LIKES
- Perky style
- Perky personality
- Perky powertrains
- Perky—OK, we'll stop
- New all-electric version
DISLIKES
- Limited electric range
- Limited cargo capacity
- Pokey FWD version
BUYING TIP
- The XC40 Inscription isn’t much more than an XC40 Momentum with similar options, so shop wisely.
The 2021 Volvo XC40 is a high-personality compact crossover with plenty of features for the money.
What kind of car is the 2021 Volvo XC40? What does it compare to?
The 2021 Volvo XC40 is a small crossover SUV. Consider cross-shopping it with the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and the Jaguar E-Pace.
Is the 2021 Volvo XC40 a good car?
We bestow upon the XC40 a TCC Rating of 7.0 out of 10. It prioritizes style above all else, but that’s not necessarily a demerit.
What’s new for the 2021 Volvo XC40?
This year, the XC40 line grows with the addition of the all-electric XC40 T8 Recharge. The new model is Volvo’s first fully-electric vehicle—ignoring the company’s Polestar sister brand—and with the equivalent of 402 horsepower underhood, it’s also one of its most performance-oriented.
Recharge aside, the XC40 range comes in two variants: The turbocharged T4 that puts out 187 horsepower to the front wheels and the T5 that ups the ante considerably to 248 horsepower delivered to all four wheels.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the gas-fueled range.
All gas-fueled XC40s are pleasant, almost sporty to drive, and they have comfortable, well-wrought interiors that make good use of passenger space. Cargo room is on the light side, but that’s likely a fair trade-off for many shoppers given the city-friendly proportions.
You won’t find an XC40 without a slew of collision-avoidance tech. This year, Volvo has made blind-spot monitors as well as adaptive LED lights with automatic high-beams standard fare, too.
How much does the 2021 Volvo XC40 cost?
The XC40 lineup starts a little under $35,000 (add $2,000 for all-wheel drive).
A loaded-up XC40 Inscription inches closer to $47,000, but still strikes us as a reasonable value, all things considered.
Where is the 2021 Volvo XC40 made?
Belgium and China
Styling
Like a high-top sneaker, the XC40 is stylish if a little unusual.
Is the 2021 Volvo XC40 a good-looking car?
The small footprint that makes the Volvo XC40 a smart choice for urban environments leaves it looking less glamorous than its larger siblings. To compensate, Volvo has added some trendy styling cues. They work, mostly.
The Recharge has slightly different wheels, and its grille—hardly necessary in an electric car that doesn’t have a gas engine to keep cool—is filled in.
Dealers are invariably stocked with XC40s with bland beige and black upholstery. Rise above the rest by selecting a more adventurous hue, like the Oxide Red leather option on some trims.
Performance
The 2021 Volvo XC40 is zippy with optional all-wheel drive.
How fast is the 2021 Volvo XC40?
A 2.0-liter turbo-4 motivates T4 and T5 versions of the XC40, albeit with two states of tune. The base version has just 187 horsepower, which is enough to give it adequate response around town but may leave drivers wanting more when it comes to highway passing.
Better yet—and just $2,000 more—is the 248-hp version of the turbo-4 found in all-wheel-drive versions. (Volvo badges these as T5.) The engine can rumble more than some rivals, but it provides ample thrust and generally cooperates with the 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Is the 2021 Volvo XC40 4WD?
It can be. T4 versions deliver power to the front wheels, despite the confusing use of the number four, while T5s shuffle grunt to all four corners.
The XC40 Recharge comes only with all-wheel drive.
Comfort & Quality
The XC40 is better for passengers than for cargo.
Passengers will find plenty of space inside the Volvo XC40, and there’s enough room for a weekend worth of luggage.
The front seats are comfortably sculpted and offer a good range of adjustment, though don’t look for cooled seats on the options list even though leather trim is now standard line-wide. Rear-seat riders have good room for a vehicle of this size, and the bench sits high enough off the ground for reasonable long-distance support.
Cargo space is OK: look for just shy of 21 cubic feet with the second row upright and a maximum of 47 cubes with those seats folded down.
Small items will find plenty of places to hide, too, thanks to excellent storage in the door panels, dash, and center console.
Safety
The 2021 XC40 is a safe choice that will do its best to keep you out of harm’s way.
With plenty of collision-avoidance tech standard—and more added to the roster this year—the Volvo XC40 is a good choice for shoppers who prioritize safety. That said, we’ll have to wait for updated crash-test results thanks to new headlights this year.
Every XC40 rolls into showrooms with automatic emergency braking, plus active blind-spot monitors are newly standard this year. New LED headlights automatically dim when they sense traffic and they bend into corners. They should perform better than last year’s in the IIHS’ stringent testing—it’s not like Volvo hasn’t been paying attention—but we’re waiting for final results.
The NHTSA, however, has granted the XC40 five stars overall. Bravo!
Features
Lots of options making customizing an XC40 a cinch; and they’re priced reasonably, too.
Which Volvo XC40 should I buy?
Gas-fueled versions of the XC40 come in three trim levels, each of which has its own flavor.
The base Momentum grade offers the most value for the money, and is easy enough to keep below $40,000 with popular options such as an advanced adaptive cruise control system that allows brief hands-free driving and a boomin’ Harman/Kardon audio system.
Spoil yourself with the XC40 Inscription and you’ll be surrounded with fine driftwood inlays, navigation, a panoramic moonroof, front parking sensors, and a number of other features.
Of note, Volvo offers a unique subscription plan on all of its models, though it touts the all-inclusive payment the most on its XC40. The deal nets subscribers a well-equipped car with insurance and maintenance included for two years, with the option to swap into a different Volvo (and possibly a different payment) after 365 days, at which time the clock resets to two more years.
How much is a fully loaded 2021 Volvo XC40?
Fuel Economy
The 2021 XC40 can be had with a gas or electric powertrain, but neither is very efficient.
Is the 2021 Volvo XC40 good on gas?
For a smaller SUV, the 2021 Volvo XC40 is just so-so when it comes to fuel economy. We can say the same—in slightly different words—about the electric range of the XC40 T8 Recharge.
Front-wheel-drive XC40s are rated at 23 mpg city, 32 highway, 26 combined. Despite their extra power, XC40 T5s manage 22/30/25 mpg—in real-world driving, you’re not likely to notice a major difference.
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