2023 Volvo XC40 Owner’s Manual

When you order a Volvo, you know exactly what you are asking for muted but eye-catching exterior looks, contemporary Swedish interior styling, and a functional yet upscale design, even on entry-level trims that can go pound-for-pound with the most luxurious offerings in the class.

The Volvo XC40 delivers all these in a smaller, more youthful package than the bigger Volvo SUV options. While this baby option isn’t as luxurious as its larger siblings, it does enough to hold its own and provide a taste of that Volvo goodness.

The new XC40 has a functional, well-built, and stylish interior, but it doesn’t feel as plush and luxurious as some rivals. The Plus trim has a more youthful vibe, with metallic textures instead of wood accents and square vents with chrome knobs, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

However, you do get the option of switching to the Ultimate trim, which offers a more upscale and traditional Volvo vibe, complete with wood finishings and a crystal shift knob from Orrefors.

Notable in the cabin is the XC40’s high seating position that gives a good view of the road, significantly improving on what you get with similarly-sized competitors such as the BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class. The XC40 also features a perfectly planned layout that brings plenty of room for passengers in both the front and back seats.

As typically with offerings from Volvo, the new XC40’s cabin also packs a lot of tech features, including Volvo’s advanced driver-assistance tech and a new infotainment system based on Google.

Under the hood, both powertrain options are light hybrids that use a 48-volt hybrid system. The base engine is the four-cylinder 2-liter on the XC40 B4 that makes 194 HP and comes exclusively with front-wheel drive. Opting for the B5 trim gives you the similarly-specced but more powerful 247-horsepower engine and all-wheel drive.