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About the Volvo XC40
Last updated Dec 18, 2024The 2025 Volvo XC40 is an essential model for Volvo, the brand’s best-seller in Australia. While the compact electric SUV version of the XC40 (called recharge) will be rebadged EX40 for 2025 to better align with Volvo’s EV naming strategy.
That means the EX40 will join the existing EX30 and EX90, with more to come. The related C40 Recharge coupe crossover will likewise be rebadged EC40 from 2025.
However, the 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will remain the same after a relatively major change in 2023 that actually saw the vehicle swap the front-wheel drive setup to rear wheel drive.
It’s otherwise the same XC40 formula that first debuted all the way back in 2017, apart from a mild refresh and a new Google-powered infotainment system from 2023.
Volvo XC40 Rating
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2025 Volvo XC40 Reviews
2025 Volvo XC40 Price
| Variant | Price From* | Price To* |
|---|---|---|
| PLUS B4 MHEV | $54,300 | $54,300 |
| PLUS B4 | $54,300 | $54,300 |
| ULTIMATE B4 BRIGHT MHEV | $61,300 | $61,300 |
| ULTRA B4 BRIGHT | $61,300 | $61,300 |
| ULTIMATE B4 DARK MHEV | $62,300 | $62,300 |
| ULTRA B4 DARK | $62,300 | $62,300 |
| RECHARGE PURE ELECTRIC | $72,000 | $72,000 |
| RECHARGE TWIN PURE ELECTRIC | $80,400 | $80,400 |
*excl. on-roads
All Volvo XC40 Pricing
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2024 Volvo XC40 Dimensions
1652mm
1863mm
4440mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model.
See all 2024 Volvo XC40 Dimensions2025 Volvo XC40 Boot Space
Luggage space is 460L, expanding to 1336L with the second row folded. The boot floor is flat, but it can be folded in half hang shopping bags, or raised up to reveal a deep cavity beneath it perfect for storing charge cables – or for hiding bags and laptops.
There’s a small storage space beneath the bonnet, but it’s not what you’d call capacious. It’s best reserved for the charge cables, but not much more.
2025 Volvo XC40 Gallery
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2025 Volvo XC40 Exterior
Cosmetic tweaks to the XC40 include a restyled front bumper, new wheel designs, and new headlights with revised LED daytime running light signatures, albeit without a cornering function.
The Plus B4 loses the old T4 Momentum’s front fog lights but gains a power tailgate, power passenger seat and power-folding second-row headrests.
2025 Volvo XC40 Interior
The XC40's fundamental design has remained essentially unchanged over the past seven years, and that consistency is a positive aspect given the model's global popularity, including in Australia.
Typical of the Swedish brand—though this model is built in China—the cabin boasts a spacious and airy feel, a signature of Volvo’s wagons and SUVs. The interior design is upright and roomy, with excellent ergonomics. Overall, the fit and finish have a sense of quality, although a closer inspection reveals where cost-cutting measures have been applied.
The chunky Volvo steering wheel feels great in hand. It features a smooth leather rim and straightforward multifunction controls with satisfying, solid action. This sense of robustness extends to the row of buttons beneath the touchscreen and the window switches in the doors, exemplifying the solid build quality that Volvo is known for.
The front seats offer exceptional comfort, akin to sitting on a couch. Although they are trimmed in textile in this base model, the seats are wonderfully supportive and provide extensive electric adjustment, including memory settings. One of the standout features is the extendable base cushions, adding to the overall comfort.
In front of the driver is a digital instrument cluster that, as noted in previous reviews, looks sleek but is somewhat limited in functionality and customization. There’s essentially one layout with the option to display Google Maps in the centre. It covers the essentials but doesn’t offer much beyond that.
The 9.0-inch portrait-oriented centre touchscreen is more impressive despite its relatively modest size. Powered by Google built-in, it’s faster, more connected, and offers enhanced functionality compared to the older Sensus system. The Google integration includes Google Assistant, Google Maps, and various other internet-based services right out of the box, making it so efficient that it nearly eliminates the need for Apple CarPlay.
Apple CarPlay can still be accessed via USB-C and performed flawlessly in our tests. However, it’s puzzling that Android Auto isn’t available. Plus, you can access remote functions through the Volvo app for four years.
One notable change is the lack of physical climate controls, with permanent virtual shortcuts at the touchscreen's base. It may take some time, but it’s still better than other virtual button setups. A minor frustration is that the heated seat and steering wheel controls are embedded within the touchscreen, which is particularly inconvenient for the steering wheel control, which logically should be on the steering wheel itself.
Fortunately, Volvo has retained physical buttons for demister functions below the touchscreen, along with a volume knob that also acts as a play/pause button, flanked by skip buttons on either side.
The XC40’s enduring appeal is partly due to the practicality of the rear cabin. The Pure Electric version maintains these strengths compared to its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart. The tall, boxy design provides more space for taller passengers than many competitors. At 6’1", we can sit comfortably behind my driving position with room to spare. Kids will find the rear seat area spacious and less prone to travel sickness due to the generous window area.
Rear passengers benefit from directional air vents, sizable door bins, map pockets, and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. Despite the carryover of the rear driveline hump from the petrol AWD versions, the rear cabin remains well-suited for the class.
For families with young children, the XC40 offers ISOFIX anchor points on the outboard rear seats and top tether points across all three rear seat backs. The vast and flat rear bench provides flexibility for transporting multiple passengers.
While the XC40 excels in practicality, its 410-litre cargo capacity isn’t class-leading. However, the tall, square design makes it a very usable space, and folding the rear seats flat expands the capacity to a quoted 1295 litres. Additionally, a variable floor allows for the creation of smaller compartments to prevent items from shifting, plus some handy underfloor storage.
2025 Volvo XC40 Infotainment
With an upright dashboard and minimalist, crisp lines, you won’t be mistaking the XC40 for anything but a Volvo at first glance. Dominating the dash is a vertically-oriented 9.0-inch touchscreen, which sits in the same housing as the display in the petrol model but runs newer software.
Like the related Polestar 2, the XC40 Recharge has Android Automotive infotainment. The bones of the software were developed by Google, which means you get Hey Google voice control and Google Maps standard, but the final system is set up by Volvo to look familiar to anyone who’s used the Sensus system in the current XC40.
It’s snappy to use, and the ability to download apps like Spotify from the Google Play store opens the door for a level of customisation not currently possible in most infotainment systems. Having the same people who do the software for mobile phones design your Bluetooth interface, for example, means this is one of the easiest cars in which to find a contact and make a call on the move.
When it’s connected to a network, Hey Google is more useful than Hey BMW or Hey Mercedes ever could be… but when it’s not connected to a network, the voice assistant is far less useful. Apple CarPlay mirroring is also available.
The driver is faced with a clean, simple digital instrument binnacle with inbuilt Google Maps. It’s excellent, although you’re light on for configuration options compared to what’s on offer in some rival luxury marques.
2025 Volvo XC40 Fuel Economy
| Volvo XC40 | Fuel Type | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| PLUS B4 | Premium Unleaded Petrol | 7.1 L/100km |
| PLUS B4 MHEV | Premium Unleaded Petrol | 7.1 L/100km |
| RECHARGE PURE ELECTRIC | Electric | - |
| RECHARGE TWIN PURE ELECTRIC | Electric | - |
| ULTIMATE B4 BRIGHT MHEV | Premium Unleaded Petrol | 7.3 L/100km |
| ULTIMATE B4 DARK MHEV | Premium Unleaded Petrol | 7.3 L/100km |
| ULTRA B4 BRIGHT | Premium Unleaded Petrol | 7.3 L/100km |
| ULTRA B4 DARK | Premium Unleaded Petrol | 7.3 L/100km |
Cost of ownership
What are the running and servicing costs of a Volvo XC40?
The XC40 is currently offered with a choice of three- or five-year service plans, priced at $1750 and $3000, respectively.
How does the 2025 Volvo XC40 drive?
Our expert take on Volvo XC40 drivability.
Petrol-powered 2025 Volvo XC40 models all use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The front-wheel drive B4 produces 145kW of power at 5400rpm and 300Nm of torque at 4200rpm, while the all-wheel drive B5 produces 183kW and 350Nm.
The Recharge Pure Electric features a single front-mounted electric motor and front-wheel drive, with 170kW of power and 330Nm of torque.
The dual-motor all-wheel drive Recharge Twin Pure Electric produces 300kW and 660Nm.
The claimed 0-100km/h times are as follows:
- B4: 8.5 seconds
- B5: 6.4 seconds
- Recharge: 7.4 seconds
- Recharge Twin: 4.9 seconds
As for the electric vehicle:
Some are drawn to the speed and responsiveness of dual-motor electric vehicles, however we believe that most single-motor models offer a more balanced power delivery and tend to be more efficient.
In the case of the XC40 Recharge (soon to be known as the EX40), the rear axle's 175kW and 420Nm provide ample power to move this hefty 2040kg electric SUV at a respectable pace. Volvo claims a 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds, which, not too long ago, was comparable to the performance of hot hatches.
The XC40 may not always feel fast in its standard mode, as Volvo (and Polestar) have tuned the throttle to be a bit soft, gradually building power for a smooth and linear acceleration experience. If you floor it, the SUV responds swiftly, but otherwise, it glides along comfortably, which suits the XC40's family-friendly and comfort-oriented design.
The smaller 19-inch alloy wheels and 235/50 tyres further enhance comfort, making the single-motor XC40 Recharge ride more smoothly than the Twin model with larger 20-inch wheels. Although the XC40 lacks adaptive damping, it strikes a good balance between comfort and body control, leaning slightly towards firmness to handle the added weight of the battery pack on the floor.
It occasionally feels harsh over sharper bumps, but overall, it manages city road imperfections quite well. Adding active damping in the future would be a welcome improvement, offering greater adjustability, similar to the air suspension found on larger Volvo models.
The steering has a somewhat heavy weight, providing a reassuring level of feedback and accuracy that makes the XC40 a pleasant urban companion. It's easy to navigate through traffic and busy city streets, and parking is straightforward thanks to its good visibility and compact, upright design. The reversing camera on the Plus trim is average, and it's disappointing that the superior surround-view camera system from the Ultimate Twin model isn’t available as an option.
The XC40 also features a single-pedal driving mode, one of the more effective systems outside of a Tesla, but you can still drive it like a conventional XC40 if preferred. It’s well-insulated from external noise, though there is a touch of tyre roar at higher speeds on rougher roads—common in the compact premium segment.
Volvo’s driver assistance technologies are among the better options available. The Pilot Assist function, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane centring, can be activated via the steering wheel controls. It provides semi-autonomous driving on highways and in traffic jams and is one of the more accurate and intuitive systems on the market. This can significantly reduce the strain of long drives or during stop-and-go traffic at the end of a freeway.
Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert further enhance the already good visibility, compensating for the large rear pillars that can obstruct over-the-shoulder views. The XC40 can even apply brakes to prevent collisions when reversing out of tight spots if crossing traffic is detected.
While the reversing camera isn't the best, especially given Volvo's generally excellent features, the XC40 is equipped with front and rear parking sensors. The front sensors, in particular, assist with the XC40's tall and flat front end, making it easier to maneuver in tight spaces.