This SUV is one of the first cars I reviewed back in 2017 – does it still hold up in 2026?
Car changing is a big deal
When he was still young and green, deputy reviews editor Tom Wiltshire attended the international launch of the Volvo XC40 – and thought it was brilliant. Nine years on, has it aged like a fine wine or more like sour milk?
Typically, the first access motoring journalists like the Carwow reviews team will get to a new model is a static reveal or studio shoot – but not long after that, there’ll be an international launch event. Journalists from across the world will be flown into a central location to be fed and watered, and then they’ll get their chance to drive the new model.
One of the first times I did this was in November 2017, when I flew out to Barcelona to attend the launch of the Volvo XC40. As a (comparatively) fresh-faced 23-year-old, I was seriously impressed – calling the car ‘a breath of fresh air’ and stating it was ‘every bit as impressive on the road as its main rivals’.
Well, the XC40 is still around – and though it’s been through a couple of light-touch facelifts, the fundamental recipe remains the same. So I leaped at the chance to spend a week with the latest model in order to see if time has been generous to Volvo’s baby SUV, or if it should have been put out to pasture long ago.
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.
There’s certainly an impressive mix of alternatives. At launch, the XC40 had to compete with the previous-generation Range Rover Evoque, Lexus NX, BMW X1, and Audi Q3. All of those cars have had all-new model generations since that time, while the XC40 has soldiered on.
The first impression is always visual, and here I’m both pleased and a bit saddened. Pleased because I still think it’s a really handsome little SUV – it has neat, upright proportions, super-smart details like the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED daytime running lights, and my test model came in a discreet but attractive green with a lovely cream leather interior.
But the XC40 was much funkier at launch. You could get two-tone paint finishes, including my personal favourite of baby blue with a white roof. And R-Line models got a racy interior with fantastic vibrant orange carpets. That sense of fun has totally disappeared, though judging by the resoundingly dull options available on the used market it looks like I was the only one who thought those colour combos were worth buying in the first place.
The XC40’s interior is still absolutely gorgeous. The seats are superb – they’re so comfy, and they adjust in every way my 6’2” frame requires, including a pull-out seat cushion for better under-thigh support. The layout is familiar to any Volvo owner from the last decade, pairing a portrait touchscreen in the centre with just a few physical switches.
It’s in the screen where the Volvo first feels its age. It’s undergone a software update since I first drove it, bringing built-in Google apps that mean navigation and media are superbly easy. But at just 9.0-inches across, the central screen is comically small compared to most modern cars, which would actually be a really good thing if you didn’t have to interact with it for just about every purpose.
Yes – Volvo was an early adopter of the button-free screen craze, where climate controls, driving functions and everything in between were relegated to the touchscreen. The temperature controls are particularly fiddly here, and a real pain to use on the move.
It’s a shame because what buttons and switches there are, are absolutely lovely. The solid metal volume knob feels gorgeous, as does the crystal (flashy) gear selector. The air vents are the best, though – they’re cold metal, and turn on and off with the sort of click you get from a really expensive hotel light switch.
The practicality hasn’t changed, and this is one of the reasons I think the XC40 remains Volvo’s best-seller in the UK. It’s absolutely fabulous for a small SUV. The rear seats are comfortable and roomy, with the upright, square body guaranteeing plenty of headroom and a good view out for all occupants.
At 452 litres the boot isn’t the biggest among the alternatives, but it is the cleverest. There’s a completely flat load floor with no lip to hoick items over, and the seats can be folded down from handles inside the boot. Fold the boot floor in half and you get a divider to stop items sliding about, as well as a couple of fantastic bag hooks if you only have a couple of carrier bags.
Up front the door bins are absolutely gigantic, the glovebox is big, and there are clever solutions too – a fold-down hook for carrying a takeaway home, for example, or a removable litter bin in the centre console. It’s brilliant.
The Volvo’s engine lineup has changed a bit since I first drove it. At launch, you could have low-powered petrol or diesel engines with front-wheel drive and manual gearboxes, but the other options were powerful, all-wheel drive automatics. A plug-in hybrid was added to the range later, along with a fully-electric version.
Well, the full EV remains – it’s now called the EX40 – but everything else has been culled in favour of two mild hybrid petrol models. They’re both front-wheel drive automatics, and they’re…fine. My test model was the more powerful ‘B4’ version, with 197hp, and though it’s quiet and smooth I have to say it feels a bit old hat next to the competition, most of which offer a long-range plug-in hybrid. Or at least, greater efficiency – I averaged about 37mpg, which isn’t great going in a small SUV.
It’s still extremely comfy, and Volvo hasn’t bothered trying to make it feel sporty – which I’m glad about. The steering feels natural, the suspension irons out all but the biggest bumps, and it’s superbly refined on the motorway. It’s a relaxing car to drive, even if it’s not an exciting one.
So is it still a good option in 2026? I think yes. It’s a shame there’s no plug-in hybrid model to be competitive with the Audi Q3 – not to mention the slew of cheaper, Chinese alternatives – and I’m a bit sad that the funky styling options have been dropped. But it’s still super-premium, gorgeously screwed-together, discreetly classy and incredibly practical. No wonder it was still in the top 10 best-selling cars in 2025 – and remains there so far in 2026. Well deserved.
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.
Want to see the latest car content first? Add Carwow as a preferred source here. Click here to follow us on Reddit, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos. You can also subscribe to our WhatsApp channel to get the latest news sent straight to your phone.