THE VOLVO EX40 IS BUILT FOR THE SUBURBS...AND THOSE WHO LIVE THERE... (BUT THAT'S OKAY)

EV Channels Review

The Volvo EX40, formerly the XC40 Recharge, receives a mild refresh for 2025, including a new battery pack, drivetrain, and infotainment system. While it retains its core identity as a comfortable and safe vehicle, the review highlights its European-centric design, which may not fully resonate with US market expectations. The all-wheel-drive performance variant offers ample power (408 hp), but the handling, while predictable, reveals its limits during spirited driving, suggesting a need for more refinement. A notable drawback is the accelerator's "dead zone" and the less-than-ideal driver assistance system, "Drive Pilot," which the reviewer found distracting and unsafe, leading to its deactivation. Positives include a more traditional interior layout with physical buttons compared to the EX30, a clear instrument cluster, and a well-integrated Google-based infotainment system. However, seat comfort is a point of contention, with one reviewer struggling to find an ergonomic position. Despite its older platform, the EX40 is praised for feeling like a "real car" with soul, offering a reassuring and comforting driving experience that contrasts with more appliance-like EVs. It's positioned as an ideal choice for suburban life and a demographic that values safety and familiarity over cutting-edge tech.