Volvo XC40 used review: the most stylish small SUV?

The suave Volvo XC40 is one of the best used crossovers you can buy - here's Vicki Butler-Henderson to explain.

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When Volvo introduced its first SUV, the XC90, it seriously under-estimated demand, and the same was true with the original XC60. The company did it again with the XC40, which scooped a slew of awards as soon as it emerged, including our Small Premium SUV of the Year, as well as European Car of the Year in 2018. Back then we said: “The XC40 is loaded with all the latest safety kit, has a wonderful, tech-laden interior and is available with a wide spread of engines.” The XC40 still impresses for all of these reasons, but it’s crucial that you pin down the right engine and spec for your needs if you’re to get the most out of XC40 ownership, so consider all options carefully.

For many years Volvo wanted to be premium, but its cars weren’t quite good enough to compete with rivals. Then in 2010 the Swedish brand was snapped up by Chinese company Geely, which went on to invest huge sums in making Volvos more desirable.

Since Volvo arrived in 1927 it has built a reputation for safety and environmental responsibility, and the company has never lost sight of that. Volvo’s products now look great, are impressive dynamically, plus they’re easy to live with in terms of their ergonomics, practicality and reliability. Like all premium cars the XC40 isn’t a cheap option – think of it as reassuringly expensive.

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[Scarbir]

If you’re reviewing this car years later, it’s more convenient to share issues and experiences with different versions, rather than summarising what was in every original review years ago…

[HtMnBrusso]

Not as many choices here in the USA, but we love our T5 R-Design. My wife’s primary car past 3 years after an accident with a Honda Accord V6. My biggest dislikes which do not phase my wife are the power/turbo lag and clunky user interface and access to functions. The ride is a great compromise between sharp handling for an SUV and comfort. For the lifetime so far, we are averaging above 26 mpg USA. I’ve drive the T8 Recharge and it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing!

[yrokelyod]

I have a 2020 T5 R design with thee 4c suspension and I love it. The infotainment system and keyless entry can be a bit glitchy at times however.

[rossscalise]

Funny the way the camera operator keeps creeping the camera to the right sightly to fit in the yellow bike

[paulpellico]

can iask, is that horrible C pillar very intrusive for the right or left side glance when turning?
i still can't trust mirrors and still glance and I hate not being able to see due to design flaws or intruding head suppurts.

[jennymyles]

Vicki picks the most powerful one... what a surprise! :)

[dkpirie]

Wait, What? When did Vicki BH join Auto Express and how have you not aged in the past 15 to 20 years?

[Nicolas-jxmj]

Here is my XC40 used review. No BS.
First of all, the Lane Assist is incredibly dangerous! It veered me into incoming traffic on multiple occasions! Had I not been vigilant, I'd be dead. Poor reliability (infotainment system and electronics keep malfunctioning), terrible/slow gearbox, jerky and non-linear (absolutely not on par with DSG7 from VW for instance), gear selector badly engineered, infotainment UX/ergonomics is mediocre, materials feel cheap: there is too much hard plastic and the leather quality is subpar (compared to its competitors), unstable on highway, cruise control keeps braking even when there's nothing ahead, heated seat don't work properly, very noisy, high maintenance and operating cost (much higher fuel consumption than advertised), high depreciation if you decide to buy (15% to 20% discount can easily be negotiated when buying new)

[alexmaddox]

I recently spent a long journey in the back of one of these and the back seats are very firm, uncomfortable after a while. Small, springy children may fair better.

[Alex]

B3 is no 3 cilinder. It’s a 4 cilinder 2.0. In the Netherlands nevertheless.

[Kababalax]

They'll keep sending you new cars too review if you keep on saying nothing but nice things about them and not pointing out what bad about them lol

[JIMMYHIBBS]

This isn’t a criticism of VBH because she is great - but F’me this was boring to watch ….

[AntonyLD]

Surprised there was no mention that most parts are Ford and ....Oh dear...Land Rover!!

[lukeharrington]

Worst car I've ever owned, one problem after another from heater not working to speakers failing & tyre pressure telling me tyres low when pressure is fine when tested on another machine . Would avoid these cars at all cost