Subcompact Luxury: 2023 Volvo XC40 Review

Subcompact Luxury: 2023 Volvo XC40 Review

The 2023 Volvo XC40 is a subcompact luxury SUV that offers a distinctive blend of style, technology, and safety. The XC40 has a youthful and funky design that stands out from the crowd, with a high seating position, a spacious cabin, and clever storage solutions. It also comes with a host of standard and available features, including Volvo's advanced driver-assistance tech and a new Google-based infotainment system.

The XC40 has two powertrain options, both featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt hybrid system. The base B4 model produces 194 horsepower and comes with front-wheel drive, while the B5 model delivers 247 horsepower and has all-wheel drive. The B5 model is slightly quicker than the previous T5 version, reaching 60 mph in 6.1 seconds according to Car and Driver. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and responsively.

The XC40 is fun to drive, with a balanced chassis and agile handling. It also has a comfortable ride quality and good fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for the B4 model and 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for the B5 model. The XC40 also offers an all-electric version called the Recharge, which we review separately.

The XC40's interior is practical and nicely trimmed, with premium materials and a minimalist dashboard. The seating position is much higher than that of rivals such as the BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class, providing good visibility and a sense of spaciousness. The XC40 also has plenty of small-item storage spaces and a decent cargo capacity of 21 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47 cubic feet with them folded.

The XC40's main attraction is its new Google-based infotainment system, which integrates services such as Google Assistant voice control, Google Maps, and Google Play. It includes one to four years of data through a Digital Services feature, depending on the trim level. The system runs on a 9.0-inch touchscreen display that is crisp and responsive, but it can be hard to learn and use while driving. Fortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

The XC40 also comes with a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 is available in three trim levels: Core, Plus, and Ultimate. The base Core trim starts at $36,350 and comes with LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, cloth seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry and ignition, wireless charging pad, and a seven-speaker sound system. The Plus trim adds a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, LED fog lights, a power-folding rear seat, a crystal gear selector, and an eight-speaker sound system for $39,350. The Ultimate trim tops the range with 19-inch wheels, heated front seats and steering wheel, ambient lighting, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, hands-free tailgate, park assist pilot, and Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system for $46,500.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 is a compelling choice for subcompact luxury SUV shoppers who value style, technology, and safety over outright performance or cargo space. It delivers much of the same experience as other Volvos but adds its own unique flavor.