2021 Volvo XC40 Best Buy Review

IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:

The XC40 offers surprisingly high levels of luxury, style, and all-around refinement in a petite, urban-friendly package.

BUT…

The infotainment system is rather complicated, and the tantalizing-but-spendy options can really pump up the bottom line.

WORTH NOTING:

The XC40 boasts a broad array of interior/exterior color and trim options, and for 2021, a pure-electric XC40 Recharge version—with a dual-motor powertrain that puts out a total of 402 hp—is slated to join the model lineup.

WHAT IS IT?

The XC40 is Volvo’s subcompact crossover SUV. It’s the smallest SUV in Volvo’s lineup, slotting below the XC60 in size and price. The XC40 is available in three trim levels—entry-level Momentum, sporty R-Design, and top-line Inscription—and offers a choice of two turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder powertrains: T4 models have 187 horsepower and front-wheel drive, and T5 models have 248 horsepower and all-wheel drive. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard on all. A generous list of standard equipment includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, keyless entry and starting, a power liftgate, 8-way power driver’s seat with memory, and automatic climate control. Available features include a hands-free power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, wireless device charging, power-folding rear seatbacks, adjustable suspension, heated front seats and steering wheel, a 360-degree surround-view camera display, and Volvo’s PilotAssist semi-autonomous driving system. Standard safety features include forward collision warning and mitigation with pedestrian/cyclist/large-animal detection, lane-departure warning and mitigation, lane-keep assist with oncoming-traffic avoidance, rear-obstacle detection, and the Volvo On Call smartphone connectivity system. Optional are blind-spot and rear-cross-traffic alert along with front-obstacle detection (joining the standard rear-obstacle detection).

WHAT’S NEW?

In addition to the pure-electric Recharge model mentioned above, the XC40 gets a higher level of standard equipment for 2021.

FUEL ECONOMY

EPA-estimated fuel economy is 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway in T4 models (which are front-wheel drive) and 22/30 in T5 models (which are all-wheel drive). In Consumer Guide® testing, a T5 R-Design averaged 22.8 mpg in 55-percent city driving, and a T5 Inscription averaged 24.3 in 65-percent city driving. Volvo recommends premium gas for the T5 engine.

VALUE IN CLASS

It’s a tall order to make an extra-small vehicle feel genuinely chic and upscale, but Volvo’s designers have achieved just that with the XC40. In addition to its high-style looks inside and out, the XC40 boasts responsive turbo powertrains, more room for people and cargo than you might expect, and an impressive list of personalization options and comfort/technology features. Despite a few quirks—the visibility to the rear corners isn’t great, and the infotainment system isn’t the most user-friendly—the XC40 is a class standout.

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