Ford Bronco vs Volvo XC40

Ford reintroduced the Bronco for the 2021 model year, and it’s been an exciting run ever since. Initial demand far outstripped supply, but Ford went ahead and added the more-capable Everglades and Raptor versions to the 2022 Bronco lineup. Heritage-inspired variants followed them up for 2023. Now, the 2024 Bronco adds a standard 12-inch Sync 4 infotainment system, a more rugged front bumper on the Bronco Badlands, and two new colours for the Bronco Raptor.

Verdict: Despite cooling demand and investigation into V6 engine problems and poor fuel economy ratings, there is plenty to love about the 2024 Ford Bronco.

In Volvo speak, “40” denotes an entry-level model. While the Swedish automaker no longer rosters the S40 sedan or V40 wagon in North America, the XC40 subcompact crossover remains to compete with the likes of the Audi Q3, the BMW X1, the Lexus UX, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA for aspiring luxury-car owners’ dollars.

The XC40 was unveiled in 2017, arriving as a 2019 model, and it hasn’t undergone a redesign since. An all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge variant joined the lineup as a 2021 model. Volvo’s other current EV, the C40 Recharge, is also broadly similar to the XC40 models, but with a coupe-like body style.

For 2023, Volvo gave the XC40 several notable updates, including new mild-hybrid powertrains, revised styling, and the Android-based infotainment system previously seen on the XC40 Recharge and other Volvo models.

The mild-hybrid lineup includes base Core, mid-level Plus, and top Ultimate trim levels, with standard B5 all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrains (the B4 front-wheel drive, or FWD, version offered in the US is not available in Canada). This Volvo XC40 review is based on the Ultimate trim in B5 AWD spec.