate cars in the UK, due to the demand for SUVs.
However, fast forward 12 months and the company realised that was a mistake and put the two estates back on the UK market.
But despite this switch, it is Volvo’s range of SUVs which continue to be the brand’s big-sellers. Volvo has five EVs in its line-up – all of them SUVs – and a further five in development, and one of the latest is the EX40, which was previously known as the XC40 Recharge. But is it any better than what it was before? Let’s find out.
What’s new?
Previously called the XC40 Recharge, the EX40 is Volvo’s second-smallest SUV, sitting above the EX30 in the range.
Not a lot has changed compared to the old Recharge variant. In fact, it is virtually the same car with some new badging.
That means you still get the boxy XC40 body style alongside the smoothed-off front grille and portrait infotainment system with Google Built-in, as well as sustainable materials used throughout the cabin such as for the seat upholstery and on the dashboard.
What’s under the bonnet?
The EX40 comes with a choice of three different battery packs including a 69kWh, 78kWh and 82kWh unit.
We’re driving the 78kWh Single motor Extended range model that comes with an electric motor and rear-wheel-drive that develops a total of 248bhp and 420Nm of torque. Acceleration won’t set the world alight, dispatching 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds before running onto a top speed of 112mph.
Volvo claims this version can do a total distance of 342 miles between charges and that DC rapid charging is compatible with a maximum charging rate of 175kW – taking the car from 10 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes.
Other versions in the range include a smaller Single motor model and a more expensive Twin motor variant that features all-wheel-drive.
What’s it like to drive?
Volvo’s tend not to offer the most scintillating driving experience and the EX40 is no different. To drive, the steering is quite slow and doesn’t inspire a great amount of confidence when going around corners. There is not much feel through the wheel, making the whole experience feel rather numb. The rear visibility is also poor due to the rear upright headrests and kick-up rear window design that makes those reversing manoeuvres a tad tricky – plus the reversing camera is rather small and has low-definition graphics.
On a more positive note, to travel long distances, the EX40 still offers a very pleasant and composed experience with the front seats offering excellent levels of support, and our test car is riding on 20-inch alloy wheels – but the ride still felt smooth and refined.
Talking of refinement, the cabin is well insulated from outside noise and due to the lack of an engine, there aren’t any vibrations or droning either. On a long run, the EV range also doesn’t deplete too much – even in the colder months – giving less range anxiety and more confidence to travel greater distances.
How does it look?
It comes as no surprise that the EX40 is essentially an XC40 without an engine, and that means the only difference is the removal of a front radiator grille.
The rest of the car is all typical Volvo with slim front headlights and a rather boxy side profile along with the rear window all the same as the one you’d find on the combustion-engined model.
Our test car also comes with a two-tone roof and larger 20-inch alloy wheels which does make the car stand against a cheaper version and at the back features the usual tall and curved tail lights and boot lid.
What’s it like inside?
The interior of the EX40 is starting to feel its age as it’s essentially an XC40 – which has been around since 2018.
However, all the materials used are very soft to the touch, the portrait screen is clear and easy to read and there are plenty of storage areas – ranging from the large door bins and big centre console area.
One irritation is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay, which for a car costing over £55,000 is a little mean.
In the back, the EX40 provides lots of head, leg and knee room – despite our car’s panoramic glass roof. Boot space stands at 410 litres or 1,286 litres with the rear seats folded down – and they do lay flat. What’s more, there’s a nifty little ski hatch to slide longer items to the back and the false floor doubles up as a divider to stop your shopping from sliding about and separating it from other bits of luggage.
What’s the spec like?
When choosing an EX40, the range carries the same names for its trim as on a lot of other Volvo models – such as Core, Plus and Ultra.
The EX40 does start at nearly £10,000 more than its petrol-derived XC40 making the car look rather expensive.
The base-level Core starts at £44,601 and features Google Assistant, a powered tailgate and wireless phone charging. Move up to the Plus at £50,487 and it adds ambient lighting, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
We’re driving the top-of-the-line Ultra with the Single motor Extended range powertrain, which comes in at a steep £55,480 with it boasting a panoramic roof, a Harman Kardon premium audio system and pixel LED headlights.
Verdict
As a package, the EX40 is a practical and easy-to-live-with EV that focuses very much on comfort and refinement.
It is starting to show its age in places and the bland driving experience doesn’t help either. But, there’s no denying that this EV does everything you want it to do in a stress-free and relaxing manner.
- Model as tested: Volvo EX40 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range 78kWh
- Price as tested: £55,480
- Engine: 78kWh battery pack with single electric motor
- Power: 248bhp
- Torque: 420Nm
- 0-60mph: 7.1 seconds
- Top speed: 112mph
- MPG: N/A
- CO2 emissions: 0g/km
- Electric range: 342 miles
- Maximum charge speed: 175kW
