Used 2021 Volvo XC40 Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 XC40, so we've included reviews for other years of the XC40 since its last redesign.
All around greatness (former GTI owner)
Tom E, 09/09/2019
2020 Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
130 of 135 people found this review helpful
We’ve owned our fair share of cars (Jeep Grand Cherokee, VW GTI and Sportwagen, BMW 3 series and more) but this one takes the cake. Our Jeep was 11 yrs old and it was time to replace it. We liked the XC90, but felt a little guilty about it since we live in the city and didn’t really need all that space 99% of the time. If we did, it would be for a long road trip and then we wouldn’t want that mileage on our car anyway. The XC60 was nice, but we really clicked with the XC40 because unlike other companies, the XC40 doesn’t feel any less nice than the 60, just more compact. It doesn’t have as many features, but it wasn’t anything we needed. Driving - It drives more like a GTI (very sporty) but a lot less bumpy. Roads in Brooklyn can be really beat up. Initially when we saw a pothole, we’d cringe waiting for the bump to jostle us (as it did in the GTI) but it feels somehow very smooth and still stiff and connected to the road. We got the Polestar too and it just adds a little more sportiness without sacrifice and with the additional torque in the mid-range. We really love it, more so than the 3 series even, and my wife and I are now constantly arguing who’s turn it is to drive. Safety - All cars are not created equal and the safety in this car is incredible. You have to realize that Volvo prioritizes safety beyond requirements and other manufacturers, and if you research it you’ll see that they do not skimp on anything. In government crash testing, the front passenger is not treated to the same scrutiny as the driver, but Volvo ensures it is as safe as can be. City safety is also incredible and with bikers, pedestrians, cabs, etc. it really gives us a piece of mind. Technology - Volvo uses a tablet-like setup. I do wish it had a few more physical buttons for the climate control. However, despite the learning curve, we found the infotainment to be relatively easy to use after a few days. After that initial learning curve, you realize that you have an ability to really customize a lot and we really like it. I rated it 4 stars because of that initial learning curve, but it’s not far off from being great. Features - First thing you notice is that Volvo put thought into everything from the materials, to storage and the designs. Feels like a much more expensive car. The panoramic moonroof, the materials, seat cushion extensions, 8 way front seats (both!) and lighting options are just scratching the surface. I also love that with the two keys we use, the car knows when it’s me or my wife and remembers our preferences for the seat, mirrors, and more. Comfort - The front seats are great and the seat cushion extension is great for my 6’ 2” frame. The backseat is good, but it is a small car and that’s probably where I find it a little lacking as it is a fixed seat and a little short for someone 6’2” (then again, I’m rarely in the back). I really wish you could move or recline the seat. Not a deal breaker, but would be nice. The look - We love the R-design look for its sporty yet elegant look. The 19” wheels look fantastic and the gray with blue tinge exterior (new color) against the black top make it eye-catching against the boring crowd. People always stare at it and the first time we parked it after the dealership someone made a comment about it being a beautiful car. It’s definitely a head turner. On the inside, I do wish we could opt for lighter cabin materials, which you cannot do in the R-design, but we overlook it because of the huge moonroof, great seats and plenty of light in the spacious cabin. Overall - We’d highly recommend this car if you’re looking for something practical and sporty with great features, storage and the right amount of luxury. The price can tick up quickly, but nothing else checks almost all the boxes in such a wonderful package that gets you excited to drive it every time while knowing you’re safe. We’re very happy.
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Better than expected
AndyJ, 04/30/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 T4 Inscription 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
49 of 50 people found this review helpful
A really good little crossover, pretty good luxury features for the price, very minimal and quite reliable so far. The infotainment is a bit annoying because it doesn't make android auto full-screen and the seats could be a bit more premium. It's definitely nicer to live and drive than the CX-5 or CX-30, especially when it comes to comfort and features. Also the paint and corrosion protection is top notch, which is primarily the reason I bought it over the Mazdas. My old Mazda 3 undercarriage was nearly completely rusted after a couple of years due to the weather. I heard there were some electronic gremlins, but so far had no issues and stop-start works pretty much like my old mazda (though I disable it most of the time because it does degrade the starter and doesn't help economy that much) CTA and BLIS are awesome, and the driving feel is definitely really good though a bit light steering. Also it saved me from some collisions, so top marks so far Currently 15k miles on the odometer. Great car, maybe a bit expensive but it's definitely worth it for the style, safety and comfort
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2021 Volvo XC40 for sale near you
3 of 35 listings
- T5 Inscription 4dr SUVMSRP: $26,60126 mi away
- T5 Momentum 4dr SUVMSRP: $15,995120 mi away
- T5 R-Design 4dr SUVMSRP: $26,993130 mi away
See all 35 listings
Excellent SUV for the price and safety
Grayhawk, 08/17/2019
2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Inscription 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
63 of 66 people found this review helpful
We purchased our 2019 Volvo XC40 through the overseas delivery program that Volvo offers. A fantastic program you should explore but that is not part of this review. We drove the car 3000 miles in Sweden and Norway during our trip and are now waiting for the car to be delivered to our dealer in Colorado. During those 3000 miles, the car functioned perfectly. All systems no problems. The car is reasonably quiet. Very responsive. Interior appointments are luxury level in my view since I am moving up from a Subaru Forester 2014, and the little touches to details are excellent. The bag hug on the glove box, the many little cubbies, the drawer under the driver's seat, the trash basket in the center armrest is the best. Storage behind the back seat is smaller than in the Subaru but very adequate. The way the area is configured in our model is perfect. There are several configuration options and you need to look at Volvo's site to check it out. You will love it. We got over 30 miles to the gallon (US) of gas and that was fine for me. Seats are very comfortable both front and back. The computer is similar to the one in Tesla in terms of the screen and a computer like operation style. Once I adjusted I started to get more comfortable with it. The safety features are numerous and I still need to learn more but the parking assist, the highway driving assistant, and the 360-degree camera are super. We are very pleased with the car and it is certainly a major upgrade from our Subaru which we also enjoyed.
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My Sporty XC40
Ms. Chez, 07/24/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
20 of 20 people found this review helpful
Loving my 2021 T5 R Design XC40. I owned the XC60 for 12 years, and loved it, and fell in love with this new little gem. Please note that the cargo area is a bit smaller than the XC60, but my husband can still fit his golf clubs and 2 large pieces of luggage in the car with ease so according to him all is right with the world. I have read complaints about the interactive system in the car, so I immediately read the short portion of how to use it and the general commands to ease the learning curve and I have loved it. I also read that others felt like it's not as luxurious as it could be, but I chose the R Design because I wanted a sportier look both in and out. I did look at the XC40 Momentum and Inscription and found them to be up to the standard of Volvo luxury if that is what you are looking for but want a smaller SUV. So far I have been completely happy with my new toy, and hope it gives me another 12 years of joy like my XC60 did. I am confident it will.
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Great Car, But Could Be Better
Harley512, 12/30/2019
updated 11/23/2020
2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Inscription 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
81 of 86 people found this review helpful
I am happy with the XC40 is purchased a month ago, but there are a couple of things I dislike. As background, I traded in a five year old XC60. I was looking for something with all the safety features and tech, a little smaller, with better gas mileage, and the XC40 fit the bill. The car is zippy and I recently got 27 mpg in the city. The touchscreen interface is easy to learn, and has some cute features available. The drive is smooth overall. The automatic breaking when you back up in crowded parking lots really works well (ha!) and I've always loved the parking assist sensors, rain sensors, BLIS, etc. on the Volvos. The front is small, but the center console, dashboard and steering wheel are positioned for room to stretch a little bit, which is nice. One of the things I dislike about XC40 is the blind spots in the rear of the vehicle. The third pillar is too wide and it's unsettling not being able to see cars approaching, even with the BLIS engaged and mirrors set correctly. Although there are other car brands/ models that have blind spots like this, it is surprising Volvo allowed that design to pass. I am guessing it's for strong frame support, but my XC60 had virtually no blind spots so it's a real adjustment. For some reason, I didn't notice them during the test drive, otherwise I might have rethought my purchase. Additionally, despite the nifty front seat driver adjustments available, it's really hard to get comfortable in the car for more than an hour's drive. The rear seats are adequate in size for most humans, but even my kids complain about their backs hurting after awhile. Overall, a nice vehicle for city driving, but not for long commutes or trips. UPDATE - 11/22/2020 - It's been 11 months since I bought the XC40. I still really like the smooth drive of the vehicle. The mpg in the city is now about 21.5. I find that only having the temperature/AC/heat settings available through the touchscreen is super inconvenient, if not a safety hazard. The default temp preferences don't seem to save, so I find myself adjusting each trip. Additionally, the push button controls available for window defrost on/off automatically are set to max and work fast, but once activated I can't make minor adjustments to their levels unless I use the touchscreen. These adjustments take too much attention if I am driving.
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