2022 Volvo XC40

In recent years, luxury automakers have pushed the boundaries of what American consumers are willing to sacrifice in order to drive a car from a premium brand. Sub-compact luxury crossovers are the result of this experience, offering economy car size with luxury styling and accouterments. The 2022 Volvo XC40 is such a vehicle, but unlike some of its rivals, it doesn't seem to be hampered by as many trade-offs. First introduced for the 2018 model year, the XC40 remains a strong option among its competitive set with up to 248 horsepower in its 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gas-powered guise and over 400 hp in the all-electric model.

The XC40 isn't without competition. From Europe, the Audi Q3, BMW X1 (and X2), Jaguar E-Pace, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, and Mercedes-Benz GLA all provide similar space and features at a comparable price. Toss in alternative options like the Cadillac XT4 or Lexus UX, and customers shopping for an entry-level luxury crossover are spoiled for choice. But, after spending some time in a well-optioned XC40 T5 Inscription, we may have a new favorite in the sub-compact luxury segment.

Although it's been around for a few years now, the XC40 remains one of the more attractive crossovers in this segment. It's got a more youthful personality than larger Volvos, but it retains that sense of Swedish sophistication and restraint. The base model comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, power-folding door mirrors, bright aluminum roof rails, and LED headlights. Higher in the range, the XC40's cabin is flooded with natural light thanks to a laminated panoramic moonroof. The sporty R-Design has larger 19-inch alloy wheels and high-gloss black exterior trim. Volvo offers some pricey 21-inch wheels for $3,315, and although we love how they look on the XC40, that is a steep price to pay.

The XC40 Recharge gets 19-inch wheels, even from its base trim level, along with an embossed Recharge logo on the C-pillar. On the XC40 Recharge Plus and Ultimate models, LED fog lights with a cornering function are standard, while the latter trim gets flashy 20-inch wheels.

The XC40 slots into the subcompact luxury crossover segment with dimensions of 65.3 inches in height, 174.2 inches in length, and 80.1 inches in width including the mirrors. The wheelbase is 106.4 inches long. The Recharge shares nearly identical dimensions but is not as tall at 64.8 inches. Its electric components also make it far heavier. Whereas the gas-only XC40 starts at 3,627 pounds in front-wheel-drive guise, the XC40 Recharge weighs as much as 4,741 lbs.

Although it doesn't have the ground clearance of a Land Rover, the XC40 was never intended to be a serious off-road vehicle - Recharge models get 6.9 inches while gas models have 8.3 inches.

The base XC40 comes in a selection of eight colors, those being Black Stone, Onyx Black, Denim Blue, Fusion Red, Pebble Grey, Thunder Grey, Glacier Silver, and Crystal White. Only Black Stone won't cost anything, whereas every other color is $695 extra. It's a reserved color palette but this suits the classy Volvo. In R-Design guise finished in one of the blacks or greys, it's a pleasingly stealthy SUV.

For the XC40 Recharge, the entry-level Core only comes in a limited color palette of Black Stone, Glacier Silver, and Crystal White. For some reason, automakers believe all EV owners are chasing maximum discretion, so there are no remotely adventurous colors to be found here. The XC40 Recharge Plus and Ultimate trims at least offer a more interesting selection with the addition of Sage Green ($695).

There are three powertrain options for the full XC40 range, including the all-electric XC40 Recharge. Starting with the base models, the T4 produces 187 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Sending power to the front wheels exclusively, the T4 requires 8.1 seconds for the 0 to 60 mph sprint. If your test drive route includes a few steep inclines, you may find the T4 a little sluggish at times, but it won't be a huge issue in day-to-day driving. Like all other Volvos, the top speed is limited to 112 mph as part of the brand's crusade to avoid all fatal collisions.

The T5 also has a 2.0-liter turbo-four but makes a more impressive 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, dropping the 0-60 time to 6.1 seconds. That makes it a little quicker than the BMW X1 xDrive28i, which needs 6.3 seconds. Not only is the T5 significantly more powerful, but it also provides standard all-wheel drive. It's a must-have upgrade in our opinion for just $2,000. Volvo also offers a Polestar tuning package that ups the output to 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. For $1,345, this tune only helps the XC40 hit 60 mph a tenth quicker, so we'd skip it.

By far the model with the mightiest specs is the XC40 Recharge which makes a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft from its two electric motors. Despite its weight, it can hit 60 in only 4.7 seconds.

Both T4 and T5 models have a decent towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is excellent for this segment. For the XC40 Recharge, Volvo specifies a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs.

In the case of the T4, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot delivers just 187 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. This is upped to 248 hp/258 lb-ft in the T5. Both of these engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that operates in a fuss-free manner. Both of the powertrain setups in the T4 and T5 sound rather coarse when pushed hard. It's not a dealbreaker, but there are more refined engines in this segment, particularly from German automakers.

The XC40 Recharge sports two electric motors, one at each axle, to produce a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. This model uses a single-speed transmission which delivers an immediate hit of torque to the wheels, making for potent getaways in the city from one traffic light to the next. Similarly, the Recharge can effortlessly glide past slower traffic on the highway. This EV also shows how refined the XC40 actually is, as the slightly annoying buzz from the turbocharged engines is absent here. All that being said, the T5 is a good performer and perfect for buyers who aren't ready to switch to an EV just yet.

Volvo isn't known for building canyon-carving sports cars, but the XC40 is surprisingly delightful from behind the wheel. We can tell Volvo tuned it for city driving, with feather-light steering that's easy to operate at slower speeds. There's a bit of on-center vagueness, but the steering provides nice weighting once it loads up through a bend, despite lacking genuine feedback. Body roll is kept to a minimum, but the XC40 Recharge with its floor-mounted batteries offers a more flat cornering experience. Some vehicles in this class fail to deliver a luxurious ride, but even with the massive 21-inch wheels, the XC40 still delivers on Volvo's trademark comfort.

Despite offering a Polestar performance package, the XC40 wasn't designed with aggressive driving in mind. There are no paddle shifters on the wheel, but the transmission does a fair job keeping the four-pot engine in its sweet spot. With nearly 300 lb-ft of torque on tap with the Polestar tune, the XC40 gets out of its own way in a hurry, though nowhere near as quick as its electric counterpart. The Polestar tune unlocks a Polestar driving mode, which provides more responsive shifts and engine tuning. We could notice the difference, but honestly, the XC40 isn't the type of vehicle that needs such an eager sport mode.

The T4 is the more efficient gas-powered model by a small margin. It'll return EPA-rated gas mileage figures of 23/32/26 mpg city/highway/combined, whereas the T5 will do 22/30/25 mpg. However, some competitors are more efficient such as the BMW X1 which returns 27 mpg combined with FWD and 26 mpg combined with AWD. With a 14.2-gallon gas tank, the T4 has a range of about 369 miles and the T5 will be able to cover approximately 355 between visits to the pumps. The fuel economy trade-off is so negligible, it's just another reason why we feel the T5 is worth the two grand up-charge.

The good news is that the XC40 Recharge has benefitted from revised powertrain software that has increased its range from 208 miles last year to 223 miles this year. It returns 92/79/85 MPGe. Using DC fast charging at 150 kW, the XC40 Recharge's 67-kWh (usable capacity) battery can be replenished from 10-80% in about 37 minutes. With home charging at 11 kW via a 240-watt, 40-amp AC circuit, you can expect the battery to be fully recharged in about seven hours, making this form of charging ideal for overnight.

Volvo has done well to give the cabin of this car a personality of its own. The long, vertical ventilation outlets, portrait-style touchscreen interface, and concave inlays on the dashboard and door panels all gel together well visually. Space utilization is excellent, and even passengers at the back won't feel cramped. As standard, the XC40 comes with a clear 12-inch digital instrument panel, electronic climate control, cruise control, and power-folding door mirrors. As expected, there's also a generous list of safety features like blind-spot monitoring. Upper models boast classy details like a crystal gear selector knob that makes the cabin feel even more inviting.

The XC40 is strictly a five-seat vehicle, unlike the Mercedes GLB which offers a third row. We do feel the back seat would be more comfortable with two adults rather than trying to squeeze in three people. It's not the most spacious vehicle in the sub-compact class, but it makes use of its diminutive size extremely well. These aren't our favorite front seats in Volvo's lineup, but they are far more comfortable than what BMW sticks in its entry-level vehicles. The front head and legroom are acceptable for taller occupants, while the rear space is surprisingly generous for a vehicle of this stature. The XC40 perfectly treads the line between being too small for a budding family and encroaching into the XC60's compact territory.

The Volvo XC40's interior may fall just short of an Audi's in terms of build quality, but it's a pretty close comparison. An attractive blend of soft-touch plastics and leather creates a suitably upmarket impression. Even on the base Momentum, leather upholstery is standard in your choice of Charcoal or Charcoal/Blond. Paired with Urban Grid aluminum decor, the Momentum doesn't feel cheap at all. The Inscription adds Amber leather to the other color options, and it also receives a Crystal gear selector knob by Orrefors, aluminum tread plates, and a glossy black tunnel console. The R-Dynamic is positioned as a sportier alternative and, as such, it comes with sport pedals, a sport steering wheel and shift lever, and Nubuck/Nappa leather upholstery, but the color scheme is restricted to Charcoal.

The XC40 Recharge lineup starts with Charcoal city canvas textile upholstery, progressing to Charcoal Textile/Microtech upholstery. If you have absolutely no clue that is, Volvo describes it as partly recycled microfiber textile seat panels blended with Microtech, a synthetic material that resembles genuine leather.

Although it is more practical than a sedan, the XC40 doesn't have the largest trunk in the segment. Behind the second row, you'll find a space measuring 20.7 cubic feet. That's enough for a weekly trip to the grocery store or two large suitcases. With the rear seats folded, there's a larger space measuring 57.5 cubes. By comparison, the BMW X1's trunk measures an impressive 27.1 cubes behind the rear seats or 58.7 cubes with its seats folded. We love the available trunk divider, which includes grocery hooks so your bags don't roll around.

In the cabin, small-item storage is handled by a large center console waste bin and the usual glovebox, which features an extendable hook for a purse or other bags. Besides front cupholders, there are another two provided in a fold-down armrest at the back for when the middle rear seat isn't occupied. Finally, there are handy pockets in all four doors that can fit laptops.

The base Momentum starts things off and it is reasonably equipped with comfort and convenience items. It comes with a digital instrument cluster, single-zone climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Being a Volvo, it comes with many standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, cruise control, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a lane-keeping aid, and oncoming lane mitigation. Progressing to either the Inscription or R-Design adds dual-zone automatic climate control, front parking sensors, a universal garage door opener, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, wireless phone charging, and power-folding rear head restraints that improve visibility. The base XC40 Recharge is a little better equipped than the gas-only Momentum as it comes with dual-zone climate control.

Volvo's options list is fairly comprehensive. By way of several packages, you can upgrade the XCX40 with a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, and the brand's advanced Pilot Assist driver-assistance feature with adaptive cruise control.

The Volvo XC40's infotainment suite ranges from fine to extraordinary, depending on the drivetrain. Both gas-powered variants continue to use Volvo's older Sensus Connect infotainment system, which lives on a vertically-oriented nine-inch touchscreen. This system is familiar to Volvo owners, with a smartphone-inspired design and integration for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. We highly recommend the Harmon Kardon premium audio system for just $800, which adds 14 speakers that sound fantastic.

Oddly, only the XC40 Recharge gets Volvo's newer Android Automotive infotainment system, which is also offered on the Polestar 2. This system lives on the same screen, but offers a more up-to-date operating system with Google voice commands, new user interface, and over-the-air updates. Unfortunately, the Google-based system doesn't have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which are strange omissions.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 SUV has an overall J.D. Power rating of 78 out of 100 in the US, and its specific quality/reliability score is 76/100. According to the NHTSA, the XC40 has been recalled just once for a high-voltage system that could disconnect, leading to a loss of drive power. This issue only affected the XC40 Recharge from 2021 and 2022. In addition, 2021 Recharge models were afflicted by a missing cross-member bolt in the engine compartment, while both 2021 XC40s/XC40 Recharges were recalled for a seat belt locking retractor malfunction.

Every XC40 comes with a four-year/50,000-mile limited and powertrain warranty, which matches most other premium brands but doesn't surpass them. Complimentary scheduled maintenance is also covered for the first three years or 36,000 miles. For XC40 Recharge models, complimentary scheduled maintenance runs for 40,000 miles or four years. The battery on the Recharge is covered for eight years or 100 000 miles.

You won't find a bad Volvo XC40 safety review on the internet and that's little surprise considering the brand's perennially strong ratings in this area. The 2022 Volvo XC40 attained a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, the agency's highest designation for safety. It scored almost perfectly in every test besides the updated side-impact test, for which it registered an Acceptable score. As for the Recharge, it attained perfect reviews for every crash test. The NHTSA mirrored these results with a perfect five-star overall safety rating for the gas-powered XC40.

Those stellar safety scores are no surprise since this is a Volvo product. As standard, the XC40 comes with a suite of airbags that include a driver's knee airbag and curtain airbags. A rearview camera is expected, but the XC40 also comes with rear parking sensors, a lane-keeping aid, oncoming lane mitigation, road sign information, and hill descent control. Upgrading to either the Inscription or R-Design adds LED front fog lamps with a cornering function and front parking sensors (in addition to those at the back). Optionally, the XC40 can be equipped with a 360-degree camera system or the advanced Pilot Assist driver-assistance system with adaptive cruise control. Pilot Assist makes long-distance driving more relaxing as it can make minor steering adjustments to keep you in your lane, while also maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of you.

The mid-range XC40 Recharge Plus has a more comprehensive front/side/rear park assist system and a 360-degree camera, while the Ultimate trim is the only model to come with adaptive cruise control as standard.

Most vehicles in the subcompact luxury SUV segment come with some major flaws, but the 2022 Volvo XC40 appears to be the most well-rounded and enjoyable option available. During our week of testing, we struggled to find one area where we hated the XC40 (an easy task in some of its rivals). The XC40 is more comfortable than the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA, more exciting than the Audi Q3, larger than the Lexus UX, and less expensive than the Jaguar E-Pace and Range Rover Evoque. Volvo carefully threaded the needle in this segment, much to our delight.

There is one major reason why we wouldn't purchase the XC40, however; the XC40 Recharge is better value. With over 400 horsepower and a $7,500 federal tax credit, the Recharge's $51,700 starting price seems like a more enticing proposition than a fully-loaded T5 Inscription. If it were our money, we'd go all-in on the electric XC40 instead of the conventional gasoline model.

The gas-powered Volvo XC40 with the T4 powertrain has a starting MSRP of $35,100 in the USA for the Momentum, making it the best value in the lineup. This is followed by the R-Design at $40,350 and the Inscription at $40,850. With the more powerful T5 and AWD, the price of the Volvo XC40 is $2,000 more in all cases.

As for the XC40 Recharge, it starts at $51,700 for the Core. It then goes up to $55,300 for the Plus trim and $58,150 for the Ultimate. That's a lot pricier than the gas-powered derivatives, but the Recharge does qualify for a federal tax credit of $7,500.

The cost of the Volvo XC40 does not include a destination charge of $1,095.

Excluding the electric Volvo XC40 Recharge, the gas-powered range is comprised of two powertrains and three trims for a total of six configurations. These trims are the Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. Both the T4 and T5 powertrains use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but the T4 is FWD and the T5 is AWD with higher outputs. The T4 produces 187 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the T5 makes a more potent 248 hp/258 lb-ft. In each case, the engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The first trim, the Momentum, isn't too basic. It still looks stylish on its 18-inch alloy wheels and with its LED headlights. Inside, it comes with leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver's seat, while both front seats are heated. Single-zone climate control, a 12-inch instrument display, a nine-inch central touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert are all standard.

The R-Design is positioned as a sportier-looking alternative. To that end, it has larger 19-inch alloy wheels and plenty of glossy black exterior trim. The cabin has unique sport pedals, a Charcoal headliner, and manual cushion extensions for those seated in front. Dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and Nubuck/Nappa leather upholstery are also added at this level.

Finally, there's the Inscription that shares a similar level of standard equipment as the R-Design. However, the Inscription is more luxury-oriented so comes with slightly smaller 18-inch wheels for a smoother ride and a Crystal gear selector knob.

On the cheapest T4 Momentum, there are multiple packages available at mostly acceptable prices. The $750 Climate Package bundles together headlight washers, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. At $2,400, the Premium Package adds convenient features like navigation, front parking sensors, and dual-zone climate control. The $4,050 Advanced Package adds Pilot Assist, interior high-level illumination, Pilot Assist, a 360-degree camera system, and a 12V cargo area outlet. However, this package requires the Premium Package as well.

An Exterior Styling Kit is $2,200 which adds sporty extras like front/rear skid plates, brushed stainless steel detailing, and lower door trim moldings. The laminated panoramic moonroof with the power sunshade costs $1,475. With the Inscription and R-Design, the Advanced Package is a cheaper $1,450 as this model has a higher standard specification already. At this level, Park Assist Pilot costs $1,650 and takes over some of the parking responsibilities. Other extras include a Harman Kardon sound system at $800, which is available to all trims.

To avoid nearing the starting price of the Recharge, we'd exhibit caution when optioning an XC40. We'd opt for the R-Design trim, which is slightly less expensive than the Inscription. From there, there are a few must-have options, including the T5 drivetrain ($2,000), Advanced package ($1,650), and Harmon Kardon premium sound ($800). If you can stop there, the XC40 rings in at a reasonable $45,995. Our Inscription tester went beyond that dollar amount, cresting past $51,000 as-tested. For that price, we'd rather spend our money on the XC40 Recharge Core and receive the $7,500 tax credit.

The XC60 is a larger, more expensive, and more luxurious vehicle. It's been a top-seller for Volvo for some time, and for good reason. The base B5 powertrain in the XC60 produces 247 hp, making it a lot faster than the XC40 T4. It also has more standard features like dual-zone climate control and a laminated panoramic moonroof. Despite being a larger vehicle, the XC60's trunk isn't all that much larger - it's only when you fold the rear seats down that the bigger vehicle's size becomes more apparent. The XC60 begins at $42,650 but it's quite easy to spend over $50,000 on one. There is also a hybrid alternative, which the XC40 doesn't offer. This is a close call as we love the XC40's more playful styling and the combination of its compact size with a spacious interior, but the more comfortable XC60 is a nicer SUV overall.

The omnipresent competition from Germany will always win over badge snobs, but is the Audi Q3 really a better car than the XC40? Starting at a base price of around $36k, the Q3 is a bit more expensive than the entry-level XC40 but is slower, taking 8.6 seconds to reach 60 mph. However, the Q3 does come with AWD as standard. The Audi has a chunkier appearance, a more somber but higher quality interior, and more cargo space behind the second row. With its 228-hp engine, the Q3 is more competitive but the XC40 T5 is still quicker. Another advantage in the Audi's favor is its more user-friendly infotainment system. However, the Audi's advantages are all negligible, whereas the XC40's better performance and lower price tag are hard to argue with. That, together with the Volvo's more special styling, makes it our choice.