Volvo XC40 vs Mazda CX-5

Just because you need more practicality, doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to sacrifice driving enjoyment or performance. Among compact SUVs, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 proves that you can satisfy your sporty appetite in an attractive and upscale alternative.

Verdict: The CX-5 offers an enjoyable driving experience, but it falls short in practical areas like fuel economy and cargo space.

In Volvo speak, “40” denotes an entry-level model. While the Swedish automaker no longer rosters the S40 sedan or V40 wagon in the United States, the XC40 subcompact crossover remains to compete with the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lexus UX, and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class for aspiring luxury-car owners’ dollars.

The XC40 was unveiled in 2017, arriving in the U.S. as a 2019 model, and hasn’t undergone a redesign since. An all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge variant joined the lineup as a 2021 model. Volvo’s other current EV, the C40 Recharge, is also broadly similar to the XC40 models, but with a coupe-like body style.

For 2023, Volvo gave the XC40 several notable updates, including new mild-hybrid powertrains, revised styling, and the Android-based infotainment system previously seen on the XC40 Recharge and other Volvo models.

The mild-hybrid lineup includes base Core, mid-level Plus, and top Ultimate trim levels, with B4 front-wheel drive (FWD) and B5 all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrains. This Volvo XC40 review is based on the Ultimate trim in B5 AWD spec.