2019 Volvo XC40 vs 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Volvo XC40 commanded attention with its standout styling, borrowing design cues from its larger sibling, the XC90. This gave it an upright appearance, distinguishing it from competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and BMW X2, which possessed more low-slung, hatchback-like designs. The more traditional SUV design not only provided an elevated driving position but also ensured ample headroom and legroom for passengers.

The XC40 was available in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The base Momentum trim came well-equipped with features like 18-inch wheels, integrated bright aluminum roof rails, and LED signature headlights with the distinctive “Thor’s Hammer” design. The interior boasted a leather steering wheel and shift knob, power windows and doors, and a 9-inch Sensus touchscreen infotainment display.

The mid-level R-Design added a unique front grille, a black-contrast roof, and integrated dual tailpipes, among other features. Inside, it included a sport steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, charcoal headliner, and ambient interior lighting. The range-topping Inscription trim featured exclusive badging, a massive panoramic sunroof, driftwood door inlays, and an Orrefors crystal gearshift knob.

Contrasting its Swedish competitor, the 2019 Honda CR-V also held its ground in terms of looks and feel with four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring, each available with FWD or AWD. The base CR-V LX was not plain despite being the entry-level model, coming with 17-inch aluminum wheels. Higher trims added body-color trim, 18-inch wheels, and rear privacy glass.

The CR-V’s design was a mixed bag for some, with its upscale rear look contrasting against a less popular front-end design. The interior, however, was universally praised for its quality. Materials and construction felt premium, and the 2-tone tan-over-black interior in the test model was particularly attractive. While hard plastic was present, it was crafted to not feel cheap.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine across all trims, delivering 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with standard AWD. This engine routed power through an 8-speed automatic transmission. However, its unique shifter design posed challenges—requiring two pulls for Drive and two pushes for Reverse. Incorrect handling placed the transmission into Neutral, raising concerns about potential accidents.

Performance-wise, the XC40 offered brisk acceleration, well-weighted steering, and responsive handling. A Drive Mode button enabled switching between modes like Comfort, Eco, Dynamic, Off-Road, and Individual, tailoring the driving experience. Dynamic mode enhanced performance, while Eco mode optimized fuel efficiency. The XC40’s fuel-economy estimates were 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined, though real-world usage yielded 21 mpg.

The 2019 Honda CR-V, in contrast, offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder for the LX trim, producing 184 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder for the EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, outputting 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to a CVT. The turbocharged engine was more responsive, with an average fuel economy of 27.7 mpg during tests, slightly below the EPA’s 29 mpg combined estimate.

The CR-V’s Real Time 4WD system provided extra traction in slippery conditions, with 8.2 inches of ground clearance. A MacPherson strut front and multi-link double wishbone rear suspension ensured a composed ride and confident handling. Dual-pinion, variable-ratio electric steering felt well-weighted, and the braking system performed admirably even under demanding conditions.

Volvo’s XC40 effectively utilized its space, offering ample front-seat head- and legroom thanks to its upright layout. The front seats had a thoughtful design, including a trash bin in the center console for convenience. The rear seats impressed with generous legroom and clever storage trays. The hands-free power liftgate worked reliably, revealing a decent-sized load floor with additional storage under it. The rear seats could be easily folded using toggles, expanding cargo capacity to 57.5 cubic feet.

The Honda CR-V excelled at passenger comfort, though it lacked a height-adjustable front passenger seat—a point of contention for some. The driver enjoyed a 12-way power-adjustable seat in all but the base LX trim. Heated front seats were standard from the EX trim onwards, with an optional heated steering wheel. The rear seats offered sufficient space for three children or two adults, complete with air vents and USB ports.

In terms of cargo space, the CR-V led with 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a spacious 75.8 cubic feet when folded—a notable advantage over the XC40’s maximum cargo space.

The XC40 stood out with its large, portrait-oriented touchscreen on the dashboard, reminiscent of a tablet. This screen housed most controls, including stereo, phone, and climate systems. While the centralized approach had its drawbacks, such as multiple steps to adjust heated seats, the interface was generally user-friendly. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with additional capabilities from the Multimedia Package, such as navigation and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The Honda CR-V featured a more traditional approach. Starting with the EX trim, it included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the system lacked a tuning knob and had some distracting elements, like specific voice activation prompts and occasional menu shortcuts failures. While Honda’s infotainment system was improving, it still lagged behind in user-friendliness compared to the XC40’s Sensus system.