Volvo XC40 review

This is the XC40, Volvo’s entry model – or at least it was until the EX30 electric SUV came along. It’s been on sale since 2017, with a careful facelift introduced in 2022 to keep things fresh. In theory it’s a compact SUV, but it’s actually quite big when you’re standing next to one. It’s a very competitive bit of the market, this. You can’t put any old tat on sale.

Up against the petite (ish) Volvo are the Mercedes GLA, Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque. You’ve also got the likes of the Lexus NX, Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-5 or DS 7 as vaguely left-field choices.

That's a lot of competition...

What can we say, people love their compact family SUVs. They can all get a bit same-y, though, so if you have trouble telling your BMW X1s from your X3s and X5s, you'll note Volvo hasn't taken the same approach to its design. 

The Swedes have gone to the trouble of making the XC40 look different to the other cars in the range, though it remains distinctively Volvo. It has an angular, relatively small side glass area, and stretched cut-outs in the lower body side. Fashionable two-tone paint schemes also feature prominently in the configurator.

What's the interior like?

Inside, it's also colourful (if you want it to be). Visual options run the gamut up to (and including) red carpet on the floor and lower doors. Having seen past that shock, you'll find it's usefully roomy and practical. The cabin and boot have several clever ideas to keep your bits and pieces organised and stop them slithering about.

The XC40 doesn't use a shrunk version of the XC60/XC90 structure and suspension, either. The XC40 sits on parent company Geely’s CMA (compact modular architecture) platform, which has been designed for maximum space efficiency and took into account from the beginning upcoming EV powertrains. 

How does it drive? 

Unlike many of its rivals, the XC40 has no pretensions of offering a ‘car-like’ driving experience. Rather, it offers more of a mini large SUV experience, leaning into the format rather than trying to disguise it. You get smooth road manners and imperious float from the high ride, though the car still corners fairly flatly through bends.

The combustion engines in the standard car are limited to a mild-hybrid 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol engine in two states of tune –161bhp and 194bhp. These are badged B3 and B4 respectively, the former getting you to 62mph from a stop in 8.6 seconds and the latter doing it a second quicker. Both are limited to 112mph top speeds (as is Volvo’s policy these days) and are officially rated at 42.2mpg. The 48V mild hybrid system amounts to extended stop-start capability and some faint electric boost.

Is it practical for a family?

The XC40 has more about it in terms of day to day family running than anything from the likes of Audi or Mercedes. The cabin storage is useful, you’ll appreciate the little plugs and hooks about the place and access to the seats is pretty good. Likewise there’s a bit of trickery in the boot that makes it more practical for loose loads of shopping too. It would get cramped for five adults, but there’s decent space for kids, even if they might prefer a better view out.

The XC40 is an upright and solid SUV rather than pretending too hard to be a car-like crossover. Volvo has made something nicely distinctive here. That's helped by the fact the values of an SUV correspond with many of the values of Volvo. It's a comfy drive that imparts a sense of all-weather security. It keeps you calm rather than goading you into vigorous cornering, but if you insist it won't go to pieces.

The cabin is extremely well organised and practical, with some handy storage ideas that really work. It's also roomy and well made. The electric version is well worth a look too, but it’s quite expensive in comparison.