Review - Volvo XC40

Today’s subject, the Volvo XC40, picks up on the familiar recipe with a heaping of Swedish style, with everything from petrol, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric (BEV) offerings available for buyers here in Australia. 

With a crowded lineup, though, it can be difficult to know just which is the best option within the Volvo XC40 lineup, which is exactly what we’re going to unpack with a closer look at Volvo’s typically safe and stylish entrant into the world of compact SUVs. 

Starting Price: $47,490

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Volvo XC40 - T4 MOMENTUM (FWD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Volvo XC40 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Volvo XC40 lineup kicks off from $47,490 for the entry-level XC40 T4 Momentum, with prices jumping to $52,990 for the XC40 T4 Inscription AWD, while the T5 R-Design AWD is priced at $56,990.  

Stepping up to Volvo’s plug-in hybrid, the XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid comes with a $66,990 price tag, while the flagship, all-electric XC40 Recharge Pure Electric AWD is priced at $76,990. 

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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What Features Does the Volvo XC40 Have?

Volvo’s entry-level T4 Momentum comes riding on 18-inch alloys, and receives active LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors, vegan leather upholstery, keyless entry & start, dual-zone climate control, powered driver’s seat and a 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB+ and satellite navigation, which is paired with an eight-speaker sound system. 

Stepping up to the T4 Inscription adds a set of 19-inch alloys, powered boot lift, leather upholstery and a power-adjustable passenger seat, while the T5 R-Design receives 20-inch aloys and Nubuck leather upholstery. 

The XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid gains a panoramic sunroof, while the range-topping Recharge Pure Electric gains a set of heated front and rear seats, surround-view camera, tinted windows and an upgraded Harmon/Kardon sound system. 

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• Active LED headlights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Reversing camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors 

• Vegan leather upholstery 

• Dual-zone climate control 

• Keyless entry & start 

• 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB+ & sat-nav 

• 19-inch alloys (T4 Inscription) 

• Powered boot lift (T4 Inscription)

• Leather upholstery (T4 Inscription) 

• 20-inch alloys (T5 R-Design)

• Nubuck leather upholstery (T5 R-Design) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Recharge Plug-in Hybrid) 

• Heated front & rear seats (Recharge Pure Electric)

• Surround-view camera(Recharge Pure Electric)

• Harmon/Kardon sound system (Recharge Pure Electric)

Volvo XC40 Colours

The Volvo XC40 range is available in a choice of eight colours including Black Stone, Glacier White, Ice White, Onyx Black, Fusion Red, Thunder Grey, Denim Blue, and Pebble Grey. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

It takes just a few moments behind the wheel of the latest XC40 to realise just how well-refined the platform is, making it a great entrant to the world of compact crossover SUVs. 

The base T4 variant receives a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 140kW of power and 300Nm of torque which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a healthy amount of power for an entry-point into the XC40 range. 

The T5 receives a more powerful tune of the same engine producing 185kW of power and 350Nm of torque, which translates to an impressive amount of acceleration off the line. 

Opting for the XC40 Recharge plug-in hybrid pairs a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol with an electric motor producing 195kW of power and 425Nm of torque, with power supplied by a 10.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack and drive from a dual-clutch transmission.

Finally, the range-topping Recharge Pure Electric receives two electric motors producing a combined 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque, making for by far the quickest member of the XC40 family. 

In terms of the best engine of the bunch, the fully-electric powertrain is hard to ignore, although if price is a concern, the T4 and T5 offer an impressive driving dynamic for the price. 

As a complete package, the XC40 is remarkably smooth thanks to its capable suspension package that irons out the majority of bumps you’ll find on an urban commute, while the cabin remains whisper-quiet thanks to Volvo’s attention to detail in deafening outside noises. 

The steering remains lightweight around town, making the process of parking and low-speed manoeuvres a simple task, while the rack offers significantly more feedback as you pick up speed, giving the driver a sense of confidence.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Stepping inside the XC40 treats the driver and front passenger to a unique and stylish cabin that is hard to compare to most of its rivals.

There’s a clear emphasis on clean design lines and an uncrowded dashboard, which means there’s a simple dashboard housing a few climate control settings and the vertically-mounted 9.0-inch infotainment system- and that’s pretty much it. 

The door surrounds gain a unique design that effectively cuts out the armrest from the door and opens up even more space in the side of the cabin. 

Stepping up higher into the range adds things like a panoramic sunroof, full-leather upholstery and heated seats which is a nice touch, although most buyers will be happy with the design and packaging of the base models. 

While compact SUVs are typically limited when it comes to space and practicality, this is one area that the XC40 platform shines above the majority of its competitors. 

Practical touches in the XC40 range include a heap of storage in the large door bins on either side of the cabin, two storage areas behind the cupholders and another large storage tray sitting behind the gear lever, small storage areas either side of the transmission tunnel, and even some under-seat storage. 

Move to the rear of the cabin and you’ll find an impressive amount of space in the second row, with no problem when it comes to accommodating tall adults, although headroom can be cramped. There’s a heap of legroom and shoulder room for three-abreast seating, while the ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts are happy to accommodate a trio of child seats. 

Finally, the XC40 range features a decent amount of storage in the boot, which is rated at 460L with the rear seats standing, expanding to 1,336L with the rear seats folded down, making for an undeniably practical compact SUV; potentially even leading the pack when it comes to overall size and practicality. 

Is it Safe?

The XC40 range has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 97% for adult protection, 84% for child protection, 71% for pedestrian protection and 78% for its safety assist technologies. 

As standard, all XC40 variants receive a generous heaping of safety equipment as we’ve come to expect from a company like Volvo. 

This includes features like autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assistance, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and curtain airbags around the cabin, making the XC40 well-equipped in the context of safety equipment. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Volvo’s base T4 petrol is rated at 7.2L per 100km on a combined cycle in the front-wheel drive variant, while the T4 all-wheel-drive is rated at 7.4L/100km.

 Stepping up to the T5 brings fuel economy to a claimed 7.7L/100km, while the Recharge plug-in hybrid is rated at just 2.2L/100km. 

How Far can the All-Electric XC40 Recharge Drive on a Single Charge?

Volvo’s Recharge Pure Electric has its power supplied by a 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack that Volvo says offers up to 418km of driving range on a single charge. 

With the help of a 150kW DC fast-charger, you’ll be able to top the battery pack up from 10 - 80 per cent in around 40-minutes, while using an 11kW AC charger at home takes north of 7-hours to fully charge the pack. 

Our Verdict: Is the Volvo XC40 Worth it?

The Volvo XC40 is an undeniably sleek, comfortable, practical and safe compact SUV that is remarkably simple to drive around town while remaining stable on long-distance tours through the Australian countryside. 

One of the most important things on offer in the latest XC40 range is the sheer amount of space and practicality inside and in the boot, which absolutely puts some of its key rivals to shame when it comes to swallowing up passengers and their belongings. 

With a lineup packed to the brim with options when it comes to engines, there’s never been a better time to add the Volvo XC40 to your shortlist while comparing your options in the compact SUV segment. 

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. 460L of boot space 

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

4. Petrol, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric variants available. 

5. 418km driving range for Recharge Pure Electric 

Pros

• Smart interior design brimming with practical elements 

• Silky-smooth ride quality. 

• Engine options for all types of buyers   

• Large boot 

Cons

• Limited rear visibility from bulky pillar 

• Energy efficiency in all-electric Recharge 

• Unimpressive fuel economy for petrol lineup 

OnlineAuto Rating: 8.5/10

Volvo XC40 Competition