The Volvo XC40 burst onto the luxury compact SUV scene for the 2019 model year, bringing Swedish charm and practicality to the segment.
As Volvo’s smallest crossover SUV, the XC40 offered the style and substance of the flagship XC90 in an affordable package, bringing the Volvo renaissance to the masses. Its modern Scandinavian design helped it go toe-to-toe with established German rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the BMW X1, while offering something genuinely different.
The standout design continued inside, with a high-end, minimalist interior that felt more expensive than the price tag suggested. Fit and finish was great, with quality materials, leather upholstery, and thoughtful details throughout the cabin. The XC40 struck a fine balance between size and practicality, offering impressive rear seat room for its footprint, as well as a large cargo area with a useful folding floor divider. These thoughtful touches are vintage Volvo, proving that clever Swedish design thinking extends well beyond the showroom floor.
The XC40 was the first Volvo built on the brand's Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which supports a wide variety of powertrains, drivetrains, and energy sources. Depending on the configuration, the XC40 could be powered by gas or electricity, and in some markets, it was available as an in-between plug-in hybrid. Drivetrains are equally variable, with front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations available depending on the model.
Safety has always been a hallmark of Volvo cars, and the XC40 continues that tradition. Every XC40 comes standard with Volvo's comprehensive "Intellisafe" suite of driver-assistance safety features, delivering peace of mind that few competitors can match at this price point. It helps to make the XC40 an especially appealing choice for families and safety-conscious buyers.
With prices for the earliest models with sub-100,000 miles now well under $20,000, the XC40 is more appealing than ever and well worth a test drive. Our buying guide looks at how this desirable small SUV has changed over the years, as well as the best and worst versions to buy, and how much you can expect to pay for one.
Volvo XC40 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Volvo XC40 years are the best? The 2021 to 2022 model years are the sweet spot in value terms. The tech is a little bit old, but you still get modern features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and many of the early reliability concerns had been solved.
What are the worst Volvo XC40 years? The 2019 model year is the worst for the XC40. As the first model year of a new car built on a new platform, Volvo had some issues to sort. Double-check that the recalls have been addressed, particularly the one to fix software issues with the Automatic Emergency Braking system.
Is a used Volvo XC40 a good deal? Yes, the Volvo XC40 can be a great deal, particularly if you're looking for a premium experience that’s a little bit different. Overall, the XC40 has so far proved dependable, and stands out for its smart design and comfortable interior.
Volvo XC40 Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish
- Practical
- Big Volvo tech in a small package
Cons:
- Poor rear visibility
- Touch-based interior controls can be fiddly
- Some reliability concerns
Volvo XC40 Generations
First Generation (2019-Current)
Introduced for the 2019 model year, the XC40 impressed with its charming character, modern design, and classic Volvo quirkiness. But it wasn't all form over function, because it proved that you could have a vehicle that looked distinctive and was still practical and well-equipped.
At launch the XC40 was available in two powertrain configurations, both making use of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The entry-level T4 made 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque and powered the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those wanting more power and performance, the T5 used the same 2.0-liter engine in a more aggressive state of tune, producing 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque through the same eight-speed automatic transmission. This more powerful T5 version was only available with AWD.
Three trim levels were available: the base Momentum, a sporty R-Design, and an upscale Inscription. And if you wanted a splash of color, the Momentum and R-Design could be equipped with an orange interior carpet and matching door card accents. The top-of-the-range Inscription was a little more subtle, with “Driftwood” wood trim, an Orrefors crystal gear selector, and a panoramic roof. From the outside, all XC40s got the stylish “Thor’s hammer” LED headlights, aluminum roof rails, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The sporty R-Design trim received a unique blacked-out grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, a black contrasting roof, and a dual exhaust.
No matter the trim or powertrain, the XC40 had the kind of high-spec features you'd expect of a luxury SUV. The 9-inch touchscreen used Volvo’s Sensus operating system and came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, while a 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system could be optioned with the Multimedia Package. Even the base Momentum model had features such as a power tailgate, electric driver’s seat adjustment, and leather upholstery and steering wheel trim. In addition to climate control, the XC40 featured Volvo’s Clean Zone technology, which acts as an air purifier to maintain air quality inside the car.
Volvo’s Intellisafe suite of driver assistance features was standard equipment on all trims. It came with traffic sign recognition, road departure mitigation, a driver condition monitor, lane-keep assist, oncoming lane mitigation, automatic high-beam headlights, and Volvo’s City Safety, which was essentially forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Premium Package included adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving function that was aimed at making long highway drives less tiring. The optional Vision Package bundled together a blind-spot information system and Cross Traffic Alert with Autobrake.
For the 2021 model year Volvo introduced the XC40 Recharge, an all-electric version of the XC40. Exterior changes were minimal, limited to badges and a new aerodynamic grille. Under the skin, two electric motors produced a combined 408 horsepower and paired with a 75-kilowatt-hour battery that gave the Recharge an EPA-estimated range of 208 miles.
The XC40 received a significant mid-cycle refresh for the 2023 model year. Outside, all models received a new front end with updated LED lights and a more aggressive front bumper design. Inside, all Volvo XC40 models received Volvo’s latest Google-based infotainment system, which was a significant upgrade over the previous Sensus-based system, and came standard with a suite of Google built-in apps. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines were upgraded with a mild-hybrid system for improved fuel economy and became known as the B4 and B5. The new Volvo XC40 B4 now produced 194 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the B5 produced 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Despite the updates, fuel efficiency was nothing special.
Like the 2019 to 2022 model years, the base B4 was only available in front-wheel-drive configuration and the B5 was the only way to get all-wheel drive. The B4 front-wheel-drive powertrain was discontinued for 2024 and 2025, returning for the 2026 model year. Finally, the Volvo XC40 trim levels were updated and now known as Core, Plus, and Ultimate. For 2025, the Volvo XC40 Ultra trim was introduced at the top of the range. In addition, the XC40 Recharge was renamed the EX40, in line with the strategy used for Volvo’s smaller EX30 and larger EX90 electric SUVs. The Black Edition appearance package was introduced for the XC40 2026 model year and only available with the Ultra trim.
The XC40 spawned a spin-off coupe version called C40 Recharge that shared most parts other than its rear body panels and roofline with the XC40 Recharge. It was added to the Volvo lineup in late 2021, later to be renamed EC40 and finally discontinued in the U.S. in mid-2025.
The XC40 has proven quite reliable. Early models had electrical issues, although these have generally been addressed by software updates. Check that the recalls have been addressed, particularly the one updating the automatic emergency braking system. Sway bar bushings appear to be a common wear item, which can lead to clunking in the front suspension. Make sure to keep the sunroof drains clear on models equipped with the panoramic sunroof, because a clogged drain can cause interior leaks.
Pre-facelift examples from 2019 to 2022 with the T4 powertrain provide the best value. Depending on mileage, condition, and trim level, average prices at dealerships range from $19,000 to $24,000. The all-wheel-drive T5 trim levels command a premium and the facelifted and mild-hybrid 2023 to 2026 model years are holding their values well. Prices averaged from $29,000 to $32,000 at the time of writing, again depending on mileage and condition.
The Core trim provides a great value option, thanks to the wide range of standard features found on the XC40. As of this writing, the MSRP for a brand-new XC40 starts at $41,295, with EX40 prices starting at $56,545.
