2021 Volvo XC40 Test Drive Review: Compact Crossover With Big Ideas
These days, being a fan of a crossover has you almost instantly stereotyped as being a dreary soccer mom driving a lumbering kiddie-carrier with nothing under the metal but practicality. But now there's the 2021 Volvo XC40. The smallest of the Swedish manufacturer's crossover range, the compact XC40 seems to exist to convince consumers that wanting a practical, versatile family car doesn't mean you have to give up on striking looks, comfort, and features.
Available as either T4 or T5 gasoline-engined models, or the new-for-2021 all-electric Recharge variant, the XC40 offers 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque in the base model, while maxing out at 402 hp/486 lb-ft in EV configurations. Going up against rivals from the German trinity such as the BMW X2, Audi's Q3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the XC40 has a lot going for it, including a gorgeous interior and a comfortable drive. But, with a whiny motor and middling fuel economy, can it really compete or does it need just a little bit more spice? We wanted to see for ourselves and spent a week with a T5 Inscription in our driveway for a test drive.
What's the Price of the Volvo XC40?
The cheapest way to get behind the wheel of an XC40 in the USA is by opting for a T4 Momentum with a base price of $33,700. For those who want the sportier trim, the R-Design will cost you $38,950, and the Inscription asks for $39,450. These prices are excluding a $1,095 destination fee and any taxes or licensing.
If the base powertrain sounds too meek for you, you can move up to the 248-hp T5 for $2,000 more per trim.
Best Deals on 2021 Volvo XC40
2021 XC40 Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
174.2 in | 106.4 in | 65.3 in | 73.3 in | 63.0 in | 64.0 in | 3,574.0 lbs |
Exterior Colors
2021 XC40 Performance
Engine and Transmission
Handling and Driving Impressions
We've loved the products from Volvo that we've had on test, and there wasn't too much to feel disappointed over with the XC40. The T5 driving experience was suave, as expected, moving along quite nicely when you urge it to - unless you've selected Eco mode. Unlike the enthusiastic Dynamic mode, or at the very least the sufficient haste you can muster when in Comfort, Eco mode serves mainly to test your own patience and annoy those around you with terribly lethargic take-offs that left me simply switching back to Comfort mode. Still, with a heavier foot on the accelerator, the motor does sound a little harried, which detracted from an otherwise refined feeling overall. There is also an Off-Road mode, but we weren't particularly inclined to try that out, although we're sure gravel and dirt road won't be much of a deterrent to the XC40.
Due to its sizing, the XC40 feels wonderfully nimble, is easy to place on the road, and handles darting about fairly well - parking is easy, despite some blind spots caused by the thick C-pillars, and even taking corners at speed didn't induce anxiety. That being said, it's not overwhelmingly fun - it does what it sets out to do with poise, but that's really about it. The P8 might well even improve on handling, thanks to a lower center of gravity with the extra weight of the battery pack.
One thing that did take a bit of getting used to was how the gear shifter is set up; intuitively one would expect to start at a neutral position, with a push up for Drive, and a pull down for Reverse. Instead, the XC40 requires you to tap the shifter down twice, through Neutral, to get to Drive, and tap up twice to select Reverse. This felt a little unnatural and had me double-checking my gear selection twice over. On the plus side, the auto 'box felt superb with slick shifts that were perfectly suited to what I required.
2021 XC40 Interior
Seating and Interior Space
2021 XC40 Trunk and Cargo Space
2021 XC40 Safety and Reliability
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the Volvo XC40 A Good SUV?
Going up against rivals that have been around for some time means that the XC40 needs to be really good at what it sets out to achieve in order to actually compete. In many areas, Volvo has nailed the brief, but in some, it seems to have missed the mark compared to its competitors. The gasoline powertrains may provide average gas mileage, but they lack in performance and refinement, and we can't help but secretly want a little more.
Still, this is a genuine Volvo product, with all that characterizes such: a beautiful, thoughtfully laid-out cabin with space and comfort as priorities, a comprehensive safety suite, a long standard features list, and an undeniably pleasant drive. Yes, it doesn't have all the luxuries found in its bigger, plusher siblings, but would you really expect that of it? For the price of the Volvo XC40, you still get a car loaded with goodies and gadgets, and, notably, the same safety systems and driver assists you'd find in more expensive options. And, while it doesn't boast an adrenalin-spiking performance by any manner of means, if you opt for the T5 or plug-in variant, you should be generally satisfied, even if you're just a middle-aged parent doing the school run.
What Volvo XC40 Model Should I Buy?
A subjective question to answer, the most reasonable response would be to suggest opting for a mid-grade trim to get the best possible value for money; but the truth is that if you're looking for a compact SUV with a host of safety features and excellent comfort levels, you'll not be sorry with even the base trim. In any guise, the important choice to make here is powertrain related, in which case we'd urge you to skip over the T4 entirely.
We particularly liked the Inscription variant we had on test with the T5 motor, and feel that it's worth the money asked of it - it's plush, sexy, and has all the bells and whistles to convince you of its place in the luxury segment. For the urban dweller dealing with daily traffic, and as a young working mom who likes a balance between practical and plush, the all-electric Recharge would perfectly cover all the bases in terms of range and charging capacity, too. We'd definitely splurge on the Harman Kardon sound system and the additional safety assists, either way.
2021 Volvo XC40 Comparisons
2021 Volvo XC40 vs Volvo XC60
A comparison like this is interesting in that you're really comparing siblings and trying not to offend one or the other - and both these products are pretty good for what they are designed to be. The XC60 is a bit more than just the larger version of the XC40, though, and there's even a big difference in how they look - the XC40 maximizes on the sporty urban vibe, while the XC60 is a much more elegant mid-size SUV. And in terms of the muscle available, the XC60 skips over the weak T4 powertrain entirely, offering the T5 as the base motor and a more powerful 316-hp T6. There's no all-electric XC60, though, but the plug-in hybrid has 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, which is less than what the XC40 Recharge has on tap. But there is a Polestar Engineered version, which is good for 415 hp and 472 lb-ft.
Comparing specs and features, however, the two SUVs are much the same - the same safety suite is standard on both, as are comfort features. The main differences, other than available powertrains, lie in space, size, and style, with the XC60 clearly more luxurious. The bigger SUV has an MSRP of around $9k dearer, but it's fully worth it for more oomph from under the hood and an interior where that divisive crystal gearshift lever would be right at home. Still, we're quite happy with the XC40 - bigger isn't always better, and the XC40 proves that the smaller sibling can be the favorite, too.
2021 Volvo XC40 vs Audi Q3
Like with the XC40, the Q3 has two motors to choose from, though both come with all-wheel drive as standard. From much more assertive looks on the outside to an equally smart interior, the Q3 ticks all the boxes for a stylish, sporty compact SUV. It comes with a much more user-friendly infotainment system than the Volvo does, but doesn't have quite as comprehensive a safety suite as the Swede does - at least not without adding on optional packages. Still, the Q3 does justice to the idea of a small city runabout, and although it feels less like an SUV and more like a lifted hatchback, is a comfortable and somewhat more fun drive than the Volvo. But, the cost of the Volvo XC40 is a lot less, offers more space, and has the option of the all-electric Recharge to tempt you over to the Green side. And, although we're loathe to admit it, the thoughtful little touches, conveniences, and superb safety elements in the XC40 we'd swear are only attractive to older folk would sway us to pick it over the German. In this segment, we'd much rather have the Volvo XC40.