The Volvo XC40 is a small SUV/crossover, and the first generation of its kind from Volvo. It has won several awards, including European Car of the Year in 2018.
Based on 24 different reviews from the UK motoring media that e have analysed to date, the XC40 sits at the top of the premium small SUV class with an outstanding Expert Rating score. It has also received numerous awards from around the world, including 2018 European Car of the Year.
The XC40 range is currently only available with a petrol engine or plug-in hybrid powertrain. A diesel engine was previously offered but has been dropped, while a fully-electric version will join the range in 2021.
The Volvo XC40 has received particular praise for its build quality, refinement, styling and extremely high safety standards. The main criticisms have related to its fairly average driving dynamics and an underpowered entry-level T3 petrol engine.
In a 2020 What Car? survey of the 50 most reliable cars in the UK up to eight years old, the petrol-engined versions of the Volvo XC40 ranked 22nd, while diesel versions ranked equal 39th.
Key specifications
Body style: Compact SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £28,965 on-road
Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: –
Replacement due: TBA
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MEDIA REVIEWS
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media

The Car Expert
Model reviewed: XC40 Recharge T5 plug-in hybrid
“The Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 is a very likeable thing. From the moment you silently set off in electric mode, it’s clear that refinement was high on the agenda for the plug-in hybrid model, and it succeeds for the most part.”
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Score: 8.2 / 10
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find aspects of modern Volvos to criticise – each is a step forward in comfort, practicality, style, economy, performance and particularly safety.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volvo XC40 is a comfortable and stylish small SUV that has some pleasing practical touches and a lot of Swedish cool.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: T5 plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The small SUV sector is one of the hottest in the market and packed with talented players. The Volvo XC40 is among the more appealing too, thanks to its stylish design inside and out, quality feel and plug-in hybrid running costs. It’s not the cheapest of its type but you arguably get what you pay for.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volvo XC40 is one of the most appealing compact SUVs we can think of, thanks to a practical cabin full of clever features, exemplary safety credentials and wealth of standard equipment. It’s far from cheap, but neither are the XC40’s key rivals and it’s worthy match for any of them.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: T5 plug-in hybrid
“Our first impression is that the new powertrain makes a strong package even more compelling. It keeps everything that ensures the Volvo XC40 remains one of our favourite small SUVs, and adds a compelling new powertrain option.”
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Model reviewed: T5 AWD R Design Pro
Score: 8 / 10
“The change in character brought about by the Polestar optimisations isn’t quite a Jekyll and Hyde transformation, stopping short of turning the Volvo XC40 into a true driver’s car but adding a level of engagement that was previously missing from the otherwise sedate SUV.”
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Score: 9 / 10
“Just as the XC40 plainly isn’t short of visual appeal, though, so it isn’t short of quality, richness, refinement, dynamic ability and performance. Right now, premium-level compact SUV cash could hardly be better spent.”
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Model reviewed: T4 AWD automatic Momentum
Score: 8 / 10
“Where the T3-engined XC40 left us feeling a touch underwhelmed, the T4 unit feels well-suited to the smallest of Volvo SUVs. Its willingness to pull means overtaking needn’t be a nerve-wracking process, while its generally quiet and calm demeanour should make it well-suited to extended stints on the motorway.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual T3 Momentum Pro
Score: 6 / 10
“Volvo’s first three-pot motor and standard suspension settings aren’t so flattering in a car that’s markedly better to drive in other forms.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic T5
Score: 7 / 10
“The entry-level petrol engine in the Volvo XC40 range might only have three cylinders, but it has plenty of go despite its size.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual D3 Momentum Pro
“For casual town driving and motorway cruising, the Volvo XC40 D3 is pretty flawless, with a supple suspension, road-domineering high-riding position and loads of safety kit for peace of mind, from emergency autonomous braking to lane keep assist – which are thrown in as standard.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic T5 First Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“The T5 is certainly fun, but the Volvo XC40 is a good car no matter which engine it comes with, so the cost-conscious will surely default to the less powerful engines.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Momentum
Score: 8 / 10
“Although entry-level, the Momentum trim is highly specced as standard. In fact, there is a huge selection of standard specifications that would otherwise feature as options on competitors.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid T5 Recharge
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volvo XC40 Recharge is a very appealing thing, with the refinement and comfort of this model especially shining through thanks to the silence that can be achieved in electric driving. If the batteries are topped up, it will also be rather cheap to run.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic T4
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volvo XC40 continues to tick all of the boxes buyers of an entry-level premium SUV — its effortless to drive, looks smart and delivers plenty of equipment at a reasonable cost.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Volvo XC40 is a stylish small SUV that comes loaded with safety equipment and feels upmarket, but it’s only average to drive.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Handsome on the outside and sophisticated on the inside, the Volvo XC40 is a spacious small SUV with smart styling and which is comfortable to drive.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid T5 Recharge Inscription Pro
“It’s a pricey option, but our 2020 Compact Premium SUV of the Year is a high-quality and good-looking vehicle that is now available in its most tax-efficient form.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic D4 R-Design Pro
Score: 8.3 / 10
“A car without any considerable weakness, the Volvo XC40 is an appealing alternative to the existing premium models at the forefront of the sector.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid T5 R-Design Pro
“The plug-in Volvo XC40 is another outstanding addition to the company’s portfolio. It looks impressive, is packed with technology and delivers on the performance front too, making it quite the all-rounder. And those low emissions will result in plenty of tax benefits too.”
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Honest John
Score: 10 / 10
“Inside and out, the XC40 is refreshingly different yet achingly on-trend, and is about the best car in its class, which is saying something given that it includes rivals like the BMW X2, Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar E-Pace and Audi Q3. It’s even a pleasure to drive and, provided you stay away from the options list, makes sense financially.”
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Motors.co.uk
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“With excellent build quality throughout and a range of high-end materials used, the Volvo XC40 feels every bit a premium SUV, with buyers also given the option to inject some extra flair into their cars with a range of coloured carpets and mats to choose from.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Popular family SUV is easy to like”
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The Sun
“The XC40 packs a significant wallop and has an elegant exterior, which offers a pleasant driving experience.”
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Model reviewed: R-Design
“The XC40 has all the brilliant qualities from the XC60 and XC90 but possesses something much more edgy, personalised and sleek.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: XC40 D4 2.0-litre diesel automatic AWD R-Design
Score: 8 / 10
“Premium small SUV with a Swedish sense of style.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic T3 R-Design
Score: 10 / 10
“Volvo knocked it out of the park with the XC40, and this newly upgraded T3 only enhances its smallest SUV further. It looks great, feels terrific and drives brilliantly, even in this R-Design form. Want a compact, comfortable, upmarket SUV? Then look no further.”
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Model reviewed: D4 AWD R Design automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“If you can live without a sporty driving experience there’s little not to like about the Volvo XC40. It is roomy, very comfortable, thoughtfully designed and powered by a good range of engines. In fact, we’d go so far as to say it’s one the most desirable SUVs on sale.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Volvo has made something nicely distinctive here. It’d be impressive even if they’d been practising for years.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Volvo XC40 blends generous passenger space and a practical boot with a quality interior and top-notch safety. That means you aren’t only buying a hugely desirable product, but one backed up with real substance.”
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Which?
Score: 7.2 / 10
“A practical dose of Swedish cool.”
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SAFETY RATING
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2018
More safety recognition
- Thatcham Research rated the Volvo XC40 as one of the ten safest new cars for 2019.
ECO RATING
Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: T5 2.0 4×4 Auto
Date tested: February 2019
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volvo XC40 has received
2021
- What Car? Awards – Best Family SUV
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Premium Crossover
2020
- Auto Express Driver Power – Best Premium Small SUV
- Business Motoring Awards – Best Hybrid
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Premium Crossover
2019
- Business Car Awards – Best Compact SUV
- Honest John Awards – Car of the Year + Best Premium Crossover
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Small Hatch
- What Car? Awards – Best Family SUV
- News UK Motor Awards – Small SUV/Crossover of the Year
- Fleet News Awards – New Company Car of the Year
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Premium Crossover
- Motor Trader Awards – New Car of the Year
- Towcar of the Year Awards – Overall winner + Winner, Caravan Weight 1,350 – 1,500kg category
2018
- European Car of the Year
- Car of the Year Japan
- What Car? Awards – Car of the Year + Best Family SUV
- Auto Express Awards – Best Small Premium SUV
- Autocar Awards – Game Changer
- BBC Top Gear Magazine Awards – Best Sensible SUV
- DieselCar and EcoCar Top 50 Awards – Car of the Year + Best Medium SUV
- BusinessCar Awards – New Company Car of the Year + Best Compact SUV
- Women’s World Car of the Year – Supreme Winner
- Tow Car Awards – Best Family SUV
- Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year – Winner, Caravan Weight 1,350 – 1,500kg category
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volvo XC40, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q3 | BMW X1 | BMW X2 | DS 3 Crossback | Jaguar E-Pace | Lexus UX | Mercedes-Benz GLA | Range Rover Evoque