VolvoXC40

　　

2024 Volvo XC40 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2024 Volvo XC40 is the smallest SUV in the automaker's lineup with an internal combustion engine. There is also an all-electric XC40 Recharge that is reviewed separately on zzdcar, as well as a slightly smaller C40 Recharge and new hatchback-like EX30 coming for 2025. Less expensive than the compact XC60 and three-row XC90, the XC40 is a solid pick if you're wanting a stylish SUV fitted with lots of helpful technology features.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Volvo XC40 B5 Core Dark 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$177/mo  for XC40 B5 Core Dark

　　XC40 B5 Core Dark

　　B5 Core Dark 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $40,100 MSRPB5 Core Bright 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $40,100 MSRPB5 Plus Dark 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $45,000 MSRPB5 Plus Bright 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $45,000 MSRPB5 Ultimate Dark 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $48,800 MSRPB5 Ultimate Bright 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $48,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Smart and Scandinavian design

Take a quick look at subcompact luxury SUV class and you might notice a certain sameness between the German carmakers. That's certainly not a bad thing since they all offer comparably high levels of performance, luxury and refinement. The Volvo XC40 also has those traits, but it does it with a distinct Scandinavian flair. The design embodies simple elegance, with a minimalist feel that makes it a bit more approachable and inviting. It's not all just appearances either. Clever features such as a multi-purpose cargo floor and built-in waste bin show that the designers had real-world users in mind from the beginning.

　　

Competitors to consider

As with the larger SUV classes, the German carmakers tend to dominate the luxury subcompact segment. We're especially fond of the recently redesigned BMW X1 as well as the unusually spacious Mercedes-Benz GLB. The Volvo XC40 still manages to stand out from this accomplished crowd with its unique design and focus on safety. It's a great choice for those who not only want something different but also desire something that feels special.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the XC40 drive? At the zzdcar test track, our XC40 test vehicle accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, which is an average time for a luxury subcompact SUV. The transmission can occasionally be in too high of a gear when you need quick power, but most of the time it's unobtrusive. The brakes feel strong and performed well at our test track, with panic stops nearing the best in the class. They feel good on the street, too, so coming to a smooth stop consistently isn't a problem. Handling is solid too. The XC40 won't flop around on winding roads, and standard all-wheel drive provides plenty of traction.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the XC40? The XC40's suspension tuning is a bit firmer than we'd prefer from a luxury SUV, even a small one like this. It absorbs potholes well, but road imperfections are never totally smoothed out. The seats are comfortable, both front and back. The front seats don't come with many adjustments, but the overall shape is supportive without feeling confining. Some might find the headrest juts out a bit too far forward, but most drivers should be comfortable.

　　Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, but for some reason Volvo only allows you to adjust by 2 degrees, not one. That means jumping from 68 to 70 to 72 degrees and so on, annoying when 71 degrees seems to be the right temperature. Seems small, but there's no real reason for it. We found the XC40 louder than we expected too. Wind and road noise is mild, but the engine always seems to make itself known. Other luxury SUVs are a little more refined.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below