Model research hub
Volvo XC40
Car and Driver rates the XC40 9.5/10 as an Editors' Choice, ranking it #1 in Best Subcompact Luxury SUVs, saying it's a small SUV that packs a big punch thanks to its appealing exterior design and refined driving dynamics, avoiding the space and class shortfalls common to subcompact luxury SUVs, with a choice of turbocharged four-cylinders for 2026: a 194-hp B4 paired exclusively with front-wheel drive, or a 247-hp B5 with all-wheel drive. MotorTrend rates the XC40 8.1/10, saying charming and sophisticated, it gets SUV things right too, delivering a comfortable interior with plenty of space, and getting its FWD model back for 2026 after a couple of years away, calling it a MotorTrend favorite that earned an SUV of the Year finalist spot and beat the Audi Q3 in a comparison, rivaling the BMW X1, Acura ADX, and Lexus UX, though material quality and cabin noise are drawbacks.
#1 in subcompact luxury SUVs
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) rates the XC40 9.5/10 as an Editors' Choice, ranking it #1 in Best Subcompact Luxury SUVs, saying it's a small SUV that packs a big punch thanks to its appealing exterior design and refined driving dynamics, avoiding the space and class shortfalls common to subcompact luxury SUVs.
194 to 247 hp, FWD or AWD
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says for 2026 the XC40 offers a choice of turbocharged four-cylinders: a 194-hp B4 paired exclusively with front-wheel drive, or a 247-hp B5 with all-wheel drive.
An SUV of the Year finalist that beat the Q3
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) rates the XC40 8.1/10, calling it a MotorTrend favorite that earned an SUV of the Year finalist spot and beat the Audi Q3 in a comparison, rivaling the BMW X1, Acura ADX, and Lexus UX, though material quality and cabin noise are drawbacks.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the Volvo XC40 have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 194 hp in the B4, or 247 hp in the AWD B5.
How does the Volvo XC40 compare to the Audi Q3?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says it beat the Audi Q3 in a comparison test.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Volvo XC40 is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 247 horsepower across its subcompact luxury SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2026 Volvo XC40 is published to tow is up to 3,500 lb (properly equipped).
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 XC40.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Volvo XC40
Every gas-powered XC40 trim shares the same 247-horsepower turbo four and standard AWD; the three trims separate by camera, driver-assistance and interior equipment.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Volvo XC40 model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Volvo XC40 | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Volvo XC40 | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the 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.
- Sales
- Family SUV of the Year 2021 (for the Volvo XC40 T3 R-Design auto). The magazine awarded the XC40 five stars out of five in its review of the car. Wheels Car of the Year 2019 Drive Car of the Year – Best Small Luxury SUV: The XC40 secured this award for four consecutive years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
- 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.
Source: Volvo XC40 (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Volvo XC40 at a glance
- Production
- November 2017 – present, September 2021 – present (coupé SUV)
- Model years
- 2018–present, 2022–present (coupé SUV)
- Class
- Subcompact crossover SUV (C)
- Body style
- 5-door SUV, 5-door coupé SUV (C40/EC40)
- Platform
- Compact Modular Architecture
- Electric motor
- Permanent magnet synchronous:, 60 kW (XC40 T4 & T5 Recharge), 131 kW (XC40 T5 Recharge AWD)
- Battery
- 10.7 kWh lithium-ion (PHEV), 75.0 kWh NMC battery, NMC (EV, 2018–22), 82.0 kWh NMC (EV, 2022–present)
- Electric range
- 0 km (XC40 EV, WLTP), 0 km (C40 EV, WLTP)
- Charging
- CCS @ 11 kW (AC), 150 kW (DC peak)
- Transmission
- 6-speed M76 manual transmission, manual, 7-speed 7DCT DCT, 8-speed AWF8F35, AW TG-81SC automatic transmission, automatic, Single-speed automatic (EV)
- Drivetrain
- PHEV (XC40 T4 & T5 Recharge), MHEV (XC40 B4)
- Wheelbase
- 2702 mm
- Length
- 4425 mm, 4431 mm (C40)
- Width
- 1863 mm
- Height
- 1652 mm, 1582 mm (C40)
- Curb weight
- 1497 kg
- Related models
- Polestar 2, Lynk & Co 01
- Designer
- Ian Kettle, Thomas Ingenlath, Katharina Sachs (C40/EC40)
- Also called
- Volvo EX40 (electric, 2024–present), Volvo C40 (coupé SUV, 2021–2024), Volvo EC40 (coupé SUV, 2024–present)
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).
Year by year
The Volvo XC40 across 8 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Volvo XC40 | 26–27 | $2,950–$3,050 | 2 | 5 stars | ||
| 2025 Volvo XC40 | 26 | $3,000 | 1 | 2 | 5 stars | |
| 2024 Volvo XC40 | 26–106 | $700–$3,000 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Volvo XC40 | 26–85 | $900–$3,000 | 3 | 4 | 5 stars | |
| 2022 Volvo XC40 | 25–85 | $900–$3,100 | 3 | 3 | 5 stars | |
| 2021 Volvo XC40 | 25–79 | $950–$3,100 | 3 | 5 | 5 stars | |
| 2020 Volvo XC40 | 25–27 | $2,300–$3,100 | 2 | 1 | 5 stars | |
| 2019 Volvo XC40 | 26–27 | $2,300–$3,000 | 2 | 4 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Volvo XC40, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 1 to 2 | 26.0 to 26.5 | Labels: XC40 B4; Drives: Front-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | ||
| 2024 to 2025 | 3 to 1 | 66.0 to 26.0 | Labels: XC40 Recharge, XC40 Recharge twin; Engines: Electric motor / not listed; Transmissions: Automatic (A1); Drives: Rear-Wheel Drive; Fuels: Electricity; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | ||
| 2023 to 2024 | 55.5 to 66.0 | 223 to 274 | Labels: XC40 Recharge; Drives: Rear-Wheel Drive | Labels: XC40 B4; Drives: Front-Wheel Drive | |
| 2022 to 2023 | 55.0 to 55.5 | Labels: XC40 B4, XC40 B5 AWD; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid | Labels: XC40 T4, XC40 T5 AWD; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Fuels: Regular | ||
| 2021 to 2022 | 52.0 to 55.0 | 208 to 223 | Labels: XC40 Recharge twin, XC40 T4, XC40 T5 AWD | Labels: XC40 AWD, XC40 AWD BEV, XC40 FWD | |
| 2020 to 2021 | 2 to 3 | 26.0 to 52.0 | first listed: 208 | Labels: XC40 AWD BEV; Engines: Electric motor / not listed; Transmissions: Automatic (A1); Fuels: Electricity | |
| 2019 to 2020 | 26.5 to 26.0 |
Buying used
What the Volvo XC40 recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | back over prevention (software) | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2024 | 4 | electrical system (software); back over prevention (software); service brakes, hydraulic (power assist) | 2 fixable over the air |
| 2023 | 4 | service brakes, hydraulic; electrical system; back over prevention (software) | 2 fixable over the air |
| 2022 | 3 | electrical system (propulsion system); back over prevention (software) | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2021 | 5 | electrical system (propulsion system); seat belts (front); engine; 1 more | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2020 | 1 | forward collision avoidance (automatic emergency braking) | None |
| 2019 | 4 | seats (mid/rear assembly); service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages); electrical system (software); 1 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2019, campaign 18V-554 (Aug 2018): service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages). Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 5 | 36% | 2024 (5) |
| service brakes | 4 | 29% | 2024 (4) |
| unknown or other | 3 | 21% | 2024 (3) |
| back over prevention | 3 | 21% | 2024 (3) |
| exterior lighting | 3 | 21% | 2024 (3) |
| power train | 3 | 21% | 2024 (3) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Volvo XC40 trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B4 Core Dark Theme | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 194 | 221 | 3,674 | 3,500 | 27 | $41,195 |
| B5 Core Dark Theme | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 247 | 258 | 3,805 | 3,500 | 26 | $43,895 |
| B4 Plus Dark Theme | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 194 | 221 | 3,674 | 3,500 | 27 | $45,195 |
| B5 Plus Dark Theme | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 247 | 258 | 3,805 | 3,500 | 26 | $48,595 |
| B5 Ultra Dark Theme | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 247 | 258 | 3,805 | 3,500 | 26 | $52,545 |
| B5 Ultra Black Edition | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 247 | 258 | 3,805 | 3,500 | 26 | $53,195 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Volvo XC40 model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 194–247 | 3,674–3,805 | 3,500 | 14.2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 247 | 3,806 | 3,500 | 14.2 |
| 2024 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 247 | 3,806 | 3,500 | 14.2 |
| 2023 | 10 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 194–247 | – | 4,409–4,630 | 14.3 |
| 2022 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 187–248 | – | 3,500 | 14.2 |
| 2021 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 187–248 | 3,627–3,840 | 3,500 | 14.2 |
| 2020 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Drive-E, Turbo) | 187–248 | – | 4,630 | 14.2 |
| 2019 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Drive-E, Turbo) | 187–248 | 3,574–3,756 | 4,630 | 14.2 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Volvo XC40: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2021 Volvo XC40 : 5 recalls on file, most commonly affecting backup camera and electrical system.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 2 | not available | backup camera |
| 2024 | 4 | 14 | backup camera, electrical system, brakes |
| 2023 | 4 | not available | backup camera, brakes, electrical system |
| 2022 | 3 | not available | backup camera, electrical system |
| 2021 | 5 | not available | backup camera, electrical system, seat belts, engine |
| 2020 | 1 | not available | forward collision system |
| 2019 | 4 | not available | seats, forward collision system, electrical system, brakes |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2016 | not available | ||
| 2015 | not available |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Volvo XC40 model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Volvo XC40?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2021 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Volvo XC40 model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2021 Volvo XC40 has 5 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting backup camera, electrical system, seat belts. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Volvo XC40 by model year?
2025: backup camera. 2024: backup camera, electrical system, brakes. 2023: backup camera, brakes, electrical system. 2022: backup camera, electrical system. 2021: backup camera, electrical system, seat belts, engine. 2020: forward collision system.
Q04Why do some Volvo XC40 model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Volvo XC40 model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Climate and electrical, Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering, Engine and cooling.
2021 Volvo XC40 owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Buying, records and recalls and Engine and cooling.
Compared with
Models this Volvo XC40 is most often compared with.
Nearest Volvo models
Other Volvo models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 XC40 come in?
The 2026 Volvo XC40 (subcompact luxury SUV) comes in 3 trims: Core, Plus, Ultra.
Q02What are the 2026 XC40 trims?
The 2026 Volvo XC40 trims are Core, Plus, Ultra, listed from the entry Core up to the top Ultra.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 XC40 use?
The 2026 Volvo XC40 is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 247 horsepower across its subcompact luxury SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 XC40 have?
The 2026 Volvo XC40 is rated at 247 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 XC40?
The 2026 Volvo XC40 is offered with Standard AWD.