2020 Volvo XC40 | Top Luxury Pick... For Now... 

about reliability: a recent survey by consumers associations (i.e. it's based on users experience) in 5 European countries, places Volvo in the middle of the group with a score of 90/100 (91 is the entry score for excellence - first is Lexus with 97) but also places the XC40 at the first place in the SUV segment with a score of 99 (second place to Lexus NX, Toyota Rav4 and Kia Niro with 98)

I also prefer amber turn signals - it's a lot easier to notice them. I don't get why Volvo, a company that pays incredible attention to safety, decided to go with red ones on their SPA cars...

I like your factual down to earth reviews and your split screen driving shots; well done!

I agree on the amber turning signals. And I may hold out for an all-electric "Recharge" version of the XC40.

Alex .. your presentations are most informative, great job .. one of my favorites. I too prefer the amber turn indicators 👍🏾

great video, we just bought a XC40, and still learned some new things about it. We really like during this first 22 hours that we've owned it. And we got the Volvo XC40 trailer receiver and bike rack. Terrific. Folds down when opening the rear hatch door. Excellent option, and good to see one doesn't have to go to after-market supplier. Plus the red leather interior upholstery makes my wife very happy!

"Recently BMW said hold my beer and released an M performance version" Awesome commentary 😎

I like the amber turning indicator light better than the red , it seems to be more of a attention getter by it being a different color from your break light. And it's a better style design giving the vehicle a more pricier look

Amber light are definitely better in my opinion

I really enjoy all yr reviews there so informative.You cover all aspects of the vehicle .

As a Volvo guy: I'd buy this someday Alex.

A lot of reviewers of the XC40 always miss showing this feature: trunk release by slowly putting foot under rear bumper.

The Audi looks boring, the Volvo stands out from the crowd, but that has always been the case I think !

Best looking option in the segment IMO

I prefer amber turn signals as well, but it’s not that strong of a preference. I rented an XC40 recently and I really enjoyed it! I found the driver’s seat to be exceptionally comfortable. Also, I was very pleased with the vehicle all around including the interior design, and stable, quiet high speed cruising and handling. I agree with you, Alex, this is an excellent vehicle and I enjoyed, as always, your comprehensive review and your high rating of the XC40.

Amber turn signals, as I understand, are safer than red ones. It alerts drivers more emphatically that you are changing lanes or there is a hazard. I think they’re better all around!

Great video Alex!

Thanks Alex! Just bought a 2020 XC40, really like the performance!

Great design, and spec. Pity dealers insist on ripping you off. (My experience) Get the customer service sorted then maybe the premium price may be justifiable.

I got one in my garage :) and I love it.

Well, I did put my own money on it...and IT turned out to be the XC40 T5. This is our 11th Volvo and it is a fantastic vehicle! I do wish it had a more normal shift "lever" and I'd prefer a non-electronic parking brake actuator. Didn't get the Polestar tune; but might consider that for a Christmas present ;) Our fourth C70 is now seven years old and this XC40 might stay in the family even longer than that!

Alex, Always love your videos. Your approach is much more straightforward, consistent and coherent than most other car reviews. I do wish you would add one or two categories to your ratings system: Outward visibility: many modern cars have hilariously small side windows, short front windscreens with too tall dashes and obstructive body designs (Mazda 3, etc.,...). And some sort of reliability score Keep up the awesome work! Thanks!!

I’ve had mine for a year. I’ve also struggled with the shifter in stressful situations, tending to get stuck in neutral. It gets dangerous if I need to quickly move out of the way and caused a few close calls. I absolutely LOVE this car, and will continue to stick with volvo after this lease is up.

Amber turn signals need to be regulation. I cannot stand when I’m behind an old truck that just uses the brake light as the turn signal. It’s very confusing. Color is much easier to notice immediately than blinking

Thank you for the excellent review

"hold my beer" 🍻

I like the red turn signal better but it is based purely on design preference. It just looks nicer and colors flow much better. Love Volvo and i own 2018 XC90 which has been solid so far.

Like always good review. Very nice Volvo too. I just don't like that thick c pillar.

@Alexonautos Can we please have a head to head comparison of the XC40 PHEV and XC40 Recharge? I'm torn between the two and need your detailed analysis to make up my mind. Thanks 👍

Just bought a 2020 XC40 T5 Momentum. Love the looks, drives great in Sport Mode. Got a great deal as well. Cargo space is a bit on the tight side, but for 90% of the time, it will be totally adequate.

Great comprehensive review

Really well integrated exhaust tips

Thank you for the informative review, as always. Please review the electric one when it comes out, thank you! is a XC60 electric on the horizon?

Great review!

I modded in amber turn signals into my first car because I hate the dual purpose red ones. It worked suprisingly well, I just put the ambers in the reverse light housing

Picked a CX-5 Signature over this. I live in the desert and ventilated seats were a must have. Not available on the Volvo. The CX-5 has the same performance and luxury feel for a lot less money.

Why can't Lexus produce a car that looks this good? You'd think with all the money Toyota has they can hire the best designers around! As it stands, if you want a compact luxury SUV that looks good, you have to sacrifice reliability and get something like a Range Rover Evoq or this Volvo. If you want reliability to go with your luxury, you have to live with the ugly, gaping spindle grill Lexus has inflicted upon their cars!

what about those well integrated exhaust tips?

Superb info..ever on xc40 ...just booked..

Amber turn signals for the win!

Hi Alex, could you share any figures or comments around reliability scores for the XC40 on the last couple of years?. Keep up the great work, big fan of your channel!

No mention of the full electric "Recharge" version coming next year? I have my reservation in for it and it should be awesome!

Alex thanks for this review on XC 40. Could you also give a comparison to the lower T4 trim specially in terms of driving dynamics? Also for the new S60, many people are looking into the T5 FWD which is $5000 cheaper. It would be great if you can also compare the S60 T5 vs T6 too!

Nice review and comparisons👍.🤔With the Acura RDX being slightly larger than the last model it replaced , is their any news of Acura working on a smaller model to compete in this segment?..that would be interesting.

6 months and I still love my XC40

I went to my local Volvo dealership and asked about the $329 a month with a $3900 down payment lease deal I saw online that applied to 3 of their XC40. The sales rep pulled up the cars and showed me that they all leased for about $490 a month with a 2k down payment. Tried talking him down showing him the ad on the website and the lowest I got to was $399 month with a $2500 down payment. Volvo also snuck a garbage money factor of .0045 into the lease that is apparently non negotiable. My credit score is over 750...

Love the guy digging in the background ? ........Body ;)

Still on my short list...but not I'm being tempted by the Lincoln Corsair... Comparison?

BMW said "hold my beer". Alex, letting his hair down! Great detailed reviews as always.

Amber signals all the way. They’re more noticeable and thus safer.

Test drove both the Q3 and XC40 T5 this week and am buying the Volvo. Better handling, and cleaner user interface were the two big drivers. On the downside the Q3 runs on regular fuel and the T5 requires premium.

Amber turn signals. I have a 2010 XC60 and have been thinking of a new one but I'll go with the XC40 because of the amber signals OR I'll order the amber rear tail light assemblies from Europe and replace them if I go with the XC60. I won't drive a car with red turn indicators.

I notice your arms are outstretched so is the steering wheel limited in moving backwards? And, does it have an OnStar equivalent?

I have driven an Audi Q3 and a Volvo XC40 and I definitely prefer the Volvo. It rode much better, it was quieter, the driver’s seat was more comfortable, and in general just seemed more sophisticated. The XC40 was a pleasant surprise and this is coming from a big Audi fan who owns a Q5.

A little confused with cargo space. You mention here it's quite generous for the 'compact' segment at 20.7 cu-ft , but in Mazda cx5 turbo review, you said that was small for the 'compact' segment at 30.9 cu-ft.

Personally went with the UX Hybrid after considering the X1, XC40 and UX 1. Fuel consumption is nearly 50% higher on the X1 and XC40, and that doesn't even take the premium gas into consideration (Premium is $5/gallon here vs $4.20/gallon) If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that means fuel spending would be X1/XC40: 577 gallons @ $5/gallon - $2,885 /year, vs UX; 375 gallons @ 4.20/gallon = $1575 /year. Gas prices are cheaper in the U.S, but that's not the norm. 2. I live in Toronto, I spend most of my time driving in bumper to bumper traffic, where Hybrids do very well, and 0-60 times mean little. 3. Reliability. BMW is not bad, but I have been reading about some issues with Volvo 4. Insurance - Cheaper with the UX (almost $500 / year) 5. Resale value - Lexus will win, simply because of the name. Obviously trunk space and rear headroom are issues for the UX (along with a few odd things, including 0-60 times if you are about that), but overall the UX made a lot more sense for me. I do believe that Lexus could/should have made the UX a little faster (The Rav4 Hybrid is slightly faster, as is the camry etc..), but overall I am very happy with it as a single guy that doesn't use the vehicle for running a daycare or moving business.

The gearshifter 2 clicks ensures you go through neutral to stop any potential damage to the gearbox

I prefer amber turn signals as well, though they're not especially well integrated here.

Alex, will you be at the Chicago Auto Show in February? Meet and greet opportunity?

I have just bought XC40 in Vietnam

I was waiting for the plug in. Can’t wait anymore. Went for. Model 3.

I don't like the shifter in this Volvo. and don't like the push button shifters out there either. Just a regular traditional shifter is fine. Just make it look nice, reliable, and I am happy. Not sure why a lot of auto manufactorers are trying change gear shifters from traditional designs..

I've got an XC 40 D4 AWD automatic and I think the shifter is really cool and comfortable , I suppose it's like every other gadget the first time maybe it catches you off guard but then it's absolutely fantastic , fast and precise

I like the shifter. And I hit paddles by accident in other cars. Here's where the XC40 failed though (tested on T5 R-design). 1) stupidly poor ride quality, 2) seats that only match one body type, 3) lack of hard HVAC buttons, 4) headroom-robbing glass roof is mandatory in USDM. I ended buying X3, even though it's larger than I need or want.

12:30 Alex, you’re spot-on. Reviewers whining about shifter design is a problem exclusive to someone driving a different car every day.

What color is the car you’re reviewing? I mean the one with the white roof. Is that glacier silver?

But does it have well integrated exhaust tips???

Gearbox looks weird. Is it comfortable car? If you had to choose between BMW x3 and Volvo xc40, which one you would pick? Interior looks little bit ordinary to me.

I’ve turned my new car search to Volvo now. Curious your thoughts on XC40 vs MB GLB250? No ventilated seats in XC40 which is disappointing.

I have a 2019 XC40. The shifter was very annoying at first, after almost a year of ownership it is very easy to use and takes up no space.

Agreed. Definitely prefer the amber turn signals. Red is just dumb. Brake and turn signals should be separate and distinct.

“But bmw said hold my beer..”

The boot (or the trunk as you Americans say) has a volume of 460 Litres, or 16.2 Cu Ft. Not 20.7 Cu Ft as you said.

Is it just me or is the rubber surrounding the back quarter window not plum with the opening? I'd expect better fit for this money. Likely it doesn't leak air or water but it looks sloppy for vehicle sold as a premium brand. I notice things like trunk lids that aren't square to the body or door gaps that are not consistent with openings, etc. It makes me wonder about other assembly issues and reliability. I know these reviews are on driving, value and appearance not build quality and could be fault with this vehicle only. Great review Alex as always.

Amber = Safer. No discussion. It's true.

Thx Alex... Shifter area is clean and simple and you're used to it in no time. Love the amber lights. Still waiting for the "Recharge" myself... 👍😎

Alex, love you videos and reviews, but check your editing. You repeat the same thing a couple of times in this one.

Turn signals front and back should be amber. Surprised it's not the standard .

Great, solid review 👏

Can you compare this with MB gla?

Are the materials on the dashboard good quality and soft, or cheaper feeling?

Amber turn signals should be mandatory/regulated in the USA. Using red turn signals is a lazy design solution and not safety-conscious. I would never buy a vehicle that doesn't have amber signal lights OR a rear wiper blade if it's a hatchback/"coupé" style.

Amber signals are safer. Shame on Volvo for putting style over safety. Canada gets the T4 as well, but in AWD only.

Just not a fan of the shifter. Maybe you’re right and I’d get used to it, don’t understand what the advantage it has over a normal shifter.

from this group the bmw x1 would be my primary pick followed by the Audi most likely. the interior of the volvo is displeasing so that negates anything good about it.

I'd rather have a Lexus but Volvo would probably be my second choice

You didn't give any attention to one of my favorite features in the Inscription, the shifter is made of CRYSTAL. I LOVE IT!

I can’t believe Americans don’t have amber indicators (turn signals) on the rear of the vehicle. We have always had them here in Europe. Do Americans have Amber indicators on the front of the vehicles ?

Mileage in petrol xc40 ?.

He is really professional ....I think

Shouldn’t the GLB be a competitor?

The Lincoln Corsair is a small compact SUV compared to the XC-40 and A3 which are sub compact !!

I like driving our 2023 xc40 ultimate. Our car dealer replaced the 20” wheels with 19” wheels. 20 inch wheels made the ride too bumpy. The controls are a terrible distraction. There is a lot to learn and to go wrong. When you buy a car like this you are buying a computer system and a car. If you want to spend your time learning both, maybe this is your car.

I find the whole red/amber turn signal thing confusing. I used to think that red turn signals were the norm in the US, because that's just how it came to be historically, just like in most other places in the world amber became the norm. But then I moved to the US and it's just a wild mix over here... some American manufacturers use amber signals (noticed it on some Chevys and Fords) and some imports use red signals (like Acura, Volvo or virtually all the Germans)... sometimes it's different on the same model - like the Ford Edge, where pre-facelift models have red and post-facelift models have amber turn signals. There seems to be no pattern, no rhyme or reason with this... Now, personally, I don't really care either way - I'm sure amber signals are slightly more safe, simply because they use a different light bulb/LED in a different color... but honestly, if you find red turn signals confusing, you probably shouldn't be driving in the first place. Besides, nobody uses turn signals anymore, lol - that pisses me off much more.

Sometimes I wonder where Volvo gets their reasoning for the American market. I seriously doubt amber turn signals are any issue for American car shoppers looking to buy European. Furthermore why does the XC90, in the 6 passenger version, have 2nd row captains chairs without arm rests? I love Volvos but sometimes they leave me scratching my head.

I would really appreciate a careful analysis of cargo space with the seats down. The volume figures that the manufacturers give can't be trusted. Car and Drive lists the number of carry-on suitcases that can be put in the cargo space, but they don't list it on all models, and their figures differ dramatically relative to the cubic ft measurements the manufacturers give.

Ufff i bought it and comfortable seats in inscription version are not comfortable, my spine it’s hurt me every time after one hour drive. And I heard I’m not the only one who complain about it. I regret it so much I should choose redesign version.

BMW X2 pros and cons but picture shows the X1...

Amber Turn Signals - won't by a car that has red ones.

2020 Volvo XC40 awsome ride. Amber light are definitely better.