Volvo XC40 Review

Repairs

The XC40 has a good reputation for reliability, with most issues being minor and linked to age, mileage or software rather than major mechanical faults.

Issues that can appear include:

• Wear in front suspension components (drop links, bushes) on higher mileage cars

• Rattles from behind dashboard reported on some older versions

• Occasional slow response from the infotainment system, often improved with software updates

• Parking sensors or cameras needing recalibration after minor bumps

• On mild hybrid models, the 12 volt battery can weaken sooner if the car mainly does short trips

• Reports of high oil consumption in older T3 & T4 engines with high mileage

• Some models frequently suffer from faulty tailgate struts, causing the boot to not open or open only halfway.

Maintenance

• Stick to annual servicing to keep the engine and electronics performing well. Most XC40 models follow a 12 month or 10,000-mile service interval.

• Keep software updated to maintain infotainment and ADAS responsiveness

• Refresh gearbox oil around 60,000–70,000 miles for smoother long term operation

• Regularly check tyre condition, especially on larger wheel sizes. Tyres can also be more expensive on larger wheels (20 and 21-inch).

Volvo typically provides an 8 year or 100,000 mile warranty (whichever comes first) on the main high voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge. This covers excessive capacity loss or faults. The 12 volt and mild hybrid batteries usually have a shorter warranty, often around 3 years or 60,000 miles.

Overall, the XC40’s hybrid and electric systems are well engineered, and major battery issues are uncommon when the car is serviced on schedule. Similarly, the Volvo XC40’s tech package is one of its strengths, it’s also reliable and offers a modern feel without being difficult to use.

Is the Volvo XC40 a reliable car?

Yes, the Volvo XC40 tends to age very well. From what we’ve seen, after 5–7 years, most issues are routine wear rather than anything serious. Well maintained examples often remain quiet, refined and solid even at higher mileages, making it a great used buy.

How much does it cost?

The base XC40 in the Core trim retails for £35,860. This figure goes up to £38,610 for the Plus and £41,110 for the Plus Pro. The range-topping Ultra is a £43,960 car, and if you opt for the Black Edition (available with Plus, Plus Pro and Ultra), it adds around £700 to the price. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to save, nearly new (with around 1,000 miles) 2026 Ultra Black Edition models can be picked up for just £42,000. Since the XC40 has been around for a while, used prices start from £10,000 for early model years.

Engine and performance

Overview

Although the XC40 previously came with more engines, Volvo now only offers two 48V mild-hybrid petrol engine options:

B3: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (163hp/263Nm) + 7-speed automatic

B4: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (197hp/300Nm) +7-speed automatic

Out on the road

The XC40 does not pretend to be fast or fun to drive in any way. Apart from the occasional turbo whistle that enters the cabin, the 2.0-litre engine is refined and unobtrusive. Throttle response from a standstill is not instant; the XC40 takes a short pause before setting off. Everything about the driving experience feels laid-back, but not in a bad way. For instance, ask more of it and the 197hp B4 engine can hit 60mph in a respectable 7.6 seconds. But it never feels that fast behind the wheel. Power delivery is so linear that it might even feel slow at first.

At low speeds and at motorway speeds, the XC40 is effortless to drive, and there is no turbo lag or hesitation once it is on the move. The 7-speed automatic gearbox follows the same approach, and it tries its absolute best not to let you know it exists. Shifts are smooth and it gets the job done in the background, although it’s not as quick or quick-witted as some rivals with dual-clutch automatics. It’s obvious the XC40 is intended to be a relaxing car to spend time in.

Although the powertrain is not as exciting as some rivals, for the vast majority of buyers in this space, the XC40’s engine and performance will feel just about right. As a family SUV to potter around in every day, the XC40 is rather ordinary from behind the wheel, with no standout highs or lows. However, this is a boon in disguise, as it’s a blank canvas that you can make yours.

Ride and handling

Our test car, the XC40 Black Edition in Ultra trim, was shod with large 20-inch wheels. Despite that (with 21-inch wheels also available as an option), the ride quality was excellent. The XC40 was competent at dealing with all surprises from the road. Potholes, broken roads, and expansion joints were all dispatched confidently without affecting the ride quality. But in doing so, the ride quality never tilted towards being too soft or wallowy, either. At motorway speeds, the XC40’s ride quality was impressive and stable.

Around corners, the XC40 turns in positively without resistance. You do feel some body lean, but it never overwhelms the driving experience. Grip levels are strong, while the steering offers a decently direct feel. As standard, the steering is in the firm setting, while Volvo also offers a soft setting, which makes the steering a bit nervous at high speeds, though it is perfectly all right for low speeds and parking. In terms of stopping power, the XC40 feels confident from high speeds, with a strong initial bite and good overall braking performance.

Overall, the XC40 is an SUV that does not like to be rushed. It can be rushed and it copes well too, but it simply prefers not to. The overall driving behaviour is more grown-up, and it just wants to ease into speed comfortably rather than punch through.

Interior and features

Interiors

Given that comfort and quality are important to Volvo, it is unsurprising that the XC40 boasts one of the best cabins in its space. As with any Volvo, the cabin features a minimalist approach, with premium materials. The design is the same that debuted in 2017, but it still looks modern, with the highlight being the portrait-oriented 9.0-inch touchscreen and brushed aluminium trim. There are numerous soft-touch materials, with the entire cabin feeling well-built and sturdy.

The 9.0-inch touchscreen is small by modern standards, but it is a unit that proves you don’t need a massive screen. It’s simple to use with a clean interface and less clutter. A row of buttons sits beneath the screen, providing quick access to the volume and other functions. But there are no physical buttons for the climate control, so changing settings while on the move is not as easy.

The crisp 12.3-inch driver’s display is also a highlight (albeit a basic one with no customisation), along with other details such as the high-quality door handles, aircon vents, beautifully finished steering wheel, rotary volume knob and the hollow gear shifter.

Boot space and practicality

The XC40 offers 443 litres of boot space, which is easy to access thanks to its large opening and small loading lip. There is more than enough space for most, but when extra room is needed, the rear seats can be folded away to increase the capacity to 1,432 litres. All of this was put to the test as the XC40’s boot comfortably swallowed a new 55-inch TV from Richer Sounds.

Unlike rivals, the Volvo XC40 lets you sit high up as you would in an SUV. This increases visibility and makes it comfortable to drive around in. The seats offer immense support, with a wide range of adjustments and memory function on some trims. The rear seats can fit three adults, but there’s a transmission tunnel. You also sit with your legs up high at the rear. However, space up front and at the rear is commendable for a small SUV. Legroom and headroom are more than adequate, and the Volvo XC40 never feels cramped.

In terms of storage, there are plenty of cubbies around, along with large door pockets. The glovebox is also practical enough. There are also nifty storage boxes on both sides of the rear seats, optimising space that would’ve otherwise been wasted.

Features

Equipment levels are strong across the range, with even entry-level models including a full digital driver display, a portrait touchscreen with Google-powered infotainment, front and rear parking sensors and cruise control as standard. All cars are also equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but neither is wireless. It is a notable omission, but we did not find this to be a major issue, as the built-in Google Maps and Waze apps worked wirelessly.

Higher trims, such as our Ultra test car, add more features, including the panoramic roof, punchy 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio, wireless charging, 360-degree camera, LED headlights and enhanced driver-assistance features.

Trim and colour options

The XC40 is available in four main trim levels: Core, Plus, Plus Pro and Ultra. Colours on offer are Onyx Black, Crystal White, Denim Blue and Vapour Grey. We think the XC40’s current colour palette is rather dull, as brighter colours like Fjord Blue, Sage Green and Fusion Red have been discontinued.

Safety and reliability

Volvo has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the safest car brands out there, and the XC40 is no exception, with a five-star Euro NCAP rating. Euro NCAP crash-tested the XC40 in 2018, where it scored 97% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 71% for vulnerable road users and 76% for safety assist.

Standard safety kit includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, driver alert systems, oncoming collision avoidance and road sign recognition. In our test, we also found that Volvo’s Pilot Assist adaptive cruise and lane assist worked flawlessly. The 360-degree camera is also clear, with intuitive markers so you can park easily.

MPG, emissions and tax

Volvo claims 42.8 mpg for the B3 and B4 engine options. During our time with the car, we were getting a healthy 40mpg over mixed usage, including long motorway runs. It’s also impressive that both engines return the same fuel economy. However, a low-40mpg figure is not exactly the best fuel economy out there. So, if high fuel efficiency ranks high on your list, some rivals with PHEV powertrains might be the better option. Road tax for the Volvo XC40 starts at £195 per year.