Volvo refreshes XC40 for 2028 with new lights and trimmed corners
Volvo's XC40 gets new LED lights and trimmed corners for 2028—a second facelift, not an all-new generation.
Ars Technica reported that Volvo provided flights from Washington, DC, to London, England, and accommodation so the outlet could see its refreshed vehicles. Ars said it does not accept paid editorial content.
Most cars receive a midlife facelift about four years after first reaching the streets. Ars Technica noted that such updates can be minor or quite dramatic, pointing to the Polestar 2’s switch from front- to rear-wheel drive as an example. The XC40 first debuted in 2017 and was given a tweak for model year 2023. Rather than introduce an all-new version, Volvo decided to update the crossover again for MY28.
“By enhancing the XC40’s design, technology, and safety features, we've created the best version of the XC40 yet,” said Akhil Krishnan, interim lead for the 30 and 40 Series at Volvo Cars. “This already-popular model is now set to continue being one of our best-selling cars for years to come.”
The most visible changes are the new front and rear lights. At the front, the XC40 retains its distinctive “Thor’s Hammer” daylight running light signature, but the new matrix LED light clusters appear more minimalist and hide their details from view. The rear also receives new LEDs.
Volvo’s designers worked elsewhere on the exterior, shaving away the car’s corners. The change makes the already small SUV take up slightly less room, according to Ars Technica.