Volvo’s smaller SUVs are having another moment in the spotlight. Auto Express reports a fresh update for the XC40, with changes also reaching the electric EX40 and EC40. The headline attraction is a new look, but there is a more useful question beneath the launch photographs: which improvements will make a difference once the car is parked outside your house?
According to that report, the changes include revised exterior styling and a larger central screen. We have not driven the updated cars, so this is a look at the announcement and the wider ownership picture, rather than a verdict on how they perform.
A screen should earn its place
Volvo’s own explanation of its Car UX interface puts everyday functions at the centre of the story. Its UK information page describes a vertical layout with the map kept visible, larger buttons and shortcuts that appear when they are relevant, including access to the camera while parking. Those are sensible things to prioritise. A touchscreen earns its keep by making familiar jobs easier, not by turning every journey into a treasure hunt.
There is also something here for existing owners to investigate. Volvo says the interface is delivered through a regular software update on eligible cars. Installing it in the car or through the mobile app is free, although a workshop may charge for its time. Eligibility still needs checking for the individual vehicle; a new interface is not a promise that every older Volvo will gain every feature shown in the latest demonstration.
Software and hardware are different purchases
That distinction matters because Volvo has already described separate hardware improvements for its 2026 model-year cars. In an earlier manufacturer announcement, the company identified both a revised user experience and a Snapdragon Cockpit Platform upgrade for models including the XC40, EX40 and EC40. This is background to the latest news, not a claim that those earlier changes were announced today.
Volvo also described Plug & Charge for European EX30, EX40 and EC40 cars, allowing compatible charging stations to recognise the vehicle and handle payment after setup. The useful word is compatible: it should not be read as a promise that every public charger will behave the same way. The manufacturer’s announcement also makes clear that availability and timing vary by market. When comparing cars, ask which hardware and charging functions are fitted to the specific example you are buying.
Choose the powertrain before the paint
The XC40 and EX40 have similar names, but the decision between them is more substantial than choosing a trim badge. Volvo’s UK pages identify the XC40 as a mild hybrid and the EX40 as fully electric. The XC40’s mild-hybrid system recovers braking energy and supports its petrol engine. It should not be confused with a plug-in model that you connect to a charger.
Practicality deserves a look too. Volvo lists a 443-litre boot for the XC40, increasing to 1,432 litres with the rear seats folded. Those figures are a starting point for comparison, but bringing your pushchair, luggage or dog crate to a viewing is still a useful reality check. A capacity figure cannot tell you whether your particular awkward object will fit comfortably through the opening.
The electric option needs a charging plan
For the EX40, Volvo’s UK information points to public DC charging and overnight charging using a home wallbox. It also describes finding public locations through the Volvo Cars app or Google Maps where coverage is available. That makes charging access a practical part of the buying decision, rather than something to leave until delivery day.
Volvo cautions that electric range and charging performance depend on conditions, including temperature and charging equipment. A headline figure is therefore a comparison tool, not a guarantee for every trip. Before choosing between these SUVs, work through an ordinary week: where the car parks, how far it travels and where an electric version would charge. The fresh styling may start the conversation; those everyday details should help finish it.
Sources
- Auto Express: Volvo XC40 facelift report, 10 September 2026
- Volvo UK: Car UX interface and update information
- Volvo: earlier technology announcement for model year 2026
- Volvo UK: XC40 model information
- Volvo UK: EX40 model information
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