Review: Volvo’s all-electric XC40 is a practical, safe and stylish family car that looks and feels modern

Published on 4 December, 2022

Overview

Some of my fondest childhood memories are linked to family cars. My thoughts often turn to unforgettable road trips, squabbling with siblings in the back, and impromptu picnics. One firm favourite was our aqua blue Volvo 240 — it was where many happy adventures began.

This week’s test car, the Volvo XC40, shares virtually nothing in common with our old family car, bar the badge. Or does it? Volvo may have embraced the age of the SUV but strip away the chic exterior and you’ll realise the core characteristics remain the same.

The boxy designs of old have given way to a more modern take, and the angular lines are a nod to the past. Outside, it sports simple Scandinavian styling with a new front bumper, frameless grille plate and the signature Thor’s Hammer headlights.

Inside is a well-thought-out and beautifully built cabin. Everything is intuitive and can be operated at a glance via a 9in touchscreen. Equipped with an infotainment system jointly developed with Google, features such as Google Maps and Google Play are embedded in the system. There’s plenty of head and legroom plus very comfortable seats, making every trip a pleasure for both passenger and driver.

Buyers can opt for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) twin motor or the front-wheel-drive (FWD) single motor. The twin electric motor one is powered by a 78kWh battery with an estimated range of around 438km. Or you can choose the cheaper of the two, the single motor option that comes with a 69kWh battery and offers a range of up to 415km on a single charge. It’s worth remembering that bigger isn’t always better when thinking about EV car batteries and range. Yes, you get more range from a bigger battery, but you’ll add extra weight to the car which reduces its efficiency so its running costs are going to be higher, as will the purchase price.

Comfortable and smooth, the XC40 is effortless to drive and will soak up motorway miles with ease. The steering is light and the handling is nicely responsive.

For buyers, there’s a choice of three trim levels, Core, Plus, and Ultimate on the AWD versions. There are two for the FWD ones. All XC40s are well-equipped. Prices start from €53,730 for the entry-level single motor version in Plus trim. Our test car was in the Ultimate trim, which starts from €53,980. For comparison, prices for the AWD version with a dual motor start from €61,930. Competing for similar buyers are a host of rivals including the Audi Q4 e-tron (€46,900), BMW iX3 (€78,755), Mercedes EQA (€65,575), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (€39,995) Kia EV6 (€52,000) and the Volkswagen ID.4 (€49,906) to name but a few.

And like all Volvos, the XC40 boasts a formidable arsenal of safety aids so you are well protected and it includes a new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems with radars, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors.

The XC40 isn’t cheap but it does justify the price tag and is capable, comfortable and supremely stylish. It’s also practical for a family and offers a decent range. So as the years have rolled by Volvos are still safe and sensible, but never boring, and the XC40 is a very modern twist on our old family favourite.

Star rating: 4/5