FRUSTRATION MACHINE - Volvo XC40 - Review

The Volvo XC40 luxury subcompact SUV should, in theory, be really good. With stylish Swedish design, entry-level luxury touches, and Volvo's typical driving dynamics the XC40 has the basics down. But unfortunately Volvo did a great job 90% of the way when designing this compact SUV, but then started fumbling the final 10% - with massive consequences for the user experience and satisfaction.

But no car is perfect! Clocking in at $59,525.00 here in Canada and equipped with Volvo's mild hybrid B5 drivetrain, the Volvo XC40 might be able to overcome its shortcomings and still end up as a recommendation. To evaluate that, we take a look at the XC40's exterior, interior, and driving dynamics, as well as compare it to competitors such as the BMW X1! Learn more in today's review.

00:00 Intro - Second Chances
00:30 Exterior - Stunningly Swedish!
01:30 Interior - A Mixed Experience...
06:10 Interior - Practicality & Usability
07:35 Driving - Acceleration Run
08:00 Driving - Mild Hybrid Drivetrain; Not Meeting Expectations?
09:40 Driving - Handling Test & Driving Dynamics
10:35 Driving - When Safety Systems Become Hazards...
12:15 Driving - Suspension, Ride Quality & Noise
12:40 Driving - Tech Hits & Misses
14:25 Conclusion, Pricing & Comparison
16:10 Final Thoughts
16:30 Subscribe for Weekly Reviews!

#Volvo #VolvoXC40 #Luxury

[GCCarsCA]

Do you think the XC40 stands a chance against the excellent BMW X1, or are the many small frustration just too much to overcome?

[SM-wrnn]

If you're looking for a thorough review of an XC40, or any Volvo for that matter, watch another video. I feel like these reviewers lack the above average information required when you're claiming to review this car. This is less a review, and more a subjective opinion piece. For example, gunning it, and then saying "I'm getting 9.6 litres and this is a mild hybrid" ..."what is the mild hybrid doing!?" Complaining that the car "shuts off when you open the door"- doing a little research you'd find that that's a setting, and a feature of the integrated started generator (mild hybrid). It provides a much smoother stop/start, and improves fuel economy while reducing CO2 emissions. This info is all readily available with a simple google search. They simply don't know how the car works, and therefore cant provide an objective review. Here is a summary of the review: " C'mon guys. What's this?!"- "I don't know."- "Well then it's dumb". 😅

[ianstoll]

Doesn't the car have voice control's to turn on and off the heated seats, steering wheel etc. You wouldn't have to touch the screen when driving. You didn't mention that when criticising the system. Your review made some good points, but it seems like you didn't like the car from the start. Some of the negativity was just picky and over the top. I have also driven the 2024 XC40 and had a different experience to your review.

[JonLawes]

I have one of these and it's utterly intuitive. I can't understand how you had issues with it.

[fordtrucklover]

I just bought a 2025 XC40 Plus for my wife today. I ask the sales rep to spend a few minute with my wife showing her the features of the car and this car is awesome! Take your time to learn the technology, is a great small SUV

[NealyMarcellus]

I have a 2023 xc40. I have driven it for one year. The seats are not that firm. It feels like I'm sitting in a La-Z-Boy chair while driving at the same time. Yes, there is piano black in the car, but it does not take away from the feeling, except it does attract dust. I'll give you that. The infotainment screen system is super easy to use. One complaint I have is that I can't see what music is playing and have Google Maps on the screen at the same time. Other than that, I have no problems with it. You can adjust the brightness of the infotainment screen. Another complaint I have is that gas mileage could be better, even though it's a hybrid, and the engine could be quieter. My neighbor has an XC 90, and I can always hear the engine coming into his driveway. My car does not turn itself off when I put it in park and open the door; instead, it tells me the engine is still running. They may have fixed that problem in the update. YES!!! I hate that it doesn't have a HUD. The sound system, though is absolutely fantastic. One super annoying thing about the driving assist is that it will suddenly shut itself off and display a warning that says my hands are not on the wheel when they ARE on the wheel. Suddenly shutting off the driver assist system, which auto steers the car, is very, very dangerous. I remember the first time it happened to me, I heard the quiet chime alerting me, but I had no idea what the sound meant until I noticed the car drifting.

As an owner of this vehicle, the above-mentioned complaints were the only issues. I'm sure every car has something to complain about. Having said all that, I absolutely adore my XC40.

[simonsailor]

I have ordered brand new XC40 Plus B3 with 18% discount. The price is lower than lower class cars (Toyota Corolla Cross or Kia Sportage) with similar equipment (I topped it up with Autopilot and 360 camera). While comparing the catalogue prices of XC40 and X1 the latter one wins, with the actual price I simply did not find any competitor for XC40.

[DofTF]

At least the XC40 looks like it's had a wash!

[kricard]

I own a 2023 XC40 B5 core and it’s a pretty good car. I’m not sure that it’s worth the money though. I will probably shop around a little bit more when I go to get my next car.

[JeanMauriceBCRD]

9:00 gain of around 25-30 HP, and torque.

[RealKevGotEm]

I love mine but hate the infotainment. Especially the AC controls.

[Aziz-rsep]

you can speak to the car and tell it to adjust the heating settings !

[GSP-]

This review comes off as if middle schoolers are trying to review a car...total failure.

Complaining about the geated seats buttons?? Like 85% of heated seats are activated the same way. Complaining about a dial on the vent? Really? Android Automotive is far better than having to use Bluetooth or a cable to use auto features. Its a plus.

[stefaanw.]

I like your approach. it is even not nitpicky enough.
Cars seems nowadays to be designed in an office, by managers that look at marketing and cost sheets. They seem to drive their designs only rarely and only in ideal circumstances.
Some examples. The XC40 garbage can is mentionned as a big invention - marketing tool - in all Volvo docs and reviews. But seldom it is mentionned that consequently the central arm rest is way too short.
You did not notice it in your review maybe because the seats were in the full back position to have a better camera view, or you did not drive long enough to have the need to rest your arm?

Before my new XC40 with Google navigation, I owned an XC60 with the previous software. The Google navigation is a great progress, but also some essentials disappeard.
Like adjustment of the brightness of the screen displays by a handy turnbutton. The button has disappeared and now you have to tap, slide, tap, slide agian... Did nobody at Volvo drive the car at night, with sudden changing light intensities like going through a tunnel? This is not nitpicking, but essential safety. Is safety no longer a Volvo priority, like omitting an head-up display? (In the new EX30 there is even no longer a driver display...).
When the navigation screen is on, nowhere is indicated what media or radio station is playing. You want to know: slide, tap slide... Want to know the time? Look sharply at the upper right corner of the central screen for the very small figures, here also looking away from the road. With the previous software it was in large characters and also on the driver display just in front of you.



There is more annoyances that one only realises after some days or weeks of use. It will most probably not lead to customers returning their car because of this, but with the nickpicking, maybe the designers and marketing managers will be more open to user experience before their customers stay away.
So please persevere!

[barttaylor]

These guys are so utterly bias it's ridiculous. So many missed features and they likely had the car for 30mins. Explains the low views and subs.

[HMC-pp]

These guys are idiots. I’ve got a 2019 rdesign t5. And it’s been an excellent car.

[mk]

what do you mean the car didnt start after you got out and back in???!!! please explain

[amitchhabra]

I leased an EV version of this car and frustrated with:
1. Heating is rubbish for a Scandinavian car. Check out the Volvo xc40 forum full of complaints about condensation. I need to use the blower every 5 mins in real winter.
2. Changing climate controls during driving is dangerous as it's all tiny stuff on the touchscreen.
3. Haven't managed to connect Android auto in 4 months. Stuck with Google, can't use Waze.
4. The touchscreen isn't ergonomic and you often need to go through multiple clicks to find a setting
5. The Volvo cars app doesn't work
6. EV range is lower than our previous Kia e-Niro which is half the price of this Volvo.
7. Side mirrors are set bit backwards on the doors. This means you really need to turn your head to check mirrors while driving. Again, not ergonomic. Wife really struggles as she is short and has the seat forward.

Thank God I didn't buy this car, only leased it.

[TheJulzrulz]

How much did BMW pay you for this utter nonsense propaganda piece you just created? You guys created this video with a clear bias against the car you are reviewing, it's plain as day. Looking for disadvantages where there are none.

[alvaroantunes]

These two would be better suited to making a video as ballerinas...poor guys they don't even know how to drive a car 😂😂😂