Volvo Ec40 2026 News

The Volvo XC40 and EX40 have no right to look this good. After all, the small SUV, built to rival the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Lexus UX, first went on sale as far back as 2017, which makes it ancient. Most car models live for seven- or eight years before pensioned off, but the Volvo XC40 bucks that trend by quite a margin. Helping it outlive the opposition is a big 2027 facelift that freshen up its already timeless looks ahead of its launch in Australian showrooms next year. Full costs have yet to be announced, but a new entry B3 variant should make the combustion-powered version even more attractive with a price of entry to around $50,000 (plus on-roads) – $5000 less than the B4. Last refreshed back in 2022, the latest updates are the biggest yet. Drawing plenty from the all-new EX60 mid-size electric SUV, the trio of small Volvos sports an all-new front end that adds a fresh bonnet, fenders and front bumper that's claimed to simplify, modernise and package a pair of all-new matrix LED lamps that display a sharper take on the firm's 'Thor's Hammer' graphic. With a narrower front grille and revised air intakes, the combustion version mimics the more closed-off EX60's snout while looking lower. Along its flanks there have been few changes other than the addition of a set of handsome solid diamond-cut 20-inch alloy wheels that feature a triple two-spoke 'V' graphic. The combustion and all-electric versions score a new tailgate, a pair of restyled lamps and a fresh bumper that are said to create the illusion of a wider SUV. Inside, there's no disguising the small Volvo's advanced years, even with the addition of upgraded ambient lighting and more premium materials. What has improved the cabin is the introduction of a larger 11.2-inch centrally mounted infotainment system that replaces the old 9.0-inch version that runs the Swedish firm's latest operating system and embeds Google's Gemini that features an AI-powered assistant that you can have a natural conversation with. More unseen tech includes replacing the small SUV's radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors for more sophisticated driver assist experience, that now includes lane change assist and a 360-degree camera view. Under the bonnet there's little change, with either the mild-hybrid or all-electric powertrains currently offered in the range – with one exception. When sales start next year Volvo Cars Australia says it will sell the entry B3, sold in Europe, that will lower the price of entry to the XC40 range. Powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid as the 145kW/300Nm B4, the base XC40 produces 120kW of power and 265Nm of torque for a 0-100km/h dash of 8.6 seconds (1.0 second slower). Fuel consumption is identical to the punchier B4 at 6.5L/100km on the WLTP test cycle. Prefer battery power and the EX40 comes with the upgraded all-electric powertrains introduced last year. That means in Australia the most affordable Volvo EV will be kitted out with a single rear motor that pumps out 175kW/420Nm and is combined with a 79kWh battery (usable) for a range of around 520km. A second dual-motor version produces 300kW and 600Nm with the 79kWh that still covers up to 500km on a charge. The drawback is DC charging is limited to 205kW, with a 10-80 per cent top-up taking 28 minutes, versus the 22 minutes the all-new Mercedes GLA 350 4MATIC takes. It's thought the Volvo XC40, all-electric EX40 were not supposed to live this long, but the global slowing transition to EVs has thrown it a lifeline and the current small SUV might now live beyond 2030. Despite elderly, last year out of the 7239 cars Volvo sold Down Under the XC40 was easily the Geely-owned brand's best-selling car with 2630 finding homes, although that number was 16.3 per cent down on the year before. In second place was the current XC60, with 2067 deliveries. Originally, the mid-size Volvo SUV was supposed to be replaced by the battery-electric EX60 but the near ten-year-old XC60 will now also be facelifted one final time.