2019 Volvo XC40 Review | Test Drive | Edmunds

Join Edmunds Senior Writer Mark Takahashi in Spain as he checks out the 2019 Volvo XC40, and find out why he's truly impressed with Volvo's smallest SUV.
Mark tests out the T5 R-Design, first doing a walk-around and then hitting the roads of the Spanish countryside. You'll get a sense of how pleasant the XC40 is to drive and how it hits all the right buttons for a compact SUV.
Q: When does the 2019 Volvo XC40 go on sale?
A: It should go on sale in the spring of 2018.
Q: How much is the 2019 Volvo XC40?
A: The 2019 XC40 T5 Momentum will start at $36,195, and the T5 R-Design will start at $38,695. Fully loaded, the XC40 T5 R-Design will break $45,000.
Q: How much horsepower does the 2019 Volvo XC40 have?
A: There will be two versions of the XC40 available: the T5 Momentum and the T5 R-Design. Both use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 horsepower, 258 lb-feet of torque), an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Read our full review at: www.edmunds.co...
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[@rickZZZZZZZ]

Volvo has now become an innovator! The design looks really good too!

[@dlg5485]

I love what Volvo is doing these days. All of their new models offer best in class design and the new engines are outstanding as well.

[@raupenimmersatt6906]

D LG No they are not. They are really good but the infotainment is laggy + engine is too loud

[@dlg5485]

+Dog The infotainment is a bit slow, but is still far smoother than most and that can be easily fixed with a processor upgrade and the usability of the system is excellent, I think. Personally, as a driving enthusiast, I want to hear the engine when I push it.

[@KeyhanHadjari]

Saw a demo of the coming v60 and the infotainment looked much better.

[@dattape2828]

you mean commie chinese? you didnt know they own this brand? commies are going to copy all the technologies into their no name brands & probably throw volvo back into the market to recoup their money. you must be a s*cker to buy one

[@dlg5485]

+Your Well, you're not the sharpest tack are you? EVERYONE knows a Chinese company owns Volvo and they were controlled by Ford before that. You're not breaking any news dude. Volvos are still designed and built by the same people who've always done it. All that's changed is the ownership, which actually saved the bankrupt brand, but that's irrelevant because all that really matters is the quality of the finished product.

[@FlyingWithSteven]

How come I was so excited when he mentioned the trash bin???? Woah, this is what I'm living for!!!!!

[@Colin623]

Steven Garcia lol, yes we do get so excited by a trash bin introduced into a car !!! :-) it's one of those things where most people would say " why the hell has it taken so long ??? "

[@myslecinaczej8674]

almost like a Skoda with many pockets in the car. And I do have two trash beans in my veeeery old VW Sharan, both large , both in the front doors..much better. Sorry guys but a trash bean will not make this car a premium one.

[@AntonioRibeiro-qs3fy]

I just subscribed. The presenter gets to the point, he's eloquent, and stays very relevant in his content

[@chrystiannesantos4330]

What a great review! Love that you gave us an overview of what it is like to sit in the back as most of us who will be driving it won't know what it is like for our passengers in the back.

[@cornbread70s4]

Great review, but I was distracted by how much this guy bends his knees while talking 😂!

[@mountainhobo]

Damn, now I cannot unsee it.

[@zaruliqmal7344]

i thought im the only one... haahahha

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

I imagined him laying an egg each time.

[@czealtamahawk1228]

Most Chinese or Asian does that.... Karate kid grandpa. DumbAzz.

[@TimixAThomas]

Lol yeah I thought I'm the only one who noticed it

[@nickloong]

Another great review. Truly emphasizes on the points car buyers would like to know more about in a new vehicle. Keep up the good work!

[@Colin623]

Well I must agree here, I bought a full set of NEXEN N'PRIZ 4S All Season tyres, and without any doubt these tyres are the quietest tyres I have ever experienced !! excellent grip in summer, excellent in the recent snow we had here in the UK, so yes, All Season tyres would definitely help.

[@joakimeriksson832]

When testing the rear seat, all motorjournalists sits like they just came out of hospital and some kind of major back surgery.

[@khunopie9159]

Good presentation but the host should refrain from doing knee bends to accentuate points

[@Foxie635]

I have the XC 90 and I love it except for road noise and you are the ONLY reviewer that mentioned it. Sometimes it gets so loud I try to close my windows thinking they are open. Lol

[@GillesLHerault]

Awesome video Mark. I do have a few additional questions. I have a pre-order for the very same vehicle you reviewed and I am hoping these few concerns I have are not going to be a deal breaker. So here's three things that other reviewers have found to be problematic, I would like to hear your opinion on them: 1- The shifter: It's the same as the one you get on the T8 hybrid for the XC60 and 90. you have to hit it twice downward to get it to D and same is true to put it back in R. You can't do it in one motion. I guess I can get used to it but you did not complain about it so maybe I'm overthinking this. 2- The rear windows: that body panel swoops up and hides a lot of the rear passenger view. I don't think it's that big of a deal but would like your thoughts. 3- Last but not least, the engine note: we hear it in your video and while it's no Golf R, I don't think it's horrible either but some reviewers thought it was bad. What do you think? Thanks!

[@Dash277]

Great review thanks! Only thing that concerns me is the road and wind noise you mentioned. I hope it's jut the tires.

[@1mlb704]

That trash bin... genius

[@Jluislive]

1mlb704 my thoughts exactly... why doesn't every car have this.

[@swanblake]

1mlb704 you clearly don't have children. A kid will spit his food out into you hand. You aren't putting that into a plastic bin if you have any intentions of getting it out again. You will always need a bag. Trust me

[@Colin623]

Black Swan it's clearly not made for children then !! maybe it's for the driver instead !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@1mlb704]

colinf1951 lol my thoughts exactly

[@swanblake]

1mlb704 Clearly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tool

[@markgeller5900]

Mark: Mark. great review and thank you for sitting in the rear and giving a really good view of the rear packaging. This is missed by others and should never be left out. One thing. You neglected to say how tall you are so we can gauge the actual distance one might have to the front seating if you were tall, or for that matter, short. My guess would be you are about 5' 10' and a half... close???

[@markgeller5900]

Thank you.

[@Rson594]

Thx for review. Am I going to be cramped in here being 6'2"?

[@dattape2828]

you mean commie chinese? you didnt know they own this brand? commies are going to copy all the technologies into their no name brands & probably throw volvo back into the market to recoup their money. you must be a s*cker to buy one

[@markthomas4483]

B check out Alex on Autos’ review. He is about your size. Because it’s so upright it looks like there’s a decent amount of headroom. I’m 6’5” and thinking I’m going to fit.

[@dattape2828]

it's a commie chinese car now. I think they are pretty short

[@rabit818]

The super thick c pillar looks cool outside but might pose as a blind spot. Nice looking car.

[@BoyComeHere]

Did anybody count the number of times he bent his knees during the opening monologue? Jesus

[@sutherland559]

"It's pretty good". Really selling it there boss. Gonna rush right out and get me one.

[@djwhu77]

Thanks Mark, I liked your review 😊

[@kittym5872]

What is the reliability mechanically, the life levels of the car re mechanic service? Would like to hear about the safety structure and built in safety features.

[@raydavies3278]

Good review ,thanks.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Did they work the bugs out of the infotainment system? The one in the new XC90 and XC60 is terribly buggy.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Laggy as hell. Missing menu items. Unintuitive menu pages. Drops connectivity. Unusable voice recognition. Locks up and requires turning off and restarting the car.

[@1quickster]

Wow, its a beautiful vehicle. Volvo is owned by a Chinese company called Jeeley. One thing about Volvo they probably build the most comfortable seats around.

[@meat6tick24]

Wish this car would come to America

[@zaafirahmad1853]

it is

[@mountainhobo]

I wish them luck, but luxury subcompact crossovers don't sell very well in the US. In the compact class there is a bunch of good competitors, starting with Volvo itself (XC60), then you have Audi Q5, and BMW X3. Audi sold 3 times as many Q5 as Q3 in the US in 2017.

[@volvocub2629]

mountainhobo I am very seriously thinking of trading in my XC60 for this, it’s yummmmy

[@locoism1025]

Really gorgeous SUV.

[@omegabob99]

Will there be an option for a spare/space saver tire under that rear compartment?

[@cmarriotti]

The XC40 comes standard with a space saver spare. It's already in there and you get all that extra storage!

[@isaiad]

I want this for my first car of my own!!

[@louisbinwag3304]

Is that the price in Canada.. $33,000.00 cool.. if so then I am interested...

[@Furieas]

the wind noise could be from the pana. moonroof... since I always noticed an increase in noise when I slide open the inner cover of my BMW's moonroof. (this is why I hate moonroof.)

[@Rail_.-]

I like the style of it.

[@Soh90]

Good review, very informative, but damn was it boring. Also, it’s been about 30 years now and we’re still complaining ab turbo lag? At what point do you guys realize these aren’t race cars?

[@Ummba13]

I love this reviewer

[@sergevivier2861]

Good review, I dont think I want a car that I have to use the tablet to adjust everything. I think there is going to be many collision with these cars.

[@VenoStuff]

My dream car! 😍

[@limpunsing224]

Seems like a fun car

[@tukiluka]

I am Señor Chang, and I'm so ill, this is a warning I can't be killed!

[@blangat6160]

that colour 😀🙌🙌

[@sylvanusthayer2198]

How tall is Mark? We a need a size to appreciate the space between the seats while sitting in the back.

[@edmundscars]

Mark is 5' 9"

[@sylvanusthayer2198]

Thank you

[@malenabellucci4657]

Parts are especially costly, and tend to require replacement more often than in similar vehicles. Buying a Volvo has been considered a very safe, but high maintenance, decision

[@steveperez7746]

Nice Video

[@Onetazien]

Forgot to mention your height while sitting in the back seat.

[@yongdol73]

Yup. That knee banding.

[@ak2112]

A 2 liter turbo that makes 185hp? What year is this, 1994?

[@markjwil]

ak2112, not at all. The FWD version will be the price and fuel economy leader as to why the lower output.

[@sic22l]

Turbocharged engines are more elastic. This particular engine comes in three stages of tune at 180hp, 250hp and 320hp. PS. Not everything is about power.

[@Colin623]

What planet were you on in 1994 ???? the upper power output for a 2 Litre diesel was 110 BHP ie VW Passat, Audi A3, etc, Ten years on it had risen to 140BHP for an Audi A3, in 2014 the Audi A3 SE power output was 147 BHP and 187 BHP for the Sport version !! so at 187 BHP for this Volvo puts it in the same power output as the Audi A3 SPORT hatch !! I don't know, some people !!!!!!!!!!!

[@sic22l]

@colinf1951 VW also has 240hp 2.0 TDI engine.

[@Colin623]

sic221 yes indeed, so does Volvo, the D5 engine produces 245 BHP, but back in the 90s this kind of BHP was unheard of except for hot petrol engines such as the Volvo 850 T5 rocket, that car was considered the bees knees in performance terms, even police forces bought them, but now many diesel cars produce this kind of power, but with much more torgue !! the Volvo 850 D2.5 of the same vintage produced 150 BHP this was considered quite powerful in the 90s, in was in fact an Audi 5-cylinder unit !!

[@sic22l]

There's no reason to claim that all season tires are quieter than other typed of tires (except full on performance or off-road ones).

[@Colin623]

Well I must disagree here, I bought a full set of NEXEN N'PRIZ 4S and without any doubt these tyres are the quietest tyres I have ever experienced !! excellent grip in summer, excellent in the recent snow we had here in the UK, so yes, he does know what he is talking about.

[@jeremyv11000]

36k for an entry can get you in a Mercedes, Lexus, audi, and bmw. But very tempting to buy used

[@hankv2214]

I wonder if it'll last as long as a Toyota or Honda.

[@czealtamahawk1228]

How's the engine noise?

[@ArchieMakuwa]

Great review. Great car.

[@didiattoz]

gorgeous car! Volvo for lyf

[@harvardford8752]

Sorry but 44k is a little too expensive for a measly crossover It’s the same price as a Dodge Durango limited which isn’t a bad crossover. It ranked 2nd in motor trends 2015 suv of the year and 1st in 2014 edmunds It’s rather stylish but I think 36k is a little too much for a starter luxury small crossover I’d rather spend a little more to get the XC60

[@mountainhobo]

1:12 Wait, was that $600 PER MONTH subscription service for maintenance and insurance? So $7,200 per year? So $28,800 for four years? Since there is warranty to cover repairs, and insurance at the most would cost you $8,000 for four years, is Volvo expecting $20,000 (TWENTY THOUSAND) in unreimbursed maintenance expenses? Or does that mean you can get a new car at some point? In how many years? Is there an additional fee? Or is depreciation calculated at ~ $20,000 in four years? You completely skipped over that.

[@mountainhobo]

Thanks.

[@swanblake]

mountainhobo I was thinking the same thing.

[@steverhodes82]

Here's more info specific to the XC40: www.volvocars.com/us/build/suv/xc40/momentum-(care-by-volvo) Considering it includes the price of leasing the vehicle and you can get a new one every 12 months it's not that bad.

[@mountainhobo]

Interesting. For such a luxury-type lease, one would expect an executive car. XC40 strikes me as a strange candidate for that, but perhaps it will work in some markets.

[@Colin623]

it is available for many brands of cars here in the UK

[@andrecarpy6890]

Take a shot every time he bends his knees

[@tousshong9438]

Why bother to introduce the T4, just so to be price competitive? Mind as well don't cause its not going to do well. This one is great already....

[@ETcelerate]

Getting your squats in while car reviewing? That's good health/work balance lol. Probably mandated by HR from Edmunds for employee well-being haha.

[@icymayne]

They should of made the back headrest flap down like my 2006 volvo s60

[@mansees]

I would rather prefer the E PACE. Much more powerful, must more exclusive, more space and longer warranty.

[@DonLee1980]

If it's here, and road registered, and available in spring... it's a 2018 model. NOT a 2019.

[@edmundscars]

You would think, but not so!

[@nileworthy9629]

nice!!!

[@yippie6862]

Hi Ken Jeong. I liked you in the Hangover.

[@rickjames5998]

does this Awd

[@hoopstalkcentral]

why do you always squat every time you are about to start talking? LOL

[@soumaknandi9218]

Why would anyone buy this if you could spend 10k more and get an xc90?!

[@cmarriotti]

Because some people don't need the size of the XC90. Or live in the city where having a smaller SUV is an advantage. I prefer the look of the XC40 to the XC90 and if it drives closer to the Mini Countryman I currently own, I'd prefer to drive it over the XC90. It's all about what fits a person's lifestyle the best.

[@Colin623]

if money and space not a problem then yes why not, but not everyone has an extra 10k to throw at four wheels !!

[@EricMewhort]

Driving a large vehicle isn't always better, try living in a city. Finding parking and maneuvering around traffic is easier in smaller vehicles. Especially in Vancouver where the price of gas is ridiculous, I'd rather drive a smaller suv over a large one.

[@al14711n]

Maybe small is beautiful in some areas in Europe and Asia that have dense population but certainly not designed for the Americans... I bet the sales in the U.S for this car will be very weak.

[@smonkey001]

Wow that front seats is so thin.

[@32712]

You should review the car, not promoting it. Say more about its negatives side as well

[@jmaungmaung]

If it has ventilated seat it will be perfect.

[@Jeff-or6em]

maungmaung maybe ventilating front seats in inscription trim of XC40 later in this year.

[@rossroys]

Idc that 180hp from a 2.0 is unacceptable it could atleast be 200 the car weights 3600 pounds my fusion weights 3200 and has 175 hp and thats barely enough for my car

[@magnuswalker7957]

Volvo, get back to me when you have a XC40 that does a lot more than 30 mpg

[@王桂熙-t5u]

心中目標首選車

[@timstepp5512]

This is a pure example of buying something just for the badge, you can get a well equipped Honda CR-V with slightly more HP, and all the same amenities as the XC40 with more cargo room and slightly better looking dash for $4000 less. I will say that Honda's chief designer must at one point spotted the rear of the XC60 and thought "hmmm that would look nice on the Honda" as it's pretty obvious. But similarities end there. I like the Volvo's but this one is missing a bit of that Swedish flair I liked on the other models.

[@DamienMarquesDaSilva]

Tim Stepp You obviously have not driven both. We own a XC90, my in laws a CRV. The driving experience is not comparable ! And with Volvo, you also buy what they are known for: safety. Close the door of the CRV, it sounds like a sheet of metal slapping another. Close the Volvo’s... and you feel that weight swooshing letting you know are safe. Really not comparable.

[@timstepp5512]

Damien Marques Da Silva I have driven both and I stand that while Volvo is a nice product, Honda is the better option for me. Reliability rating is also rated better (Consumer reports, rates Honda CRV 2018 overall score of 83 with a highest reliability score while Volvo XC90 is rated a 58 with a Worse than average Reliability score. (Consumer Reports April 2018) Motortrend rates the 2018 Honda CR-V SUV of the Year. To you it may "sound" like a sheet of metal slapping together (sure your CRV is a 2017/2018? it comes with noise suppression), but one thing is for sure, Consumer Reports, Motortrend, AutoGuide, and Kelley Blue book rate the CR-V a best buy. That's a lot of engineers and journalists who test hundreds of SUV's and they all come to the same conclusion.

[@DamienMarquesDaSilva]

Fair enough! Both cars are actually 2016...The 2017/2018 CRV is very different from the outside, and looking at interior pictures it seems also completely redesigned, so maybe it is much nicer to drive. As far as reliability, knock on wood, we had the XC90 for over 2 years now, and with almost 30k miles on the odometer not a single problem yet! Those 2 are in different categories though (the XC90 is much bigger), and I agree that the extra cost spent on a new XC60 isn't justifiable compared to how affordable and well equipped the CRV is. I guess you got me here! :)

[@essel23fly]

This car does not even look like a Volvo. It looks like a Lego car.

[@Thylar1988]

The only problem here is that the Honda actually looks like an asian rice cooking piece of shit machine (which by looking at on the street you will never be able to distinguish between a Toyata, Kia, Nissan, Hyundai or whatsoever because they all carry the same shitty interchangeable softened Designlines on them) whilst the Volvo is a pure and beautiful statement of its own! Its a shame even try to compare a Volvo with something inconsequential as a Honda!

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

Summer tyres more noisy than all-seasons? What is this guy smoking

[@kristensorensen2219]

Not a good review but practice man! Example show how much room with the front seat all the way back.

[@fatbowe]

…….………...Sorry but $700.00 a month seems high for insurance...…;;--(,,,,,,,,

[@takayashiyohoho4384]

can he stop distracting me from the car by bending his knees?

[@davidh2809]

Engine noise is pretty harsh

[@myslecinaczej8674]

driven one or speculate?

[@davidh2809]

myslecinaczej turn up your volume, you can hear it

[@TheBlahstudios]

You gotta stop with knee bends lmao Jesus Christ

[@Jeff-or6em]

Ad Mill maybe he need to pee 😜

[@TimixAThomas]

His legs move like a pastor's during his service

[@madbikeboysins]

I have been a loyal Volvo owner for many years - but no more. My Volvo V50 wagon is effectively written off because the wiper motor won't work. The local Volvo dealer says that spending $4,000 on a new CEM might fix it. After several of these types of problems with many Volvo owners I know, I will never buy another Volvo product - and the money I had set aside for the upgrade to the V60 wagon has already been spent on a different brand this past weekend. Don't buy a Volvo unless you enjoy the prison sex service experience of visiting your Volvo dealer

[@rauleyshar3635]

Why he is ducking?

[@ruimanuelcarvalho3432]

Nice but much rather have a Lexus

[@chopinlajolla7472]

The guy just had a knee surgery...

[@kevinbaker2401]

What about pets

[@BenMJay]

The term “pretty good” should be banned from your reviews.

[@gearanalyzer]

Sweet ride! Checkout my recipes!

[@OfficerPaterFamilias]

This guy is a little boring.

[@kinderlee1987]

An Asian speaking perfect English. Lol

[@super_populr]

Yuk, looks like a Dodge.