2023 Volvo XC40

The 2023 Volvo XC40 luxury small SUV manages to be stylish, safe, sensible and engaging all at the same time. Prices start at $36,350.

One of Volvo’s strong sellers, the XC40 is a good size for city life, yet still spacious enough for average-sized families who have moved away from the metropolis. This broad appeal is bolstered by top safety scores in crash tests. Hipster, commuter, or parent — we all want to feel protected.

Among the main changes for the 2023 Volvo XC40 is a new Google-based infotainment system. Don’t worry, iPhone users, Apple CarPlay is part of the package. There’s also the addition of a mild hybrid setup under the hood, as part of Volvo’s push to have some element of electrification in every one of its new 2023 vehicles.

The all-electric 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge is reviewed separately.

There’s the raised driving position and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat that’s standard across the 2023 XC40 SUV lineup. So getting comfortable and confident is accomplished easily.

The whole driving experience is easy. For better or worse, the XC40 is not one of those vehicles that demands concentration but rewards with thrills. Instead, there’s a pleasant effortlessness about it.

Naturally, the 247-horsepower engine that comes with the all-wheel-drive system is more engaging than the front-drive model’s 194-horsepower unit. But city dwellers won’t notice much difference and may not care.

Potential buyers living in areas where heavy coats and woolen hats are pulled out of the wardrobe every year will want all-wheel drive. And they’ll appreciate the 8.3 inches of ground clearance when the snow piles up. They might also want the heated steering wheel and heated rear seats offered as an optional package in the top two trims.

For a subcompact SUV, luxury or otherwise, the 2023 Volvo XC40 is spacious. The cabin is also well thought-out, packed with quality materials, and comes with a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen oriented vertically.

Volvo front seats are renowned for their comfort and the company doesn’t skimp here, even though the XC40 is the most affordable Volvo SUV. Rear passengers can also be comfortable with a generous 36.1 inches rear legroom.

Cargo space behind the rear seats measures 16 cubic feet. Folding them down produces 46.9 cubic feet. It’s the same whether the XC40 has front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

If there’s a gripe, it’s that the Core trim has fabric upholstery, as opposed to simulated leather.

Volvo has made some minor revisions to the 2023 XC40’s outward appearance. It might take the keenest eyes to spot the differences, though. Look at the “Thor’s Hammer” headlights.

The top two trims now come with a choice of Bright or Dark exterior treatments. Pricing is identical.

A major facelift was unnecessary anyway. The XC40 made its debut for the 2019 model year and its shape has been widely received as a successful design.

1. Google Built-In
This is a new operating system for the infotainment setup in every 2023 Volvo XC40, which includes Google Maps. More apps can be added through the Google Play store. It can be controlled by voice, activated by saying, “Hey, Google.” Other aspects include over-the-air updates, plus pairs of USB-C ports front and rear.

2. Digital driver information display
A lot of manufacturers, especially luxury marques, are fitting 12.3-inch displays where the old dials used to go. But it’s still good to see it here, contributing to the high-tech aspect of the 2023 XC40’s cabin.

3. Pilot Assist
As part of the adaptive cruise control feature, Pilot Assist adds steering corrections to keep the XC40 SUV in its lane. It’s not a hands-free system, but takes some of the fatigue out of long journeys. Pilot Assist/adaptive cruise control is offered as an option in Plus trim, or included as standard equipment in the Ultimate version.

4. Harman Kardon 13-speaker/600-watt premium sound system
Another attribute that’s optional in the Plus and standard in the Ultimate. Harman Kardon is a well-known and well-respected maker of great-sounding audio systems.

5. Removable/folding load floor
This handy item can cover a small storage area underneath. And when a section is folded up, it forms a couple of grocery bag holders. While this may seem a bit mundane, sure, we’d rather have this than groceries (or worse, take-out food) sliding all over the cargo area. It comes in at the XC40 Plus trim level.

6. Pixel technology headlights with active bending lights
Available only as an option with the Ultimate trim, these headlights have multiple LEDS for optimum illumination without dazzling anyone else. The active bending lights follow the direction of the steering.

The number of driven wheels determines the drivetrain in a 2023 XC40 SUV. The B4 setup has front-wheel drive and the B5 alternative has all-wheel drive. Both employ a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The B4 version develops 194 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The B5 makes 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both engines require premium gasoline.

This year sees name changes, since these were known formerly as T4 and T5. Volvo made the shift because every new 2023 XC40 is now augmented by a mild hybrid system. It helps the engine reach its peak output with greater efficiency and smooths out the fuel-saving stop/restart action, but doesn’t improve fuel economy any more than one mile per gallon in city driving.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (B4)
194 horsepower @ 4,700 rpm
221 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/32 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (B5)
247 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @1,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg

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