The Volvo XC40 is a subcompact luxury 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 to the Volvo EC40 since 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 180 PS (178 hp; 132 kW) petrol version of the 1.5-litre engine with an 74 PS (73 hp; 54 kW) 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 1,680 kilograms (3,700 lb).

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.

  • Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum
  • Volvo XC40 T5 First Edition AWD
  • Interior

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.

  • Volvo XC40 Recharge (pre-facelift)
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge (pre-facelift)
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge (facelift)
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge (facelift)

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 226 miles (364 km), three miles (4.8 km) more than the XC40 Recharge. The version tested by Euro NCAP in 2022 had a kerb weight of 2,149 kilograms (4,738 lb).

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.

  • C40 Recharge
  • C40 Recharge

Facelift

The XC40 received a facelift for the 2023 model year. In late 2021, photos had been leaked exposing pictures of the new XC40. In February 2022, the 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.

  • XC40 B4 (facelift)
  • XC40 B4 (facelift)
  • XC40 (facelift, "Dark Theme")

Powertrain

Petrol engines
ModelEngine codeYear(s)Power at rpmTorque at rpmDisplacementNotes
T2B3154T92020–present129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) at 5000245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 1600–30001.5 L (1,477 cc)Inline-3 with turbocharger
T3B3154T72018–present163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) at 5000265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 1850–3850
T4T4 AWDB4204T472018–present190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) at 5000300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 1300–40002.0 L (1,969 cc)Inline-4 with turbocharger
T5 AWDB4204T142017–present247 PS (182 kW; 244 hp) at 5500350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1800–4800
T5 AWDB4204T362017–present249 PS (183 kW; 246 hp) at 5500350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1800–4500
T5 AWDB4204T182017–present252 PS (185 kW; 249 hp) at 5500350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1500–4800
Diesel engines
ModelEngine codeYear(s)Power rpmTorque rpmDisplacementNotes
D3D3 AWDD4204T92018–2020150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 3750320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 1750–30002.0 L (1,969 cc)Inline-4 with turbocharger
D4 AWDD4204T122017–2020190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) at 4000400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1750–2500
Petrol hybrid engines
ModelEngine codeYear(s)Power at rpmTorque at rpmDisplacementNotes
T4 RechargeB3154T102020–2023129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) at 5000 (Engine) + 82 PS (60 kW; 81 hp) (motor) 214 PS (157 kW; 211 hp) at 5000245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 1600–3000 (Engine) 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) (Motor)1.5 L (1,477 cc)Inline-3 with turbocharger and Electric motor (Twin Engine) PHEV
T5 Twin Engine/T5 RechargeB3154T52019–2023180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) at 5800 (Engine) + 82 PS (60 kW; 81 hp) (motor) 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp) at 5800 (Combined)265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 1500–3000 (Engine) 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) (Motor)
T5 Recharge AWDB3154T102019–2023129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) at 5800 (Engine) + 178 PS (131 kW; 176 hp) (2x motors) 309 PS (227 kW; 305 hp) at 5800 (Combined)245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 1600–3000 (Engine) 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) (Motor)Inline-3 with turbocharger and 2x Electric motors (Twin Engine) PHEV
Electric powertrains
ModelMotorYear(s)Power rpmTorque rpmBattery Capacity full[kWh]Range (WLTP)DC Charging [kW]Notes
XC40 Recharge Pure ElectricFront motorJune 2022 – 2023231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp)329 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft)69425 kilometres (264 mi)up to 150kWElectric motor on front axle
C40 Recharge Single Motor2021–202369415 kilometres (258 mi) (TEH)up to 150kW
XC40 Recharge Single-motorRear motor2023–present238 PS (175 kW; 235 hp)330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft)69474 kilometres (295 mi)up to 175kWElectric motor on rear axle
C40 Recharge Single-motor69485 kilometres (301 mi)up to 175kW
XC40 Recharge Extended Range252 PS (185 kW; 249 hp)420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft)82569 kilometres (354 mi)up to 175kW
C40 Recharge Single motor Extended Range82578 kilometres (359 mi)up to 175kW
XC40 P8 AWD RechargeDual motors2020–2023408 PS (300 kW; 402 hp)660 N⋅m (487 lb⋅ft)78418 kilometres (260 mi)up to 150kW2 electric motors on front and rear axle
C40 Recharge Twin-engine78444 kilometres (276 mi)up to 150kW
XC40 Recharge Twin-engineDual motors2023–present408 PS (300 kW; 402 hp)670 N⋅m (494 lb⋅ft)82536 kilometres (333 mi)up to 175kW2 electric motors on front and rear axle
C40 Recharge Twin-engine82549 kilometres (341 mi)up to 175kW

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

ANCAP test results Volvo XC40(2018, aligned with Euro NCAP)
TestPoints%
Overall:
Adult occupant:37.197%
Child occupant:41.684%
Pedestrian:34.471%
Safety assist:10.278%
Euro NCAP test results Volvo XC40 D4 AWD Momentum (2018)
TestPoints%
Overall:
Adult occupant:37.297%
Child occupant:4387%
Pedestrian:34.571%
Safety assist:1076%
IIHS scores (2019)
Small overlap front (driver)Good
Small overlap front (passenger)Good
Moderate overlap front (original test)Good
Side (original test)Good
Side (updated test)Acceptable
Roof strengthGood
Head restraints and seatsGood
Headlights (varies by trim/option)GoodPoor
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperior
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)Superior
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useAcceptable

C40

ANCAP test results Volvo XC40 all single motor and twin motor variants(2022, aligned with Euro NCAP)
TestPoints%
Overall:
Adult occupant:35.2995%
Child occupant:43.8189%
Pedestrian:37.8670%
Safety assist:14.5791%
Euro NCAP test results Volvo C40 Recharge (2022)
TestPoints%
Overall:
Adult occupant:35.392%
Child occupant:4489%
Pedestrian:37.970%
Safety assist:14.289%
IIHS scores (2022)
Small overlap front (driver)Good
Small overlap front (passenger)Good
Moderate overlap front (original test)Good
Side (original test)Good
Roof strengthGood
Head restraints and seatsGood
Headlights (varies by trim/option)Good
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperior
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)Advanced
Seatbelt remindersPoor
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useAcceptable

Sales

XC40 sales
YearEuropeU.S.ChinaBrazilGlobal
2017117
201847,29812,4272,39575,828
201982,45717,65413,2162,429139,847
2020110,25423,77823,9822,869185,406
2021123,84726,80214,2443,593201,037
202298,78118,55815,9791,915169,206
202328,14313,0221,802200,670
202426,5577,275173,890
202523,9802,027
C40 sales
YearEuropeU.S.BrazilChinaGlobal
2021421,196
202215,9813,78058488924,213
20236,5898411,08937,114
202415781,42015920,380
20251

Awards and recognition

Notes

External links

  • (EX40)
  • (EC40)