Volvo XC40 review

You've probably read about Volvo's decision to ditch estate cars and sell SUVs only, and the subsequent U-turn when buyers demanded their return. And whatever the future holds for the Swedish brand's line-up, the Volvo XC40 is likely to remain a big-seller.

Indeed, as the entry-point into Volvo's petrol-powered SUV range and a former What Car? Car of the Year, the XC40 is hugely popular – but is it still one of the best family SUVs you can buy? After all, there are much newer alternatives to consider now, including the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, as well as the Mini Countryman, Range Rover Evoque and Volkswagen Tiguan.

In this review, we'll tell you how the Volvo XC40 stacks up in all the important areas, plus which version we think makes the most sense. Alternatively, if you're in the market for a fully electric family SUV, check out our Volvo EX40 review.

What’s new?

- April 2025 - Plus Pro trim introduced with non-dazzling ‘pixel’ LED headlights and 360deg parking cameras

- April 2025 - All XC40 models gain a new, more powerful and simpler infotainment system

- July 2024 - New Black Edition pack, available on Plus and Ultra models, features black paint, wheels, trim and badges

The 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now

How fast is it and which engine is best?

All Volvo XC40s get a seven-speed automatic gearbox, front-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre petrol engine. There are two versions of the engine available: the B3, which has 161bhp, and the more powerful B4, with 194bhp. Both have mild-hybrid tech to aid efficiency.

Our pick is the B3, because it's sprightly enough for most buyers, with a 0-62mph time of 8.6secs. It's noticeably gutsier than the 1.5 eTSI 150 engine in the Audi Q3 and VW Tiguan. The B4 cuts a second off the sprint time, but we don't think it's worth the extra cost.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The XC40 isn't a sporty car, and when you up the pace you'll notice a fair amount of body lean though corners and noticeable nosedive under hard braking. However, most buyers will be driving their XC40 in a relaxed manner, and if you do that you'll find the handling perfectly adequate. 

While the steering isn't particularly feelsome, it responds accurately enough and the XC40 actually hangs on more gamely through tight twists and turns than a Mini Countryman or VW Tiguan. In short, some rivals are more fun, but the XC40 is easy to drive. If that's a deal-breaker for you, consider the Cupra Formentor and Ford Kuga.

The XC40 is more comfortable than most of its rivals, including the Audi Q3, the firmer-riding BMW X1 and some relatively comfy alternatives such as the Genesis GV70 and Range Rover Evoque.

On faster roads, the XC40 breezes over ripples and expansion joints and takes the sting out of razor-edged potholes around town – even if you go for the big 20in alloy wheels that come as standard with range-topping Ultra trim.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

You can hear a small amount of turbo whoosh when accelerating enthusiastically, but both XC40 engines are quieter than the rather coarse-sounding engine in the X1 xDrive23i or the 1.5 eTSI 150 in the Q3 and Tiguan.

Whichever XC40 you choose, you'll hear a low level of wind buffeting around the windscreen at motorway speeds. There's a mild amount of road noise, especially when big 20in alloy wheels are fitted (the Evoque and GV70 are notably more subdued in this respect), but, the XC40 is slightly quieter overall than an equivalent Q3, Tiguan or Countryman, and nowhere near as noisy as the X1 on a motorway.

The XC40’s brakes are progressive, making it easier to come to a smooth stop than the grabby response you get in the Q3.

“Comfort is key for buyers of family SUVs like this, and the XC40 really excels. The trade off is a little more body lean than in rivals but it's a compromise I'm happy with.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

Volvo now ranks alongside the best premium brands when it comes to interior quality, and the XC40 is no exception. Pretty much everything you touch feels upmarket and ready to stand up to the rigours of daily use, putting the interiors of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mini Countryman and VW Tiguan to shame.

The great mix of high-end plastics, leather and metal or wood inlays, and carpeted sections of the door panels and centre console gives the XC40 real panache. It looks and feels so classy inside that the Genesis GV70 and Range Rover Evoque are the only other similarly priced family SUVs that can hold a candle to it. 

The design looks simple and while it may not have as much showroom appeal as some rivals, it has aged well. Mid-level Plus trim gets extra ambient lighting and part-suede upholstery, while Ultra trim gets leather upholstery and a crystal gear selector.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

The front seats in some rivals (like the Audi Q3) provide a little more side and thigh support, but those in the Volvo XC40 are very comfortable and some of the best you’ll find in any family SUV. There’s a wide range of adjustment, including four-way powered lumbar support on all versions. If you go for Plus trim, you get fully electric adjustment for the driver’s seat.

The driving position is brilliant too. You sit higher than you do in many rivals, including the Q3, X1 and Tiguan, making the XC40 feel like a proper SUV from behind the wheel, rather than just a jacked-up family hatchback. Among direct rivals, only the Evoque and GV70 feel as lofty.

A digital driver's display is standard and while it doesn’t offer many layouts, it proves easy to read at a glance. Our only criticism is that the minimalist design of the dashboard means you have to delve into the infotainment touchscreen to adjust nearly everything, including the interior temperature. That can be rather distracting when you're driving, and physical controls (like those in the GV70) would be simpler.

The XC40's elevated seating position gives you a good view of the road ahead, helped further by the relatively slim windscreen pillars. You also get fairly large door mirrors, so you can see clearly what’s drawing up alongside, and bright LED headlights are fitted to make driving at night easier.

Over-the-shoulder visibility is compromised by the way the window line kicks up towards the back of the car. Fortunately, all trims include front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera.

Opting for the Plus Pro version gets you a 360-degree camera system to make navigating tight spaces even easier. LED headlights are standard on all XC40s, but this trim gets an adaptive matrix LED headlight upgrade, which allows you to keep full beam on without dazzling other road users.

Is the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

Dominating the middle of the XC40's dashboard is a 9.0in portrait-oriented touchscreen, which works in much the same way as a tablet computer. While the idea of a screen that lets you swipe, pinch and scroll might sound good in theory, the reality is that you have to take your eyes off the road for longer than is ideal just to complete simple tasks – such as changing the radio station, for example.

Matters aren't helped by the fact that some of the icons are small and the screen doesn’t always react immediately to prods. A better alternative is the system found in the GV70; its rotary controller is much easier to use while driving than any touchscreen, and the operating system is super-quick.

Still, the XC40's screen is crystal clear and there are plenty of features included as standard. You get built-in sat-nav (powered by Google Maps), DAB radio and Volvo On Call, which requests an emergency response if you're involved in an accident. Wireless phone-charging is also standard, as is (wired) Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

“Digital dials are clear and easy to read, but I wish they were more configurable. By contrast, both the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 feature a number of different layouts.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

How much space does it have for people?

There's lots of leg room in the front of the Volvo XC40, and lots of head room too – even if you opt for Ultra trim, with its panoramic glass roof. You won’t be banging elbows with your front passenger either, because the interior is fairly broad by family SUV standards.

It’s also full of thoughtful details. You get a pop-out rubbish bin between the front seats and carpeted door pockets that are each big enough to take a small laptop or two large bottles of water.

The XC40 is roomy enough in the back for taller adults to sit comfortably without their heads brushing the ceiling or their knees bashing the seat in front. It’s similar to the Audi Q3 and offers slightly less leg room than the BMW X1 and VW Tiguan, but only a carload of giants will have any cause for complaint. 

Thanks to its relatively wide rear bench, three adults can sit side by side fairly easily, with a bit more shoulder room than in the Q3. There’s also plenty of space under the front seats for their feet. The middle passenger’s legs will need to straddle a fairly big hump in the floor though. As for storage space, there are big door bins and a couple of cupholders in the rear centre armrest.

How much room does it have for luggage?

The XC40 has an official boot capacity of 452 litres – less than equivalent versions of the Q3, X1 and Tiguan. However, the load bay's commendably square proportions make packing super-easy, and if you don't opt for a spare wheel, you get a big underfloor storage area that makes up for any shortcomings above deck.

We managed to squeeze seven carry-on suitcases below the XC40's parcel shelf, the same as in the Genesis GV70 and one more than in the Q3. However, that’s one less than in the X1, and two fewer than the mightily impressive Tiguan. 

There’s no lip to negotiate at the entrance of the XC40's boot and opting for the Plus model adds a hinged panel midway along the floor. The panel clips up vertically and creates a divider to prevent smaller items from sliding around too much.

Split-folding rear seats are standard. However, the seatback is split 60/40, rather than the more versatile 40/20/40 arrangement that you get in the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Range Rover Evoque and VW Tiguan. 

It's also a pity that – unlike in the Q3, X1 and Tiguan – the rear seats don't recline for extra comfort, or slide back and forth. There is a ski hatch in the rear seatback though so you can slot long, narrow items through from the boot between two rear passengers.

“The XC40’s boot is well thought out, and I like the recessed areas which can hold smaller items such as cleaning cloths or a first aid kit.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

As premium family SUVs go, the Volvo XC40 is priced attractively and should hold its value well – if not quite as well as the Range Rover Evoque. Slow depreciation also means the XC40's PCP finance deals are usually competitive – you can check the latest prices on our New Car Deals pages.

The turbocharged 2.0-litre B3 is the least powerful engine, but it’s still slightly bigger than engines found in some equally-sized rivals. As a result, fuel economy is respectable rather than brilliant (expect around 35mpg in normal driving). By comparison, an Audi Q3 will achieve more than 40mpg.

The most cost-effective version for company car drivers paying BIK tax is the fully electric Volvo EX40 (previously known as the XC40 Recharge).

Entry-level Core trim provides a decent list of goodies, including cruise control, keyless start, dual-zone climate control, LED headlights and heated front seats. It also has 18in alloy wheels and a powered tailgate.

Many buyers will find that enough, but our favourite trim is the even better equipped Plus. It adds keyless entry, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a heated front windscreen.

Plus Pro gets leather seats and extra tech including a 360-degree camera. The premium is just about justifiable but we’d still be happy with regular Plus. 

Ultra trim is a bit too steep on price, but it’s worth considering for its Harman Kardon sound system, tinted rear windows and panoramic sunroof. 

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

As a brand, Volvo finished a disappointing 21st out of 30 manufacturers in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey. The XC40 itself finished poorly in the family SUV class as well, coming 54th out of 76 cars in total.

You get a three-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard, which includes roadside assistance, three-year paintwork warranty and 12 years of cover against rust. That's par for the course among premium family SUVs, matching the Audi Q3, but falling short of the five-year/50,000-mile warranty offered with the Genesis GV70. 

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

It’s difficult to compare the XC40’s five-star safety rating against more modern rivals because it was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2018 under a less stringent system. However you still get a good level of safety kit as standard, including an automatic emergency braking system that recognises cyclists, pedestrians and large animals as well as cars.

Every XC40 also comes with traffic-sign recognition and Oncoming Lane Mitigation (which intervenes if you cross a road's centre line into the path of other vehicles). Plus trim adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while top-spec Ultra adds an assisted driving function (named Pilot Assist) which can steer, accelerate and brake in certain situations – although your hands must always be on the wheel.

“Every trim comes well equipped, but I reckon the Plus trim is worth the extra over entry-level Core.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Buy it if…

- You fancy an SUV that prioritises on comfort

- You value a well-built interior 

- You regularly travel long distances

Don’t buy it if…

- You want the most fuel efficient SUV

- You want the latest technology inside

- You want an SUV that’s fun to drive

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