2021 Volvo XC40

These days, being a fan of a crossover has you almost instantly stereotyped as being a dreary soccer mom driving a lumbering kiddie-carrier with nothing under the metal but practicality. But now there's the 2021 Volvo XC40. The smallest of the Swedish manufacturer's crossover range, the compact XC40 seems to exist to convince consumers that wanting a practical, versatile family car doesn't mean you have to give up on striking looks, comfort, and features.

Available as either T4 or T5 gasoline-engined models, or the new-for-2021 all-electric Recharge variant, the XC40 offers 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque in the base model, while maxing out at 402 hp/486 lb-ft in EV configurations. Going up against rivals from the German trinity such as theBMW X2,Audi's Q3, and theMercedes-Benz GLA, the XC40 has a lot going for it, including a gorgeous interior and a comfortable drive. But, with a whiny motor and middling fuel economy, can it really compete or does it need just a little bit more spice? We wanted to see for ourselves and spent a week with a T5 Inscription in our driveway for a test drive.

The XC40 is the first model built on Volvo's new Compact Modular Architecture. In this case, small doesn't negate stylish, and the compact SUV that is the Volvo XC40 manages to pull off a handsome-yet-blocky vibe exceedingly well. Momentum and Inscription models get 18-inch wheels as standard, with 19s optional, and even 20-inch items on the Momentum. The R-Design comes with 19-inch wheels, and the opportunity to go up a notch to 20s if you wish.

Standard across the range are signature Thor's Hammer LED headlights with active bending lights, LED taillights with side markers, DRLs, hidden tailpipes, and a power liftgate with hands-free opening on top trims. Inscription models have a body-colored roof, but this can be customized on the Momentum for a white contrast roof, or a black roof on the R-Design. The latter also gets black roof rails and blacked-out mirror caps, while the other trims make do with color-keyed mirrors and bright aluminum roof rails. The Momentum can also add a panoramic moonroof as a standalone option, but the upper trims get it free of charge.

The dimensions of the Volvo XC40 are par for the course when it comes to luxury compact crossovers. The short 106.4-inch wheelbase creates a spacious cabin within the 174.2-inch body. Width measures 80.1 inches with the mirrors in position, while a height of 65.3 inches ensures a great view of the road. It is rather heavy for the segment, though, with a starting weight of 3,627 pounds for the entry-level model. Gas-fed variants max out at 3,837 lbs.

当你获得一个面板的九个油漆colors across the range, only one of those come free of charge, and this is Black Stone. The remaining options are all metallic paints, which cost an additional $695. For the Momentum, these include Onyx Black, Thunder Gray, Glacier Silver, Fusion Red, and Denim Blue, and Crystal White. The R-Design losea the softer Denim Blue option and replaces it with the striking Bursting Blue, while the Inscription instead adds Pebble Grey as an option without losing any.

Our Inscription tester was kitted out in the understated Glacier Silver hue, which wasn't particularly striking but did the sporty angles of the XC40 justice, at least.

Volvo generally prioritizes comfort and luxury over assertive performance, but that doesn't mean that its cars aren't adequately equipped. The smallest SUV in the garage doesn't get access to particularly powerful motors, but what it does have in standard guise is generally sufficient for its purpose as a city runabout. The P8 all-electric powertrain offers much more enthusiastic performance overall, and we'd be eager to see how much more fun it would be than it's gas-powered siblings.

At the entry point to the range, the T4 motor is more of the town-car engine, providing enough oomph to get you to the store for the grocery run. One step up is the T5, which - while far from giving you goosebumps - will at least hurry you along if you're late fetching the kids from school. While the T4 is exclusively front-wheel drive, the T5 is AWD and both share an eight-speed automatic gearbox. You'll need around 8.1 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph with the base powertrain, and opting for the T5 will shave two seconds off that time. For a sub-five second sprint time, you'll have to go for the Recharge, with a manufacturer-claimed 4.7 second benchmark run. Top speed has been limited to 112 mph across the range.

Properly equipped, the little SUV can tow up to 3,500 pounds with its T4 and T5 engines, which isn't half bad for a compact luxury vehicle.

As with most of its siblings, the XC40 is offered with a choice of three engines. Both available gas-fed options are turbocharged four-cylinder blocks displacing two liters, while the electric version comprises dual motors, one at each axle, and a 78 kWh battery. An eight-speed auto 'box is equipped to combustion-motored configurations.

T4汽车票价基础水平,成对的智慧h FWD, and make 187 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. This should be sufficient for those who enjoy pottering about at a stately pace and don't expect to ever hurry anywhere. The T5, as on our tester, is much better, offering a total of 248 hp and 258 lb-ft to make acceleration, passing, and highway driving a much less frustrating experience. It's the P8 that offers the best, though, with 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of instant torque for smooth and rapid acceleration and fast take-offs.

We've loved the products from Volvo that we've had on test, and there wasn't too much to feel disappointed over with the XC40. The T5 driving experience was suave, as expected, moving along quite nicely when you urge it to - unless you've selected Eco mode. Unlike the enthusiastic Dynamic mode, or at the very least the sufficient haste you can muster when in Comfort, Eco mode serves mainly to test your own patience and annoy those around you with terribly lethargic take-offs that left me simply switching back to Comfort mode. Still, with a heavier foot on the accelerator, the motor does sound a little harried, which detracted from an otherwise refined feeling overall. There is also an Off-Road mode, but we weren't particularly inclined to try that out, although we're sure gravel and dirt road won't be much of a deterrent to the XC40.

Due to its sizing, the XC40 feels wonderfully nimble, is easy to place on the road, and handles darting about fairly well - parking is easy, despite some blind spots caused by the thick C-pillars, and even taking corners at speed didn't induce anxiety. That being said, it's not overwhelmingly fun - it does what it sets out to do with poise, but that's really about it. The P8 might well even improve on handling, thanks to a lower center of gravity with the extra weight of the battery pack.

One thing that did take a bit of getting used to was how the gear shifter is set up; intuitively one would expect to start at a neutral position, with a push up for Drive, and a pull down for Reverse. Instead, the XC40 requires you to tap the shifter down twice, through Neutral, to get to Drive, and tap up twice to select Reverse. This felt a little unnatural and had me double-checking my gear selection twice over. On the plus side, the auto 'box felt superb with slick shifts that were perfectly suited to what I required.

There's only a slight difference in gas mileage estimates between the T4 and T5 models, with the base model being the most frugal. At 23/32/26 mpg city/highway/combined, the FWD 187-hp T4 comes in slightly worse off than the competition. In AWD T5 guise, the 22/30/25 mpg estimates are the same as Audi's Q3 quattro. Both models have a 14.2-gallon gas tank, which should allow for between 355 and 370 miles of range.

If fuel economy is your main concern, you should opt for the all-electric Recharge - reviewed separately - which has a claimed range of 208 miles on a single charge.

你不会找到一个沃尔沃劣质室内- trust us, we've tried. Even the smallest vehicle in the range of SUVs is lavishly appointed, with leather upholstery as standard across the range, though the upper tiers have even more impressive inlays. The cabin is spacious, too, and well-stocked with features. The driver gets to enjoy a large 12.3-inch information display as well as a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen. Operating all of these features requires minimal effort thanks to their ergonomic layout and the steering-wheel-mounted controls, although the menus on the touchscreen can be difficult to navigate if you aren't used to it. Power-adjustable seating is standard for the driver, but it is added for the passenger at higher trim levels, and heating can be added to the front or rear seats.

'Perfect for a mid-size family' is the most cliched term to use in this segment, but in this case, it's perfectly apt. With room for five, even the second row is pretty spacious, accommodating most adults with ease. The front perches are the place to be, though, with comfortable, supportive seats, thigh bolsters on upper trims, lumbar settings, and loads of legroom. Headroom is ample, and the driving position is classic SUV-like with more than enough adjustment available to optimize visibility, no matter your height. The panoramic moonroof is a wonderful addition on the upper trims, too, creating an airy, light feeling inside.

Mom's will miss the option for built-in booster seats, as we had on the XC60, which helps lift shorter humans enough to see out of the windows properly, but this is a small gripe for an otherwise spot-on interior. And, if you're sans a mid-size family, the interior is not so massive that you'll feel like you're alone in an echoing warehouse, if you're nipping about the city alone.

与2021年的更新,即使是入门级的时刻um is dressed up in high-quality leather upholstery. However, your color options are quite limited, with only plain Blonde or Charcoal on offer, while the rest of the interior is Charcoal accented. Urban Grid aluminum inlays are used in this spec. Sportier Nubuck textile perforated Nappa in Charcoal is standard on the R-Design, with no other color options available. If you wanted to liven things up a bit, there are red Lava carpets you can add in for a hundred bucks. It does receive Cutting Edge aluminum inlays, though, to accentuate its sportier aspirations.

The classier focus of the Inscription means you get a few special touches. Leather upholstery is available in two additional colors, namely Oxide Red and Amber, but these can't be had with all the exterior colors available, so you may need to cross-check which you can select together. Elegant Driftwood inlays are the norm, and - like our tester - the Inscription comes with a crystal gearshifter courtesy of Orrefors, which in isolation looks quite posh, but, in my opinion, wouldn't be missed if it was replaced with leather; there's a definitively sporty vibe about the XC40, and the crystal piece feels much more in line with the XC60 or 90. Another interesting note is that parts of the door itself were upholstered in a material not unlike carpeting, and while some may feel this comes across slightly low-rent, we tend to feel it matches the hardy, trendy urban vibe the XC40 gives off. It clashes violently with the crystal, however - another reason to veto it.

No-one buys a compact SUV thinking they can cram their kids' bicycle, two suitcases, a picnic basket, and the family dog, behind the back seat - and you'll have to opt for the XC60 if that's what you were hoping for, here. Still, that doesn't mean the XC40 isn't practical - with the rear seats in place, the 20.7 cubic feet of space in the trunk was sufficient for us to load a large punching bag, a sizable crate, and two suitcases with ease. Flip the back seats down, and you get 57.5 cubes. While all models get a power-operated trunk, only the upper trims have a removable/folding load floor with grocery bag handles in the trunk and hands-free operation; on a practical level, this was remarkably useful, and the ability to prop the storage cover up and utilize the hooks to prevent grocery bags from falling about was delightful. The XC40 certainly feels edgy and youthful, but we'll allow ourselves to enjoy this mature and responsible cargo solution like the mid-30-year-olds that we are.

Still sticking with Swedish sensibility, the XC40 abounds with small-item storage options, too. The glove compartment and armrest cubby offer a large center console bin with removable wastebasket. And, since the speakers are mounted in the dash rather than the doors, the door-side pockets are deep and large, and can easily manage a tablet and purse, or small bag. Top-spec trims also get a hidden storage compartment under the driver's seat.

Even in its base guise, the Volvo XC40 is far from lacking in the tech department. An eight-way power driver's seat is installed as standard, and the passenger seat can be upgraded with the same features via the available packages. Other standard comfort and convenience features include single-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch driver-information display, keyless ignition, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The safety suite comprises a rearview camera, rear park assist, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and collision avoidance tech.

Dual-zone climate control, a moonroof, front park assist, navigation, keyless entry, and a hands-free liftgate get added to the Inscription and R-Design. The passenger seat gets power-adjustability, and both front seats get cushion extenders. By spending a little extra on the available packages, you can also add heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera, inductive charging, and Pilot Assist.

With its nine-inch portrait-oriented screen and elaborate menus, the infotainment setup in the latest batch of Volvo cars seems to be very much a case of "love it or hate it". I've personally found it to be quite easy to understand - once you get used to it, that is. The setup functions very much like the logistics of most smartphones, and once you know more or less what you're looking for, it's easy to flip between screens. Still, some prefer not to be three menus in when looking for certain things, so while it's certainly sensibly laid out, it's not necessarily user-friendly while driving. Still, it offers Bluetooth and SiriusXM, and is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Audio is pumped through an eight-speaker high-performance sound system as standard, but our tester came kitted out with the top-end Harman Kardon Premium sound system, which comprises 14 speakers and is more a necessity, than an option if you take music seriously. It sounds pretty darn good with bass notes you can actually feel, if you blast it loud enough. It's not the unbelievable experience you get from the optional B&O unit in the XC60 and XC90, but it's excellent, nonetheless.

The XC40 doesn't seem to rate overly well in reliability reviews, with J.D. Power awarding it mediocre ratings, including a 76 out of 100 overall score. Looking at the issues for 2020, this may seem somewhat harsh, since it was recalled only once for failure of the automatic emergency braking. However, 2019 saw three other recalls, for reasons including a loose brake pedal, missing rear seatback lock strikers, and failure to report a GPS location in the event of a crash. For 2021, one recall pertaining to a disconnected high voltage system was issued that could cause a loss of drive power, but this was issued only in relation to Recharge vehicles.

The standard warranty plan in the US includes four years/50,000 miles of limited and powertrain coverage, while complimentary scheduled maintenance is included for the first three years/36,000 miles.

The NHTSA's review of the Volvo XC40 looked upon the crossover favorably with a full five-star rating for overall safety. The IIHS concurred with reviews of the little Swede, and not only gave it top scores of Good for all six categories tested, but awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ title for 2021. As is expected of class leaders in safety tech, crash mitigation tech also achieved top marks. IIHS reviews pertained to both the electric and standard XC40.

One of the major drawcards to the brand and its SUV lineup is the fully-stocked safety suite that comes standard on even the entry-spec variants. This includes dual-front, side, curtain, and driver's knee airbags.

Traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance, and the BLIS system are standard from the base model, the latter of which includes blind-spot monitoring, steer assist, and cross-traffic alert with automatic braking. Rear park assist and a rearview camera are also stock fitted. Moving up to the next trims adds cruise control, a rain sensor, and front park assist. Optional extras include a 360-degree camera and the Pilot Assist system to bolster the existing features with adaptive cruise control and steer assist. It's worth noting that the driver aids engage in a very smooth manner and never feel intrusive - it's much more like a polite nudge in the ribs to get you to pay attention than a hysterical shriek when you're drifting out of your lane, failing which the car steps in to firmly guide you to safety.

Going up against rivals that have been around for some time means that the XC40 needs to be really good at what it sets out to achieve in order to actually compete. In many areas, Volvo has nailed the brief, but in some, it seems to have missed the mark compared to its competitors. The gasoline powertrains may provide average gas mileage, but they lack in performance and refinement, and we can't help but secretly want a little more.

不过,这是一个真正的沃尔沃产品,that characterizes such: a beautiful, thoughtfully laid-out cabin with space and comfort as priorities, a comprehensive safety suite, a long standard features list, and an undeniably pleasant drive. Yes, it doesn't have all the luxuries found in its bigger, plusher siblings, but would you really expect that of it? For the price of the Volvo XC40, you still get a car loaded with goodies and gadgets, and, notably, the same safety systems and driver assists you'd find in more expensive options. And, while it doesn't boast an adrenalin-spiking performance by any manner of means, if you opt for the T5 or plug-in variant, you should be generally satisfied, even if you're just a middle-aged parent doing the school run.

The cheapest way to get behind the wheel of an XC40 in the USA is by opting for a T4 Momentum with a base price of $33,700. For those who want the sportier trim, the R-Design will cost you $38,950, and the Inscription asks for $39,450. These prices are excluding a $1,095 destination fee and any taxes or licensing.

If the base powertrain sounds too meek for you, you can move up to the 248-hp T5 for $2,000 more per trim.

For 2021, the range comprises two powertrains and three trim levels, excluding the electric. Trim levels include the Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription, while the powertrains are a 187-hp/221-lb-ft T4 motor or a 248-hp/258-lb-ft T5. Base models come with FWD only, while the rest of the range is AWD.

Momentum trims are the entry-point and can be had with either of the gasoline power plants. These models have 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, DRLs, a power liftgate, and an all-leather interior. There's a 12.3-inch driver information display, nine-inch touchscreen infotainment setup, power-adjustable driver's seat, single-zone climate control, and prerequisite rearview camera. Rear park assist, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert are all standard, as is traffic sign recognition and forward collision avoidance. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also stock-fitted, and an eight-speaker premium sound system is the standard fare.

The R-Design is supposed to be sporty and as such gets a limited interior color scheme with perforated Nappa upholstery and an exclusive exterior paint job. It rides on 19-inch wheels and has blacked-out exterior accessories. Thigh-cushion extenders get added for the front seats, and a panoramic moonroof is installed, along with dual-zone climate control. Navigation, cruise control, and front parking sensors are added to the features list.

顶部的T4和T5系列题字ion, with more elegant Driftwood interior trim, a crystal gearshift lever, and a unique color palette, both inside and out. It reverts back to 18-inch wheels but keeps all the additional features the R-Design has over the base model.

As well equipped as the XC40 is even in its base form, there are still a variety of ways to upgrade and personalize it. Most of the packages are available to all three trim levels, but the Momentum has the option of fitting the panoramic moonroof for $1,475 and an exterior styling kit for $1,995. The Climate package can be added to any of the three trims, and equips a heated steering wheel, heated wiper blades, and heated front seats for $750.

先进的包可以对所有修剪,但costs vary, from $3,700 on the Momentum, to $1,300 on the Inscription and R-Design, and includes high-pressure headlight cleaning, a surround-view camera, 12V power outlet in the trunk, high-level interior lighting, inductive charging for your smartphone, and the Pilot Assist system with adaptive cruise control. The Momentum can also equip navigation, front park assist, power-folding head restrains, a power-adjustable passenger seat, dual-zone climate control, the clever folding load floor in the trunk, and keyless entry with hands-free tailgate for $2,200 under the Premium package.

The brilliant Harman Kardon sound system can be fitted across the range, too, for an additional $800.

A subjective question to answer, the most reasonable response would be to suggest opting for a mid-grade trim to get the best possible value for money; but the truth is that if you're looking for a compact SUV with a host of safety features and excellent comfort levels, you'll not be sorry with even the base trim. In any guise, the important choice to make here is powertrain related, in which case we'd urge you to skip over the T4 entirely.

We particularly liked the Inscription variant we had on test with the T5 motor, and feel that it's worth the money asked of it - it's plush, sexy, and has all the bells and whistles to convince you of its place in the luxury segment. For the urban dweller dealing with daily traffic, and as a young working mom who likes a balance between practical and plush, the all-electric Recharge would perfectly cover all the bases in terms of range and charging capacity, too. We'd definitely splurge on the Harman Kardon sound system and the additional safety assists, either way.

A comparison like this is interesting in that you're really comparing siblings and trying not to offend one or the other - and both these products are pretty good for what they are designed to be. The XC60 is a bit more than just the larger version of the XC40, though, and there's even a big difference in how they look - the XC40 maximizes on the sporty urban vibe, while the XC60 is a much more elegant mid-size SUV. And in terms of the muscle available, the XC60 skips over the weak T4 powertrain entirely, offering the T5 as the base motor and a more powerful 316-hp T6. There's no all-electric XC60, though, but the plug-in hybrid has 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, which is less than what the XC40 Recharge has on tap. But there is a Polestar Engineered version, which is good for 415 hp and 472 lb-ft.

Comparing specs and features, however, the two SUVs are much the same - the same safety suite is standard on both, as are comfort features. The main differences, other than available powertrains, lie in space, size, and style, with the XC60 clearly more luxurious. The bigger SUV has an MSRP of around $9k dearer, but it's fully worth it for more oomph from under the hood and an interior where that divisive crystal gearshift lever would be right at home. Still, we're quite happy with the XC40 - bigger isn't always better, and the XC40 proves that the smaller sibling can be the favorite, too.

Like with the XC40, the Q3 has two motors to choose from, though both come with all-wheel drive as standard. From much more assertive looks on the outside to an equally smart interior, the Q3 ticks all the boxes for a stylish, sporty compact SUV. It comes with a much more user-friendly infotainment system than the Volvo does, but doesn't have quite as comprehensive a safety suite as the Swede does - at least not without adding on optional packages. Still, the Q3 does justice to the idea of a small city runabout, and although it feels less like an SUV and more like a lifted hatchback, is a comfortable and somewhat more fun drive than the Volvo. But, the cost of the Volvo XC40 is a lot less, offers more space, and has the option of the all-electric Recharge to tempt you over to the Green side. And, although we're loathe to admit it, the thoughtful little touches, conveniences, and superb safety elements in the XC40 we'd swear are only attractive to older folk would sway us to pick it over the German. In this segment, we'd much rather have the Volvo XC40.