Mat’s Car of the Day: a used Volvo XC40 is a seriously classy family SUV
Car changing is a big deal
The XC40’s been around for a while now but it’s still one of the best cars Volvo makes – and it’s one of the most in-demand used cars on Carwow right now
The Volvo XC40 may have been around, pretty much unchanged, since 2018, but it’s still surprisingly spry for its age. Good-looking, superbly practical and really comfortable to drive, the XC40 is a great small SUV – but you might baulk at the idea of paying over £35,000 for what is, underneath it all, an eight-year-old design.
That’s especially hard to stomach when for a similar price, newer alternatives – especially those from Chinese companies – can give you plug-in hybrid engines and an absolute embarrassment of standard equipment, including real luxury items like massaging seats.
If you like the idea of luxury but are on a budget, what are your options? Well, there’s always the used market – and a pre-loved Volvo XC40 is an extremely strong option. It seems you agree, because the XC40 is one of the most searched-for used cars on Carwow right now.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Used Volvo XC40 prices and deals
You can pay as little as £9,000 for a Volvo XC40 if you’re happy with an older, high-mileage model, but there are plenty of options available. Over its life the XC40 has been available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines, manual and automatic gearboxes and two- or four-wheel drive, so you’re really spoiled for choice.
This one caught my eye though. It’s a 2021 car with just under 60,000 miles on the clock, and it’s fully loaded in Inscription trim. It’s up for £19,300 – less than half the price of a similarly well-equipped model today.
Plus, it comes with the 200hp 2.0-litre petrol engine with an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. That means it has quite the turn of pace when you want it to – and thanks to the XC40’s good ground clearance, it’ll even tackle some mild off-roading much better than an Audi Q3 or BMW X1.
I’ve chosen this one specifically because it comes in the handsome yet understated Denim Blue with a gorgeous cream leather interior. It has climate control, Volvo’s adaptive cruise control (which works very well), full LED lights and plenty more besides. It’s a very luxurious little car.
Three things I like about the Volvo XC40
Why should you consider a Volvo XC40 at all? Here are three good reasons.
1. It’s really practical
The XC40 is quite upright and boxy, so it has a lot of interior space in a small footprint. There’s plenty of room for adults to get comfortable, even six-footers can fit in the back easily. There’s also a 452-litre boot, which is a great size for a car in this class.
2. It’s packed with clever features
It’s not even the space – it’s how you use it. Volvo’s loaded the XC40 with neat touches – like a flip-down hook on the glovebox for holding a handbag (or a takeaway). The boot floor folds in half to become a divider, so you can stop items rolling about and hook bags onto it. Up front you get a neat waste bin in the centre, and by relocating the front speakers from the doors to the dash the door bins can be absolutely cavernous.
3. It’s really comfortable
The XC40 is a superb motorway cruiser, particularly as all models get Volvo’s Pilot Assist adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping aids. All of the engines are quiet, even the diesels, and it irons out bumps brilliantly. The payoff is that it’s not much fun on a twisting country road, but get a BMW X1 if that’s your priority.
Three annoying things about the Volvo XC40
Nothing’s perfect, and the XC40 certainly isn’t. Here are a few things that might grate on you.
1. Visibility is a bit rubbish
The XC40’s stylish design includes some really thick C-pillars, which means you have some gigantic blindspots – right over your shoulder, which can be inconvenient if you’re trying to change lanes or to park. Most cars get a reversing camera, but this doesn’t help in every scenario.
2. The gearboxes aren’t great
The XC40 comes with a range of different gearbox options. The manual models aren’t actually too bad, but a luxurious small SUV should really have an automatic. Problem is, the autos can be quite hesitant and clunky, especially if you’re braking and then ask for a burst of acceleration, like you might at a roundabout.
3. The infotainment is hard to use
The latest Volvo models have a Google-based infotainment system that’s fantastic to use, but the XC40 has a previous-gen version that’s not the best. Even at launch in 2018, the tiny onscreen buttons and awkward menus weren’t great to use, and several years on it’s not got much better.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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