New Volvo XC40 first impressions: why this could be my favourite small SUV on sale
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News editor Jamie Edkins has been poking around the new Volvo XC40, and a whole host of small updates have come together to make a big difference to this car.
This is the new Volvo XC40. Well, when I say new, it’s actually a very heavy facelift. Under the skin it’s pretty much the same as the XC40 which has been around since 2018, but it’s been given new tech and refreshed styling to keep it competitive against the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Cupra Formentor.
I’ve always been a fan of the XC40, but its age was starting to play against it. With this refresh, I reckon it’s now back on top form again.
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Despite being a design from nine years ago, the XC40 is still a sharp-looking SUV. A handful of small updates to this new one have made it look more modern, while maintaining the Scandi chic vibe.
The new headlights are slimmer than before, and they flow into a redesigned grille with diagonal slats – just like on the larger XC90. The bonnet is also new, with a carved edge to make the front of the car look smoother than before.
There are some redesigned LED taillights as well, which I think are the biggest improvement over the old XC40. That car had halogen rear lamps which really dated it, whereas these look much more contemporary.
When you step inside, the changes are a bit more subtle. The most noticeable difference is the new infotainment screen, which at 11.2 inches across is more than two inches bigger than before.
It’s also more responsive than the old system, and it comes with Volvo’s latest Google-based software. It’s just as easy to use as your smartphone, and you have Google’s Gemini AI voice assistant on board as well.
You can ask it to do normal things like set the sat nav destination or change the cabin temperature, but you can also get information about the weather where you’re going, or charging points along your route. I found it pretty easy to talk to, but I wish you could change its wake word from “hey Google” to “hey Volvo” to make it feel more connected to the car.
As with the old XC40, interior quality is really good. This beige leather trim is a new option, and I reckon it brightens up the cabin nicely. I also like the new wood inserts on the dashboard and doors, and they’re illuminated by brighter ambient lighting.
Everything feels really plush and solid, but I’m not so sure about the shiny plastic on the centre console. I reckon this will scratch pretty easily, but that’ll be masked by the fingerprints.
On the practicality front, nothing has changed compared to the old XC40. You still get plenty of rear seat space for a small SUV, I fit comfortably and I’m over six feet tall, and it’s easy to fit a child seat thanks to the easy-access ISOFIX anchors. The boot is on the smaller side compared to the BMW X1, with 443 litres of space on offer compared to the BMW’s 540 litres, but it’s still a usable space with a clever divider you can pop up in the middle to keep shopping bags from rolling around.
Under the bonnet, the XC40 has two 2.0-litre petrol engine options. The B3 has 163hp, while the B4 has 197hp. These are exactly the same as before, and both should return between 35 and 40mpg. That’s not particularly impressive these days; an Audi Q3 1.5-litre petrol can do up to 46mpg, and that car is also available as a plug-in hybrid.
If you’re looking for lower running costs, the all-electric EX40 could be a better bet. Just like the outgoing car, it’ll be available with 69- and 82kWh battery options, delivering 270- and 356 miles of range respectively. That’s a bit more than an Audi Q4 e-tron can manage, but the Kia EV3 will go up to 375 miles on a charge.
The technical specs may be a bit mediocre, but that doesn’t stop the Volvo XC40 from being one of my favourite small SUVs. It looks great, has a lovely interior and, in the case of the outgoing car, it’s really comfy to drive. There’s no reason why this one should be any different when it goes on sale in the coming weeks.
Prices haven’t been announced yet, but I wouldn’t expect a massive jump over the current car. Somewhere around £37,000 for the petrol XC40 and £45,000 for the EX40 would be my prediction.
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