2026 Volvo XC40

Price Range: $39,900 - $51,900

2025 Volvo XC40 B5 Ultra Dark 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2026 Volvo XC40 doesn't excel in any one area, but pleasing performance, a comfortable interior and Google-backed in-car tech make it a well-rounded compact luxury SUV. Lackluster cargo space is the XC40's biggest drawback.

27 Owner Reviews

Pros

Pro:Comes well equipped with driver assist features
Pro:Easy-to-use Google-based infotainment system
Pro:Easy to see out of

Cons

Con:Cargo capacity is small for the compact SUV class
Con:Seat and ride comfort pales in comparison to other luxury SUVs

What’s new

Front-wheel drive is newly standard
Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors become standard
More responsive infotainment system
Available Black Edition version
Part of the first XC40 generation introduced for 2019

8 Colors
6 Trims
2 Packages

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2026 Volvo XC40 Review

Overview

Written by automotive expert Robert Duffer

8/25/2025

The 2026 Volvo XC40 embodies the spartan style of the Swedish automaker in a handsome compact SUV package. Smaller than the best-selling XC60 but larger than the new EX30 electric crossover, the XC40 has five seats but is comfier for four passengers. The cleanly designed interior limits distractions and uses Google Built-In to create a relatively seamless infotainment experience that's no more complicated than using a smartphone. It's not the sportiest luxury crossover, but it excels with its sharp design and a standard suite of safety systems. An electric model, the EX40, is reviewed separately.

Edmunds spotlight: Infotainment by Google

Volvo was one of the first brands to adopt Google's Android-based operating system for its in-car technology. It's updated for 2026 to be quicker and more responsive than its predecessor, Volvo says. It's more responsive to activate Google Maps or toggle through apps on the 9-inch touchscreen without having to wait for it to load, and it also allows a split-screen display for the first time, so you can see the navigation map and your playlist at the same time. Voice commands via a "Hey Google" prompt make it easy to interrupt navigation to find the best local BBQ or change the cabin temperature without fiddling with the icons in the lower part of the touchscreen. And, yes, it supports Apple CarPlay.

Competitors to consider

The XC40 matches up against other compact luxury SUVs, most notably the new Acura ADX and the cushy Lincoln Corsair. The Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLB are also compelling options. Check out the Edmunds Expert Rating below to compare the XC40 against rivals.

Which XC40 trim does Edmunds recommend?

We recommend the XC40's Core version. It comes well equipped, with standard heated front seats, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and other driver assist systems. We'd also recommend upgrading to the B5 model. It costs significantly more than the base B4 but adds the more potent 247-hp engine and all-wheel drive. In cold-weather states, we'd add the Climate package for a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats.

Compare 2026 Volvo XC40 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Volvo XC40 models

The 2026 Volvo XC40 compact luxury SUV is sold in Core, Plus, Ultra and Ultra Black Edition trims. Each one comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Volvo calls the standard version of this engine the B4 and fits it to the Core and Plus trim levels. The B4 puts out 194 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque and powers the front wheels only. You can also get an upgraded engine called the B5, which offers 247 hp and 258 lb-ft and comes with all-wheel drive. The B5 is available throughout the lineup and is standard on Ultra trims. Here are the significant features with each trim level.

Core
The entry-level Core trim gets you a good number of features for the money:

18-inch alloy wheels
Roof rails
Keyless entry
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory functions
Power-folding rear headrests
Heated front seats
Cloth upholstery
9-inch center touchscreen with Google-based operating system
Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
Digital instrument cluster
Wireless charging pad

Standard driver assist features include:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assistance (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)

Plus
The Plus trim adds to the Core's features, with:

19-inch wheels
LED foglights
Panoramic sunroof
Multi-purpose trunk floor/partition
Leather upholstery
Air purifier
Power-adjustable front passenger seat
Universal garage door opener
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the XC40 and its surroundings in tight parking situations)

Ultra
The top Ultra trim tops off the features list with:

20-inch wheels
Harman Kardon premium audio
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Pilot Assist (combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance to reduce driver fatigue)

Ultra Black Edition
The Ultra Black Edition trim adds some blacked-out cosmetic bits, such as:

Black contrasting roof
Black 20-inch alloy wheels
Black badging

Some features are available on lower-level trims as options. An available Climate package for the XC40 adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel.

2026 Volvo XC40

At a Glance:

8 Colors
6 Trims
2 Packages
$41,195starting MSRP

Learn More VolvoCars.us

Volvo XC40 Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.4

5(44%)

4(7%)

3(11%)

2(18%)

1(20%)

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Major mechanical problem after 2 months

P, 04/05/2024

2024 Volvo XC40 B5 Ultimate Bright 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)

I have a brand new XC40 which experienced a major mechanical problem. My car had to be towed to the dealership 2 days ago. I do not have a final diagnosis or remedy and am told that may take another week. But I do know that the problem is serious and "never happens" and was called a "major fault". Reliability was my number one concern buying a new car - I had my previous car over 10 …

Is there a zero star rating option?

Jody, 12/07/2022

2023 Volvo XC40 B4 Plus Bright 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)

I have only owned this brand new Volvo xc40 2023 for three months and it has been in the shop for 29 days and counting. The IHU (radio) has been replaced. That replacement has been “fixed” once and it is now in the shop with the same issue- the IHU shuts down and this time with a warning not to drive the vehicle. The IHU is the hub that controls everything from the climate control to …

Think Twice and then Twice some more

Marlo, 04/05/2023

2023 Volvo XC40 B5 Plus Dark 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)

Picked up the car on a Saturday, emissions light pops up 2 days later. Needed some type of valve replacement; also turns out there is a software brake recall...really? Spent 3 days at the service location, no loaner provider. Got it back, 2 days later, emissions light indicator back on, schedule to go back for service. Level of frustration is unsurmountable, think twice and then think …

SOOOO DISAPPOINTED!

Disappointed , 11/06/2022

2023 Volvo XC40 B5 Ultimate Bright 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)

Traded in a 2019 Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum for a new 2023 version of the same car. XC40, B5 mild hybrid, ultimate trim. My biggest complaint is the regenerative braking. It makes the brakes so slow and stiff that it's like the days before power brakes were invented! Bringing the car to a sudden slowdown on the freeway was like working my leg out on a weight machine at the gym - only …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Volvo XC40, so we've included reviews for other years of the XC40 since its last redesign.

2026 Volvo XC40