The Volvo XC40 is a subcompact crossover SUV (C-segment) manufactured by Volvo Cars. It was unveiled on 21 September 2017 as the smallest SUV model from Volvo, below the XC60. Orders started in September 2017, and manufacturing began in November 2017.
Along with conventional petrol and diesel engines, a plug-in hybrid model was introduced in 2019, and a fully electric model was released in 2020. Both the plug-in hybrid and the electric versions were marketed as the XC40 Recharge. In 2024, Volvo renamed the battery electric XC40 to the Volvo EX40, aligning it with newer battery electric models such as the EX30 and the EX90.
A coupe version of the battery electric model with a sloping rear roof was released in 2021 as the C40 Recharge. It was renamed the Volvo EC40 in 2024.
The XC40 received the European Car of the Year Award at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. and the car was named Car of the Year Japan for 2018/2019.
Overview The design of the XC40 was previewed by concept car called the Concept 40.1, which was designed by Thomas Ingenlath, and unveiled in May 2016. The XC40 is the first Volvo to be based on the CMA platform, to be shared by other compact Volvos, Geely, and Lynk & Co model. The platform was designed to maximise interior space.
The XC40 comes in front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive (electric, from 2023) and all-wheel drive, and is powered by Volvo's 1.5-litre three cylinder and existing 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, in both diesel and petrol variants. From 2019, a FWD plug-in hybrid named "T5 Twin Engine" is available, combining a petrol version of the 1.5-litre engine with an electric motor. In 2022, a mild hybrid version was introduced. In the United States, engine choices are limited to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol powered T4 and T5 models. In 2023, Volvo removed conventional engines as an option, meaning mild hybrids are the base engine option in the US. The version tested by Euro NCAP in 2018 had a kerb weight of .
Volvo Intellisafe is installed as standard. This technology is designed with the intention of preventing runoff road accidents. By using the car's advanced sensory system, the technology can detect potentially fatal scenarios such as run off-road protection. Safety belts are also capable of being automatically adjusted throughout these moments of impact while energy absorbing seat frames and seats are in place to prevent spine injuries. This technology was created based on real life data, and various crash test track methods such as: ditch, airborne and rough terrains.
The XC40 was given the European Car of the Year Award at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. and the car was named Car of the Year Japan for 2018/2019. The XC40 was awarded Car of the Year by the magazine What Car? in January 2018, also Carsales Car of the Year in 2018, and Irish Car of the Year in 2019. The company increased their production across 2018 to 2019 to meet global demand.
In June 2020, Volvo stopped taking new orders for Diesel-engined XC40s and production ended shortly thereafter. Volvo planned on discontinuing all diesels beginning in 2021, as the new, fully electric Recharge version was coming on stream and as customer preferences were rapidly changing away from diesels. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the share of XC40 diesels had dropped from 36.5 percent in 2019 to 19% for the first half of 2020.
XC40 Recharge Pure Electric / EX40 The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is Volvo's first battery electric model, which was revealed on 16 October 2019. It is powered by a 78 kWh battery pack.
It went on sale in late 2020, with limited quantities available in select markets. Volvo announced that after the XC40 Recharge, it plans to "launch one new electric vehicle every year, and pledges to make half its lineup fully electric by 2025."
In 2023, the single motor version was revised by adopting the rear-wheel drive layout instead of front-wheel drive. It is the first rear-wheel-drive variant of a Volvo vehicle in 25 years. The revised version received a new motor, resulting in improved range and efficiency.
In 2024, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric was renamed to the EX40.
C40 Recharge / EC40 The C40 Recharge is a derivative of the XC40 Recharge, which was released on 2 March 2021. It officially commenced production in September 2021. It is also the first Volvo nameplate that is only available as a battery electric vehicle. It was renamed to the EC40 in 2024.
The model shared the front end, front doors and interior design as the conventional XC40. The main difference between the XC40 and the C40 is the roofline, with the C40 having a coupe-style sloping roofline.
The C40's electric drivetrain is nearly identical to the battery electric XC40 Recharge. It uses a 78 kWh lithium-ion battery pack (75 kWh usable) to power its dual motors and has an EPA-estimated range of , more than the XC40 Recharge. The version tested by Euro NCAP in 2022 had a kerb weight of .
Similar to the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, the C40 received a revised version with rear-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive for the single motor version. The update improved range amongst other things.
Facelifts
2023 facelift The XC40 received a first facelift for the 2023 model year. In late 2021, photos had been leaked exposing pictures of the new XC40. In February 2022, the first facelift was quietly unveiled on Volvo configurator. The XC40 received aesthetic changes that bring it more into line with the C40 Recharge (headlights, bumpers, Android Automotive for the mild hybrid models, new ADAS sensor platform, etc.). Since 2020, the XC40 lineup had been offered exclusively with petrol, petrol hybrid, or full electric drivetrains.
2028 facelift The XC40, EX40 and EC40 received a second facelift for the 2028 model year while the 2027 model year was skipped. Various changes was made to the exterior, such as a new front fascia including the hood, Thor's hammer headlights and bumper, an updated rear fascia including the taillight signature and tailgate shape, as well as new color designs. The EC40's rear remains unchanged. The interior was also updated with changes that mirror the 2025 facelifts of the XC60 and XC90, including a floating 11.2-inch central display supporting Google Gemini, new indirect ambient lighting, and new upholstery options. Finally, safety hardware and software equipment have also been upgraded, allowing for new features such as a safe exit alert.
Powertrain +Petrol enginesModelEngine codeYear(s)Power at rpmTorque at rpmDisplacementNotesT2B3154T92020–present at 5000 at 1600–3000 Turbocharged inline-3 T3 B3154T7 2018–present at 5000 at 1850–3850 B4204T47 at 5000 at 1300–4000 Turbocharged inline-4 T5 AWD B4204T14 2017–present at 5500 at 1800–4800 B4204T36 at 5500 at 1800–4500 B4204T18 at 5500 at 1500–4800
+Diesel enginesModelEngine codeYear(s)Power rpmTorque rpmDisplacementNotes D4204T9 2018–2020 at 3750 at 1750–3000 Turbocharged inline-4 D4 AWD D4204T12 2017–2020 at 4000 at 1750–2500
+Petrol hybrid enginesModelEngine codeYear(s)PowerTorqueDisplacementNotesEngineMotorTotalEngineMotor T4 Recharge B3154T10 2020–2023 at 5000 at 5000 at 1600–3000 Turbocharged inline-3 and electricmotor PHEV T5 Twin Engine/T5 Recharge B3154T5 2019–2023 at 5800 at 5800 at 1500–3000 T5 Recharge AWD B3154T10 at 5800 at 5800 at 1600–3000 Turbocharged inline-3 and two electricmotors PHEV
+Electric powertrainsModelMotorYear(s)Power rpmTorque rpmBattery capacityRange (WLTP)Peak DC chargingNotes XC40 Recharge Pure Electric Front motor June 2022 – 2023 69kWh150kW Electric motor on front axleC40 Recharge Single Motor 2021–2023 (TEH) XC40 Recharge Single-motor Rear motor 2023–present 175kW Electric motor on rear axleC40 Recharge Single-motor XC40 Recharge Extended Range 82kWhC40 Recharge Single motor Extended Range XC40 P8 AWD Recharge Dual motors 2020–2023 78kWh150kW Electric motors on each axleC40 Recharge Twin-motorXC40 Recharge Twin-motor2023–present82kWh175kWC40 Recharge Twin-motor
Safety Jennifer Homendy, head of the United States' National Transportation Safety Board, cited the battery-electric version of the XC40 as an example of an electric car that weighs around-a-third more than its internal-combustion-engine powered equivalent, alongside other products made by Ford, General Motors, and Toyota, while raising concerns about the increased potential for heavier vehicles to kill or seriously injure other road users in collisions.
Assisted safety The vehicle has a 360-degree parking view, a cross-traffic safety alert with AEBS (automated emergency braking system) and ABS (anti-lock braking system), a BLIS (blind spot information system), and a LDWS (lane departure warning system).
XC40
+IIHS scores (2019)Small overlap front (driver)GoodSmall overlap front (passenger)GoodModerate overlap front (original test)GoodSide (original test)GoodSide (updated test)AcceptableRoof strengthGoodHead restraints and seatsGoodHeadlights (varies by trim/option)GoodPoorFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperiorFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)SuperiorChild seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useAcceptable
C40
+IIHS scores (2022)Small overlap front (driver)GoodSmall overlap front (passenger)GoodModerate overlap front (original test)GoodSide (original test)GoodRoof strengthGoodHead restraints and seatsGoodHeadlights (varies by trim/option)GoodFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperiorFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)AdvancedSeatbelt remindersPoorChild seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useAcceptable
Sales +XC40 salesYearEuropeU.S.ChinaBrazilGlobal2017117201847,29812,4272,39575,828201982,45717,65413,2162,429139,8472020110,25423,77823,9822,869185,4062021123,84726,80214,2443,593201,037202298,78118,55815,9791,915169,206202328,14313,0221,802200,670202426,5577,275173,890202523,9802,027
+C40 salesYearEuropeU.S.BrazilChinaGlobal2021421,196202215,9813,78058488924,21320236,5898411,08937,114202415781,42015920,38020251
Awards and recognition European Car of the Year 2018 Red Dot Design Award 2018 Car of the Year Japan for 2018/2019 Continental Irish Car of the Year 2019 Carsales Car of the Year in 2018 Straits Times readers’ favourite car of 2018 Women's World Car of the Year 2018 What Car? Car of the Year 2018 What Car? Family SUV of the Year 2021 (for the Volvo XC40 T3 R-Design auto). The magazine awarded the XC40 five stars out of five in its review of the car. Wheels Car of the Year 2019 Drive Car of the Year – Best Small Luxury SUV: The XC40 secured this award for four consecutive years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
References
Notes
External links
(EX40) Official website (EC40)