Volvo XC40 vs Toyota bZ

The 2023 Volvo XC40 maintained its distinctive appearance, blending Volvo’s design language with a flat-roofed, SUV-like profile. Its clean exterior was free from unnecessary detailing, aligning with Volvo’s pro-electrification ethos by hiding tailpipes on gasoline models. Updates for 2023 included a pixelated design for the “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, a more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. The XC40 Recharge was easily identifiable by its new sealed-off grille. Inside, the XC40 retained its minimalist design, featuring thin air vents, scalloped door handles, and speaker grilles. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control and optional leather upholstery added to its appeal, while the all-black interior of the Ultimate test vehicle, despite its fancy options like a panoramic moonroof and Orrefors crystal shift knob, felt somewhat utilitarian.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was available in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD and two battery sizes. The larger battery offered more power, performance, and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895. Our XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the optional larger battery, transforming it into the XLE Plus. The bZ’s restyled exterior looked better with body-color trim, and the interior boasted a cleaner dashboard and center console, enhancing quality and organization. The XLE’s fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control, though the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains, incorporating a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator to assist the gasoline engine. The base B4 powertrain combined this system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 197 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the B5 model offered 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B4 being FWD-only and the B5 AWD-only. The B4 and B5 models accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 and 6.1 seconds, respectively. The XC40 Recharge, with its two electric motors, delivered 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and an EPA-rated 223-mile range. The Recharge also had a higher towing capacity of 4,409 pounds compared to the B5 AWD’s 3,500 pounds.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a single electric motor and a 57.7-kWh battery pack in the XLE FWD, providing 165 hp and 198 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and range to 314 miles. Dual-motor models, with the larger battery, produced 338 hp and offered ranges of 288 miles for the XLE AWD and 278 miles for the Limited. Recharging the bZ using a DC fast charger took about 30 minutes to reach 80% from 10%, and a 240-volt Level 2 home charger required seven hours for the larger battery. The bZ’s performance was agreeable for city driving, though its FWD setup and Bridgestone Turanza tires limited its handling on winding roads.

The 2023 Volvo XC40, while marketed as an SUV, was more suited for solo commuting than family carpooling. It offered reasonable space among its competitors, with ample rear-seat headroom and average legroom. The XC40 provided 20 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded, less than some rivals. Interior storage was well-designed, with scalloped door panels and a spacious center console.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, featured 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making entry and exit easy. Both front seats had standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment in XLE and Limited trims. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with a large bin under the center armrest and a sizable tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was tight. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the power rear liftgate, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 featured an Android-based infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Maps and Google Assistant. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch touchscreen were standard, with a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available in the Ultimate trim. The system lacked analog controls, relying heavily on the touchscreen for most functions.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system was generally user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display and had readability issues in daytime mode. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with several connected service plans available. The Drive Connect feature powered the native navigation system and the Intelligent Assistant voice assistant.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 boasted a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. Upgrading to higher trims added features like front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Pilot Assist. The XC40 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS, though it had an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side-impact test.

The 2026 Toyota bZ included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with features like forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The bZ’s adaptive cruise control had inconsistent responses in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ’s front-crash avoidance tech highly, but its headlights received a Poor rating, and it earned Acceptable ratings in frontal-impact crash tests.