Volvo XC40 Review

• September 2017 Volvo unveils the XC40 compact SUV, opens for ordering with T5 petrol and D4 diesel engines
• November 2017 XC40 production begins
• February 2018 T3 three-cylinder petrol engine introduced
• March 2018 XC40 named European Car of the Year at the Geneva Motor Show
• August 2018 T4 petrol and D3 diesel engines introduced
• September 2019 T2 three-cylinder petrol engine and T5 Twin Engine petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain introduced
• October 2019 Fully electric XC40 Recharge introduced
• August 2020 XC40 line-up rationalised with diesel engines discontinued, mild hybrid petrol B4 (P) and B5 (P) replacing the previous T4 and T5, T4 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid powertrain introduced and T5 Twin Engine renamed T5 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid
• February 2021 First XC40 over-the-air software update announced
• March 2022 Refreshed XC40 range announced with Core, Plus and Ultimate trim levels as B3 (P) mild hybrid petrol replaces the previous T3
• January 2023 Updated fully electric XC40 Recharge versions introduced
• May 2023 Plug-in hybrid versions discontinued
• February 2024 Fully electric XC40 Recharge renamed Volvo EX40 and previous Ultimate trim level is renamed Ultra
• July 2024 XC40 Black Editions introduced

This is wonderfully simple to explain for the latest Volvo XC40 range because there’s a choice of just two engines. Both are 2.0-litre mild hybrid turbocharged petrols and the only difference is their power outputs. 

The cheaper choice is the B3 (P) with 163PS and it shouldn’t be overlooked. On paper, it can hit 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds and in reality feels plenty quick enough. There’s a wave of useful mid-range grunt that breezes you past slower-moving traffic or whisks you up to motorway speeds effortlessly. 

If you fancy something a bit racier there’s the B4 (P). With 197PS it’s got noticeably more thrust to get you moving quicker – 0-62mph takes 7.6 seconds. It’s not just for bragging rights, though. The extra poke makes this engine more appropriate if you’ll be using your Volvo XC40 as a tow car. 

There’s no manual transmission, which is good if you dislike changing gears yourself. A seven-speed automatic gearbox is standard which changes smoothly and quickly. It’s not infallible and occasionally gets caught out, jerking between changes. These days every Volvo XC40 is front-wheel drive. That wasn’t always the case, so if you’re after a four-wheel-drive Volvo XC40 check out the numerous used options out there.

Volvo XC40 Running Costs

According to the official WLTP figures, when it comes to fuel economy it doesn’t matter which Volvo XC40 you go for: the B3 (P) and B4 (P) both do 39.2-42.7mpg on the Combined cycle. That’s okay but not fantastic – it’s similar economy to the equivalent petrol Mercedes GLA models at 40.4-42.2mpg. 

To put it into perspective, the bigger, seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI petrol can officially manage more than 47mpg and the 2.0 TDI diesel version is even better hitting over 53mpg. 

It’s the same story if you’re a company car user. The petrol-only Volvo XC40 produces 149-164g/km of CO2, again, is similar to the petrol Mercedes GLA (153-159g/km CO2), while the more efficient Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI petrol emits fewer emissions at 136-147g/km CO2. That means the Skoda slots into a lower Benefit-in-Kind company car tax band. 

If you opt for a plug-in hybrid rival you could save a lot more company car tax and even more still if you go for a fully electric model, which includes the XC40’s electric twin, the Volvo EX40. 

Volvo XC40 Comfort and Practicality

When it comes to ride quality the Volvo XC40’s relatively supple suspension eases you over potholes and expansion joints calmly. It’s at its best on the smaller, 18-inch wheels that come with the entry-level trim. Bigger wheels – up to 20 inches for the top Ultra trim – make the ride more jittery but not harsh. There’s some road noise at 70mph but wind noise is subdued making the Volvo XC40 a pretty good motorway cruiser. 

If you’re after an SUV primarily because you like the idea of sitting up high you’ll relish the XC40’s relatively lofty driving position. From the driver’s seat, you’ll feel considerably higher set than you would in the BMW X1, although the Land Rover Discovery Sport is higher still. The Volvo XC40 also feels very smart inside, dominated by a mix of soft and tactile materials in all the key places, which are screwed together with a sense of solidity. 

The Volvo XC40’s front seats have noticeably firm cushions but they’re nicely bolstered to give good support in all the right areas. All trims come with seat height and lumbar adjustment and there’s plenty of adjustment for the steering column as well. There’s also more than enough head and legroom and many storage options in the front. These include a useful glove box, a cubby that serves as a rubbish bin, and big door bins, which are carpeted to stop items rattling around – that’s a nice touch. 

Move to the rear and it’s also spacious. The Volvo XC40 isn’t as long as something like the Mercedes GLB or Land Rover Discovery Sport but there’s enough legroom for six-footers and a surfeit of headroom. There’s even a welcome amount of space under the front seats to put your feet making it a comfortable car if you’re sat in the two outer rear seats. The middle rear seat allows for three in the back when required but it’s narrower and there’s quite a sizeable hump in the floor to straddle. There’s a plethora of storage facilities for those in the back seats, including door bins, a couple of cup holders and netted map pockets. 

The boot volume is 443 litres which is beaten soundly by the similarly-sized BMW X1. That said, while the X1’s boot will swallow more stuff, the XC40’s boot is a usefully square shape and – if you don’t add the optional space-saver spare wheel – has lots of under-floor storage as well. As a result, it’ll easily swallow a couple of large suitcases or a fold-up pram.

It’s worth bearing in mind that, for similar money, you could have something without a premium badge with even more luggage space. The Skoda Kodiaq’s boot is a whopping 910 litres in five-seater mode, meaning it’s over twice as big as the Volvo XC40’s.

The other advantage of the Skoda Kodiaq, along with rivals including the Mercedes GLB and Land Rover Discovery Sport, is that they are available with seven seats. The Volvo XC40 is strictly a five-seater only. It’s also a shame the rear seats don’t slide or recline, which they do in many of the Volvo XC40’s competitors. 

Volvo XC40 Technology

Wired Apple CarPlay is standard at a time when most competitors offer a wireless link but Android Auto isn’t. Don’t despair if you’re an Android smartphone user because the Volvo XC40’s infotainment software is Android-based. That means you can just log in using your Google account and use your apps through the infotainment screen. Being Android, you also get Google Maps and Google Assistant voice recognition. 

The 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen is high-definition and generally responsive but there are many menus and some icons are small and difficult to hit while you’re driving. It’s also a shame that the 12.3-inch digital instrument screen, which is standard, isn’t as configurable as some equivalents, like the Audi Q3’s. 

There are two USB-C sockets in the front and two more in the rear, so everyone should be able to keep their devices supplied with juice on a long trip. As standard you get an eight-speaker, 250-Watt sound system on Core and Plus versions while Ultra models are upgraded to a 12-speaker, 600-Watt Harman-Kardon package. 

There are three main trims for the Volvo XC40: Core, Plus and Ultra.

The Volvo XC40 Core is the entry-level trim and it’s available only with the lower-power B3 (P) engine, so the price is £36,310. Even this is pretty well-equipped. 

Standard equipment includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• dual-zone climate control
• automatic LED headlights and wipers
• cruise control
• rear parking sensors and reversing camera
• power-folding door mirrors
• powered tailgate
• keyless start
• lane assist
• speed limit warning
• automatic emergency braking
• heating and lumbar adjustment for the front seats

On top of all that you also get an infotainment system that features a wireless phone charger, 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Google Maps, Google Assistant and Apple CarPlay.

The Volvo XC40 Plus trim is priced between £39,810 and £40,960, depending on which engine you go for, adding:

• a heated steering wheel
• an electrically heated windscreen
• heated rear seats
• auto-dimming mirrors
• blind-spot warning
• front parking sensors
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• part-faux suede seats
• keyless entry
• hands-free tailgate opening
• electrically operated driver’s seat with memory function

If you fancy the Volvo XC40 Ultra you’ll need to stump up between £45,220 and £46,370 to enjoy the additional:

• matrix LED headlights
• adaptive cruise control with steering assist
• headlamp washing
• 360-degree surround-view camera
• darkened rear privacy glass
• an electric sunroof
• electrically adjustable front passenger seat
• driftwood dashboard and door panel trim inlays
• leather seats
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Harman-Kardon 12-speaker, 600-Watt stereo 

For an additional fee Plus and Ultra versions can be upgraded to Black Edition specification, adding the following niceties:

• 20-inch 5-spoke high-gloss black alloy wheels
• part-faux suede seats (Ultra only)
• aluminium dashboard and door panel trim inlays (Ultra only)
• dark-tinted rear privacy glass (Plus only)
• high-gloss black exterior trims and badges
• Onyx Black paint

Volvo XC40 FAQs

Does the Volvo XC40 come with seven seats?

No it doesn’t. It’s a five-seater only but a pretty roomy one at that. If you want a seven-seat SUV for similar money you could look at the Skoda Kodiaq or there are premium alternatives with seven seats, like the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Mercedes GLB. 

Is the Volvo XC40 good to drive?

Yes because apart from some road noise it’s generally quiet at speed, plus the ride is supple – especially if you don’t have the biggest 20-inch alloys fitted. While it’s not the most fun to drive in bends the Volvo XC40 grips well and is easy to handle. 

How expensive is the Volvo XC40? 

The entry-level Volvo XC40 Core B3 (P) is £36,310 and that’s a good package. It comes with sufficient goodies and the 163PS mild hybrid petrol engine is gutsy enough. The cheapest option with the more powerful 197PS B4 (P) engine is the Volvo XC40 Plus, which costs £40,960, while the top-of-the-range Volvo XC40 Ultra Black Edition is £46,620.