Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Volvo's EX40 might sound like a new car, but it's actually a mild refresh of its previously-named XC40 Recharge.
Packed with all-wheel drive for 2025 - at least in the EX40 AWD Ultimate trim - the EX40 is built on a far older platform than the EX30 Nikki drove (and didn't like much - youtu.be/WU8zzkr7r8Q) a few weeks back. But is the EX40 worthy of your attention? Are there other options? And who exactly is the car meant for?
While we'd like to be more excited, this is one car for the suburban life - and the middle-aged parents who live there. Here's why.
----
โฑ๏ธ Chapter Breakdown:
00:00 - Introduction (Music: Flint - Strawberry Jam)
02:19 - Montage (Music: Walz - Release Date)
02:59 - Previous model year EX40 (XC40 Recharge)
03:22 - Power Specs
03:55 - Handling (and stopping)
05:16 - Built for Europe, not the U.S.
06:19 - A note about the accelerator 'dead zone'
08:53 - You know when you reach your limit
10:57 - A surprisingly planted feeling
11:56 - Fast charging compared to earlier versions
13:04 - A little lift at the front
13:19 - How does it compare to the EX30?
14:07 - It's a real car, not a computer on wheels
14:30 - Don't rely on its Level 2 ADAS
16:56 - UI and usability
19:50 - Does it need more buttons?
20:29 - Seats and comfort
22:11 - Wired Android Auto (But not Wireless)
22:44 - The Sound System
23:36 - Final Thoughts
31:12 - Thanks, and Goodbye!
๐๏ธ Credits:
Presenters:ย Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield and Kate Walton-Elliott
Camera, Edit & Color:ย Vi Horton
Art & Animation:ย Erin Carlie
Producer:ย Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Music:ย viaย Artlist.io
๐ Links:
Our previous thoughts on its sibling (the C40 Recharge) youtu.be/cGd1lXECe6E
Watch Nikki's review of the EX30 youtu.be/WU8zzkr7r8Q
Watch our first-drive review of Volvo's EX90 three-row SUV youtu.be/LhvMlhwJboQ
๐ฌ Do you prefer traditional buttons, or everything touch-screen?
As our two recent Volvo reviews show, the company is at a bit of a crossroads between its old design language (which used lots of buttons), and a more tech-centric, Tesla-esque "everything as a touchscreen" language.
We're fans of physical buttons, with screens when they make sense - and we feel making everything a touch screen can be a little too distracting. But what about you?
Start the conversation in the down below, or come on over to ourย Discord (it's free!) - discord.gg/U3tnkGNfCA
Regular Sponsors And How To Support Us!
๐ฑ Electric Vehicle Association
myeva.org
โก EnergySage
kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262
๐ Win an EV with CCAN Action Fund!
โก๏ธ bit.ly/transportevolvedEVraffle
Choose from:
Rivian R1T / R1S
Lucid Gravity / Air
Porsche Macan EV / Taycan
๐ 2nd prize: Ioniq 5 or VW ID. Buzz
๐ฅ 3rd prize: Chevy Equinox EV
๐๏ธ $200 ticket supports CCAN Action Fund nonprofit work
โ Get Involved ๐ณ๏ธ indivisible.org/town-hall-resources
โค๏ธ Support the Show
๐ฐ Read more on our site: transportevolved.com
๐ฅ Patreon: patreon.com/transportevolved
โ Buy us a coffee: ko-fi.com/transportevolved
๐บ Join the channel: youtube.com/transportevolved
๐ Get TE swag: redbubble.com/people/TransportEVd
๐๏ธ Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/40xOyjm
โฟ Donate Bitcoin: 1QRZRGCCXUKPDZ2DZ9KX9JYJXMZDYHYGFZ0MN4WH
Volvo's EX40 might sound like a new car, but it's actually a mild refresh of its previously-named XC40 Recharge.
Packed with all-wheel drive for 2025 - at least in the EX40 AWD Ultimate trim - the EX40 is built on a far older platform than the EX30 Nikki drove (and didn't like much - youtu.be/WU8zzkr7r8Q) a few weeks back. But is the EX40 worthy of your attention? Are there other options? And who exactly is the car meant for?
While we'd like to be more excited, this is one car for the suburban life - and the middle-aged parents who live there. Here's why.
----
โฑ๏ธ Chapter Breakdown:
00:00 - Introduction (Music: Flint - Strawberry Jam)
02:19 - Montage (Music: Walz - Release Date)
02:59 - Previous model year EX40 (XC40 Recharge)
03:22 - Power Specs
03:55 - Handling (and stopping)
05:16 - Built for Europe, not the U.S.
06:19 - A note about the accelerator 'dead zone'
08:53 - You know when you reach your limit
10:57 - A surprisingly planted feeling
11:56 - Fast charging compared to earlier versions
13:04 - A little lift at the front
13:19 - How does it compare to the EX30?
14:07 - It's a real car, not a computer on wheels
14:30 - Don't rely on its Level 2 ADAS
16:56 - UI and usability
19:50 - Does it need more buttons?
20:29 - Seats and comfort
22:11 - Wired Android Auto (But not Wireless)
22:44 - The Sound System
23:36 - Final Thoughts
31:12 - Thanks, and Goodbye!
๐๏ธ Credits:
Presenters:ย Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield and Kate Walton-Elliott
Camera, Edit & Color:ย Vi Horton
Art & Animation:ย Erin Carlie
Producer:ย Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Music:ย viaย Artlist.io
๐ Links:
Our previous thoughts on its sibling (the C40 Recharge) youtu.be/cGd1lXECe6E
Watch Nikki's review of the EX30 youtu.be/WU8zzkr7r8Q
Watch our first-drive review of Volvo's EX90 three-row SUV youtu.be/LhvMlhwJboQ
๐ฌ Do you prefer traditional buttons, or everything touch-screen?
As our two recent Volvo reviews show, the company is at a bit of a crossroads between its old design language (which used lots of buttons), and a more tech-centric, Tesla-esque "everything as a touchscreen" language.
We're fans of physical buttons, with screens when they make sense - and we feel making everything a touch screen can be a little too distracting. But what about you?
Start the conversation in the down below, or come on over to ourย Discord (it's free!) - discord.gg/U3tnkGNfCA
Regular Sponsors And How To Support Us!
๐ฑ Electric Vehicle Association
myeva.org
โก EnergySage
kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262
๐ Win an EV with CCAN Action Fund!
โก๏ธ bit.ly/transportevolvedEVraffle
Choose from:
Rivian R1T / R1S
Lucid Gravity / Air
Porsche Macan EV / Taycan
๐ 2nd prize: Ioniq 5 or VW ID. Buzz
๐ฅ 3rd prize: Chevy Equinox EV
๐๏ธ $200 ticket supports CCAN Action Fund nonprofit work
โ Get Involved ๐ณ๏ธ indivisible.org/town-hall-resources
โค๏ธ Support the Show
๐ฐ Read more on our site: transportevolved.com
๐ฅ Patreon: patreon.com/transportevolved
โ Buy us a coffee: ko-fi.com/transportevolved
๐บ Join the channel: youtube.com/transportevolved
๐ Get TE swag: redbubble.com/people/TransportEVd
๐๏ธ Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/40xOyjm
โฟ Donate Bitcoin: 1QRZRGCCXUKPDZ2DZ9KX9JYJXMZDYHYGFZ0MN4WH
