Review
Cheeky brother and sister in Volvo model range is the 2023 XC40 SUV that combines Volvo’s safety-focused spirit and upscale vibe with a younger personality. The XC40’s cabin is practical and nicely finished, and the seating arrangement is much higher than rivals such as BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-class. A host of technology features are also available, including Volvo’s advanced driver assistance technology and a new Google-powered infotainment system. Two four-cylinder powertrains are available—both with a 48-volt hybrid system—but only the more powerful of the two has all-wheel drive. An electric version is also available if you’re looking for a greener option, but we’re considering Recharge XC40 separately.
What’s new in 2023?
The 2023 XC40 not only received the new Volvo Core, Plus and Ultimate trim levels, but also replaced the four-cylinder T4 and T5 power units with the new B4 and B5 with a 48-volt hybrid system. To mark the occasion, Volvo has updated the XC40 with lightweight exterior styling that includes revised headlights, a revised front bumper and grille, and new wheel designs. Three new colors are available – Bright Dusk Metallic, Platinum Gray Metallic and Silver Dawn Metallic, as well as a new City Block textile upholstery option. Inside, the XC40 moves to Volvo’s new Google-powered infotainment system, but retains the same 9.0-inch touchscreen display.
Pricing and which one to buy
While we haven’t yet driven the XC40 with its updated powertrains, we’d still go for the B5 because it has a more powerful 247bhp engine. and offers all-wheel drive. We’d go for the mid-range Plus trim as it comes standard with a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, LED fog lights, a power-folding rear seat and a crystal shifter.
Engine, transmission and performance
Under the hood of every XC40 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant producing 194 horsepower in the B4 or 247 horsepower in the B5. Both have a 48-volt hybrid system. The more powerful B5 comes exclusively with all-wheel drive, while the entry-level B4 comes only with front-wheel drive. We haven’t had a chance to test the XC40 with its new powerplants yet, but the old version of the T5 went up to 60 mph in a reasonably quick 6.2 seconds. The eight-speed automatic gearbox handled the gear changes without delay and did not transmit any harshness to the cabin. Our only complaint was the harsh sound the T5 engine made under hard throttle. We expect similar behavior from the updated B5 setup, but we’ll update this story when we get a chance to try it out. The XC40’s towing capacity—a rarity among subcompact luxury crossovers—remains a whopping 3,500 pounds.
Fuel economy and real mpg
The XC40’s EPA fuel economy ratings are a class-competitive 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for the B4 model and 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway for the B5. When we get a chance, we’ll take the XC40 on a fuel economy route at 75 mph on the highway and report back here with its real-world test results. It faces strong competition in the form of effective Mercedes-Benz GLB250, which achieved an impressive 32 mpg during our testing. For more information on the XC40’s fuel economy, visit EPA website.
Interior, comfort and cargo
Modern Swedish styling meets fun and functional design inside the XC40. The bright and spacious atmosphere of the interior gives a truly upscale atmosphere even in the base Core configuration. Passenger space is generous in both the front and rear seats. As in the case of its more expensive stablemates — the XC60 and XC90— The XC40 is functional inside, well-made and beautifully designed — though not as flashy and luxurious. Volvo designers took the opportunity to incorporate more youthful elements of the Plus trim into the cabin, such as textured metal trim instead of the traditional wood inserts and straight air vents with floating chrome controls. The top-of-the-line Ultimate models have a more classic look with driftwood trim and a gear knob made from Orrefors crystal. In our luggage test, the XC40 managed to fit 23 carry-on cases with the rear seats folded down. In addition, Volvo has integrated a number of inventive cargo storage features throughout the XC40’s interior, such as a pop-out glovebox hook for storing takeout bags, a cargo compartment divider and a removable, hinged-door trash can in the center console.
Infotainment system and communication
From its prominent place in the center of the XC40’s dashboard, Volvo’s Google-powered infotainment system projects brightly onto the 9.0-inch touchscreen. Almost everything in the cabin is controlled through this screen, but there are few physical buttons. Usability of the system is ambiguous: the main menus are intuitively laid out, but the icons on the screen are too small, which makes them confusing on the road.
Safety features and driver assistance
Volvo offers many driver assistance technology as standard with automated emergency braking. However, more advanced features, including semi-autonomous driving mode, are optional. For more information on the XC40’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Road Safety (IIHS) websites. Key security features include:
- Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane departure warning with assistance system
- Adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode is available
Warranty and maintenance
Volvo’s warranty is fair, and three years of free scheduled maintenance is a nice perk. Unfortunately, there’s nothing here that makes the XC40 stand out from the competition, all of which offer roughly the same coverage.
- The limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- The transmission is covered by a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty
- Free scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
https://www.caranddriver.com/volvo/a27437043/xc40/
