2019 Volvo XC40 T5 FIRST DRIVE REVIEW (2 of 2)

MotoMan drives the all new 2019 Volvo XC40 small crossover in the VERY heavy rains of Austin, Texas and learns how this first Volvo underpinned by the second Volvo Cars Architecture platform since the Geely acquisition performs against the 5 Volvo Cars that came since 2014 . . . He also tests out the back seat and learns more about the unusual utility he unearthed in the Volvo XC40 TECH REVIEW . . .

For more information, see our 2019 Volvo XC40 T5 TECH REVIEW @

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[barrettgarese]

Just right for me. L.A., no kids, just a girlfriend and a dog. This is sort of the perfect "two people and a dog who like to go on adventures" vehicle. I can drive it to work, go on a road trip, go on vacation with the 2.5 of us, take it skiing, grab stuff from Costco, get shit for my motorcycle, etc. It's small enough to park, has ground clearance and AWD for snow, enough room for a dog and luggage, and the interior is a nice place to be. I'm damn interested.

[Tully]

Two things: First, :the XC40 would be money well spent for its ergonomics & safety value (especially in stop-n-go L.A. traffic). Second, FWIW, lighting could have been better when showing the car's trunk features (could have lightened it up in post production). Thumbs up for a good video.

[tigerdeal]

Bought the T5 AWD R-Design XC40 Love it! We looked at BMW X2 and Audi Q3 and much more options on the Volvo maxed out in the mid 40's plus got a trip to Sweden to get it! I would always recommend Volvo over the rest! Love this SUV! When add in Volvo Care Maint. plan and Two years free Volvo on Call this was a bargain as well.

[tenman]

I like the xc40. My daughter recently bought a Mazda cx5. Price take all in (tax delivery etc) for the Fwd gt with performance package was $33, 400. This car is not too far away.

[BionicRusty]

One of, if not the, most in-depth reviews out there. Thank you 🙏
My Inscription Pro is going to be delivered (I hope) in 6 weeks. Really can’t wait.

[maxrahmquist]

Just right! And the reason why is easy. Volvo has always been a steady and wellbuild car with good safety. A lot of the stuff you don't see or don't use are the things that matter. Volvo gives you ALOT of kit that other manufacture doesn't.

So great review! Until next episode! Have a good one!

[VenoStuff]

I live in Finland and here XC40 starts at ~40k euros.
Currently driving Volvo S40. Dreaming XC40.

[sergevivier]

We have a Lexus NX and a Volvo C30 T5. We live in Atlantic Canada. This XC 40 is very compelling to me and my wife and it is a big hit in Canada. What Volvo has to work on is dealership. There is 2 dealers for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. So we would buy a base AWD with no Panoramic Sunroof. After 25 years as a Police Officer, I refuse to drive a car with a glass roof. the NX rides quite rough so we want a smooth ride for the next vehicle and we are going to 1 vehicle instead of the present 2 . Like your reviews.

[JonS]

I ordered an extremely well-equipped XC40 Momentum and it came to around $43k. The only package I missed out was the heated seats and steering wheel, which isn't needed here in NorCal. I also priced up pretty much the same thing in the R-Design, and it came to about $1k more. (We rejected that option because the compulsory nubuck seats don't mix with young kids.)

In other words, your mid-40s number is pretty much the upper end for this vehicle, unless you start adding options like a roof rack, towing hitch, the more expensive wheel options, and fluffy dice.

Why this vehicle? Well, sufficient space in the back for two child seats, strollers, and other child paraphernalia, without being impractical to drive around, and park, in SF, and other Bay Area cities.

Then there's the crazy safety tech we get for the money. We've just had our second baby (who took only slightly longer to arrive than the car will ;-) ), and with the general quality of driving and traffic density here in the Bay Area, I want my wife and kids to be as well protected as reasonably possible.

We currently have a Supercharged Lotus Elise (my car), and a Scion xA (my wife's car, but also our family car). The Lotus won't work with two kids, because putting the baby in the trunk behind the engine is frowned upon by law enforcement (j/k). As would leaving my wife behind be. The Scion was great when there were just two of us. It was just manageable with one kid for the last 3 years, but now we just have to get something bigger.

p.s. Those nice little touches, like the hooks, and trash can, that show that Volvo has thought about how it will be for people to live with the car, didn't go unnoticed when it came to buying this car either.

[mikepal]

Rather surprised you kept mentioning the rogue but never once mentioned it’s true competitors like the evoque or e-pace.

[ahmedkaralic]

Live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and have two cars. One is very old but funkcional it's 1985 Golf 2 with manual transmission, and another it's 2008 Skoda octavia with dsg 6 speed transmission a great car for low price, and bouth cars are disel cars because in this region of Europe we love disel engine.

[erikcorcoran]

Xc40 pricing is very competitive and get much better value over the other luxury manufacturers. When you have to pay for leather seats, LED headlights, apple car play (BMW?!??!), etc, Volvo makes much more financial sense. CRV and Rav4 make more sense long term because of their reliability, but their tech is not as advanced.

[weedywet]

I'm in the New York area and ending my lease on an S60. In truth, if the refreshed S60 (or maybe even V60) were available NOW, I'd jump to that in a second. But in the absence of those choices, the clearest path into the new interior design and newest technology (like the Pilot system) is the XC40; disinclined to a "crossover" as I remain. Plus, oddly, given almost identical sales prices, the lease rates seem better on the XC40 than the current S60s (inexplicably)

[coldsun]

I drove last week in Athens, Ga and loved the ride! The interior is awesome and not many cars inspire me with that "fun quotient" or "X factor" for driving....this does! The exterior I also believe is great and eyecatching. If only the price was somewhat lower and not competing with other vehicles that make you consider overall value? Also its new and bound to have gremlins and still unsure of volvos long term reliability? I've heard and read different things which confuses the decision making. BUT, I really came away liking the drive!!!! Also the new 18 XC60 was great and would be hard to decide between the two. Also drove 18 Acura MDX at same dealership as i'm a long time Acura owner and like it alot, but don't love like the volvo ride. The tech in Acura for the money of MDX is disappointing and I'm holding out for 19 Acura RDX which i think may be awesome!!! Even if i give up interior space. To bad new MDX is not coming out now with new tech and would probably not hesitate as i trust the long term for Acura.

[jbrenofficial]

I'm from the USA and one of the main family cars I use is a 2011 Honda CR-V. I would definitely drive the Volvo for that price (even though it's slightly higher than I'd like) because of how stylish it is, and what a great product it is. That being said, I would have to drive an X2 and really see how it handles because having spent time in a few different BMWs in the past they are fun to drive and Volvo isn't exactly "sporty". It's a tough choice but the XC40 is appropriately priced if you don't go crazy with options.

[Jeff-orem]

I currently drive 2015 Volvo XC60 and looking to trade in my paid off XC60 in few months. I live in New England USA 🇺🇸 and bulding XC40 Rdesign loaded T5 is about 46k MSRP. Building an XC60 T5 Rdesign loaded just like xc40 is MSRP 56k. I think the xc40 a great deal ($10, 000 cheaper ) compare to xc60 similar equipment in it. Since xc40 a little smaller and lighter with exactly same T5 engine, the xc40 will be sportier and quicker. Plus I love the black option roof only the xc40 offers😍. Waiting for March 28 to see the all new 2019 Acura RDX . Hope Acura give info that day of RDX type S ( turbo v6 ) that day .

[randyg]

Compared to the evoque, e-pace, gla, and the x2, the Volvo is the more bang for the buck vehicle hands down. Just do the build yourself online if you want to see, it definitely wins. I think it is worth the price if you are able to afford it. That one you drove goes for 45-46k here in NY, while the other competitors I mentioned with the same features hover nearly 50k and above.

Me personally I am waiting for the 2019 Toyota Rav 4, which I think is money better spent. Same features just less luxury if you will.

[joevwgti.]

Thanks for the review, I've been cross-shopping this vehicle against my 15' 2.0T Subaru Forster Premium XT. In UT, it makes a lot of sense to drive something that doesn't cost much to repair due to sloppy road-works and salt. It's an absolute mountain-goat offroad, and has very nearly the same hp and tq figures to this volvo. Why have you never reviewed one? Please make sure it's the turbo, if you're so inclined.

[CrusoeAI]

The hot-hatch version must look great, hope they release the V40 soon.

[rog]

Love the SUV Reviews. I currently drive a fully loaded 2016 Kia Sorento. That is such a smooth riding vehicle. However, the V6 naturally Aspirated engine does not have as much torque as preferred. I would think the XC40 would be better in that but it would not have nearly as much carrying capacity as my Sorento. I would prefer the XC60 ... I believe ... but a fully loaded one would push the price into the 50’s which is a little high to use for general use. But someday soon >>>> may consider !!!!