The Volvo XC40 burst onto the luxury subcompact SUV scene for the 2019 model year, bringing Swedish charm and practicality to the segment.
As Volvo’s smallest crossover SUV, the XC40 offered the style and substance of the flagship XC90 in an affordable package, bringing the Volvo renaissance to the masses. Its modern Scandinavian design helped it go toe-to-toe with established German rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3, and BMW X1 while offering something genuinely different.
The standout design continued inside with a high-end and minimalist interior that felt more expensive than the price tag suggested. Fit and finish was great with quality materials, leather upholstery, and thoughtful details throughout the cabin. The XC40 struck a fine balance between size and practicality, offering impressive rear seat room for its footprint as well as a large cargo area with a useful folding floor divider. These thoughtful touches are vintage Volvo, proving that clever Swedish design thinking extends well beyond the showroom floor.
The XC40 was the first Volvo built on the brand's Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which supports a wide variety of powertrains, drivetrains, and energy sources. Depending on the configuration, the XC40 could be powered by gas or electricity, and it was available as an in-between plug-in hybrid in some markets. Drivetrains are equally variable with front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations available globally depending on the model.
Safety has always been a hallmark of Volvo cars, and the XC40 continues that tradition. Every XC40 comes standard with Volvo's comprehensive "Intellisafe" suite of driver assistance and safety features. It helps to make the XC40 an especially appealing choice for families and safety-conscious buyers.
With prices for the earliest models with sub-150,000 kilometres now landing under $25,000, the XC40 is more appealing than ever and well worth a test drive. Our buying guide looks at how this desirable small SUV has changed over the years, the best and worst versions to buy, and how much you can expect to pay for one.
Which Volvo XC40 years are the best? The 2021 to 2022 model years are the sweet spot in value terms. The tech is a little bit old, but you still get modern features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and many of the early reliability concerns had been solved.
What are the worst Volvo XC40 years? The 2019 model year is the worst for the XC40. As it was the first model year of a new car built on a new platform, Volvo had some issues to sort out. Double-check that the recalls have been addressed, particularly the one to fix software issues with the automatic emergency braking system.
Is a used Volvo XC40 a good deal? Yes, the Volvo XC40 can be a great deal, particularly if you're looking for a premium experience that’s a little bit different. Overall, the XC40 has so far proven dependable, and it stands out for its smart design and comfortable interior.
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Introduced for the 2019 model year, the XC40 impressed with its charming character, modern design, and classic Volvo quirkiness. But it wasn't all form over function: it proved a vehicle could look distinctive and still be practical and well-equipped.
At launch the XC40 was available in Canada in a single powertrain configuration, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). This was sold under the T5 designation. The T4 joined the line-up in 2020, also with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder but making 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, and AWD remained standard.
Three trim levels were available: the base Momentum, sporty R-Design, and upscale Inscription. The top-of-the-range Inscription offered an Orrefors crystal gear selector. From the outside, all XC40s got the stylish Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, and 18-inch alloy wheels were the default. The sporty R-Design trim received a unique blacked-out grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and sport suspension. A two-tone paint job with a black roof was available.
No matter the trim, the XC40 had the kind of high-spec features you'd expect of a luxury SUV. The 9-inch touchscreen used Volvo’s Sensus operating system and came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Even the base Momentum model had features such as a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and leatherette upholstery.
Standard driver assistance features included lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Adding the Plus package equips blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert along with convenience features such as a power front passenger seat, keyless entry, fog lights, a power liftgate, heated rear seats, a wireless smartphone charging, and a heated steering wheel.
For the 2021 model year Volvo introduced the XC40 Recharge, an all-electric version of the XC40. Exterior changes were minimal, limited to badges and a new aerodynamic grille. Under the skin, two electric motors produced a combined 408 horsepower and paired with a 75-kilowatt-hour battery that gave the Recharge a Natural Resources Canada-estimated range of 335 kilometres.
The XC40 received a significant mid-cycle refresh for the 2023 model year. Outside, all models received a new front end with updated LED lights and a more aggressive front bumper design. Inside, all Volvo XC40 models received Volvo’s latest Google-based infotainment system, which was a significant upgrade over the previous Sensus-based system and came standard with a suite of Google built-in apps.
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines were upgraded with a mild-hybrid system for improved fuel economy and became known as the B4 and B5. The new Volvo XC40 B4 produced 194 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the B5 produced 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Despite the updates, fuel efficiency was nothing special.
The B4 powertrain was discontinued for 2024, and the Volvo XC40 trim levels were updated to Core, Plus, and Ultimate. For 2025, the Volvo XC40 Ultra trim replaced Ultimate at the top of the range. In addition, the XC40 Recharge was renamed the EX40,in line with the strategy used for Volvo’s smaller EX30 and larger EX90 electric SUVs. The Black Edition appearance package was introduced for the XC40 2026 model year and was only available with the Ultra trim.
The XC40 spawned a spin-off coupe version called C40 Recharge. It shared most parts other than its rear body panels and roofline with the XC40 Recharge. It was added to the Volvo lineup for 2022 and was later renamed EC40. Despite being discontinued in the United States in mid-2025, the EC40 continues to be offered in Canada as of this writing.
The XC40 has proven quite reliable. Early models had electrical issues, although these have generally been addressed by software updates. Check that the recalls have been addressed, particularly the one updating the automatic emergency braking system. Sway bar bushings appear to be a common wear item, which can lead to clunking in the front suspension. Make sure to keep the sunroof drains clear on models equipped with the panoramic sunroof because a clogged drain can cause interior leaks.
In Canada, you’ll find the vast majority of used XC40s are T5 models. Pre-facelift examples from 2019 to 2022 provide the best value. Depending on odometer reading, condition, and trim level, average prices at dealerships range from $18,000 to $33,000. The facelifted and mild-hybrid model years start at roughly $30,000 for the 2023 and 2024 model years to nearly $60,000 for like-new higher-trim units.
The Core trim provides a great value option, thanks to the wide range of standard features found on the XC40. As of this writing, the MSRP for a brand-new XC40 starts at $49,239, with EX40 and EC40 prices starting at $67,519.
