2025 Volvo XC40

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.

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.

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.