Pros

• Many easy-to-use and standard features can help you drive.
• Useful technology that Google powers.
• Easy to read.

Cons

• The class can only carry a certain amount of cargo.
• For a high-end SUV, the seats and ride need to be more comfortable.

How does the XC40 get its power? It took our test XC40 6.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is about average for a high-end subcompact SUV. Most of the time, it’s not clear, but the transmission may be in a very high gear when you need quick power. The brakes feel strong and work well on our test track. The emergency stops are very good, ranking near the top of the class. They feel great, so it’s easy for them to stop neatly on the road every time. On top of that, handling is strong. When the road turns, the XC40 doesn’t sway, and its standard all-wheel-drive gives it plenty of grips.

How does the XC40 make you feel? The XC40’s suspension is rougher than we would like, even for a small luxury SUV like this one. Although potholes are filled in, road flaws never go away completely. There is plenty of room in both the front and back seats. The front seats haven’t changed much, but the design is generally supportive without being tight. The headrest may be too far forward for some drivers, but most should be fine with it.

It needs to be clarified why Volvo’s dual-zone automatic climate control only lets you change the temperature by two degrees, not one. In other words, when 71 degrees seems like the best temperature, you move from 68 degrees to 70 degrees to 72 degrees, and so on. It might not seem important, but there is no real reason for it. We thought the XC40 would be quieter than it was. The wind and the road don’t make much noise, but you can always hear the engine. Other high-end SUVs are better made.

How is the condition of the inside? With a Google-supported infotainment system, the XC40’s interior has been updated the most since it was first released. Besides that, not much has changed on the inside. There is a volume knob, a few buttons, and a touchscreen on the XC40 that you can use to do almost everything, like play music and control the temperature. The screen is low quality and oriented vertically, but the system is easy to use and responsive. Some of the menus could be easier to understand, so we wish it was easier to use.

The XC40’s ability to fit four adults comfortably is something we like. There is a bump in the floor in the back center seat that makes it only good for small people. Other than that, all adults should have enough room. Because the doors are short and open wide, it’s easy to get in and out. We didn’t have to wait long to get the seat at the right angle, and the driving position felt good. A little more reach on the steering wheel would be helpful, but it’s not a big deal. The optional surround-view camera and vertical windows make it easy to see. You can even remove the back headrests with the push of a button to improve visibility from the back.

What’s wrong with the tech? All of Volvo’s cars now have the new infotainment system that Google powers. From the previous system, this is a significant improvement. Most built-in navigation systems are harder to use than Google Maps, which is the default navigation system. Not logging in is needed to use the system, but logging in with your Google account will let you get information from your contacts or favorites. Voice commands are handled by Google Assistant, which is once again better than most systems made by automakers. Because it is easy to use and understands a lot of commands, you don’t have to remember specific words when you change settings. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Volvo XC40 comes with a lot of helpful features for driving. Adaptive cruise control was also installed in our test vehicle. During our tests, the equipment worked without beeping too much or sending us the wrong information.

What’s going on with storage? Behind the back seat of the Volvo XC40, there is 20.4 cubic feet of space for things. Even though it’s not the worst in its class, that’s less than cars like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Big and tall, the cargo area is still low enough that it’s easy to move big things inside. There are clever storage spaces in the trims with folding hooks that keep things from moving around in the back, and the seats fold in half lengthwise and then across again. The front has a lot of space for cargo, and the door pockets are lined and big enough to fit small things like water bottles. The center console is small, but the trash can that can be taken off is useful.

It’s tight in the back compared to other seats in this class, but it should be easy to put in. The openings in the doors are good, and the anchors are easy to get to.

How much fuel does it use? The EPA says that the Volvo XC40 gets 26 mpg on the highway and in the city together. We got an average of 28.7 mpg on our mixed driving test route. This means that the EPA’s estimates of fuel economy should be accurate for normal driving.

Is the XC40 worth buying? The Volvo XC40 comes with a good amount of standard features. For the highest trims, you can also choose any engine you want. For better fuel economy, you can choose between a base engine and a fully loaded model. The XC40’s cabin looks good and is well-made, but it feels less high-end than an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz. The front doors of our test car would not open with the key fob or the touch buttons on the door handles. The car door is finally unlocked, but the locks should always be open when you press a button.

Volvo’s warranty coverage could be better than the norm in the industry. Volvo also offers service appointments for three years and 36,000 miles, as well as roadside assistance for four years and unlimited miles. Both do better than most of their competitors.

The XC40 isn’t a fast SUV, but it’s also okay to drive. The suspension keeps the body from rolling too much around tight corners, and the steering is quick and gives you good feedback from the road. Similar trends can be seen in the XC40’s personality and design as a whole. It might not be the coolest or most noticeable SUV on the road, but its classic look will last for a long time. The XC40 is not only a cheaper version of Volvo’s other models, but it also looks and feels like them.

We suggest that you look into the base Core model, which comes with a lot of features and all the driving aids you could need. The Ultimate trim level is the only way to get Pilot Assist and adaptive cruise control, so if you drive a lot of highway miles, you should consider stepping up.

Types of Volvo XC40

There are three different types of the 2024 Volvo XC40 subcompact luxury SUV: Core, Plus, and Ultimate. Each has an all-wheel drive 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 247 horsepower and 258 pounds of torque. It also has an eight-speed automatic transmission.