New Volvo XC40 the Premium family SUV: 2019 Volvo XC40 Review & Road Test

The new Volvo XC40 is something very different. The big-three German car makers have long had this section of the market (the premium compact SUV sector) pretty much to themselves until now; however, they’ve recently been joined by the Jaguar E-Pace and the DS 7 Crossback so the XC40 also joins this ever-growing market with a car that’s very different from its larger stable mates.
Nowadays there is a younger motoring market in regards to the people who buy cars. So Volvo allowed its designers to cut a little more loosely when it came to sculpting this stunning little SUV. It’s a great deal funkier, chunkier, more outgoing and striking and probably the biggest diversion from the Volvo mundane since the C30. Under the skin sits a brand new Volvo vehicle platform called CMA (Compact Modular Architecture), which will also feature on every smaller Volvo from now on. There’ll be S40 and V40 models and maybe even smaller cars too. The XC40 is offered with three petrol and two diesel engines and the option of two-wheel or four-wheel drive as well as six trim levels.
CMA is a primarily steel monocoque, with a front-mounted transverse engine driving either the front wheels or all four of them, all through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Applying the same themes and approach that brought us the neo modernist, lounge-like interiors of the XC90, XC60 and V90, Volvo has designed an interior for the XC40 that looks and feels luxurious, expensive, informal and very pleasant.
Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system is fitted as standard across the whole range with the 9.0in portrait-orientated touch screen taking pride of place in the middle of the dashboard. It is used to operate the majority of the XC40’s functions, which include the entertainment, satellite navigation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and vehicle settings.
The motoring industry is already very well served for premium-branded compact SUVs, but there isn’t one as eye catching and distinctive as the XC40. The XC40 maybe comfort-orientated and functionality-focused but above all it is a classic Volvo to its core. It’s great to look at and refined to travel in. It’s responsive and driveable on the road and sufficiently resolved in its ride and handling to be highly enjoyable one moment then relaxing and protective the next.
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[@sicemdawgs47]

Only an English man would spend 5 minutes talking about how quality time with his family gives him nightmares

[@chinyerumhundeyin8054]

Fantastic mature review. Thank you

[@sevenpointfive5450]

great video, looks a great car

[@coralieknight1150]

Great review , told me all I needed to know

[@phpchap]

got one ordered! really enjoy this review, subbed..

[@phpchap]

48k - i think its more like 38k ;)

[@sugonmaballs]

@@jacobthompson8507 Are you in Europe? I'm American, but just moved to Italy and I was told there was a huge waiting list for this car too by all the dealers in Europe, but the dealer I was initally going through sold me their tester XC40 T5 AWD R-Design that's pretty much maxed out for a decent deal since it has 3k on it already.

[@walterfuller8737]

Great review xc40 , can’t wait to test drive. Was looking at a mini countryman, for the partner but now have a really good comparison! Keep up the good work, cheers,Walt

[@jeffchristie1541]

great review of a great car by a great presenter ! well done buddy .

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Most kind and many thanks for your comment

[@kas7777]

Great review AJ, very helpful. Could you also review the cupra atteca aswell please mate? Thanks

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Cupra Ateca planned for March 21. Thanks for the comment

[@andy5786]

Yeah Volvo xc40 smashing suv I am thinking of getting one thanks AJ great review 👍

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Thanks for the comment

[@antonthompson7838]

My lease is up for renewal next September and I’m seriously thinking of getting this car, I drive a VW Touran at the moment and it’s been great but I want a SUV and this car just looks so much more premium and it looks like a nice place to be on a 6 hour drive! Liked and subscribed 🤘🏻

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

I really rate this car but take a test drive first. Thanks for your comment and subscribing

[@David-yt4ci]

Cool review now happy to consider a Volvo!

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Thanks for your comment much appreciated

[@bjguerreiro]

Loved the kids and cloroform... I have an R-design, super happy with it, super confortable and fast! Cheers!

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Thanks for the comment appreciated

[@perfectpetsproducts1238]

Good review...cheers.

[@sepandsiassi6352]

I test drove this car (the 2021 model) and loved it. Love the looks, the feeling, the details, just amazing. However, I'm really on the fence about it because everyone keeps saying Volvo doesn't make reliable cars, and that the maintenance costs can be a nightmare (partly due to the fact that there aren't that many volvos ans volvo repair shops around to begin with). do you know anything about their reliability?

[@ianroberts6076]

Great review, had the recommended test drive I was really impressed enough to order the inscription pro model. Can’t wait! Many thanks

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Thanks for the comment. It’s a great car

[@jeremycarr3920]

I love the look of the xc 40, , it's kind of the same sort of buzz that came from the original advert for qashqai, going to try one as I haven't seen a bad review yet

[@robertgraham8813]

Just discovered your vid.s .quality viewing

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Thanks for the comment appreciated

[@sugonmaballs]

Not sure if it's different for different markets, but the wireless charger is standard on all of the XC40s I've seen in the US. Also, not sure what you mean by Android users saving on wireless charging.. many Android phones have had wireless charging long before Apple ever did. Apple is typically the last to adopt newer technologies from many Android phones. Regardless, I'm not sure of the point in using wireless charging anyways since you have to plug in your phone to use Apple Carplay or Android Auto.

[@Littleathquakes]

sugonmaballs not true the wireless charger is part of an optional package

[@davve54321]

good review you will get many subs! But work on the sound and video brightness

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Thanks for the comment and appreciated

[@yasermohammadi2250]

Volvo is besssssssstt

[@rajjy1976]

GEEEZERRR!!!!!

[@ginobaker77]

U really love this car hey😂😂. Well, I too think it's stunning and I've made up my mind to purchase one instead of the normal commercial branded CUV's.

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Great 🧐 thinking! Thanks for the comment

[@MRM0J0RISIN777]

Waiting for my t3 first new car I ever bought 7 month waiting here in Belgium.

[@andys8702]

I think its electronically limited top speed of 112mph I drove the T4 and got 28.9 which is a bit of putting on both accounts probably costing an extra £15 pound a week at the pump based on 8000 to 10.000 miles as apposed if you had a car around 38 mpg , it is really nice car though and lovely to drive.

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Thanks for the comment

[@stendahl84]

sound like you trying to talk with a german accent haha

[@johnbuckley9151]

Turned off the sound was annoying.

[@robert4you]

As a Swede growing up with and in Volvos in the 70s and 80s I really, really enjoyed this video. I could almost feel your anxiety when speaking about the Volvo and the caravan from your childhood... 😃 P.S. Just received my XC40 a week ago. It truly IS a great car. I swore as a youth to never ever buy a Volvo. And here I am... a 52 year old geezer with an XC40... go figure. And the missis loves it too.

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Great comment and so pleased you enjoyed the video, thank you for posting.

[@sarahnarshall2854]

Sorry it’s starts at £31,000 pounds not £38,000.

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Hi and thank you for your comment Sometimes we are giving cars with press packs that include all the extras and this was one of those occasions where I didn’t check the base price.

[@tomquimby8669]

so your local secondhand car dealer got bored and decided to share his excessively flamboyant banter with the world on you tube. ere wanna volvo mate I'll do yer a deal, lovely motor, just get yer bum on these seats init just you! you know you want it, i have a really sharp deal for yer! don't worry about the small print! nobody reads it anyway, just sign here!

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Lol what a fantastic comment made me almost cry with laughter, Thankyou

[@alfredwilliam1184]

The XC40 is made in Belgium,

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

Beer and Volvo land

[@iremali6958]

Really quite derogatory towards swedish people. And calling kids brats. Nice one.

[@walterfuller8737]

Get a life, it’s called humour 🎉

[@aquilinorodrigo]

Grow up please.

[@erenxenrique]

When i was a kid i use to think volvo was jewish, as i only saw jewish community own them in north london stamford hill area ☺️

[@AJThePlayerYouTubeChannel]

😂me too

[@erenxenrique]

AJ The Player i am so glad i wasnt the only one

[@markmd9]

I have an impression that he is trying to sell a luxury vehicle to low working class