2019 Volvo XC40 Review

PROS
Fun, memorable design
T5 Momentum is easy to drive and perky
Care by Volvo takes headache out of ownership
Cabin has plenty of tech and storage space
CONS
Ride can be jumpy on bigger wheels
Some rivals offer more cargo space
Care by Volvo isn't the cheapest route to ownership
The SUV market is getting crowded, fast, and carmakers are scrambling to have their own models stand out. At first glance, Volvo’s new 2019 XC40 might not fit the bill, both figuratively and literally. Its smallest SUV, the subcompact looks like a seriously shrunken version of the company’s larger XC60 and XC90. Yet the XC40 is looking to prompt a shake-up much bigger than its footprint, with a new platform under the sheet metal and a new way of adding one to your garage. I got a chance to take the new XC40 for a spin, to see if it has what it takes to stand tall among larger vehicles in its segment.

More for less seems to be the general theme of the 2019 Volvo XC40, both inside and out. While it borrows the design of its larger cousins, Volvo’s smallest SUV is actually very different under that skin. It’s the first to use the so-called Compact Modular Architecture, a new platform co-developed by Volvo and Geely to not only package cabin space and safety, but accommodate a variety of powertrain types as the Swedes move further and further toward full electrification.

The flourishes that tell you it’s a modern Volvo are all present and correct. The “hockey stick” lamps on the rear, combined with a larger than usual C-pillar, give the XC40 the illusion of extra space from the rear three-quarter angle. Inside, meanwhile, space is actually no illusion, and room has been found for more cubby holes, drawers, fold-out bag hooks, USB and wireless charging, and even a removable trash bin. Volvo’s vertically-oriented touch screen, the 9-inch SENSUS system, dominates the dashboard.

Outside, the bi-color design gives the SUV some character, if that is you want it. The black roof is standard, but a contrasting white version is available as an option on the Momentum trim. The range kicks off in dealerships with the T5 Momentum all-wheel drive, with a 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged engine good for 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque.
A front-wheel-drive T4 Momentum should follow later with a smaller engine and a matching lower 184 hp output, which I didn’t get to test since it won’t be available at launch. A T5 AWD R-Design option includes Sensus Navigation Pro as standard – optional on the Momentum trims – along with keyless entry and hands-free tailgate opening, a slightly different grille, and metallic exhaust tips, among other visual tweaks.

Behind the wheel, I discovered that the XC40 has something of a split personality. It’s an SUV and, at the same time, doesn’t always feel like one. On the road, it drives smoothly, turns sharply, and steers lightly. The performance doesn’t stand out as much as its appearance does, and the compact dimensions make it perfect for the urban use that Volvo is targeting. It easily navigates city roads and can quickly swerve to avoid the occasional car stopping so suddenly or the pedestrian popping out from nowhere. The XC40 was built for the city, and its performance there proves it.