Regardless of Volvo softening its electrical car (EV) plans globally, it’s nonetheless scaling up regionally to change into an all-electric model by 2026.
Notice: That is an up to date model of a assessment first revealed in February 2024. There haven’t been any pricing or specification adjustments for MY25, save a reputation change of the Final B4 trim to Extremely B4.
We’ve up to date key particulars reminiscent of pricing and specs with essentially the most up-to-date info obtainable. Learn the unique model of this assessment right here.
As a part of the method, Volvo has dropped the extra {powerful} B5 mild-hybrid petrol engine from the XC40 vary.
As a substitute the Swedish-Chinese language carmaker now solely provides the B4 mild-hybrid petrol engine to energy the whole combustion-powered vary. The electrical variations of this automobile at the moment are additionally known as the EX40, not XC40 Recharge.
On check right here is the Volvo XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish. This mannequin was beforehand known as the Final B5 Darkish when it had the extra {powerful} B5 mild-hybrid petrol engine.
Is that this top-spec model of the core Volvo XC40 vary nonetheless convincing with a less-powerful mild-hybrid petrol engine? Learn alongside to seek out out.
How does the Volvo XC40 examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Volvo XC40 in opposition to equally sized autos.
Volvo
XC40
How a lot does the Volvo XC40 price?
Though the electrical variations of this automobile at the moment are known as the EX40, the mild-hybrid variations have retained the XC40 title.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Volvo XC40 Plus B4 | $54,990 |
| 2025 Volvo XC40 Plus B4 Particular Version | $54,990 ($59,990 drive-away) |
| 2025 Volvo XC40 Extremely B4 Vibrant | $61,990 |
| 2025 Volvo XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish | $62,990 |
| 2025 Volvo XC40 Black Version | $63,990 |
To see how the Volvo XC40 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s the Volvo XC40 like on the within?
Strolling as much as the Volvo XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish, it’s a little bit laborious to distinguish it from the extra {powerful} however now-defunct Final B5 Darkish. The principle change has occurred underneath the bonnet.
Hopping within the XC40 has a sought-after elevated seating place, like a lot of crossovers, that means that you can have good visibility across the automobile and likewise really feel in command.
Our tester was geared up with the leather-accented charcoal upholstery which is a no-cost possibility. This additionally provides driftwood accent trim panels, charcoal tailor-made steering wheel, in addition to a crystal gear shifter from Orrefors.
Regardless of being leather-accented, the XC40’s seats feel and appear like they’ve a good bit of fake leather-based on them. There was additionally a faint plasticky scent that lingered for almost all of the time I had the automobile. That’s not one thing that I’d correlate with a premium car.
Each entrance seats have electrical adjustment with heating. The latter is extremely useful on cool Melbourne days, although I’m shocked you possibly can’t even possibility ventilated seats in any respect.
The motive force’s seat has loads of thigh help, which is aided by a manually extendable cushion prolonged. It felt like I used to be sitting on a La-Z-Boy recliner.
Regardless of this, the motive force’s seat is a little bit flat and laborious, which made driving for longer durations of time a bit uncomfortable. It additionally lack aspect bolstering, which at some factors made me really feel like I used to be falling out of my seat round corners.
Forward of the motive force is a fake leather-wrapped steering wheel that doesn’t really feel anyplace as good as one wrapped in correct leather-based. The steering wheel remains to be a pleasant dimension and has an outer rim that isn’t too thick.
All of the buttons on the steering wheel are logically laid out and have clear icons that make them simple to know. The buttons even have a satisfying click on motion.
The identical could be stated for the indicator and wipers stalks positioned behind the steering wheel. Each have a satisfying thwack, though they’ve a lot of icons and capabilities that make them a little bit complicated at first.
There’s a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster as normal that’s each clear and high-resolution. Regardless of this the interface is essentially black and a little bit lifeless. I perceive Volvo goes for minimalism, however the identical look could possibly be achieved with two analogue dials and a smaller instrument cluster display.
One of many few issues you possibly can change on the digital instrument cluster is whether or not the satellite tv for pc navigation map is on or off. It’s also possible to convey up your journey statistics. That’s about it…
Shifting throughout is an ordinary portrait-oriented 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that has Google built-in. This implies it has options together with the Google Assistant, Google Maps, in addition to entry to the Google Play retailer.
The associated Polestar 2 additionally has a infotainment system with Google built-in, although the display in it’s notably bigger (11.2-inch v 9.0-inch). This makes the XC40’s touchscreen look a contact dated compared.
The touchscreen itself, just like the digital instrument cluster, is high-resolution. It additionally seems to have loads of processing energy, which implies it boots up rapidly upon startup and new pages load quick.
Given the touchscreen is portrait-oriented it appears like utilizing an iPad strapped to the dashboard. The native Google built-in interface can be actually intuitive to navigate and use.
A number of the time I didn’t actively look to attach my cellphone utilizing smartphone mirroring as all of the capabilities I often search for, together with Google Maps and Spotify, have been already baked in or obtainable on the Google Play retailer.
Talking of smartphone mirroring nonetheless, the Volvo XC40 comes normal with wired Apple CarPlay solely.
Like nearly all of wired smartphone mirroring connections with my iPhone 15 Professional Max, I didn’t expertise any dropouts in any respect.
One gripe is all of the local weather management capabilities, together with the operation of the heated seats and steering wheel, are altered utilizing the touchscreen. You need to use the Google Assistant, however for lots of the time I’d a lot want having a bodily button or dial.
There really aren’t many bodily buttons or dials within the XC40 in any respect. The principle ones embrace a big quantity knob with a play and pause button, a house button for the infotainment system, in addition to smaller buttons for capabilities just like the hazard lights and window defrosters.
Trying across the cabin there are some Scandinavian-looking and premium-feeling finishes together with the vertical air vents, picket dashboard inlays, metallic sections on the steering wheel, crystal gear shifter, and felt-lined door bins.
On the flip aspect nonetheless, there are numerous tougher plastics and piano black scattered across the cabin. The latter will get soiled and dirty actually rapidly, and it additionally will get scratched whenever you attempt to clear it.
Our tester was geared up with the optionally available glass panoramic sunroof that helps make the cabin atmosphere really feel airier and lighter.
Though the rear doorways themselves are giant, the opening to get into the automobile isn’t. This meant I needed to contort my legs getting each out and in.
When you’re within the second row there’s loads of leg, head, and shoulder house. It’s unusual however the second-row seats are additionally a lot squishier and comfy than the entrance seats.
There may be nonetheless a big transmission hump within the second row that makes the centre seat really feel a little bit cramped.
Second-row facilities embrace heated outboard seats, USB ports, centre console-mounted rear air vents, in addition to a fold-down rear centre armrest with cupholders.
Shifting across the again of the XC40 there’s an influence tailgate that opens and carefully swiftly and quietly. As soon as the tailgate is open there’s loads of usable boot house on supply. Volvo quotes an official boot capability determine of 460 litres.
There are heaps of bag hooks within the boot, in addition to a 12V socket and a useful gentle on the tailgate. The latter is actually useful whenever you’re making an attempt to load gadgets into the boot at nighttime.
The very last thing I’ll point out on this part is certainly one of my favorite options within the XC40. The boot flooring is ready to fold upwards and create a divider with bag hooks. This implies gadgets received’t be sliding round as a lot as you drive round.
| Dimensions | Volvo XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish |
|---|---|
| Size | 4440mm |
| Width | 1938mm |
| Peak | 1567mm |
| Wheelbase | 2702mm |
| Cargo capability | 460L (5 seats) 1336L (2 seats) |
To see how the Volvo XC40 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The complete Volvo XC40 vary is now powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine augmented with 48V mild-hybrid help.
| Specs | Volvo XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-petrol 48V MHEV |
| Energy | 145kW |
| Torque | 300Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto |
| Drive kind | AWD |
| Weight (tare) | 1729kg |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 7.3L/100km |
| Gas economic system (as examined) | 8.1L/100km (250km combined driving) |
| Gas tank capability | 54L |
| Gas requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 162g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capability | 2100kg |
To see how the Volvo XC40 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the Volvo XC40 drive?
Beginning up the Volvo XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish is as simple as urgent the beginning button positioned between the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system.
While you do press the beginning button, the two.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine fires up seamlessly and quietly thanks partly to the 48V mild-hybrid system which features a starter-generator.
Setting off can generally be a little bit jerky because the handbrake doesn’t routinely disengage when you choose both reverse or drive. It solely disengages whenever you speed up past a sure level or flip it off your self.
When you do ultimately get transferring don’t anticipate the XC40’s B4 mild-hybrid petrol engine to blow you away in any respect. With 145kW and 300Nm, these outputs sound greater than satisfactory on paper, however when mixed the automobile’s porky 1.7-tonne tare weight it spells for tardy acceleration.
On the site visitors lights loads of vehicles will probably be taking off faster than you. Vehicles with much less energy and torque will surprisingly be going faster than you except you give it extra of the beans. Even then, there appears like there’s solely simply sufficient on faucet.
When accelerating from a standstill the primary two gears can rev out to 3000rpm fairly simply. That is jarring given peak torque is delivered from simply 1500rpm.
The eight-speed torque-converter automated transmission does the job and feels a little bit extra pure than a dual-clutch transmission at low speeds, although at factors it might really feel a bit like an elastic band.
On the flip aspect whenever you’re slowing down the brake pedal has a number of play within the first half of its journey and rapidly bites. This implies it might laborious to inform how a lot stress it’s good to apply to return to a cease easily.
The steering within the XC40 is extremely gentle which makes low-speed manoeuvrability simple. The crossover additionally has a small turning circle. As normal there are entrance and rear parking sensors, dipping aspect mirrors, in addition to a surround-view digital camera.
The latter of those defaults to a birds-eye view which generally is a little difficult to correctly gauge how far you really are from obstacles. There are icons on the touchscreen that let you toggle between completely different views but it surely’s a little bit fiddly.
Round city the XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish’s suspension may be very resolved and compliant. Going over pace bumps are a breeze, although it might seemingly be even higher if the automobile was geared up with smaller alloy wheels than the 20-inch items fitted as normal.
Even in on a regular basis driving the XC40 has dynamic driving qualities. Certain there’s a little bit little bit of physique roll, which is synonymous with crossovers, however the automobile feels prefer it needs to be pushed rapidly.
That’s why it’s so disappointing the B4 mild-hybrid petrol engine can’t maintain up its finish.
Build up the pace within the XC40 takes a little bit of time and work however ultimately occurs. The engine often makes a little bit of a commotion when requested to speed up to freeway speeds and it’s probably not the very best sound ever.
When you’re at freeway speeds the revs are saved low and the automobile finds a groove. A bit extra energy can be good although as whenever you need to overtake the automobile feels prefer it’s working out of puff.
On the security entrance, the XC40’s adaptive cruise management system does prefer to initially brake when it detects a automobile forward of you, however it will definitely kinds itself out.
The cruise management may creep over the set pace by as much as 5km/h earlier than braking, which is a little bit too lenient for those who ask me. In lots of cases I discovered myself pumping the brakes to convey my pace again underneath the restrict after which resetting the cruise management.
The XC40’s lane-keep help perform can get a extremely useful function whenever you’re travelling alongside clearly marked highways and freeways, although on many roads I discovered the system pinballed inside the lane. This didn’t essentially encourage confidence and for essentially the most half I drove the automobile with this perform turned off.
Lastly, the Pixel LED headlights geared up to our tester are unbelievable. When you’ve the low-beams turned on they’ve a useful turning perform which illuminates round a nook. This makes recognizing a pedestrian stepping out onto the street across the nook at nighttime, for instance, at lot simpler.
The Pixel LED headlights even have an adaptive high-beam which makes rural and regional driving a lot simpler. You don’t want to fret about dipping your lights when there’s an oncoming automobile and might as a substitute keep watch over whether or not an animal might stray onto your path.
To see how the Volvo XC40 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
On check right here is the XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish, which is the top-spec variant within the core lineup.
XC40 Plus B4 highlights:
- Energy tailgate
- Automated LED headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 18-inch five-spoke silver alloy wheels
- 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Wi-fi cellphone charging
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Google built-in working system
- Google Automotive Providers
- Volvo Vehicles app
- DAB+ digital radio
- 8-speaker sound system
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Air air purifier
- Keyless entry and begin
- Heated steering wheel
- Leatherette upholstery
- Energy driver’s seat with reminiscence
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Guide seat cushion extension
- Energy passenger seat
- Energy-folding second-row headrests
XC40 Plus B4 Particular Version:
- 19-inch Y-spoke matte graphite alloy wheels
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Leather-based-accented upholstery
XC40 Extremely B4 Vibrant provides:
XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish provides:
- 20-inch double-spoke black alloy wheels
- Alcantara-accented upholstery
Choices
There may be quite a lot of optionally available tools obtainable on the XC40 Extremely B4 Darkish.
Way of life bundle: $3200
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Privateness glass
- Harman Kardon premium sound system
Single choices:
- Panoramic glass sunroof ($2350)
- Harman Kardon premium sound system ($1300)
- Tinted rear home windows ($800)
- Leather-based-accented upholstery ($NCO)
To see how the Volvo XC40 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Is the Volvo XC40 secure?
The Volvo XC40 had a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on 2018 Euro NCAP exams, however this has lapsed since January 2025.
Customary security options embrace:
- Entrance, aspect, curtain and driver’s knee airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Weak street consumer detection
- Lane departure warning
- Lane preserve help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise management
- Reversing digital camera
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
The Extremely B4 Vibrant provides a surround-view digital camera.
To see how the Volvo XC40 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Volvo XC40 price to run?
Volvo covers its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Volvo XC40 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Pre-paid service plans | $2380 (3 years) $3870 (5 years) |
To see how the Volvo XC40 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 is beginning to get on in years now but it nonetheless stays contemporary amid an electrical push for the Swedish-Chinese language model. The combustion engine vary nonetheless is beginning to appear to be an afterthought.
It’s a little bit disappointing Volvo has axed the extra {powerful} B5 mild-hybrid petrol engine from the XC40 vary. The B4 mild-hybrid petrol engine is okay, however you positively must work it to get the porky crossover transferring at a brisk tempo.
Regardless of being $2000 cheaper, it feels the XC40 Final B4 Darkish has misplaced its defining issue. When it beforehand had the B5 mild-hybrid engine it was the choose for these wanting a bit extra energy and torque.
I can see why Volvo has gone down this path nonetheless because it’s eager to make its electrical EX40 variants extra engaging. Now if need extra energy you’ll must step as much as the electrical single-motor rear-wheel drive variant (175kW/420Nm) or the dual-motor all-wheel drive variant (300kW/660Nm).
Each of those EX40 variants are significantly costlier than the petrol-powered Extremely B4 Darkish on check right here.
In case you’re not prepared to go electrical and are wanting to stay with the petrol, you’d arguably be higher off trying on the extra reasonably priced XC40 Extremely B4 Vibrant or Plus B4 as a substitute of the flagship Extremely B4 Darkish.
You received’t be lacking out on a lot as each of those extra reasonably priced petrol-powered XC40 variants include nearly all of the options included in our tester.
Curious about shopping for a Volvo XC40? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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MORE: Every part Volvo XC40
