Volvo XC40 review | Auto Express

Volvo aims to launch a fully electric car every year, as it seeks to make all-electric cars 50 per cent of global sales by 2025, with the rest made up of hybrid models. All Volvo cars with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain now fall under the manufacturer’s ‘Recharge’ naming banner, to help distinguish them from their pure combustion-engined siblings.

The XC40 slots into the Volvo SUV range below the XC60 and XC90 , and receives the latest mild-hybrid ‘B’ engines from its bigger siblings, while you can buy plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions, too.

Introduced in 2017, the Volvo XC40 is a compact premium SUV that majors on practicality and comfort while offering bold styling that helps set it apart from its more conservative rivals. Its great safety rating and suite of available active safety systems will appeal to customers, too.

Add in a funky, minimalist cabin, along with a capable infotainment system and Volvo’s traditional focus on safety, and it’s hard not to see the attraction of the XC40 as one of the most accomplished compact SUVs on the market.

The Volvo XC40 is a strong contender in the market for small premium SUVs. It’s not a revelation on the road, but it strikes a decent blend of comfort and cruising refinement, and offers lots of kerb appeal in a small-car package.

Competition is fierce in this small premium SUV sector, with rivals including the BMW X1 and X2 duo, along with JLR’s Jaguar E-Pace, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque offering solid competition. Buyers will also be interested in the Audi Q2 and Q3 and Mini Countryman, while the Alfa Romeo Tonale just edged the XC40 in our head-to-head test.

Where the XC40 stands out is with its fresh looks. The chunky lines define it as an SUV, yet its compact dimensions mean it’s no less manageable than a regular hatchback model. Inside, the XC40 focuses on style, with a design-led interior that uses digital displays and quality materials to create an upmarket cabin which can be upgraded with a variety of individual options.

Power comes from a choice of of three and four-cylinder petrol engines, with B-badged mild-hybrid petrol versions.

The range kicks off with a B3-badged 161bhp mild-hybrid petrol, then a 194bhp B4 version, while the 247bhp four-cylinder B5 is no longer available. Both the B3 and B4 are front-wheel drive and every version gets an eight-speed automatic as standard.

The 208bhp Recharge T4 and the 258bhp Recharge T5 plug-in hybrids also stick to front-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, while Volvo also offers two all-electric options: a 235bhp Single Motor version, or a Twin-Motor variant with 402bhp.

Volvo previously matched a basic Start trim with the lower-powered 1.5-litre T2 petrol engine to create a single entry-level model, but this is no longer available. There are now three main trim levels – Core, Plus and Ultimate, which offer lots of kit as standard.

The Core model is well catered for, although there is a significant asking price of around £36,000. It comes with 18-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, a powered tailgate, auto-folding door mirrors, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, heated seats and digital instruments all included. Also on board is Volvo’s excellent nine-inch portrait-layout infotainment system. 

Plus adds extra kit such as a rear-view camera, keyless entry, a hands-free opening tailgate and a heating function for the outer rear seats, steering wheel and the windscreen.

Ultimate is the plushest XC40, bringing a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system, panoramic sunroof, adaptive Pixel LED headlights and a 360-degree camera view.

For an alternative review of the Volvo XC40, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk…