Volvo's subcompact 2022 XC40 SUV inherits the brand's familial good looks and packs a lot of charm into a small package. We're smitten by its comfortable ride, spacious interior and excellent optional audio system. While the front-seat ergonomics and touchscreen interface could be issues for some people, overall we think the XC40 is one of the segment standouts.
Most SUVs look very similar, almost boring sometimes, but not the Volvo XC40. You won't confuse this Swedish ride with anything else in the market, except for maybe its big sibling, the XC60. It's got an upright but classy look to it. And while this may be Volvo's smallest and most affordable SUV, the company has still seen to it outfit with a premium interior and plenty of advanced driver aids.
The small XC40 can haul a family around, but not a big one. If the family is more than three or four, you should step up to the larger XC60 or three-row XC90. Otherwise, the XC40 easily satisfies and matches up well against other small premium rivals such as the Audi Q3, BMW X2, and Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB. Check out our Expert Rating for our test team's full evaluation of the XC40's technology features, utility and more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Good
7.8
out of 10
We drove the 2022 Volvo XC40 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
7.5/10
How does the XC40 drive? The XC40 feels spry overall. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine feels spunky, even if the 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds isn't explosive (we tested the XC40 T5). The transmission is responsive when you need a downshift. Even the engine stop-start system is fairly unobtrusive. And while we don't expect many owners to head off-road, the XC40 can handle light-duty outings thanks to its short overhangs, all-wheel drive and 8.3 inches of ground clearance.
As for handling, the XC40 feels a little top-heavy and surprisingly soft when maneuvering at speed. The compliance helps smooth out small bumps, but big bumps and undulations really make the XC40 move around. The Infiniti QX30 and the BMW X1 feel more nimble yet better tied-down.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the XC40? The ride is surprisingly comfortable, even with the sporty R-Design trim level. Small bumps are easily soaked up. However, larger bumps and undulations can upset the body. The seats are comfortably firm, but not everybody fits. In particular, you might find the headrests to be angled too far forward.
At highway speeds, there's a layer of consistent road noise as well as faintly detectable wind noise. You'll hear the turbo spool up regularly if you don't have any audio playing, and the engine note isn't particularly unpleasant. This cabin is not especially quiet, though it's not far off most others in this class.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? Most controls are accessed through the touchscreen. This design approach creates a clean interior design, but the system's maze of menus and laggy responses never fail to frustrate. Another drawback: Tall drivers might not be able to find a comfortable seating position due to limited steering wheel adjustability and the headrest design.
Otherwise, the XC40's interior is quite nice. It's easy to get into and out of the relatively roomy cabin, and there's enough legroom in the back for folks of an average height. There's good visibility all around, and the large windows in the rear corners help reduce blind spots.
Technology
8/10
How’s the tech? The XC40 is suitably high-tech. The optional Harman Kardon audio system is an inexpensive step up from the base system and sounds great. You can pump in tunes with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity via the two standard USB ports. (Our test vehicle also had a wireless charging pad and rear USB ports.)
The integrated voice controls work well, though you can switch to Siri or Google when your phone is connected. There are lots of advanced driving systems here, and most work well. The exception is forward collision warning, which registered several false positives in our testing and cannot be turned off.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? The XC40's cargo area is smaller according to the numbers, but it is nevertheless nicely sized and full of smart storage features. We like the 60/40-split folding rear seats, a pass-through and a foldable tray that doubles as a grocery holder. There's a variety of other storage spaces in the cabin, including a clever little removable trash bin. Felt-lined doors keep items from rattling around.
Using your XC40 for kid duty? The anchors are cleanly located under flip doors, but they're buried a little deep for comfortable access. You might have the best chance of fitting a bulky rear-facing seat in this car compared to most others in the class, but it'll still be a tight fit.
Fuel Economy
7.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? Our T5 all-wheel-drive R-Design trim is EPA-estimated at 25 mpg combined, which is slightly better than most AWD competitors, though the base car's mpg rating is more in line with the rest. We achieved 23.2 mpg on our 115-mile drive loop, which is more than a few mpg lower than expected.
Value
8/10
Is the XC40 a good value? For the price, the XC40 makes a lot of sense if you're looking for a luxury subcompact SUV. It may not have as nice an interior build quality as other Volvos we've seen, but it's still a pleasant place to spend time. Its base price falls well below the priciest competitors, but there are others that come in a little lower. That said, the XC40 feels like a better value at its price point than many others do at theirs.
The basic and powertrain warranties are slightly longer than the coverage for some competing SUVs. You also get decent free maintenance and roadside assistance coverage.
Wildcard
8.5/10
The XC40 isn't as fun to drive as it would like you to believe. Though we appreciate the level of comfort in this tiny SUV, we had difficulty detecting the extra sportiness in the R-Design model we tested. Stiffer suspension? Really? It's not that the XC40 is a bore to drive, but the Infiniti QX30 and the BMW X1 are far more fun to fling around.
It has tons of personality, though. Volvo has been on a winning streak since the redesigned XC90 hit the streets, and that Scandinavian elegance has thankfully trickled all the way down to the XC40. The XC40 didn't quite wow us the way the XC60 did, but it is still one of the standouts in the class.
2022 Volvo XC40 trim level differences
The 2022 XC40 is available in three trim levels: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. Each trim level uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The entry-level engine, called T4, packs 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the T5 puts out 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The T4 is only available with front-wheel drive, while the T5 uses all-wheel drive only. Both engines are backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Note that we review the all-electric XC40 separately on Edmunds. Notable features for the XC40 include:
Which XC40 trim does Edmunds recommend?
Unless you want the sporty look and higher price tag of the R-Design, we recommend going for the base Momentum trim because you get great features such as a full digital driver display and leather upholstery. However, pass on the base T4 engine and get the T5. The optional engine provides the kind of acceleration you're going to expect from a luxury SUV. It comes standard with all-wheel drive too.
A really good little crossover, pretty good luxury features for the price, very minimal and quite reliable so far. The infotainment is a bit annoying because it doesn't make android auto full-screen and the seats could be a bit more premium. It's definitely nicer to live and drive than the CX-5 or CX-30, especially when it comes to comfort and features.
Also the paint and corrosion … protection is top notch, which is primarily the reason I bought it over the Mazdas. My old Mazda 3 undercarriage was nearly completely rusted after a couple of years due to the weather. I heard there were some electronic gremlins, but so far had no issues and stop-start works pretty much like my old mazda (though I disable it most of the time because it does degrade the starter and doesn't help economy that much)
CTA and BLIS are awesome, and the driving feel is definitely really good though a bit light steering. Also it saved me from some collisions, so top marks so far
Currently 15k miles on the odometer. Great car, maybe a bit expensive but it's definitely worth it for the style, safety and comfort
I love my new xc40 for its superb design, turbo engine, and especially sophisticated interior. This is my second Volvo and they just keep getting better and better now that Ford sold its stake in the company and they can freely create some of the best cars on the planet. Attention to detail and incredible reliability make these models top selling for Volvo.
UPDATE: I have had three … Volvos and loved them all for many reasons including a beautiful design, good peppy engine…. But it was always safety at the top of my list since we have young children.
That all went down the tube when my latest new xc40 had multiple incidents where the anti collision feature activated and we went into emergency braking. Any one of these could have caused à serious accident. Luckily I could regain control of the car but in all incidents there was nothing in the road and no danger. It was so bad my kids refused to get into the car.
After multiple visits to the Volvo dealer it became clear they didn’t know how to prevent it from happening a 9th or 10th time. In contacting Volvo customer service I thought maybe they could help with a trade assist or do something helpful. They made it so much worse - and never let you speak with “non human facing technicians “. Their name for them not mine. It made me go from being a huge brand supporter to really despising the manufacturer. It’s so sad but I just had to sell the car and purchase a competing luxury brand. And of all reasons - because the vehicle wasn’t safe and volvo wouldn’t share any information or help find a solution.
Loving my 2021 T5 R Design XC40. I owned the XC60 for 12 years, and loved it, and fell in love with this new little gem. Please note that the cargo area is a bit smaller than the XC60, but my husband can still fit his golf clubs and 2 large pieces of luggage in the car with ease so according to him all is right with the world. I have read complaints about the interactive system in the … car, so I immediately read the short portion of how to use it and the general commands to ease the learning curve and I have loved it. I also read that others felt like it's not as luxurious as it could be, but I chose the R Design because I wanted a sportier look both in and out. I did look at the XC40 Momentum and Inscription and found them to be up to the standard of Volvo luxury if that is what you are looking for but want a smaller SUV. So far I have been completely happy with my new toy, and hope it gives me another 12 years of joy like my XC60 did. I am confident it will.
Mine's a Momentum T5 AWD.
Not sure about the earlier review that XC40 is comparable to Mazda or BMW X1.
If you want performance, you’ve got to get the T5 (248 hp). With premium gas, I can do 0-60 in 5 sec.
Interior wise, very Scandinavian. Clean lines, solid, utilitarian design.
Heating gets a little noisy and transmission could be a little hesitant.
Safety features saved me … from close calls with pedestrians and cyclists on busy city streets.
Not perfect, but close enough.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Volvo XC40, so we've included reviews for other years of the XC40 since its last redesign.
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