The world is moving to an electric future, but not everybody is ready for that yet. With backing from Chinese behemoth Geely, Volvo is pushing forward, introducing a relatively low-cost electric model, the EX30, that undercuts even this, the entry-level XC40 B3 compact SUV.
Entry-level is a little unkind, as this is a fully-fledged, grown-up, premium and recently revitalised family SUV, but the starting price of £35,895 means it goes head to head with the likes of the Nissan Qashqai.
Ok, the one we have has got the Plus pack added to it, which brings a few extra toys — including heated seats and a heated steering wheel, which I consider essential when there’s frost on the ground — while adding £3,550 to the price tag.
Recently revitalised?
Yes, some significant changes have been made to the XC40. You might not spot them initially, but there’s a new front bumper, slightly smaller LED headlights, and a new rear bumper. Inside, it all looks much the same, although there’s some new Google-powered technology and a panel in front of the passenger that identifies which grade you’re in.
The bigger changes are under the skin, where the old 1.5-litre three-cylinder ‘T3’ petrol engines have been replaced by smoother, more refined 2.0-litre four-cylinder units, badged in this case as B3. It really is a significant improvement over the old engine, removing the rattles and vibrations that went before, replaced by a quiet hum.
It’s a mild hybrid engine, which means a small electric motor is attached to help boost performance when required. That’s usually at the low end when you’re pulling away from junctions, where the extra 40Nm of torque it provides (there’s 265Nm in total) gets the car moving more quickly. That said, there’s quite a delay between pressing the throttle and the XC40 moving with any enthusiasm, so time any tight exits carefully.
The seven-speed automatic gearbox swaps gears smoothly when moving, with no pretence at sporting, sharp-edged shifts. It’s delightful, although some might miss a manual option.
The new engine delivers all of its 163hp to the front wheels — the all-wheel drive option has gone unless you splash out for a twin-motor pure electric model — which is enough for a surprisingly sprightly turn of speed.
A speedy Volvo SUV?
Ok, maybe not that speedy. It’ll reach 62mph in 8.6 seconds, and while we didn’t get a stopwatch out to test that claim, it feels every bit as rapid as Volvo says. And, frankly, it’s more than rapid enough for a family SUV. If you want to go fast, perhaps you shouldn’t be looking through the Volvo website in the first place.
You can spend another £1,000 or so and upgrade from the Volvo XC40 B3 to the B4, which adds another 34hp and knocks a second off the traffic light sprint time. Somehow, it pulls off that trick without affecting the fuel economy, at least according to the official figures (42.1mpg, incidentally), but we’d save the money — the B3 is good enough that you’ll barely be able to tell the difference.
If it’s not fast, is it comfortable?
We covered some big distances during our time with the car, including eight hours on a motorway, and it proved to be an impressively relaxing and refined experience. Sure, the suspension sometimes felt a little firm, especially on the broken roads around Liverpool city centre, but otherwise, it smoothed out every undulation nicely.
It doesn’t excite you in the bends, but the car is solid, stable and predictable, with a linear feel between the steering and front wheels. There’s a bit more body roll than I might like, but then it’s not a car that encourages you to throw it onto corners quickly, so that’s forgivable.
What about the inside of the XC40?
It looks a lot like the XC40 always has done, with a few minor tweaks here and there. The result is that it’s got a fine, suitably premium cabin that’s perhaps a little too dark.
There’s a crisp and clear 9.0-inch Google-powered infotainment centre in the middle of the dashboard, which means Google Maps is built in, alongside access to countless other apps. You can also use voice integration, barking “Hey Google, navigate home” as an instruction and letting the system sort the rest out.
However, be aware that not everybody can use the system. If you’ve got a Google Workspace account, you won’t be able to sign into the system, so you won’t be able to access your contacts, addresses, calendar, streaming music subscription or other services provided by Google. And, with no Android Auto built-in, you can’t plug your phone in and fall back on that either. Whether this is an oversight by Google or Volvo is a moot point, as the result is the same: frustration for around eight million users. Likewise, if you just want to plug your Samsung, Google or whatever phone in and use Android Auto rather than sign into the onboard Volvo system, you’re out of luck, whatever account you have.
Ignore the Google side of things, and it’s still a little frustrating. The previous Volvo operating system, Sensus, was a masterpiece when introduced and remained simple, elegant and easy to use, if a little slow and dated. Now, it’s slick and speedy, but finding the things you want isn’t easy — even something as simple as changing the radio station or adjusting the cabin temperature needs multiple screen taps to adjust. Still, as with any new car, once you get things set up how you like them, you’ll likely never need to touch it again.
The front seats are superb, with a vast range of adjustments and, in our Plus specification model, all electrically adjustable. There’s also seat heating and a heated steering wheel, which is lovely at this time of year. Despite the relatively compact dimensions of the XC40, you won’t be short of room, with plenty of headroom and enough elbow room.
It’s a bit cosier in the back, but there’s still enough room for a couple of adults to get comfy. Three would work, but the middle passenger might complain about anything beyond a short journey.
Go to the back of the car, and you’ll find a boot that’s fine for size, if unremarkable. At 443 litres, it’s smaller than you’ll find in the back of an Audi Q3 (530 litres) or BMW X1 (540 litres).
Should I buy a Volco XC40?
If you can live with the limitations of the boot, which could catch out some cargo-heavy families with pushchairs and the like, then the XC40 is a fine and pleasing machine. More than six years into its production run, the latest facelift has kept it fresh without losing any of the premium Volvo-ness you expect.
It’s impressively comfortable, more refined than it’s been before, and as frugal and cheap to run as ever. After putting in a month’s worth of motoring, it’s obvious that it would work as a companion to many, eschewing the overt sportiness of its rivals and majoring on what it does best — offering comfortable and quiet transport for all.
If you’re not ready to go electric yet — and that’s not the right option for everybody by any stretch — then the petrol-powered Volvo XC40 B3, even at the entry point to the range, has to be on your shortlist.
Model Tested: Volvo XC40 B3 Plus
Average Joes Rating: ★★★★☆
| Price : | £39,455 | Range : | £35,895–£45,520 |
| Power : | 163 hp | Torque : | 265 Nm |
| Max speed : | 112 mph | 0-62mph : | 8.6 seconds |
| Economy : | 42.1 mpg |
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.