2021 Volvo XC40 Review

　　

2021 Volvo XC40 Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Volvo's XC40 is one of the newest extra-small luxury SUVs on the market. It continues Volvo's tradition of including a generous amount of standard safety technology. What's more, the XC40's small size and entry-level luxury pricing don't mean it's lacking for luxury. Volvo has equipped its little SUV with a large touchscreen infotainment screen, standard leather upholstery and an optional powerful 248-horsepower engine that's paired to all-wheel drive.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volvo XC40 T4 Momentum 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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

　　$175/mo  for XC40 T4 Momentum

　　XC40 T4 Momentum

　　T4 Momentum 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $33,700 MSRPT5 Momentum 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $35,700 MSRPT4 R-Design 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $38,950 MSRPT4 Inscription 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $39,450 MSRPT5 R-Design 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $40,950 MSRPT5 Inscription 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,450 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Later in the model year Volvo plans to introduce an all-new XC40 Recharge. It's an all-electric version of the XC40. It'll come with dual electric motors that give the Recharge all-wheel drive plus an eye-popping 402 hp. It should have more than 200 miles of range and just as much utility as the regular XC40.

　　There are a few downsides to the XC40. The infotainment system takes a lot of work to figure out, for instance, and we continue to be frustrated (even if only mildly) by its unnecessary two-step gear selection process. You can read more of our evaluation in our Expert Rating. Other highly regarded rivals to the XC40 include the Audi Q3, the BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

　　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

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the XC40 drive? The XC40 feels spry overall. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine feels spunky, even if the 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds isn't explosive (we tested the XC40 T5). The transmission is responsive when you need a downshift. Even the engine stop-start system is fairly unobtrusive. And while we don't expect many owners to head off-road, the XC40 can handle light-duty outings thanks to its short overhangs, all-wheel drive and 8.3 inches of ground clearance.

　　As for handling, the XC40 feels a little top-heavy and surprisingly soft when maneuvering at speed. The compliance helps smooth out small bumps, but big bumps and undulations really make the XC40 move around. The Infiniti QX30 and the BMW X1 feel more nimble yet better tied-down.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the XC40? The ride is surprisingly comfortable, even with the sporty R-Design trim level. Small bumps are easily soaked up. However, larger bumps and undulations can upset the body. The seats are comfortably firm, but not everybody fits. In particular, you might find the headrests to be angled too far forward.

　　At highway speeds, there's a layer of consistent road noise as well as faintly detectable wind noise. You'll hear the turbo spool up regularly if you don't have any audio playing, and the engine note isn't particularly unpleasant. This cabin is not especially quiet, though it's not far off most others in this class.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Most controls are accessed through the touchscreen. This design approach creates a clean interior design, but the system's maze of menus and laggy responses never fail to frustrate. Another drawback: Tall drivers might not be able to find a comfortable seating position due to limited steering wheel adjustability and the headrest design.

　　Otherwise, the XC40's interior is quite nice. It's easy to get into and out of the relatively roomy cabin, and there's enough legroom in the back for folks of an average height. There's good visibility all around, and the large windows in the rear corners help reduce blind spots.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The XC40 is suitably high-tech. The optional Harman Kardon audio system is an inexpensive step up from the base system and sounds great. You can pump in tunes with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity via the two standard USB ports. (Our test vehicle also had a wireless charging pad and rear USB ports.)

　　The integrated voice controls work well, though you can switch to Siri or Google when your phone is connected. There are lots of advanced driving systems here, and most work well. The exception is forward collision warning, which registered several false positives in our testing and cannot be turned off.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The XC40's cargo area is smaller according to the numbers, but it is nevertheless nicely sized and full of smart storage features. We like the 60/40-split folding rear seats, a pass-through and a foldable tray that doubles as a grocery holder. There's a variety of other storage spaces in the cabin, including a clever little removable trash bin. Felt-lined doors keep items from rattling around.

　　Using your XC40 for kid duty? The anchors are cleanly located under flip doors, but they're buried a little deep for comfortable access. You might have the best chance of fitting a bulky rear-facing seat in this car compared to most others in the class, but it'll still be a tight fit.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Our T5 all-wheel-drive R-Design trim is rated at 26 combined mpg (23 city/31 highway), which is slightly better than most AWD competitors, though the base car's mpg rating is more in line with the rest. We achieved 23.2 mpg on our 115-mile drive loop, which is more than a few mpg lower than expected.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the XC40 a good value? For the price, the XC40 makes a lot of sense if you're looking for a luxury subcompact SUV. It may not have as nice an interior build quality as other Volvos we've seen, but it's still a pleasant place to spend time. Its base price falls well below the priciest competitors, but there are others that come in a little lower. That said, the XC40 feels like a better value at its price point than many others do at theirs.

　　The basic and powertrain warranties are slightly longer than the coverage for some competing SUVs. You also get decent free maintenance and roadside assistance coverage.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　The XC40 isn't as fun to drive as it would like you to believe. Though we appreciate the level of comfort in this tiny SUV, we had difficulty detecting the extra sportiness in the R-Design model we tested. Stiffer suspension? Really? It's not that the XC40 is a bore to drive, but the Infiniti QX30 and the BMW X1 are far more fun to fling around.

　　It has tons of personality, though. Volvo has been on a winning streak since the redesigned XC90 hit the streets, and that Scandinavian elegance has thankfully trickled all the way down to the XC40. The XC40 didn't quite wow us the way the XC60 did, but it is still one of the standouts in the class.

　　

Which XC40 does zzdcar recommend?

Since the XC40 comes relatively well equipped from the get-go, we'd stick to the entry-level Momentum trim level. From there, we'd make ours a T5 to get the more powerful engine as well as all-wheel drive and add stand-alone options such as the Harman Kardon audio system and the panoramic sunroof.

　　

2021 Volvo XC40 models

The XC40 is available in three trim levels: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. All trim levels come with a choice of powertrains. Designated as the T4 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Go with the T5 and you get an upgrade to 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The T5 comes with all-wheel drive too. Both engines use an eight-speed automatic transmission. Highlight features include:

　　Momentum

　　Comes generously equipped with:

　　Full complement of LED exterior lighting 18-inch alloy wheels Rain-sensing windshield wipers Auto-dimming rearview mirrors 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat Keyless ignition Power liftgate Leather seating surfaces Eight-speaker audio systemAll XC40s also come with:

　　Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Lane keeping assist (steers the XC40 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)Premium package

　　Available only for Momentum and includes:

　　Navigation Power-folding rear headrests Eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking) Keyless entry Dual-zone climate controlAdvanced package

　　Requires Premium package and includes:

　　Headlight washers Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the XC40 and the car in front) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the XC40 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Wireless charging pad 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area Ambient lightingR-Design

　　Adds unique styling and extra features with:

　　Unique grille and high-gloss black exterior trim Black painted roof Distinctive 19-inch wheels Panoramic moonroof Upgraded leather upholstery Features available in the Premium packageInscription

　　Features more traditional luxury touches, such as:

　　Chrome grille Unique 19-inch wheels Crystal-trimmed gear shifter knob Interior wood trim

　　

2021 XC40 Highlights

Trim: T4 MomentumT5 MomentumT4 R-DesignT4 InscriptionT5 R-DesignT5 InscriptionT4 Momentum

　　

Base MSRP	$33,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$175/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	20.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles