First look at the 2028 Volvo XC40: hello new technology, goodbye electric car

Volvo is a brand traditionally known for its safe station wagons and the Labrador retrievers they house, but lately it’s really embraced the SUV wave. While the midsize XC60 model is the primary top seller in the U.S., the compact XC40 is the brand’s third best-selling model here and second best internationally.

The current-generation XC40 arrived in 2017, joined in 2019 by the all-electric XC40 Recharge, which was renamed EX40 in 2024 to keep pace with the company’s evolving all-electric range. This brand includes EX30, EX60 and EX90.

For the 2028 model year, both the EX40 and XC40 receive significant visual updates, as well as additional technology in the programming interface and active safety systems. This is good news. Bad news? Starting in 2028, we will only get half of this pair.

The current-generation XC40 received a minor update for 2022, but in hindsight you could be forgiven for having difficulty telling the two versions apart, with a slightly reshaped nose and revised headlights.

In 2028, the changes will be a little more significant, even if the overall shape of the car remains the same again. But the front part has been significantly redesigned. If previously the front bumper was a face with numerous cutouts and scalloped areas, now everything is much simpler.

It’s a decidedly more modern look, highlighted by updated headlights. Yes, Volvo’s signature Thor hammer design remains, but various other lighting elements are now largely hidden, creating a edgy effect.

The hood and fenders were also redesigned, and the rear end was redesigned to match the updated front end, again resulting in a cleaner design. Cast a shadow on the new XC40 and you won’t notice the difference, but in daylight the end result is an SUV that looks decidedly more modern.

As for the electric EX40, this car gets all the same changes. This means that the two SUVs are virtually indistinguishable when sitting next to each other. Yes, the rear badge is different, of course, but the most important thing is the updated grille on the nose. The EX40’s grille is a body-colored flat panel, while the XC40 now features multiple diagonal stripes designed to highlight the Volvo logo and the arrow it constantly points up and to the right.

Volvo has also redesigned the interiors of the EX40 and XC40, but the changes are even more subtle. Most notable is the new, larger screen, which is somewhat crudely attached to the center of the dashboard. Where the old display was nicely recessed between the tall center air vents and fit nicely into a recess in the dash, the new one protrudes outward, higher than the dash.

It’s not a bad look and results in a screen size of 11.2 inches compared to the 9 inches the XC40 had before. The software running behind that screen has also been updated, with the latest version of Android Automotive bringing Google Gemini to the party.

Gemini can handle changes to vehicle settings, monitor infotainment system performance, and do everything else you’d expect your friendly local agent to do—for better or for worse. This means not only finding nearby restaurants, but also getting reports on their gluten-free or vegetarian options. Or you can get suggested routes if you have a little extra time and want to see some scenery along the way.

However, none of this is new. Indeed, earlier this year Volvo added the Gemini to most of its models. Thankfully, the XC40’s interior was already one of the nicest and nicest places in the segment, and that’s still the case, now just with a larger screen and some updated ambient lighting.

The biggest changes to the new EX40 and XC40 may be hidden under the skin, and in some cases, built into it. Volvo has equipped these SUVs with an improved sensor package, including high-definition cameras that look in all directions, ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers and an updated radar.

This has several immediate benefits, including the availability of detailed 3D images of the vehicle that were previously only available on larger, more expensive Volvo models. It also enables the automatic lane change function of the Pilot Assist active safety system, which continues to include the advanced practical lane keeping system and adaptive cruise.

These features are also said to be improved, with everything controlled by an updated central safety controller that has more processing power than before and can be updated over-the-air, meaning more advanced driver assistance features could be added in the future.

No details on what features might arrive or when, but don’t hold your breath about automated driver systems like BMW’s Highway Assistant or Tesla’s Full Self-Driving. Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson has made it clear that the company is in no hurry to allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel.

The latest update is perhaps the saddest: while Volvo is updating the EX40 and XC40 internationally, the United States won’t get the updated battery-electric version. We’ll only get the XC40 in B5 trim.

That means a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It’s equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a small electric motor, delivering overall fuel economy of 27 mpg.

The all-electric EX40 will be sold worldwide. Why not within the country? You can certainly blame this on some combination of low sales and foreign production. It’s a shame, especially since the smaller EX30 also left American shores, but at least Volvo didn’t suffer the same fate as Polestar.

So, the EX40’s days are numbered: this model is turning into a pumpkin after the current stock is exhausted. But the XC40 lives on with its updated face and updated sensor package. However, as a 2028 model, you’ll have to wait a little longer to get your hands on it. Volvo says it won’t start arriving in dealerships until early next year, with prices to be announced closer to arrival.