Volvo XC40 Gets 2026 Updates as EX40 Exits North America

Volvo XC40 Receives Exterior and Interior Updates

Volvo XC40 revisions will bring a series of exterior and interior changes to the global crossover lineup as Volvo Cars prepares the updated model for production. The revised XC40 features new headlamps, an upgraded grille and a redesigned front bumper, hood and front fenders. Inside, the crossover receives upgraded materials and technology intended to refresh its cabin. Production of the updated XC40 is scheduled to begin later in fall 2026 at the Ghent facility in Belgium, with customer deliveries expected to start in early 2027. The changes form part of broader revisions to Volvo's 40-series crossover range.

Volvo Reshapes Its Entry-Level EV Lineup

Alongside the XC40 revisions, Volvo Cars confirmed plans to discontinue the entry-level EX40 electric crossover in the U.S. and Canada. The decision comes as the automaker prepares another entry-level electric vehicle for the U.S. market, with that model expected by the end of 2027. The EX40 discontinuation follows the earlier exit of the entry-level EX30 and the coupe-like EC40, which was dropped after the 2025 model year. These changes are reshaping Volvo's electric crossover range in North America as the company prepares additional products for the market.

EX60 Remains the Entry-Level U.S. EV

With the EX40 leaving the lineup, the EX60 will become Volvo's entry-level electric vehicle in the U.S. until the arrival of the new EX50 at the end of 2027. The transition means Volvo's North American EV portfolio will move through another product change before the next entry-level model becomes available. The EX50 is planned to be priced below USD 50,000, positioning it beneath the EX60 and giving Volvo a future lower-priced EV offering for the U.S. market. The timing also means the current lineup will bridge the period between the EX40's discontinuation and the EX50's planned arrival.

EX50 Will Use Volvo's SPA3 Platform

The upcoming EX50 will be built on the SPA3 platform used by the EX60, establishing a direct technical connection between the two electric crossovers. Using the same platform provides a defined foundation for Volvo's next entry-level EV while keeping the EX50 positioned below the EX60 in the company's U.S. lineup. The planned arrival at the end of 2027 is therefore an important part of Volvo's product transition following the discontinuation of the EX40. The new model is expected to provide the next entry point into Volvo's U.S. EV range while retaining the company's transition toward newer electric vehicle architectures.

North American Model Changes Extend Beyond the EX40

The changes affect both the U.S. and Canada, although the future entry-level EV announcement specifically identifies the U.S. as the market where the new model is planned by the end of 2027. The EX40's discontinuation follows the earlier removal of the EX30 and EC40 from the relevant entry-level positions, while the EX60 temporarily assumes that role in the U.S. For customers and the broader market, the sequence establishes a clear transition from the current entry-level electric crossover toward the EX50. Meanwhile, the updated XC40 continues as part of the revised 40-series crossover range with production and deliveries scheduled on separate timelines.

Industry Impact & Outlook

Volvo Cars' changes indicate a product-line transition in which the updated XC40 continues the 40-series crossover program while the company's North American EV entry point moves from the EX40 toward the EX50. The planned sub-USD 50,000 EX50 could become particularly important to Volvo's U.S. electric-vehicle positioning because it is intended to sit below the EX60 and replace the entry-level role left by discontinued models. The use of the SPA3 platform also connects the upcoming model with Volvo's newer EV architecture. The next major developments will be the updated XC40 entering production in late 2026, its early-2027 deliveries, and the planned EX50 arrival at the end of 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes are planned for the Volvo XC40?
The revised Volvo XC40 will receive exterior styling changes, upgraded interior materials and new technology, with production beginning later in fall 2026. The updates include new headlamps, an upgraded grille, a redesigned front bumper, hood and front fenders, while the cabin receives upgraded materials and technology. Production will take place in Ghent, Belgium, and customer deliveries are expected to begin in early 2027. Separately, Volvo plans to discontinue the EX40 in the U.S. and Canada while preparing the new EX50 for the U.S. market by the end of 2027.