2026 Ford Bronco Sport vs. 2026 Volvo XC40

Car Chomper says the 2025 Volvo XC40's 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque deliver significantly faster acceleration than the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport's 181 hp and 190 lb-ft, though the Bronco Sport is marginally more efficient at 27 mpg combined versus the XC40's 26, offers 12.1 more cubic feet of cargo space at 32.5 versus the XC40's 20.4, and runs on regular unleaded rather than the XC40's required premium, with the $8,805 MSRP gap in the Bronco Sport's favor and both sharing standard AWD and an 8-speed automatic. TrueCar confirms the Bronco Sport's $33,840 MSRP undercuts the XC40's $41,295 by $7,455, while the XC40 wins on fuel economy at 25 city/32 highway mpg versus the Bronco Sport's 25 city/30 highway.

Which to choose, and why

247 hp versus 181 hp, but more cargo room in the Bronco Sport

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the 2025 Volvo XC40's 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque deliver significantly faster acceleration than the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport's 181 hp and 190 lb-ft, though the Bronco Sport is marginally more efficient at 27 mpg combined versus the XC40's 26, offers 12.1 more cubic feet of cargo space at 32.5 versus the XC40's 20.4, and runs on regular unleaded rather than the XC40's required premium, with the $8,805 MSRP gap in the Bronco Sport's favor and both sharing standard AWD and an 8-speed automatic.

$7,455 cheaper, but the XC40 is thriftier on the highway

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) confirms the Bronco Sport's $33,840 MSRP undercuts the XC40's $41,295 by $7,455, while the XC40 wins on fuel economy at 25 city/32 highway mpg versus the Bronco Sport's 25 city/30 highway.

Questions buyers ask

Which has more horsepower, the Ford Bronco Sport or Volvo XC40?

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the XC40, at 247 hp versus the Bronco Sport's 181 hp.

Which is cheaper, the Ford Bronco Sport or Volvo XC40?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Bronco Sport, by $7,455 at MSRP.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Ford Bronco Sport: 3 records · Volvo XC40: 2 records.

Decision field	Ford Bronco Sport	Volvo XC40
Exact EPA records	3	2
Model / option labels	2	2
Drive layouts	4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	1.5L 3-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI	2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (S8), Automatic 8-spd	Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Regular	Premium
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	23–27 MPG/MPGe	26–27 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2400–2800 per year	$2950–3050 per year

Head to head

Ford Bronco Sport vs. Volvo XC40: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Ford Bronco Sport	Volvo XC40
Starting price (KBB base)	$33,840	$41,195
Top trim price (KBB base)	$42,260	$53,195
Horsepower	180-250 hp	194-247 hp
Torque	200-280 lb-ft	221-258 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	n/a	6.1-8.1 sec
Curb weight	3,458-3,809 lb	3,674-3,805 lb
Length	173.1-173.4 in	174.8 in
Wheelbase	105.1 in	106.4 in
Cargo volume	60.6-65.2 cu ft	57.5 cu ft
Towing capacity	2,200-2,700 lb	3,500 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	4 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Ford Bronco Sport starts $7,355 lower: $33,840 against $41,195 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Ford Bronco Sport leads: 250 hp against 247 hp.
On peak torque, the Ford Bronco Sport leads: 280 lb-ft against 258 lb-ft.
The Ford Bronco Sport is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,458 lb against 3,674 lb.
On length, the Volvo XC40 leads: 174.8 in against 173.4 in.
On wheelbase, the Volvo XC40 leads: 106.4 in against 105.1 in.
On cargo volume, the Ford Bronco Sport leads: 65.2 cu ft against 57.5 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Volvo XC40 leads: 3,500 lb against 2,700 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Volvo XC40 leads: 4 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Ford Bronco Sport and the Volvo XC40.

2026 Ford Bronco Sport

The Ford Bronco Sport is a compact crossover SUV sold by the Ford Motor Company and marketed under the Ford Bronco nameplate. It was released alongside the sixth generation Bronco body-on-frame SUV, featuring a similar retro and off-road styling in a smaller footprint. The vehicle is based on the front-wheel drive-based, unibody C2 platform, which is also used by the Ford Escape crossover and Maverick pickup.

Safety: The 2022 Bronco Sport was awarded the "Top Safety Pick +" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Source: Ford Bronco Sport (Wikipedia)

Powertrain. The Bronco Sport has two engine options. The base engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter Ecoboost I3 engine producing 181 hp (184 PS; 135 kW) at 6,000 rpm, and 190 lb⋅ft of torque at 3,000 rpm.

NHTSA rated the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (17 campaigns across the latest model years)

August 2026, Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power. Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
August 2026, Structure:Body. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport vehicles. Certain vehicle joints may be improperly tightened. This can lead to detached parts, unsecured cargo, degraded crash protection, electrical system failure, or a loss of vehicle stability. Consequence: Improperly tightened vehicle joints may lead to a loss of vehicle control, electrical failure, or detached parts, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
May 2026, Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the… Consequence: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 108 complaints with NHTSA for the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport, most often about electrical system (27), engine (24), power train (21).

2026 Volvo XC40

The Volvo XC40 is a subcompact 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.

Source: Volvo XC40 (Wikipedia)

Powertrain. 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.

Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)

December 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed… Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
June 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module:Software. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 Volvo C40 BEV, 2025 EC40, 2023-2024 XC40 BEV, 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV, 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV, 2023-2025 S60 PHEV, 2024-2025 V60 PHEV, and 2025-2026 EX40 and 2025 S90 PHEV vehicles. In certain driving scenarios… Consequence: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
May 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in… Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA for the 2024 Volvo XC40, most often about electrical system (5), service brakes (4), unknown or other (3).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Ford Bronco Sport3 configurations →02 · 2026Volvo XC402 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport or the 2026 Volvo XC40?

Efficiency

The 2026 Volvo XC40 lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (26.5 vs. the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport's 25 MPG/MPGe).