Volvo XC40

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.

The Volvo XC40 has a rating of five stars from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2018.

All models received an adult occupant protection score of 97 per cent, child occupant protection score of 84 per cent, vulnerable road user protection score of 71 per cent and a safety assist score of 78 per cent.

All 2024 Volvo XC40 models come standard with the following equipment:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vulnerable road user detection
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags
• Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors

The 2024 Volvo XC40 uses a claimed 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle in the Plus B4, 7.1L/100km in the Ultimate B4 Bright and 7.2L/100km in the Ultimate B5 Dark.

The Recharge Pure Electric uses a 69kWh battery, and WLTP-certified figures on the Volvo global site says it has 424km of range.

The dual-motor version has a 78kWh battery and WLTP range of 417km.

Both electric models support DC fast charging at up to 150kW and AC charging at up to 11kW.

You should service your XC40 at your authorised Volvo dealer or service centre, however servicing it at third party mechanics that follow OEM servicing instructions should not impact the XC40’s warranty.

Petrol-powered 2024 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 that 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.

Comfort is further enhanced by the smaller 19-inch alloy wheels and 235/50 tyres, which make the single-motor XC40 Recharge ride more smoothly compared to 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 in the floor.

It occasionally feels a bit 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 weighting, 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 the brakes to prevent a collision 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.

The XC40 is available in the following colours:

• Black Stone solid
• Sage Green metallic (new)
• Fjord Blue metallic (new)
• Silver Dawn metallic (new)
• Bright Dusk metallic (new)
• Onyx Black metallic
• Crystal White pearl
• Fusion Red metallic
• Thunder Grey metallic

Metallic shades are a $1200 option on all petrol models, but are a no-cost option on electric models.

Volvo covers its cars with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The XC40 is currently offered with a choice of three- or five-year service plans, priced at $1750 and $3000 respectively.