2020 Volvo XC40

The 2020 Volvo XC40 comes in three varied trim levels – Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. Prices for the same start from an MSRP of $33,700. Each of these trims is further segregated into two more variants - T4 and T5. While the first three trims define the feature list of the XC40, the other two trims (T4 and T5) refer to the engine under the hood. Talking about the engines, both are 4-cylinder units producing 187 horses and 248 horses respectively. Volvo also offers an optional AWD system but it can only be paired with the T5 powertrain. The "R-design" is slightly more performance-oriented than the others, which explains its stiff suspension setup. 

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The 2020 Volvo XC40 R-design variant with a T5 engine and the all-wheel-drive system makes a perfect package for its price in the XC40 lineup. The R-Design comes packed with all the creature comforts that you’d expect from a Volvo. The all-wheel-drive system further enhances the power delivery of the bigger T-5 engine.

A fuel economy of 23 MPG in the city with the T4 badged 2020 Volvo XC40 means you do not have to look for gas stations very often for your SUV. Take it to the highway and this number climbs up to an impressive figure of 33 MPG, thus, escalating the combined mileage to 25 MPG which is one of the best figures in the segment. Opt for the T5 powered 2020 Volvo XC40, and the fuel economy is rated at 22 and 30 MPG in the city and highway respectively. 

Volvo XC40 also has a tidy 14.2-gallon fuel tank, which can help the SUV to stretch out to 426 miles between fuel stops. The Volvo XC40's 26 miles to a gallon is better than the Jaguar and the Land Rover. The Lexus UX 200's underpowered NA engine with its lightweight heft combine to generate the maximum mileage of the lot.

Swedish contemporary design meets fun and functional in the XC40's interior, and the cabin's atmosphere imparts a truly upscale vibe even in the base Momentum trim - Car and Driver

The 2020 Volvo XC40 takes inspiration from the other premium Volvo models as it offers a well-laid-out cabin space. The Swedish manufacturer has always excelled in being a utilitarian. The 2020 XC40 manages to seat in 5 adults comfortably without any hindrance. The seats are well bolsterd and provide adequate comfort even while taking on bumps and high-speed corners.

While the lower trims get cloth upholstery, the higher trims are privy to premium leather upholstery. The dashboard is as clean as they come, with minimal controls., and the Volvo trademarked vertical touchscreen. The vertical AC vents to the side of the screen also deliver a commanding touch to th whole dashboard layout.

The rear seating space can accommodate three people quite comfortably, but the person sitting in the middle might have to endure the stiffer cushion. Moreover, the rear window is also quite small. Apart from this slight hiccup, the XC40, overall, delivers an airy feel inside the cabin. When pitted against the competitors, the XC40 comes out to be on the top. It offers best-in-class legroom and also offers more shoulder room than the rest. Volvo's boxy design seems to be helping them win this competition. Yet again, the JLR twins stay at the bottom, with the E-Pace just edging ahead of the Evoque.

However, with a cargo capacity of 20.7 cu. ft behind the rear seats, the XC40 seems to have taken a different route, as its rivals overshadow this number with a good margin. That said, you can always fold the rear row down-flat with a touch of a button to unveil a maximum volume of 47.2 cu. ft.  Apart from the infotainment system, the XC40 also packs a wide array of features inside the cabin pertaining to creature comfort and luxury.

Some of the key creature comforts in the baby Volvo's cabin are: 

• Panoramic sunroof
• Front radar
• Leather upholstery
• 3-spoke steering wheel with leather stitching
• Wireless phone charging
• 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
• Dual-Zone electronic climate control system
• Hands-free tailgate
• Heated front seats
• Power Driver Seat with Memory function
• Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror

The Volvo XC40 caters to your entertainment needs with a standard 9.0-inch longitudinally placed touchscreen infotainment system that has been carried over from other Volvos. While it may take some time to get used to, it’s really easy and convenient to use once you get a certain level of command over its controls. 

Some of standard infotainment features on offer are-

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth Audio streaming
• Sirius XM Satellite Radio
• Three USB Ports
• Voice-activated controls
• Wi-Fi Hotspot

The bright design wears extroverted colors too, which won’t be for everyone. We like that. It gets a point above average for its sheet metal and one more for its interior that’s clever—and attractive - The Car Connection

The 2020 Volvo XC40 is a very smart-looking SUV. It has perfect proportions and it looks quite contemporary. You will immediately know it’s a Volvo with its Thor hammer LED DRLs. The front is essentially like its bigger siblings, perhaps a little sharper. Move over to the side and you’d see the differences more noticeably from its elder siblings. What strikes you most is the proportions of the car. The window line kinks upwards at the C-pillar and the dual-tone paint job further accentuates a floating effect to the roof. There are some bold contours near the door sills and with the optional 20-inch wheels, the puzzle feels complete.

At the rear, it’s quite neat and simple. The L-shaped taillights run vertically down the tailgate and there’s the Volvo badge on the center of the tailgate. A spoiler and dual exhaust complete the look at the rear. One of the best-designed Volvos plying on the roads undoubtedly, the XC40 makes sure that all the eyes are pointed at you.

This baby Volvo also sports some highlights of its own on the outside, to make it stand apart from the crowded segment that it belongs to. Some of the key highlights of the XC40's exterior are:

• Rooftop in contrast color
• R-Design roof pillar emblem
• Body-colored door handles with Illumination
• Front grille with dark grey insert and chrome frame
• R-Design grille with high-gloss black insert and Silk metal frame
• Hidden tailpipes, in-colored Silver skid plate
• Roof Spoiler
• Bright aluminum Roof rails
• 18-inch wheels

It’s a Volvo. Car safety and Volvo are almost synonymous with each other. The 2020 Volvo XC40 comes loaded with the latest active and passive driver assistance features, that not only keep you but your family safe too. Coming onto the crash tests, both NHTSA and IIHS have rated the 2020 XC40 quite highly, with the NHTSA giving it a full 5 on 5-star rating, while the IIHS deeming it a "Top Safety Pick" rating. Moreover, without missing out on anything, the 2020 XC40's frontal crash prevention, both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian earn quite high praises.

Some of the key safety features found in the 2020 Volvo XC40 are:

• City Safety pack
• Oncoming Lane Mitigation
• Driver Alert Control
• Run-off Road Mitigation
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Run-off Road Protection
• Road Sign Information
• Speed Limiter
• Lane Keeping Aid
• Seatbelt Pretensioners
• Stability Control System

2020 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Lexus UX 200

The Lexus UX 200 may be quite underpowered in comparison to the XC40 but it does pretty well with what it does. It has a good body control and good ride quality as well. It looks very stylish and quite apart. The interiors are good but the infotainment system could have been better. It has a way better fuel economy than any of its competitors. The XC40, on the other hand, does all the good things that the Lexus does but with way more power and performance. Also, the interiors in the Volvo feel better too. What really works for the Volvo is that it’s just around $2000 more expensive than the Lexus and it offers way more than that.

2020 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The XC40 is a benchmark in this luxury compact SUV segment and it really seems to do everything quite well. The Range Rover Evoque is the only car that comes quite close to give the XC40 some good competition. The Evoque has the best interiors and technology in its class, especially with this new update. It’s also the fastest to 60 mph and is expected to ride and drive much better than before. Being a Range Rover, the Evoque has proper off-road capabilities and there’s no beating the Evoque at that. However, the XC40 feels more like a family-oriented crossover as compared to the Evoque and not to forget, the XC40's reliability factor is also miles ahead of the latter.

The 2020 Volvo XC40 is an extremely nice car that checks all the right boxes for a family utilitarian. Though not brutal, its powertrain always has some punch reserved for those occasions when you attempt overtakes or go flat-out. It looks very smart and handsome on the outside and the interiors feel as special and luxurious as you could expect from this segment. Being a Volvo, it comes loaded with a good amount of tech, and lots of standard safety features which really give it an edge. It’s a great daily driver. Probably the only flaw with this is that it’s only a soft-roader unlike some others in the segment. Still, we think the Volvo XC40 offers more for its price.