Volvo has unveiled a refreshed XC40 for the 2028 model year, but the update comes with a catch for American buyers: the all-electric EX40 version will no longer be sold in the US, leaving only the petrol/hybrid XC40. The XC40 is Volvo's third-best-selling model in America and second-highest globally, so the loss of its electric counterpart marks a notable step back for the brand's EV ambitions in that market, even as the model itself gains a substantial cosmetic and technological overhaul.

Both the XC40 and EX40 (where it remains available elsewhere) get simplified, more modern front and rear styling, with reworked headlights, bumpers, hood and fenders, though the overall silhouette stays familiar. Inside, a new 11.2-inch display replaces the previous 9-inch screen, running the latest Android Automotive software with Google's Gemini assistant for tasks such as adjusting vehicle settings, finding restaurants with dietary information, and suggesting scenic routes. Volvo also says it has improved the SUVs' active safety systems, though full details were still to come in the article.