Used Volvo XC40 2018-present review

The Volvo XC40 arrived in 2018, making it six years old and counting (as of writing). We doubt you'd have guessed that, though, because this family SUV still feels fresh today – it's certainly still as popular as ever, both new and used.

Then again, some cars do stand the test of time and the XC40 certainly looks to be one of them.

Engines & Performance: There's a very wide variety of engine options. To begin with, the XC40 debuted with a range of 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Petrols on offer comprised a 154bhp T3, 187bhp T4 and 244bhp T5. A downsized three-cylinder 1.5 arrived in 2018 as a direct replacement for the existing T3 (upgraded in 2019 to 161bhp).

This smaller engine allowed for a slew of plug-in hybrids to join the range in 2020 with the 204bhp T4 and 258bhp T5 Recharge models. A fully electric Recharge T8 with a range of around 250 miles also arrived in 2020, as did an entry-level 127bhp T2 petrol. The existing T4 and T5 petrol engines gained 48V mild hybrid technology and a boost in power to become the 194bhp B4 and 247bhp B5 models.

There are also two 2.0-litre diesels: the 148bhp D3 and 187bhp D4. These diesels, however, were dropped in late 2020 in preference for the plug-in hybrid models.

A recent rationalisation of the range means all XC40s now get a seven-speed automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive, even the entry-level petrol B3. There are also two plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), called the T4 and T5 Recharge, plus the fully electric XC40 Recharge – now called the Volvo EX40.

Ride & Handling: The XC40 is a smooth and hushed performer, with a low level of wind and road noise. This helps to make the interior a noticeably refined place. What's more, most engines provide more than enough effortless go.

Fling it through a series of bends and the XC40 reveals itself as a competent handler, albeit not an especially inspiring one – a BMW X3 is more fun to drive. It leans a fair bit and the steering, while reasonably quick, is a little lacking in feel. There’s plenty of grip, mind you.

The XC40 rides well, being composed and breezing over road ripples easily, although oddly it’s rather better on the ‘sports’ suspension fitted to R-Design models than the softer ‘dynamic’ suspension. Our experience of the car on the optional adaptive suspension suggests it’s not worth seeking out a car with this fitted.

Interior & Practicality: Inside the XC40, you'll find an excellent driving position with good visibility, a comfortable seat and plenty of adjustment. The standard digital instruments prove easy to read at a glance, and because the minimalist dashboard design carries few physical buttons, it’s easy to interpret those that are there. However, you do have to access quite a lot of functions through the infotainment touchscreen; this can be a faff, but at least the screen is crystal-clear.

When it comes to interior quality, this is an exceptionally classy car. All the surfaces that you interact with regularly feel suitably upmarket, thanks to plush, soft-faced materials, smart wood veneer or metal highlights. Everything feels robust, too, so it should stand the test of time and the demands of family use.

There’s plenty of space up front, while rear passengers have enough leg and head room, although rivals such as the BMW X1 and VW Tiguan offer slightly more.

On paper, the boot in the XC40 is smaller than those rivals', but, in everyday use, it's wide, deep and easily accessible, with a useful underfloor storage area.

Trims & Equipment: Trims start off with entry-level Momentum. This comes with lots of goodies, including cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a 9.0in tablet touchscreen, digital instruments, 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights and rear parking sensors. Next up is the sportier R-Design. This adds seats trimmed in leather and nubuck, power-folding door mirrors, privacy glass and ambient interior lighting. The more luxurious Inscription model completes the range with an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, front parking sensors, an electric tailgate, wood trim inlays and a crystal gear selector on automatic versions.

Trims with 'Pro' at the end of the name add adaptive LED headlights, heated front seats, an electrically adjustable passenger seat with memory function, headlight washers, a heated windscreen and 19in or 20in alloy wheels. Options worth seeking out include the Convenience Pack for its extra practicality.

Later, post-2021 cars, had trim levels that ranged from relatively basic (Core) to properly sumptuous (Ultimate).

Interested in buying a used Volvo XC40? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Around £15,000 is enough to net you a decent used Volvo XC40 from 2018, 2019 or even 2020. It'll likely be an entry-level (petrol or diesel) car, mind you, and one with around 70,000 miles to its name. For a plug-in hybrid XC40, have around £18,000 at least. For the electric XC40 Recharge, have around £23,000.

As of writing, nearly new 2024 XC40 examples go for upwards of £27,000, regardless of the engine or trim.

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MPG: On paper, the most economical, solely combustion-powered XC40 is the diesel 2.0 D3 with an official combined fuel consumption figure of 47.1mpg. The more powerful D4 gets close with 44.1mpg. The best-performing petrols are the T2 and T3 models, with each returning 40.4mpg.

The regular T4 and T5 petrols offer the worst figures at 35.3mpg and 34.0mpg respectively. Things improve with the mild hybrid B4 at 39.2mpg, while the B5 manages 36.7mpg.

In order to achieve something close to the 134.5mpg figure quoted for the Recharge T4 and T5 plug-in hybrid models, you'll need to regularly charge the car and utilise its electric motor. All-electric T8 XC40s have a 78kWh battery that can accept a 150kW charge for a 10-80% recharge time of roughly 30 minutes, while a 7kW wall charger at home will take 12 hours to refill an empty battery to 100%.

Road tax : Annual road tax will be the same for all models registered after the tax changes of April 2017. It’s worth making sure the on-the-road cost of the XC40 you’re looking at didn’t creep past £40,000 when it was new, because at this point it will attract an extra luxury car tax surcharge. Current costs are £180 per year for hybrids, £190 per year for petrol or diesel-only and the luxury tax is £410 per year.

Insurance: Insurance costs are fairly low for the Volvo XC40, laden as it is with safety and security kit; Volvo’s safety record helps to keep the car in the 30-33 groupings.

Servicing: Servicing costs are reasonable and you can opt for a number of servicing plans for your used car that can help you spread the cost.

Reliability

The Volvo XC40, as revealed by our 2023 and 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, puts in a generally reliable performance.

Owners appreciate its reliability, noting minor electronic issues such as glitches with the infotainment system and driver aids, which, although inconvenient, don't impair the SUV's drivability.

The Volvo dealer network's service quality appears to vary, with experiences ranging from highly efficient to somewhat frustrating due to repair delays and communication gaps.

However, the overall sentiment remains positive, with the XC40 standing out as a dependable option for those in search of a premium compact SUV, and signs of service improvements are encouraging.

Discover more about the used Volvo XC40's reliability and owner experiences on our dedicated reliability page.

Engines: If you mostly do shorter, urban journeys, go for the 154bhp T3 petrol. It should have all the performance you'd need without being horrendously thirsty. The only point of note is that in 2018 the engine went from being a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit to a smaller three-cylinder 1.5. Both produce 154bhp (up until 2019, when it got a boost to 161bhp).

Trims: Well equipped, sporty looking and reasonably priced, R-Design is our favourite trim, because this version handles better on its sports suspension than the rest of the range. Don't bother with a Pro version of this trim level, because that'll give you 20in wheels that spoil the ride.

Our favourite Volvo XC40 T3 R-Design

The BMW X1 in its latest guise is a deservedly popular SUV, with a spacious, practical and high-quality interior. You also get a fine-handling car and a class-leading infotainment system. It’s not the quietest car, but it does feel larger than the XC40.

The VW Tiguan is one of the best-selling cars in this segment. It has a spacious and practical interior, is good to drive and has plenty of kit as standard. Against that, the diesel engines are gruff and it’s quite pricey, even used.

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Interested in buying a used Volvo XC40? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.