Volvo XC40 Review 2023

The Volvo XC40 was named Car of the Year at the Honest John Awards in 2019, so it should come as no surprise to discover that we think it’s the best small SUV you can buy. It’s almost hard to fault, with the XC40 boasting chunky good looks, a wonderfully premium interior, enviable safety credentials and a long list of equipment as standard. Throw into the mix a wide range of powertrains, including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and fully electric (take a loot at our separate Volvo XC40 Recharge review), and you’ve got the hallmarks of one of the best – not to mention, most relevant – new cars of 2022. Read our Volvo XC40 review to discover more...

You’re not short of alternatives. The likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Jaguar E-Pace, Lexus UX and Range Rover Evoque are just some of the premium rivals after a share of the XC40’s pie, and this is before you consider the plethora of mainstream models. So what makes the Volvo XC40 so special?

Put simply, it’s a terrific all-rounder. It’s a car we struggle to find fault with – it’s almost the perfect package. The build quality is a match for its German rivals, but the exterior and interior styling helps the Volvo XC40 to stand out in a very crowded market. It feels like a compact version of the XC60 and XC90, offering similar levels of safety and technology.

Prices start from around £25,000, but you’ll need to spend at least £30,000 to secure the Volvo XC40 you really want, especially once you’ve started browsing the options list. Get too carried away and you’ll be looking at the thick end of £40,000, so caution is required.

At least there’s plenty of choice. Although Volvo has ditched diesel, you can choose from 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines, plus a couple of plug-in hybrids and a fully electric version. Depending on the model, you can select from manual or automatic transmissions, and front- and all-wheel-drive. There are also three core trim levels: Momentum, a sportier R-Design, and a more luxurious Inscription.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch active driver’s information display, nine-inch portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, DAB digital radio, sat-nav, keyless start, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers and rear park assist. There’s also a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating to fall back on, should the worst happen.

It’s a practical car, boasting a large boot and room for five adults in the cabin. The quality of the cabin is first class, but the XC40 shines thanks to the use of sumptuous materials and clever details. Few cars are this good to spend time in, especially at this end of the market.

It’s also safe and predictable on the road, with Volvo focusing on comfort and safety to deliver one of the most satisfying cars in its class. From the comfortable seats to the ambient lighting, you’ll arrive at your destination as relaxed as when you set off, regardless of the distance.

If all this isn’t enough, there’s the fact that it holds its value on the second-hand market. While this might not be good news if you’re searching for a used bargain, it means the Volvo XC40 is available via some affordable Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deals and you needn’t worry about losing a chunk of money if you’re buying new.

We’re not sure the perfect car exists, but the XC40 must come very close. It’s a charming, sophisticated and upmarket car in a family-friendly package. Take a look to see what all the fuss is about.

We lived with a XC40 plug-in hybrid for six months - find out how we got on with it in our Volvo XC40 long term test. Why not get a second opinion with heycar's Volvo XC40 review. 

The Volvo XC40's 460-litre boot isn’t the biggest in its class, but you’ll struggle to find anything more practical amongst the competition. We’d recommend the Convenience Pack, which adds a multi-function floor that doubles as a partition to stop things sliding around in the boot. With the rear seats folded, the XC40 offers 1,336 litres of boot space.

There’s even better news in the cabin. From the huge door bins to the large central storage cubby, there are loads of places for your oddments.

There’s room for five adults, while children will appreciate the raised bench seat, which gives a commanding view ahead and to the sides. This doesn’t come at the expense of headroom, which is generous in the front and back.

The Volvo XC40 measures 4425mm long, 1873mm wide and 1658mm tall, making it a little shorter than the BMW X1, though it's a touch wider.

Almost faultless. That’s how we’d describe the quality of the Volvo XC40. Excellent paint quality, tight panel gaps and doors that shut with a reassuring thud, the XC40 looks and feels the part. The good vibes continue on the inside, with a cabin that’s rich in quality and high in exquisite details.

From the chrome-tipped dashboard to the chunky leather-trimmed steering wheel, the XC40 oozes quality. Volvo has even used carpets to trim the centre console surround, so we don’t have to complain about the downmarket plastics in the lower part of the cabin. Speaking of carpets, we’d recommend the optional Lava Orange carpet for a dash of colour.

The dashboard is dominated by a nine-inch portrait-style infotainment screen, which is the same as you’ll find in larger, more expensive Volvo models. It uses familiar tablet and smartphone-style swipes, scrolls and pinches to operate. It takes a while to get used to, but it’s no more taxing to operate than your smartphone. You also get voice recognition, which is one of the best systems we’ve experienced.

Features include sat-nav with European mapping, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and a SIM card. It’s just a shame that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t included as standard.

The Volvo XC40 isn’t a cheap SUV. Don’t be fooled by the £25,420 price tag of the entry-level XC40 T2 in Momentum Core trim. This is little more than a means of encouraging you into a Volvo showroom. Prices of the XC40 you’ll want to buy range from £30,000 to £42,500. There’s also a £60,000 XC40, but more on this in a moment.

There are too many prices to list here, so we’ll do our best to summarise them. There are three trim levels: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. There’s also a First Edition for the electric model, Pro versions of R-Design and Inscription, plus the aforementioned £25,240 Momentum Core that you won’t buy.

Momentum prices start from around £30,000, the cheapest R-Design is around £31,500, and it’s a similar price for the Inscription model. Upgrading from a manual gearbox to an automatic transmission adds £1500 to the price, while all-wheel-drive commands a premium of around £1800.

A plug-in hybrid will cost at least £39,000, but the recently launched electric XC40 weighs in at just shy of £60,000. Recharge is Volvo’s name for its range of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. Also look out for engines marked with a ‘B’, as these feature mild hybrid technology.

The Volvo XC40 is good at holding its value, so don’t expect to find too many bargains when buying used. You’ll pay at least £24,000 for a 2018 model with up to 25,000 miles on the clock. Alternatively, new cars are available to lease from £299 a month, or a little less on a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deal.

Diesel engines have been dropped from the range, so the most economical petrol engines are the T2 and T3. These units can return 37.2mpg to 40.4mpg, but there’s a small penalty for choosing the T3 automatic.

The B4 petrol offers 36.2mpg to 39.2mpg in front-wheel-drive guise, or 34.0mpg to 36.7mpg if you opt for the all-wheel-drive version.

The figure is roughly the same for the all-wheel-drive only B5 petrol. The T4 and T5 plug-in hybrid models offer a WLTP figure of 117.7mpg to 134.5mpg, plus an all-electric range of 28.6 miles. Finally, the all-electric XC40 P8 has a projected range of 248.5 miles.

There’s an immediate tax benefit associated with buying the electric XC40, because you’ll pay nothing for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). You’ll also pay nothing in the first year for the plug-in hybrid models, but the rate is £140 from year two. There’s also a £325 surcharge for models costing more than £40,000 – only the electric model is exempt from this.

Insurance groups range from 18 to 32, so getting cover shouldn’t be expensive.

It’s a thoroughly pleasant car to drive, with Volvo concentrating on ride comfort and safety, rather than sharp handling and rapid acceleration.

The seats are superb, providing a perfect blend of support and comfort. Volvo offers a range of alloy wheel sizes, from 17 inches to 21 inches. Volvo fits 18-inch rims to the majority of models, which seem perfect for the XC40. Anything larger simply serves to upset the ride quality, especially if you opt for the admittedly stylish 21-inch rims.

It feels very grown-up for a compact crossover, similar in style to the larger XC60. This is a huge positive, especially if you have children, because few cars feel as safe to travel in as a Volvo. The R-Design model boasts a sports chassis, but it’s far from sporty.

Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Volvo XC40 review

The 129PS 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo T2 is fine if you spend most of your time in town or nipping to the shops. It comes with a manual gearbox and front-wheel-drive, and it’s the cheapest way into XC40 ownership.

We’d recommend the T3, which is a 163PS version of the same engine. It offers ample pulling power, plus the option of a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission.

Moving up a level, the B4 and B5 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines feature mild hybrid technology and even better pulling power.

This is especially true in the B5, which boasts a diesel-like 350Nm of torque, making it ideal for towing duties. Both the B4 and B5 are fitted with an automatic transmission, but while the B4 is available in front- and all-wheel-drive, the B5 is all-wheel-drive only.

The T4 and T5 are plug-in hybrid versions of the 1.5-litre petrol engines, offering 129PS and 180PS of power respectively. Finally, the P8 Recharge boasts a 78kWh battery, with charging available via an 11kW charger or a 150kW fast-charger.

Predictably, the Volvo XC40 was awarded a maximum five-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2018. Standard safety equipment includes pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, front collision warning with automatic braking, driver alert, multiple airbags, Isofix points on the outer rear seats, road sign information and run-off road mitigation/protection.

We’d recommend the Intellisafe Surround pack, which is standard on the electric XC40, but optional on the others. The pack comprises blind spot information with steer assist, cross traffic alert with autobrake, rear collision warning and mitigation, and auto-dimming door mirrors.

The B4 and B5 versions of the XC40 are the best for towing, with each offering a maximum towing capacity of 2100kg. The figure drops to 1600kg in the T2 and T3, but the T4 and T5 plug-in hybrid models offer a maximum capacity of 1800kg. The figure is just 1500kg in the P8 Recharge electric car.

The Volvo XC40 is arguably the best compact crossover/SUV you can buy in 2022, which means it’s one of the most relevant cars on the planet. This burgeoning segment contains everything from budget players to premium brands, with the XC40 fighting the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Range Rover. The fact that it tops the lot speaks volumes about this car’s quality.

Even the cheaper models boast the same styling and build quality of the more expensive versions, so you don’t have to spend big to join the XC40 club. It’s practical, stylish, upmarket and safe – the perfect blend.

As we've touched on, the XC40 is available in three trim levels: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. Choose the XC40 in Momentum trim and you get LED headlights, a 12.3-inch TFT active instrument display, a 9-inch portrait-format Sensus touchscreen, cruise control, power parking brake, dual-zone climate control and a built-in sat nav. Most cars in this spec also sit on 18-inch alloys, though some base models come on 17-inch wheels.   

The sporty XC40 R-Design trim adds to this with leather and nubuck upholstery with sports seats, a power tailgate, firmer suspension and sharper styling tweaks. 

If you're looking for something a little more luxurious, then the XC40 Inscription is the one to go for. It features full leather upholstery, a rear parking camera, ambient lighting and an Orrefors crystal gear lever. 

There's an extensive list of extras with the XC40, but it can make financial sense to opt for one of the 'Pro' packs (available with both the R-Design and Inscription), which bundles a set of popular extras in one pack and can work out cheaper than adding on a couple of individual features.