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Get These Cars at 0% APR Right Now2022 Volvo XC40: Competitive Luxury
The 2022 XC40 is Volvo’s luxury subcompact SUV. Our experts look at powertrain, safety features, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s new for the 2022 Volvo XC40?
Changes are small for the 2022 Volvo XC40. Heated seats are now standard but the power-operated liftgate, the rear child locks, and the fog lamps are now optional. The R-Design adds a wireless device charger. The all-electric XC40 Recharge gets three different trims for 2022. Across those three, the range has been improved from 208 miles to 233. In addition, the Lava carpet and the storage space under the driver’s seat is gone and the 360-degree camera system is now standard.
2022 Volvo XC40 – media.volvocars.com | Shop 2022 Volvo XC40 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
High-quality cabin
Spacious interior
Potent powertrains
Vexing infotainment system
Unrefined ride at times
R-Design needs more
Excited for a reshuffle in 2023
2022 XC40 Specs
- 187 horsepower from base engine
- 221 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 20.7 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 57.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Standard Android Auto
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- 3 years of complimentary maintenance
2022 Volvo XC40 Powertrain
Every 2022 Volvo XC40 comes with the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain under the hood. Thanks to turbocharging, Volvo sells it at two different power levels called T4 and T5. Those who select T4 will get 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque along with front-wheel drive only. Buyers who go for the T5 configuration get 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T5 also automatically adds all-wheel drive. Both utilize an eight-speed automatic transmission.
In practice, both are quite peppy considering the small size of the XC40. At higher RPMs we found each one to be a little less than melodious. At the same time, how often will most buyers be redlining this car? The automatic transmission is smooth and was fault-free in our testing. The T4 is likely all that anybody could ever really need for a vehicle like this but we still prefer the T5. The extra power on board is a treat and helps the XC40 go from 0-60 in just over 6 seconds.
In the past, we’d look to the R-Design trim level to be the sporty one in Volvo’s lineup but that’s not the case anymore. Now, it’s more of an appearance package than anything else as it adds sporty exterior trim along with some additional in-cabin features. It rides no differently than the Momentum or Inscription trim levels. That is to say, the XC40 in general rides well but it’s not as sharp and nimble as the BMW X1 or the Infiniti QX30. It can also be unsettled by poor road conditions. Those who select the large 21-inch wheels will notice that even more.
The big standout of the group is the Recharge with its all-electric drivetrain and considerable heft compared to its gas-powered siblings. Despite a curb weight of 4,662 pounds, this SUV can do the 0-60 scoot in just 4.4-seconds. It’s not a sharp handler like the lighter XC40 trims but it’s downright fun in highway traffic as it’ll find any space you want it to very quickly. Its two electric motors combine to send 402 horsepower to all four wheels regardless of trim level.
2022 Volvo XC40 Fuel Economy & Battery Range
The T4 version of the XC40 gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway. The T5 version sees those figures drop the 22 and 30 respectively. While those figures are below average for the class, keep in mind that the Recharge trim, an EV version, which few rivals offer, provides considerably better fuel economy.
The EPA says that it’ll get 85 MPGe combined and go up to 223 miles per charge. That’s considerably less than some rivals but for the pragmatic it’ll likely prove to be more than enough for daily use.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Regardless of which grade of the XC40 one might find themselves in, the cabin is a nice place to spend time. It’s spacious in any seat and offers excellent visibility as well. The seating itself is firm and some have noted that it could benefit from more adjustments. The dash and center control stack is well-made and demonstrates excellent commitment to fit and finish. We really like the small trim adjustments between grades from driftwood to aluminum to crystal. The XC40 feels more expensive than it actually is.
Functionally, this Volvo is near the top of its class. Clever storage solutions are littered throughout the cabin with a hook that flips out of the glovebox as just one example. The rear seats have a passthrough in case you don’t want to or don’t need to use the full 60/40 fold-down feature. We also appreciate that rear seat passengers get the same high-quality experience as front seat passengers with excellent upholstery and fine details to appreciate like contrast stitching.
Entertainment & Technology
Volvo has yet to update the XC40 to its new Android-based infotainment system. As a result, buyers are left with Volvo’s Sensus system which isn’t as sensitive as we’d like. Touches are often unnoticed or the system simply lags behind expectation. Menus aren’t particularly intuitive either so we’d love to see this facet of design improved. Thankfully, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard features on the XC40 so buyers aren’t stuck with just one means to control infotainment.
On top of that, we’re happy to report that Volvo does include some important physical controls for certain features. Not only are there physical buttons on the steering wheel but there’s a volume knob, forward and back audio buttons, and a couple of vital climate controls too.
Safety Features
Every XC40 comes with a bevy of advanced driver assistance systems. That includes lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive headlights, and a driver attention warning program. Those that want it can add other features like adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. Finally, the IIHS selected the XC40 as a Top Safety Pick+, its highest honor. The NHTSA also awarded this little SUV five stars in crash testing.
2022 Volvo XC40 Trims & Pricing
Momentum – $36,195
The base Momentum trim comes with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a push-button ignition, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a digital gauge cluster, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, and eight speakers. Every trim level starts out with the T4 engine mentioned above but owners can opt for the T5 across the entire lineup.
The Momentum trim has an available Premium package that adds dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, front parking sensors, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and integrated navigation. Those who select this package can then add an Advanced package with adaptive cruise, a 360-degree camera system, and ambient lighting.
R-Design – $41,445
The R-Design gets special 19-inch wheels, a black-painted roof, upgraded leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique high-gloss black exterior trim pieces.
Inscription – $42,945
The top-end Inscription trim swaps out the gloss black for chrome trim and adds a crystal shift knob along with different 19-inch wheels.
Recharge Twin – $52,795
The base electric version of the XC40 is a blend of features from the Momentum and R-Design gas-powered trims. It gets 19-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, four USB ports, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, keyless entry, a wireless charging pad, and power-adjustable heated front seats.
Recharge Twin Plus – $56,395
The Plus model adds faux suede upholstery, a leather/metal-wrapped steering wheel, remote start, piano black interior trim, Microtech seats, a cargo tray organizer, front parking sensors, lane-keep aid, and a driver attention monitor.
Recharge Twin Ultimate – $59,245
The Ultimate adds adaptive cruise control, a Harman Kardon sound system, 20-inch wheels, and heated rear seats.
Warranties
Volvo offers the same warranty package you’d find on the rival BMW X1. It includes four years or 50,000 miles of limited and powertrain coverage along with three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Battery components are covered for up to eight years or 100,000 miles.
What we think
2022 Volvo XC40 – media.volvocars.com | Shop 2022 Volvo XC40 on Carsforsale.com
The 2022 Volvo XC40 is a highly practical everyday people mover. Considering its fairly low-cost compared to many of its rivals we think it’s one of the best values in the segment. It’s packed full of excellent features and above-average built quality. Buyers can get everything from a quick and fun compact SUV to a full-fledged EV with snappy power and zero carbon emissions. Add to that the fact that it’s well-regarded as one of the safest cars on the road. It’s hard to see a reason, other than the frustrating infotainment system, to not recommend this car.
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