Volvo XC40 review

You've probably seen the news that Volvo now sells only SUVs in the UK, making the Volvo XC40 your entry-point into the brand's petrol-powered models. 

That’s no bad thing – it's a former What Car? Car of the Year so it’s no secret that it's a strong choice – but it has been around for a while now.

To help the XC40 keep up with the best family SUVs, Volvo has tried to ensure it's a master of all the things family buyers are looking for, including comfort, practicality and efficiency. But the question is, is this hugely popular model still a better buy than premium-brand rivals including the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque?

That’s what we’re assessing in this review, as we rate the Volvo XC40 in all the important areas. Read on to find out whether it's still the best in the business...

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All Volvo XC40s get a seven-speed automatic gearbox, front-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre petrol engine – unless you go for the fully electric Volvo EX40 (which we've reviewed separately).

There are two versions of the engine available: the B3, with 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 8.6 seconds. The B4 cuts a second off the sprint time, but we don't think it's worth the extra cost.

The XC40 is more comfortable than most rivals, including the firm-riding BMW X1 and the unsettled Jaguar E-Pace. The XC40 betters even some relatively comfortable 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 on the top-spec Ultra trim’s 20in alloy wheels.

We'd expect most XC40 buyers to drive it in a relaxed manner, and if you do that it handles perfectly adequately. It's not sporty though, so if you press on the body leans a fair bit in corners and you'll notice the steering isn't particularly feelsome. 

In short, the XC40 is easy to drive but some rivals feel more fun. If that's a deal-breaker for you, consider the Cupra Formentor – or the Ford Kuga if you want a polished PHEV SUV with a bit of cornering verve.

The engines emit a bit of turbo whoosh when accelerating enthusiastically, but they’re both quieter than the rather coarse-sounding 2.0-litre engine in the X1 xDrive23i.

Whichever engine you choose, you'll hear mild wind buffeting around the windscreen at motorway speeds. There's also road noise, especially when big 20in alloy wheels are fitted (the Evoque and GV70 is notably more subdued in this respect). Still, the XC40 is nowhere near as raucous as the X1 on a motorway.

Driving overview

Strengths Smooth ride; easy to drive; quieter than a BMW X1

Weaknesses Still some wind and road noise; leans quite a bit in corners

The front seats in the Volvo XC40 are some of the best you’ll find in any family SUV. There’s a wide range of adjustment, including tilt and height, plus four-way electric lumbar adjustment on all versions. If you go for Plus trim, you'll get a fully electric driver’s seat.

We really like the driving position too. You sit higher than you do in many rivals, including the BMW X1, making the XC40 feel like a proper SUV from behind the wheel, rather than just a jacked-up family hatchback. Among rivals, only the Genesis GV70 and Range Rover Evoque feel as lofty.

A digital instrument panel is standard and 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 buttons (like you get 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 rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, while Plus trim adds front parking sensors.

Meanwhile, opting for the top-spec Ultimate version gets you a 360-degree camera system to make navigating tight spaces even easier. Ultimate also adds matrix LED headlights that allow you to keep full beam on all the time without dazzling other road users.

Dominating the middle of the XC40's dashboard is the 9.0in tablet-style touchscreen, which works in much the same way as an iPad.

While the idea of a screen that lets you swipe, pinch and scroll sounds 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 – 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 quickly to prods. A better alternative is the system found in the GV70. Its rotary controller is much easier to use on the move 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 Google Maps sat-nav, a DAB radio and Volvo On Call, which requests an emergency response if you're involved in an accident.

Wireless phone-charging is standard, as is Apple CarPlay. It is odd, though, that despite Volvo’s operating system being Android based, Android Auto is not available, so tough luck if you own a Samsung or Google phone.

When it comes to interior quality, Volvo now ranks alongside the best premium brands, and the XC40 is no exception. Pretty much everything you touch in the XC40 feels ready to stand the test of time and the rigours of daily family use, yet it's also elegant and plush.

The great mix of high-end plastics, leather and metal or wood inlays really gives the XC40 panache. It looks and feels so classy inside that the GV70 and Evoque are the only other similarly priced family SUVs that can hold a candle to it.

Interior overview

Strengths High driving position; supportive front seats offer lots of adjustment; interior quality up with the best rivals

Weaknesses Compromised over-the-shoulder visibility; infotainment touchscreen is distracting to use while driving

There's lots of space to stretch your legs in the Volvo XC40, and loads of head room in the front too – even if you opt for Ultra trim, with its panoramic glass roof. You won’t be banging elbows with your front passenger because the interior is 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 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 a bit behind the BMW X1 for leg room, 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 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, you get big door bins and a couple of cupholders in the rear centre armrest.

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

It's also a pity that – unlike in the X1 and the Tiguan – the rear seats don't recline for extra comfort or slide back and forth to increase luggage space.

The XC40’s boot has an official capacity of 452 litres – slightly less than non-PHEV versions of the X1 and loads less than the 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 but one less than the X1.

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

Practicality overview

Strengths Space for tall adults in both the front and the back; thoughtfully designed storage cubbies; square boot is easy to pack

Weaknesses Rear seats don't slide or recline; seatbacks split and fold 60/40 rather than the more useful 40/20/40

As premium family SUVs go, the Volvo XC40 is priced attractively and should hold its value well – even compared with 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 Volvo XC40 deals page.

The B3 is the smallest and cheapest to buy, but having to haul the sizeable XC40 around results in it returning fairly mediocre economy. You can find out what a car really does to the gallon with our True MPG Calculator.

The most cost-effective version if you'll be paying BIK tax as a company car user is the fully electric model, previously known as the XC40 Recharge – to find out more about that, see our Volvo EX40 review.

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

Many buyers will find that enough, but our favourite trim is the even better equipped Plus. It's still reasonably priced while adding heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and ambient interior lighting.

Luxurious Ultra trim completes the line-up, adding a Harman Kardon sound system, tinted rear windows, a sunroof and 19in wheels, but is rather expensive.

As a brand, Volvo finished ninth out of 32 manufacturers in our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey. The XC40 itself didn’t perform as well in the family SUV class, finishing in the bottom third.

A three-year/60,000-mile warranty, including roadside assistance, comes as standard, as does a three-year paintwork warranty and 12 years of cover against rust. That's par for the course among premium family SUVs. It can be extended at a cost but doesn’t match the five-year/50,000-mile warranty Genesis offers.

The XC40 received the top five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP and earned high scores across the board. That’s in part due to the impressive level of safety kit that comes as standard, including an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system that recognises cyclists, pedestrians and large animals as well as cars.

The Evoque received five Euro NCAP stars too, but it’s hard to compare the two as it was rated more recently, using more stringent testing criteria.

Every XC40 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, which can steer, accelerate and brake for you in certain situations – although your hands must always be on the wheel.

Costs overview

Strengths Attractively priced for a premium family SUV; strong resale values; performed well in Euro NCAP safety tests

Weaknesses Fuel economy is a bit disappointing; finished in the bottom third of its class in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey

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