As the entry-level Volvo SUV, the XC40 is an attractive and lively vehicle for the price. It's still in its first generation, which debuted in 2019, but it's a family-friendly small SUV with appealing looks, powerful performance, and plenty of tech. So, how does it stack up against the more popular German competitors?

2022 Volvo XC40

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2022 Volvo XC40
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Overview

You cannot mistake this Swedish SUV for anything German or Japanese for that matter. The XC40 is a small, comfortable, gorgeous-looking, and powerful compact SUV for you if you want a daily driver which offers a decent level of luxury too. The XC40 is available in both gas-operated and full-electric variants. The all-electric Recharge variant is reviewed separately. The standard XC40 has two engine options or you might say two different engine tunes. Both, the T4 and the T5, use the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot mill, but the former has a low-powered engine tune compared to the T5. The T4 puts out 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet whereas the T5 puts out 248 horses and 258 pound-feet of maximum torque. We don’t consider the XC40 to be flashy by any means. Volvo has carefully designed this compact SUV to make it look similar to its higher-priced siblings. The interior build quality is pretty good for the price and even has a 12.3-inch driver information display as standard. For the 2022 model year, Volvo did not bring major changes to its entry-level SUV. Power-liftgate, front fog lights, and ISOFIX child safety locks are withdrawn from the standard list of features. The R-Design and the Inscription trims gain a wireless charging pad as standard. With all of these traits, it competes against the German trio (BMW X2, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA) along with a couple of Japanese luxury compact SUVs, like the Acura RDX. Do you think that the 2022 Volvo XC40 will suit your needs? Well, we have a complete review for you, just below.

Trims and Features

The 2022 XC40, just like other Volvos, is available in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. All three trims come powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine but Volvo has electronically controlled the power figures depending on further segregation: T4 (187 hp, 221 lb-ft) and T5 (248 hp, 258 lb-ft). The base T4 drives the front wheels while the T5 comes with an all-wheel-drive system. For your reference, we have listed down the important features available with different trim levels.

Momentum } }

Price: $34,100 (T4), $36,100 (T5)

- LED headlights, DRLs, and taillights

- 18-inch alloy wheels

- Heated exterior mirrors

- Rain-sensing automatic wipers

- Auto-dimming rearview mirrors

- Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat

- Heated front seats

- 12.3-inch driver information display

- Nine-inch touchscreen display

- Leather upholstery

- Keyless ignition

- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration

- Eight-speaker audio unit

All XC40s come with a set of advanced driver assistance features which include:

- Adaptive headlights

- Forward collision mitigation

- Lane-departure warning

- Blindspot monitoring

- Lane-keeping assist

- Driver attention warning

Premium package } }

- Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat

- Wireless charging pad

- Dual-zone automatic climate control

- Navigation system

- Power-folding rear outboard-seat headrests

- Keyless entry

- Front parking sensors

Advanced package } }

- Ambient interior lighting

- Adaptive cruise control

- 360-degree surround view system

R-Design } }

Price: $39,350 (T4), $41,350 (T5)

- Features from the Premium package

- 19-inch alloy wheels

- Unique grille and gloss-black exterior trim

- Black-colored roof

- Upgraded leather upholstery

- Panoramic sunroof

Inscription } }

Price: $39,850 (T4), $41,850 (T5)

- Unique 19-inch alloy wheels

- Chrome grille

- Crystal-trimmed gear-shifting knob

Climate package } }

- Heated steering wheel

- Headlight washers

- Heated rear seats

Some of the standalone features available for the XC40 are

- 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system

- 20-inch alloy wheels (R-Design)

- Parking assist (requires Advanced package)

- Hands-free liftgate

Exterior: Typical Volvo styling elements

Being the first Volvo to be built on the Compact Modular Architecture, the XC40 seems to be a more compact XC60 with boxy design elements. No, it is not an off-road SUV but it should behave well off the tarmac. Behold this stylish yet compact Swedish SUV, getting the iconic Thor’s Hammer LED DRLs along with LED headlights and taillights. The front bumper design is very reminiscent of its elder brothers, minus the sportier and wider lower grille. From the front, the new XC40 looks a bit boxy like the Jeep Renegade. But, compared to the latter, it has its share of aggressiveness, carrying it all the way to the rear. The taillights too like the Hammer of Thor, only if you join them together. The exhaust pipe remains hidden to give the XC40 more environmentally friendly vibes. From the sides, you will witness 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, along with the pretty huge wheel arches and creases along with the body. 19-inch wheels come fitted on the R-Design and the Inscription, but the 20 inchers are available only with the former. The Volvo XC40, though it looks quite compact, is a real stunner, and it continues to amaze not only on the outside, but on the inside, too.

The overall dimensions of the XC40 are similar to what you will see with the other compact SUVs of the segment. It weighs 3,625 pounds, measures 174.2 inches in length, while the wheelbase is rated at 106.4 inches. The XC40 is 80.1 inches wide, 65.3 inches tall, and sits 8.3 inches above the ground. Since we don’t know the ground clearance of the GLA-Class and the Q3, it is hard to declare the winner, but we think that the XC40 is ahead of the competition when it comes to this aspect. It also has an inch longer wheelbase than the Q3 and the X2.

2022 Volvo XC40 Exterior Dimensions

Model

2022 Volvo XC40

Curb Weight 

3,625 lbs.

Length

174.2 in.

Width 

80.1 in.

Height

65.3 in.

Ground Clearance 

8.3 in.

Wheelbase 

106.4 in.


Interior: So much better than its German counterparts

If you are someone who loves opulent cabins and doesn’t want to burn a hole in your pocket, your way is clear with the XC40. We mean, it has one of the most luxurious cabins we have tested in the sub $40,000 price point. The majority of the touchpoints are either soft-plastics or leatherette-wrapped. Getting in and out is easy and the sitting position is quite upright. Sitting on the driver’s seat will let you have a visual of a rather plain-looking dashboard. However, you will get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a big 12.3-inch driver information display, and nine-inch portrait-style infotainment. The center console has piano-black accents, has two cup holders, a wireless charging pad (if you get the higher trims), and a gearbox selector. The R-Design and the Inscription trims have wooden inlays while the latter has a crystal gear selector, making it similar to the XC60 and XC90 in terms of the overall opulence. The front gets a power-adjustable driver seat and you can get the same for the front passenger seat as an optional add-on. The standard leather upholstery provides amazing comfort but the higher trims provide even more with the Nappa-leather seats.

For a small family, the XC40 is the perfect compact SUV. Seriously, you can take your kids to school, drop your loved ones at work, or go to the countryside for holidays. You will have enough space for the four of you. Yes, four. If you want a more spacious and comfortable cabin then you should step up to the XC60. At the front, there is plenty of headroom (39 inches) and legroom (40.9 inches). The rear row offers 39.1 inches of headroom while the legroom is slightly diminished to 36.1 inches. Anyone taller than six feet might have a bit of a problem adjusting the seating position. In this case, we would like to appreciate the GLA-Class, which has a nice and spacious cabin with 38 inches of legroom at the rear. Not to forget how weird the front row space of the GLA-Class with a shorter headroom than the rear.

The cargo capacity is decent on the XC40 with 20.7 cubic feet. We are sure the trunk can fit the majority of your luggage without much of a problem. Both, the X2 and the Q3, however, have larger boot capacity up to 23.7 cubic feet. A few of the important interior features available with the 2022 Volvo XC40 would be:

- Dual-zone automatic climate control (Optional)

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel

- Leather upholstery

- 12.3-inch multi-information display

- Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat

- Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat

- Wireless charging pad (Optional)

- Power-adjustable rear outboard headrests

2022 Volvo XC40 Interior Dimensions

Model

2022 Volvo XC40 

Seating Capacity

5

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

39.0/56.7/40.9

Second Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

39.1/56.3/36.1

Cargo Capacity 

20.7 cu.ft.


For the infotainment system, you will get Volvo’s latest Sensus Connect system which works through the nine-touch portrait-style touchscreen display. The interface is easy to operate and we don’t find anything stupid to dislike. However, it is slightly different from the German systems but when you get used to it, it is great. Some might find it distracting while driving but there is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity at your disposal. As standard, the XC40 comes nicely loaded including Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM, and an eight-speaker audio system. Other optional features include a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio unit and navigation system.

Performance and Handling

Similar to the other existing Volvos, the XC40 has two different sets of tunings for its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. The eight-speed automatic transmission remains constant though. The T4 is great for elderly people who do not want a lot of power on the road. We wouldn’t say that the T5 is for the enthusiasts, but if you do a lot of highway driving then it will deliver the oomph you need. Independent tests have shown that the T4 based XC40 can do 0-60 miles per hour in 8.1 seconds, which is not exactly fast but we’re glad it is not a naturally aspirated engine. On the other hand, the T5 tuned 2.0-liter engine can help the XC40 achieve better acceleration timings: 6.2 seconds to 60 miles per hour and 14.8 seconds to a quarter-mile. The T5 XC40 is the most powerful among the bunch with the X2 taking second place. The T4 and the Q3 are very similar to each other when it comes to raw performance.

The handling dynamics of the XC40 are as impressive as they can be. Thanks to its size, this Swedish beauty is easy to maneuver in the city. The steering feedback is adequate for its purpose on the road and suspension is set on the softer side. Riding comfort has been emphasized, but at the cost of body rolls, which are quite prevalent if you plan to take down corners fast. The Comfort and Eco modes will tune the power down to gain maximum mileage and will make your drive easy and compliant for the highways. Switching to the Dynamic mode will make you feel as if the engine is alive again and that is true. The throttle response will be more aggressive and so will be the steering feedback.

2022 Volvo XC40 Performance Stats

Model

2022 Volvo XC40 T4

2022 Volvo XC40 T5

Engine Type

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four 

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four 

Drive Type

FWD

AWD

Transmission

8-speed shiftable automatic

8-speed shiftable automatic

Power 

187 hp @ 4,700 RPM

248 hp @ 5,500 RPM

Torque 

221 lb-ft @ 1,400 RPM

258 lb-ft @ 1,800 RPM

0-60 (mph) 

8.1 seconds

6.2 seconds

Quarter-mile

-

14.8 seconds

Top Speed

112 mph

131 mph

Braking Distance (70-0 mph)

-

173 ft


Fuel Economy

We wouldn’t say that the fuel economy is outstanding or something, but the EPA figures are quite promising for both the T4 and T5 variants. The T4 will return 23 miles per gallon in the city, 32 miles per gallon on the highways, and 26 miles per gallon as the combined economy. On the other hand, the T5, while having an AWD system, offers 22 miles per gallon in the city, 30 miles per gallon on the highways, and 25 miles per gallon as a combined output. Volvo has added a 14.2-gallon gas tank which should deliver about 350 miles or even more before you need to refill.

2022 Volvo XC40 Fuel Economy

Model

2022 Volvo XC40 T4

2022 Volvo XC40 T5

MPG (City)

23

22

MPG (Highway)

32

30

MPG (Combined)

26

25

Tank Capacity (Gallons)

14.2

14.2

Range (City, Highway, Combined)

326.6/454.4/369.2

312.4/426.0/355.0


How safe is the 2022 Volvo XC40?

White 2022 Volvo XC40
Volvo

Volvo cars, no doubt, offer what is called the best-in-class safety and the XC40 is no different. Both the NHTSA and the IIHS reviewed the 2022 XC40, plus have rewarded it with a full-on five-star rating along with the “Top Safety Pick+” for 2022. For the price, we don’t see a better deal than the XC40, strictly in terms of safety. If you buy the base XC40, you will get a couple of advanced driver assistance features baked in. Some of them are:

- Forward collision mitigation

- Adaptive headlights

- Driver attention warning

- Lane-keeping assist

- Lane-departure warning

- Blindspot monitoring

The Advanced package offers Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree viewing camera system. Other important safety features include:

- Tire pressure monitoring

- Stability control

- Remote anti-theft alarm system

- Dusk-sensing headlamps

- Dual front side-mounted airbags

- Front and rear head airbags

- Driver-side knee airbags

Should you consider the 2022 Volvo XC40?

While the XC40 remains one of the newest members of the compact SUV segment, it is a good option. Volvo ticked the right things with the XC40 while leaving a couple of loopholes like the overall engine refinement. We expected the engine to be slightly more efficient, similar to its competitors. But, on the flip side, XC40 has a well-built cabin with loads of features baked in and also serves the upmarket feeling. We loved the standard leather seats, the 12.3-inch driver information display, and the cabin comfort. So should you consider it? We wouldn’t suggest right away that the 2022 XC40 is the best SUV you can buy. But if you want a value-for-money package with the right levels of luxury and performance, XC40 should be your perfect match.

Is the Volvo XC40 a good SUV?

How much is a Volvo XC40?

How fast is the XC40?

How safe is the XC40?



FAQ

Q: Is the Volvo XC40 a good SUV?

We love the XC40 for its unique looks, luxurious cabin, and creature comforts. However, not everything is good and we hope that Volvo brings more refinement to the powertrain.

Q: How much is a Volvo XC40?

You can get a new XC40 for about $36,000.

Q: How fast is the XC40?

The T5 XC40 does a 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and a standing quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds.

Q: How safe is the XC40?

The NHTSA has rated this small SUV with five stars while the IIHS has awarded the same with the “Top Safety Pick+” award.