Petrol, plug-in hybrid or electric?
Since 2018, the Volvo XC40 has become an indispensable part of the Dutch streetscape. More than 30,000 copies have already left the showrooms and the end does not seem to be in sight. Even though the range has now been greatly reduced, Volvo offered a large number of motorisations. The XC40 was available from mild hybrid with three cylinder, via plug-in, to fully electric. Volvo succeeds in selling it, but are owners of the XC40 also satisfied once the car is in their possession?
No fewer than forty owners share their experience with the Volvo XC40. Regardless of powertrain, the tone is positive. In particular, driving comfort, space and ease of operation are praised. The seats are also regularly praised, typically Volvo. Striking fact: several owners are now driving their second XC40 because the first one has been so good. The model is also popular with others. For example, the Volvo XC40 was the second most wanted new car of 2022.
Criticism of Pilot Assist
There is also criticism. For example, there is Pilot Assist, the entirety of driver assistance systems: “A bit pedantic, but okay, that’s probably part of it.” Although the adaptive cruise control satisfies almost everyone, the lane keeping assistant occasionally leads to irritation. “I turned off lane assist, a bit disturbing to be constantly pushed to the middle of the road on provincial roads. In combination with cruise control on the highway, it is relaxed.”
Not completely trouble-free
In general, the XC40 appears to be reliable, not every owner has hit a trouble-free copy. Some users report unclear glitches that often disappear after a software update. Thanks to these updates, the number of malfunction reports decreases over time, to the delight of their owners. The electric-powered XC40 received an Android Automotive-based infotainment system earlier than other versions. Drivers complain about failure of the system or the data connection, and they also find the possibilities of the system limited.
Petrol engine experience
Although the Volvo XC40 has not been with us for long, it has already worn out the necessary engines. In 2020, engine designations T2 through T5 were replaced by new mild-hybrid powertrains with a B designation. The T2 (129 hp) and T3 (156 hp) are three-cylinder, the four-cylinder B4 and B5 deliver 163 and 197 hp respectively. The XC40 may be a fairly high car, but the small engine performs sufficiently according to users. This T3 driver testifies: “Driving on the Autobahn during the holiday to Italy, at approx. 160 km/h it remains pleasantly quiet and comfortable on board. Accelerating is still good for a three-cylinder!” Another owner is less pleased with the engine noise. “Sporty roar or hum under load, but stationary in Drive and certainly raw as a diesel at start or idle.”
An XC40 T4 driver exchanged his car for a B4 after positive experiences. He is not pleased with the hybrid system. “This system heats up to such an extent that after a half-hour drive through the city you will be burning hot. The cooling fan regularly kicks in, which causes annoying vibrations through the steering wheel. And in terms of consumption, the B4 is nothing more economical than the T4.”
Experiences XC40 Plug-in hybrid
Almost half of the reviewers on AutoWeek.nl drive a plug-in hybrid XC40. These models were called Twin Engine until 2020, after which Volvo stuck the Recharge Plug-in Hybrid sticker on them. In 2023, the plug-in has been removed from the range and the buyer can only opt for a B3 or fully electric Recharge. The deletion of the plug-in should not spoil the fun, owners of this type of XC40 are pleased with the experience that their crossover offers. This owner of a powerful T5 Twin Engine summarizes the driving experience as follows: “Despite the 281 HP, this car is not made for really sporty driving, it is too high and too heavy for that. Nice and relaxed cruising, that’s where this car comes into its own.”
Volvo XC40 T5 Twin Engine as endurance tester at AutoWeek.
There are also disadvantages. For example, several owners report that the cooling fan blows loudly during charging: “Since we often sleep at the front of the house with the window open, I have not yet dared to put the car on the charger at night.” The flexibility of electric (road) driving is praised, the electric driving range fluctuates between 35 and 45 km. “That should have been 50,” says an otherwise enthusiastic owner.
The Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 as an endurance tester at AutoWeek.
Experiences electric XC40
Finally, we cover the electric XC40 Recharge. This variant has also known several versions during its life. Previously, customers could choose from a front-wheel drive Recharge and the all-wheel drive Recharge P8, which delivers a whopping 408 horsepower. You can now only choose a rear-wheel drive with 238 hp. By no means make do, according to this owner: “Don’t take the Twin Engine, but go for the Single Engine in the Plus or Ultimate version.”. Apart from the aforementioned infotainment problems, owners may appreciate their electric XC40 even more than combustion engine models. With Volvo’s electric future in mind, that seems like a good starting point.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl