Volvo EX40 Test Drive Review 2025

Anthony Hibbs took a test drive of the Volvo EX40 Pilot Single Motor 82kWh.

Anthony was contacted by Volvo Shrewsbury within 1 hour of making his initial enquiry and took his test drive on 22nd May 2025.

Please provide an OVERALL RATING for the electric car

Rate the electric car on its exterior

What did you like/dislike like about the exterior?

Typically Volvo, good build-quality, excellent paint depth and neat, consistent panel gaps. Doors and hatch closed solidly. Proper door handles. Not an eye catcher but it it what it is, a generic SUV.

Rate the electric car on its interior

What did you like/dislike like about the interior?

The interior was a revelation! Having driven the EX30 an hour previously expecting it to be typical Volvo/Polestar and being mightily disappointed, the EX40 looked and felt like as familiar as my current Polestar 2.

Very comfortable seats, electrically adjustable and heated front and rear, nice chunky heated steering wheel, exceptional quality surfaces and finishes. I was very impressed. The only disappointment by modern EV standards was the small central screen, it was straight out of the ICE Volvos. Particularly noticeable when using the 360° rear camera.

Loads of practical storage and yes, even a proper glove box with a manual opening! Plenty of passenger space in the front and rear although the rear tunnel was a surprise, this car is quite clearly an ICE conversion. On the whole, the interior is excellent, 9 out of 10.

Rate the electric car for its tech features

What did you like/dislike about the tech features?

I had only a 15 minute drive and a 10 minute tinker so I didn’t really have time to delve too much. However, what I experienced was good. Keyless entry, decent sat nav, straightforward menu set ups. Proximity warnings were very good indeed, lane control not intrusive. The central screen seemed far too small and of low resolution after getting used to an iPad sized one in my Polestar. The car felt very familiar, both myself and Mrs H just got in and drove without having to familiarise ourselves. If you like the Polestar 2, you will like this.

Rate the electric car for how it drives

What did you like/dislike like about how it drove?

This car drove perfectly for me. Nice and steady acceleration, less rocket-like and harsh than its sibling, the EX30, slightly ‘wallowy’ giving a very smooth comfortable ride. Exceptionally quiet even with Cross Climate tyres. Regen is just perfect, slowing the car smoothly.

The high driving position is perfect, Mrs H commented, “I can see the bonnet on this one”. I couldn’t really fault this car, even it’s obvious ICE underpinnings don’t detract from it. Both myself and my wife would have happily swapped the Polestar for it there and then.

If there’s such a thing as automotive serendipity, the EX40 was it. A car I had not considered and only drove as the salesperson said “Here, try this!” after my disappointment with the EX30 , the car I came to drive.

Rate the dealership for their knowledge

Rate the dealership for their professionalism

Did you purchase the make & model you test drove or another electric car?

Outline key details of the offer

For May 2025, Volvo were offering a very generous £6,000 deposit allowance and 0% finance over 3 years. A great deal for a cash buyer, take the finance and pay it off after a month. The only negative was the low part-exchange offered on my current vehicle. I suspect Volvo are selective in their part-exhange vehicles.

*Volvo press image used.