2021 Volvo XC40 Review
Overview
Volvo's fun and funky XC40 blends everything I love about the brand's large SUVs with a more youthful appearance and a charming driving demeanor. Volvo offers two different turbocharged four-cylinders: The 184-hp T4 engine comes with front-wheel drive, and the more powerful 248-hp T5 gets all-wheel drive as standard. Inside, buyers will find a thoughtfully designed cabin complete with plenty of storage cubbies and a smattering of high-tech features. Compared with most of its subcompact-crossover rivals—such as the BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class—the XC40 has a more commanding driving position, making it feel larger than it is.
What's New for 2021?
Blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlamps, power-folding exterior mirrors with an auto-dimming function, rear parking sensors, and two rear-seat USB-C ports are now standard across the XC40 lineup. Volvo cut the AM radio tuner from the features list, but buyers can use the provided TuneIn radio app in the XC40's infotainment system to listen to those stations. The once-standard heated windshield wiper blades and cargo-area 12-volt outlet are now part of options packages, and the adaptive suspension system is no longer available. Volvo has also added the all-electric XC40 Recharge model to the lineup, but I will review that model separately.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Momentum: $34,695
- R-Design: $39,945
- Inscription: $40,445
We'd select the T5 R-Design model not solely for the seasonal security of all-wheel drive, but also for the more powerful 248-hp engine. The T5 R-Design comes standard with navigation, a panoramic roof, and a sporty appearance. We'd add the Climate package, which provides heating for the rear seats, steering wheel, and windshield wiper blades, as well as the Advanced package, which brings adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous mode, a 360-degree surround-view camera, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area, and headlamp washers. Lastly, we'd opt for the Lava carpeting and door inserts to make the XC40 just a little funkier.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Under the hood of every XC40 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making either 184 or 248 horsepower (called T4 and T5, respectively). The more powerful T5, which pairs exclusively with all-wheel drive, It goes to 60 mph in a reasonably brisk 6.2 seconds. The eight-speed automatic transmission handles gear-changes without delay and transmits no harshness to the cabin while doing so. My sole complaint is the coarse sound the engine emits under heavy throttle. When cruising, the power-train is quiet and refined. The XC40's towing capacity—a rarity among subcompact-luxury crossovers—is a stout 3500 pounds.
Fuel Economy
Despite boasting class-competitive fuel-efficiency ratings from the EPA, the XC40 T5 produces merely average performance for the segment. The über-efficient Mercedes-Benz GLA250 and the spunky three-cylinder Mini Cooper Countryman both handily beat the XC40.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Contemporary Swedish styling meets fun and functional design inside the XC40. The cabin's light and airy atmosphere imparts a truly upscale vibe even in the base Momentum trim. Passenger space is commodious in both the front and rear seats. As is the case with its more expensive stablemates, the XC60 and the XC90, the XC40 is functional inside, well made, and beautifully designed—if not quite as plush and luxurious. Volvo designers took the opportunity to incorporate more youthful flourishes in the cabin of the Momentum and R-Design trims, such as the optional blaze-orange carpeting that extends up into the door panels, the textured metallic trim in place of traditional wood inlays, and rectilinear vents with floating chrome adjusters. Top-of-the-line Inscription models sport a classier appearance, with driftwood trim and a shift knob crafted from Orrefors crystal. the XC40 manages to accommodate 23 carry-on suitcases with its rear seats folded. Additionally, Volvo has integrated a number of inventive cargo-storage features throughout the XC40's interior, such as a hook that flips out from the glove-box to hold takeout bags, a divider for the cargo area, and a removable garbage bin with a hinged door in the center console.
Infotainment and Connectivity
From its prominent and slightly canted position in the center of the XC40's dashboard, Volvo's Sensus Connect infotainment system is projected brightly on a 9.0-inch touchscreen. Almost everything inside the cabin is controlled via this screen, but there are few redundant physical buttons. System usability is a mixed bag: The main menus are intuitively arranged, but sub-menus suffer from small touchscreen icons that are fussy to use on the go. We also noticed pronounced system lag immediately upon startup.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Volvo offers plenty of driver-assistance tech as standard, including automated emergency braking; more advanced features including a semi-autonomous driving mode are optional. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the XC40 a five-star safety rating, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Volvo's warranty coverage is fair, and three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance are a nice perk. Unfortunately, there's nothing here that makes the XC40 a standout among its rivals, which all offer roughly the same coverage.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Power-train warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles.
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