2024 Volvo XC40 Review

Sitting at the base of Volvo’s SUV range, the XC40 promises a lofty driving position, smooth on-road manners and even the option of a pair of battery-electric range-toppers.

With so much variety within the Volvo XC40 range, it’s not easy to know which is your best option, especially with Volvo becoming an all-electric brand as soon as 2026.

Let’s take a closer look at the Volvo XC40 in both petrol and electric formats to see how it stacks up in the ever-competitive world of premium compact SUVs.

Volvo XC40 Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the MY24 Volvo XC40 range kick off from $54,990 for the entry-level XC40 Plus B4, with the XC40 Ultimate B4 Bright priced at $61,990, with the Ultimate B4 Dark priced at $62,990.

For those looking for a battery-electric take on the XC40 platform, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is priced at $76,990 while the flagship XC40 Recharge Twin Pure Electric is priced at $85,990.

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Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Volvo XC40 Have?

The entry-level Volvo XC40 Plus B4 comes riding on 18-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, a powered boot lift, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry & start, leatherette upholstery, a wireless smartphone charger, a hill-descent control system and power adjustment for both the driver and passenger seats.

Opting for the XC40 Ultimate B4 Bright adds 19-inch alloys as well as leather upholstery, a surround-view monitor and an air purifier, while the Ultimate B5 Dark picks up black 20-inch alloys and alcantara upholstery.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric receives updated 19-inch alloys as well as a panoramic sunroof and heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel. 

Finally, the range-topping Volvo XC40 Twin Pure Electric picks up Pixel LED headlights, eco-friendly upholstery, a surround-view monitor and an upgraded sound system.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

All members of the MY24 Volvo XC40 range receive the same 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display that sits in the middle of the dashboard, flanked by the air vents.

The XC40’s infotainment system is unique in that it’s powered by an Android Automotive operating system, as opposed to a native Volvo OS.

As standard, the 9.0-inch unit comes packed with Google and Volvo’s Automotive services applications, DAB+ digital radio and is paired with an eight-speaker sound system.

Buyers upgrading to the XC40 Recharge Twin Pure Electric receive an upgraded 14-speaker sound system courtesy of Harman/Kardon.

Does the Volvo XC40 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

While the Volvo XC40’s infotainment unit runs natively on an Android-based operating system, unfortunately, wireless Apple CarPlay and even wireless Android Auto are not an available feature.

In order to access Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the move, you’ll need to connect your phone via a USB cable which is a bit of a let-down for buyers, especially at the more premium end of the market.

Is the Volvo XC40 Comfortable to Drive?

Volvo is no stranger to the world of comfortable, premium motoring, with the XC40 platform holding up this reputation, in both petrol and battery-electric versions.

You can have the XC40 with your choice of a front-wheel drive 2.0-litre mild-hybrid turbocharged petrol unit, in the case of the XC40 B4, and an all-wheel drive platform with a considerable power bump for the XC40 B5.

Both petrol versions of the XC40 offer a very healthy acceleration thanks to their turbocharged beating hearts, though the perkier engine in the B5 is by far the pick of the pair.

If you’re in the market for a near-silent driving experience, there are also two versions of the XC40 known as the Recharge - one that picks up a single electric motor and a flagship dual-motor variant.

The base XC40 Recharge receives a front-wheel drive layout while the flagship XC40 Recharge Twin receives an all-wheel drive system and a massive amount of power that allows it to sprint to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

Whichever version you opt for, the XC40 offers nimble handling around town and a very accommodating ride quality that makes it feel at home in the city and a long-distance road trip alike.

Through town, the XC40 is small enough that you can park it virtually anywhere, while its super lightweight steering rack makes three-point turns a smooth, simple process.

As you pick up the pace, the XC40 is remarkably confident, taking high-speed corners in its stride and, while there’s some noticeable body roll, this helps to keep things comfortable on a long-distance drive.

All up, the XC40 is a great all-rounder that remains user-friendly around town with a stable, sporty nature that makes a weekend drive far more engaging than you might have expected.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Petrol versions of the XC40 receive a mild hybrid system that helps to keep fuel economy figures reasonably efficient considering its size and performance, in the case of B5 variants.

Officially, the entry-level XC40 B4 range is rated at 7.1L/100km on a combined cycle, increasing to 7.1L/100km in the Ultimate B4 Bright.

Opting for the more powerful, all-wheel drive XC40 Ultimate B5 Dark increases fuel economy figures to 7.2L/100km on a combined cycle.

How Far Can the Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric Drive on a Single Charge? 

Volvo’s pair of all-electric XC40 variants each receive a different-sized battery pack.

The entry-level XC40 Recharge Pure receives a 69kWh battery pack good for a claimed 424km of driving on the WLTP test cycle.

Buyers looking for more performance in the XC40 Recharge Twin Electric pick up a larger 78kWh battery pack, though its all-wheel-drive system means you’ll get fewer kilometres per charge, officially capped at 417km on the WLTP test cycle.

• XC40 Recharge: 424km

• XC40 Recharge Twin: 417km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Volvo has long been at the top of the segment when it comes to interior designs, with the XC40 offering some true family-friendly substance inside its Scandinavian interior.

Up front, the XC40’s tall driving position offers a great deal of visibility while remaining accommodating enough for tall drivers, with a wide range of angles on offer for the super comfortable, adjustable seats.

In base form, the XC40 receives leatherette upholstery, while stepping up higher into the range adds leather upholstery in the B4 Bright, Alcantara upholstery in the B5 Dark and eco-friendly upholstery in the XC40 Electric range.

Whichever variant you opt for, the XC40’s interior is typically sleek and clean thanks to Volvo’s minimalist designs that keep things simple and premium.

Up front, storage options in the XC40 include a large tray hiding behind the gear lever which is flanked by a pair of cupholders, a large folding armrest with storage inside and inside the massive door bins on either side of the cabin.

Move to the rear and things are very accommodating for a growing family, with ample legroom behind a tall driver and no complaints for headroom - a common gripe for vehicles in the segment.

Amenities in the rear include air vents, a pair of USB ports, heated seated in more premium variants and a folding armrest with inbuilt storage and cupholders, as well as large door bins.

All up, the Volvo XC40 is a small SUV that doesn’t skimp on interior space and practicality that makes it a very viable option for a growing family. 

How Big is the Volvo XC40’s Boot?

For a small SUV, the Volvo XC40 packs a very healthy punch when it comes to boot space.

With five seats deployed, the Volvo XC40 can swallow up 460L of cargo, putting it on par with a number of midsize SUVs.

Fold the second row down and you’ll unlock a total of 1,336L worth of boot space to help swallow up sports gear, surfboards and bulky cargo on a run to the shops.

Is it Safe?

Over the years, Volvo has become synonymous with the word safety, and the XC40 is no different.

As standard, the XC40 range picks up a very healthy active safety equipment list - even in the base model, which is a particularly nice touch for price-conscious family buyers.

The list of active safety gear includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane departure alerts, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, curtain airbags and a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors.

Does the Volvo XC40 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Volvo XC40 range wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing in 2018 where it scored the following marks:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 97%

• Child Occupant Protection: 84%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 71%

• Safety Assist: 78%

What Warranty Does the Volvo XC40 Come With?

Volvo offers the XC40 with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

Buyers pick up the option of a three- and five-year pre-paid servicing package which are priced at $1,750 and $3,000 apiece.

Service intervals for the XC40 range stand at 12 months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Volvo XC40 Worth it?

If you’re looking for a comfortable, impressively practical and stylish small SUV package, there’s a lot to like about the latest Volvo XC40 range.

The sheer variety on offer in the range means there’s a package to meet a wide range of buyers, including those looking to dip their toes into the world of battery-electric motoring.

On almost every front, the XC40 does not disappoint and, with that in mind, we’d highly recommend you add it to your small, luxury SUV shortlist today and reach out to one of our car-buying experts if you’re in the market. 

Five Volvo XC40 Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 360L boot expands to 1336L with rear seats folded

3. Mild-hybrid petrol and battery-electric powertrains available

4. 424km range in the most efficient battery-electric XC40 variant

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating