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2018 Volvo XC40
There appears to be no stopping the sport-utility / crossover renaissance, and Volvo is poised to take another piece of the pie with its new XC40 compact SUV. The Swedish automaker already has an outstanding reputation – and a loyal customer base – with its larger XC60 and XC90 models, but with many compact SUV shoppers looking at price as much as product, can the XC40’s posh appointments win favor in this fast-growing and extremely competitive segment?
Before we even get to the vehicle itself, Volvo seems to have a possible answer to that question. Launching with the XC40 is an entirely new way of new-car shopping and purchasing that Volvo calls Care by Volvo. In short, it trades the traditional dealership buying or leasing process for an online experience where everything is lumped into a single monthly payment. Shoppers browse for the car they want, click a button, and just like they have a new Volvo for two years – complete with insurance and scheduled maintenance.
The program will only be available in select markets, and we suspect the monthly payments won’t necessarily be rock bottom. Care by Volvo is clearly aimed at the new generation of car buyers who shop online and have neither the time nor the patience to wheel and deal the old fashioned way. Volvo hasn’t yet released pricing for this program, so we’ll just have to wait and see if the one-click car-buying experience takes off.
If it doesn’t, it likely won’t be the XC40’s fault. At launch the XC40 will be available as the D4 AWD, utilizing a 188-horsepower four cylinder diesel, or as the T5 AWD with a boosted four-pot making 244 horsepower. Both models will benefit from Volvo’s Geartronic eight-speed automatic. An entry-level T3 model will follow early next year with a boosted three-cylinder mill making 156 horsepower, turning just the front wheels with a six-speed manual. Volvo also says hybrid and all-electric models are in the future, but no specific timeframe is given as to when they might appear.
Trim levels for the XC40 at launch include Momentum and R-Design, with an entry-level trim and top-of-the-line Inscription models coming later. Fortunately, Volvo isn’t stingy with the equipment, as the Momentum includes such standard features as a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 9-inch touch screen infotainment system with navigation and Sensus Connect internet, dual-zone climate control, LED headlamps, rear parking assist, leather heated front seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels. R-Design adds leather and aluminum trim to the inside with black highlights outside, along with twin exhaust tips and a lowered sport suspension.
Consistent among all XC40 models are enough shelves, containers, nooks, compartments, and storage areas to stash a solar system's worth of stuff. The automaker is on a self-proclaimed mission to end clutter in cars, which pertains to a menagarie of wires as well as drinks and crayons. There are compartments for smartphones that offer wireless charging, fold-out hooks to hang things, and a trash bin stowed in the center console. We suspect even automotive hoarders would have trouble trashing the XC40's interior.
Of course, being a Volvo there are a host of safety features that the company says draw from the XC60 and XC90, but are designed for city driving in the XC40. Cross traffic alert with automatic braking helps take the stress out of reversing onto a busy city street. The XC40’s emergency braking system monitors cars as well as cyclists and pedestrians in normal driving conditions, and a 360-degree top-down camera offers a birds-eye view to help drivers park in close quarters. On the autonomous front, the company’s Pilot Assist system utilizes semi-autonomous driving functions for steering, acceleration and braking on “well marked” roads, and will function at speeds up to 80 mph.
All in all, there isn't necessarily anything revolutionary happening with the XC40 but that's not necessarily a bad thing given the popularity of it's bigger stablemates. As for price, Volvo says the entry-level T3 will start at €31,350, with fully-equipped models topping €40,000. Overall, that’s comparable to luxury rivals such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, though we suspect most shoppers will at least step up to a mid-level T5 Momentum with all-wheel drive.
The order banks are now open for the XC40, with production slated to begin in November and initial deliveries taking place early next year.
Update: Volvo Cars USA has released pricing details for the new XC40, which is already available on order from $35,200 for the all-wheel-drive T5 model in the Momentum trim. Upgrade to the R-Design version and it will set you back $37,700 with the same T5 AWD setup. Next summer, a more affordable front-wheel-drive T4 will be added to the range and it will cost $33,200. All prices exclude the $995 destination charge.
Before we even get to the vehicle itself, Volvo seems to have a possible answer to that question. Launching with the XC40 is an entirely new way of new-car shopping and purchasing that Volvo calls Care by Volvo. In short, it trades the traditional dealership buying or leasing process for an online experience where everything is lumped into a single monthly payment. Shoppers browse for the car they want, click a button, and just like they have a new Volvo for two years – complete with insurance and scheduled maintenance.
The program will only be available in select markets, and we suspect the monthly payments won’t necessarily be rock bottom. Care by Volvo is clearly aimed at the new generation of car buyers who shop online and have neither the time nor the patience to wheel and deal the old fashioned way. Volvo hasn’t yet released pricing for this program, so we’ll just have to wait and see if the one-click car-buying experience takes off.
If it doesn’t, it likely won’t be the XC40’s fault. At launch the XC40 will be available as the D4 AWD, utilizing a 188-horsepower four cylinder diesel, or as the T5 AWD with a boosted four-pot making 244 horsepower. Both models will benefit from Volvo’s Geartronic eight-speed automatic. An entry-level T3 model will follow early next year with a boosted three-cylinder mill making 156 horsepower, turning just the front wheels with a six-speed manual. Volvo also says hybrid and all-electric models are in the future, but no specific timeframe is given as to when they might appear.
Trim levels for the XC40 at launch include Momentum and R-Design, with an entry-level trim and top-of-the-line Inscription models coming later. Fortunately, Volvo isn’t stingy with the equipment, as the Momentum includes such standard features as a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 9-inch touch screen infotainment system with navigation and Sensus Connect internet, dual-zone climate control, LED headlamps, rear parking assist, leather heated front seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels. R-Design adds leather and aluminum trim to the inside with black highlights outside, along with twin exhaust tips and a lowered sport suspension.
Consistent among all XC40 models are enough shelves, containers, nooks, compartments, and storage areas to stash a solar system's worth of stuff. The automaker is on a self-proclaimed mission to end clutter in cars, which pertains to a menagarie of wires as well as drinks and crayons. There are compartments for smartphones that offer wireless charging, fold-out hooks to hang things, and a trash bin stowed in the center console. We suspect even automotive hoarders would have trouble trashing the XC40's interior.
Of course, being a Volvo there are a host of safety features that the company says draw from the XC60 and XC90, but are designed for city driving in the XC40. Cross traffic alert with automatic braking helps take the stress out of reversing onto a busy city street. The XC40’s emergency braking system monitors cars as well as cyclists and pedestrians in normal driving conditions, and a 360-degree top-down camera offers a birds-eye view to help drivers park in close quarters. On the autonomous front, the company’s Pilot Assist system utilizes semi-autonomous driving functions for steering, acceleration and braking on “well marked” roads, and will function at speeds up to 80 mph.
All in all, there isn't necessarily anything revolutionary happening with the XC40 but that's not necessarily a bad thing given the popularity of it's bigger stablemates. As for price, Volvo says the entry-level T3 will start at €31,350, with fully-equipped models topping €40,000. Overall, that’s comparable to luxury rivals such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, though we suspect most shoppers will at least step up to a mid-level T5 Momentum with all-wheel drive.
The order banks are now open for the XC40, with production slated to begin in November and initial deliveries taking place early next year.
Update: Volvo Cars USA has released pricing details for the new XC40, which is already available on order from $35,200 for the all-wheel-drive T5 model in the Momentum trim. Upgrade to the R-Design version and it will set you back $37,700 with the same T5 AWD setup. Next summer, a more affordable front-wheel-drive T4 will be added to the range and it will cost $33,200. All prices exclude the $995 destination charge.
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