2023 Volvo XC40

　　

2023 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.

　　When the Volvo XC40 debuted in 2019, it created a lot of buzz with its funky-cool Scandinavian design that stood out from the rest of the subcompact luxury SUV class. In the years since, newer and refreshed rivals have pushed the XC40 out of its top spot in zzdcar' rankings. The 2023 Volvo XC40 has undergone a series of changes that may have it vying for class-leading status once again.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volvo XC40 B4 Core 4dr SUV (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

　　$171/mo  for XC40 B4 Core

　　XC40 B4 Core

　　B4 Core 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $36,350 MSRPB5 Core 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $38,350 MSRPB4 Plus Bright 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $40,750 MSRPB4 Plus Dark 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $40,750 MSRPB5 Plus Dark 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $42,750 MSRPB5 Plus Bright 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $42,750 MSRPB4 Ultimate Dark 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $44,500 MSRPB4 Ultimate Bright 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $44,500 MSRPB5 Ultimate Dark 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $46,500 MSRPB5 Ultimate Bright 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $46,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　For 2023, both of the XC40's available engines receive a new mild hybrid system. This isn't an all-out hybrid system like you'd get on a Toyota Prius, but it does provide a slight boost in fuel economy of about 1 mpg compared to last year. Exterior styling gets a slight tweak too, with a reworked grille, headlights and bumpers to give it a simpler and cleaner appearance that is more in line with the all-electric XC40 Recharge. Trim levels have also been revamped with different names and feature content.

　　The XC40 also adopts the Recharge's Google built-in infotainment system, creating integration with services such as Google Assistant voice control, Google Maps and Google Play. It includes one to four years of data through a Digital Services feature, depending on the trim you choose. In our experience with a similar system in the XC40 Recharge, it takes a bit of time to get acquainted with these features since it's not the most intuitive interface. Thankfully, iPhone users won't be left out because Apple CarPlay is also standard.

　　All of these changes make the 2023 Volvo XC40 even more desirable than it already was. Its blend of style and smarts is delightfully different from competitive SUVs. These include the Mercedes-Benz GLB, BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Check out the Expert Rating below to learn more about what our test team thinks of the XC40's comfort, utility and more.

　　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? The XC40's turbocharged engines come with mild hybrid systems. These systems help smooth out shifts and make the engine stop-start system more seamless. They also help make the XC40 feel quicker and more responsive. At the zzdcar test track, our XC40 test vehicle (with the more powerful B5 engine) 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