Review - 2023 Volvo XC40 & XC40 Recharge

The XC40 has been quick to make an impression with buyers here in Australia, with Volvo offering a generous helping of European style at fairly attainable prices.

Just how good is the latest Volvo XC40, then, and which is the best variant of the range? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Volvo XC40 Competition

Starting Price: $54,990

OnlineAuto Savings: Enquire now

How Much Does It Cost?

The Volvo XC40 range kicks off from $54,990 for the entry-level XC40 Plus B4, with prices rising up to $61,990 for the XC40 Ultimate B4 Bright and to $62,990 for the XC40 Ultimate B5 Dark.

From here, the range moves to the battery-electric XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, which is priced at $76,990, while the XC40 Recharge Twin Pure Electric sits at the top of the range with its price tag of $85,990.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

You could save money by using one of OnlineAuto’s car agents to assist you in finding the best car for you. As one of the leading car buying services in Australia, our team have access to a range of dealerships across the country to help find you the best deal.

Volvo XC40 (RECHARGE PURE ELECTRIC) Specifications

What Features Does the Volvo XC40 Have?

Volvo’s entry-level XC40 Plus B4 comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, keyless entry & start, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors, leatherette upholstery with power-adjustable front seats, a powered boot lift and dual-zone climate control.

On the tech front, the XC40 picks up a 9.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an eight-speaker sound system.

Step up to the Ultimate B4 Bright and you’ll pick up a set of 19-inch alloys, air purifier, a surround-view camera and leather upholstery, while the B5 Dark receives 20-inch alloys and Alcantara upholstery highlights.

Make the move up to the Recharge Pure Electric and you’ll receive 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, heated seats and a heated steering wheel, while the flagship Recharge Twin Pure Electric is packaged with Pixel LED headlights, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a surround-view monitor.

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors 

• Powered boot lift 

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 

• Leatherette upholstery

• 9.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay 

• 19-inch alloys (B4 Bright) 

• Leather upholstery (B4 Bright) 

• 20-inch alloys (B5 Dark) 

• Alcantara upholstery highlights (B5 Dark) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Recharge Pure Electric)

• Pixel LED headlights (Recharge Twin Pure Electric)

• 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (Recharge Twin Pure Electric)

Is the Volvo XC40 Comfortable to Drive?

Volvo has been in the game of creating fine-riding machines for quite some time now, and while the little XC40 is the baby of the range, it remains a nice, premium affair on the road.

Power for the B4 and B5 comes supplied by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic, with the base model powering the front wheels, while the B5 receives an all-wheel drive system.

The base model kicks out 145kW of power and 300Nm of torque, giving it some perky acceleration off the line, while the B5 produces 183kW/350Nm, making it a nice performer when you need some extra kick.

Opt for the battery-electric Recharge variants and you’ve got 170kW/330Nm at your disposal, while the Twin Pure Electric produces a monstrous 300kW/600Nm that make it lightning fast.

Regardless of the engine you’re opting for, the XC40 remains nimble around town while riding comfortably on a mix of Australian roads and is super user-friendly while bumbling around town.

The steering remains lightweight at low speeds while offering a healthy amount of feedback to the driver as you pick up the pace, making it a truly versatile and impressive SUV package here in Australia.

Are Petrol XC40 Variants Fuel Efficient?

Volvo says the base XC40 is rated at 6.9L/100km on a combined cycle, rising up to 7.1L/100km in the B4 Bright and up to 7.2L/100km in the B5 Dark.

This makes it relatively thirsty for a small SUV package and has us missing the previous plug-in hybrid variants that offered some serious fuel economy bonuses.

How Far Can the XC40 Recharge & Recharge Twin Drive on a Charge?

Power for the base XC40 Recharge comes supplied by a 69kWh battery pack that offers 435km of driving range on the WLTP test cycle.

Upgrading to the dual-motor XC40 Recharge Twin adds a larger 82kWh battery pack, with range figures increasing up to 485km per charge.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

The XC40 range offers buyers a sleek and stylish interior layout, with battery-electric variants retaining a similar design to the standard XC40 platform.

That means that all members of the XC40 family offer a decent amount of headroom in the front of the cabin and an adjustable driving position to get comfortable, with the design itself remaining typically minimalist, as we’ve come to expect from Volvo.

The centre console houses a unique gear lever, cup holders, a folding armrest with a decent amount of storage inside, as well as a small storage tray at the base of the dash for smartphones.

There’s just a few physical buttons on offer in the cabin, with the majority of controls taken care of by the 9.0-inch infotainment display that helps to clean up the interior design and makes things feel more spacious.

Move to the rear of the cabin and there’s a generous amount of space, making the XC40 perfectly capable of accommodating adults in the rear of the cabin and a great family all-rounder.

The second row picks up ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts, while the boot measures in at a healthy 460L, expanding to 1336L with the rear seats folded, making the XC40 reasonably practical for a small SUV.

Is it Safe?

The Volvo XC40 has picked up a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, scoring 97% for adult protection, 84% for child protection, 71% for vulnerable road user protection and 78% for safety assist.

As standard, the XC40 comes fully-equipped with safety gear, including AEB with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alerts, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control and a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors.

Our Verdict: Is The Volvo XC40 Worth it?

The latest Volvo XC40 ticks all the important boxes buyers are looking for in a premium, small SUV package, and offers a healthy amount of variety within the range for different buyers.

We’d argue that the battery-electric variants are becoming seriously competitive with their base model siblings, though it’s great to know that Volvo remains generous with the spacious, practical packaging and equipment lists of the entry-level XC40 for buyers on a budget.

If you’re tossing up your best options for a luxurious, small SUV package, be sure to reach out to one of our car buying specialists who can help find you a great price on your next car.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

2. Two petrol engines, two electric powertrains available 

3. 6.9 - 7.2L/100km fuel economy figures 

4. 435 - 485km all electric driving range for Recharge & Recharge Twin

5. 460L boot space