Volvo XC40 Review 2023 | heycar

Volvo’s XC40 is one of the best family SUVs you can buy right now and has really put the fast-growing Swedish brand on the map. It went on sale in 2018 and has become steadily more popular since, helped by Volvo’s continual development of the range – including a plug-in hybrid and fully-electric version in the shape of the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Read on to find out why it’s so good with our 2023 Volvo XC40 review. 

One of the best small SUVs going, the Volvo XC40 was even named Car of the Year 2019 by our sister website HonestJohn.co.uk, seeing off some tough competition to lift the crown. Such recognition has really helped establish the Volvo XC40 among potential buyers; it’s Volvo’s best-selling car in Europe, and a great alternative to an Audi Q2, BMW X1 or Volkswagen Tiguan, as well as more mainstream models such as the Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage and SEAT Ateca.

Volvo’s youthful interpretation of its sophisticated signature style gives the XC40 plenty of showroom appeal. It’s a chunky-looking machine, with a muscular profile and a cool colour split in the rear pillar that makes it stand out from the competition. We like the carefully-crafted side panels and love how Volvo has made a feature of the front bonnet line in the wings. On the passenger side, there’s even a tiny rubber Swedish flag poking out – a lovely design detail.

Inside, the Volvo XC40 feels spacious, with a more open, less claustrophobic feel than some of its rivals. It’s less cocooning than larger Volvos like the XC60, but more practical as a result, with an accommodating driving position and plenty of headroom. The dashboard still has the upmarket appearance of larger models, though, using the same upright central touchscreen and even the same high-end steering wheel.

The rear seats are spacious and there’s a good, if not class-leading, load bay. What particularly sets the Volvo XC40 apart is the wonderful attention to detail throughout. Which other cars have properly carpeted door bins, with the speakers relocated in order to make them even more capacious and useful? 

There’s a comprehensive infotainment system included with the XC40 that is based around Google’s Android Automotive operating system. Not to be confused with Android Auto, it comes with Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store, delivering access to a huge number of apps. Apple users also get the benefit of Apple CarPlay as well. 

From launch, the Volvo XC40 was available with a range of 1.5-litre and 2.0 turbocharged petrol and diesel engines of varying power outputs. Petrol engines were labelled ‘T’, while diesels were branded ‘D’. With Volvo transitioning to hybrid and electric cars, the latest XC40s are now only available as mild or plug-in hybrids. The mild hybrids are badged B3 and B4, but which one you choose won’t make a big difference to the driving experience, as they both have a similar feel. Numbers designate how fast they are, with the B4 delivering more power than the B3. 

Perhaps a little confusingly, the latest plug-in hybrids are badged ‘T’, with the T4 delivering an electric-only range of 28.6 miles and the T5 a little less at 28 miles, though it comes with a bit more power. Adding to the confusion is the fact that both models are also badged ‘Recharge’, just like the electric-only version of the XC40. 

Originally there were both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions of the Volvo XC40 offered, with the AWD models being best for winter-road use, but the latest cars are front-wheel drive only. That said, 2WD should prove perfectly fine away from the extremes. People buy the Volvo XC40 for its family-friendly usefulness and SUV good looks, not its off-road ability.