Volvo XC40 2020 review: T4 Momentum

Volvo has really nailed the design of its cars recently, and the XC40 is no exception. It looks sophisticated and quite swish, without feeling OTT or too flashy.

It’s got a modern profile, and the signature Volvo badge on a sleek grille. It’s not particularly sporty looking - this is definitely more Posh Spice than Sporty Spice in the SUV gang - and it has just the right amount of machismo to balance things out. 

The XC40 has a modern profile, and features the signature Volvo badge on a sleek grille.

The design focus carries through to the interior, and even though I’m in the entry model, you wouldn’t know it. It looks and feels premium.

The seats in our test example were leather (optioned in for an extra $750). Standard on this model are vegan leather seats. The steering wheel comes in leather as standard and feels great to touch.

The seats are also heated and power adjustable in the front - part of the 'Comfort Pack' which costs an extra $1000. 

The seats in this test car are leather and there is a large, panoramic sunroof.

It’s also fitted with a large, panoramic sunroof which lets lots of light in and is part of the 'Lifestyle Pack' which also includes tinted rear windows and a premium sound system for $3000.

The rest of the interior is stylish, with metallic accents on the dash and doors and a matt black trim around the design centrepiece, a large, 9.0-inch multimedia screen which is vertical, rather than horizontal and is basically like having a large tablet in your car. 

The XC40 drives beautifully. It’s smooth and feels light on the road, one of the reasons I like this size car, there’s no heaviness and the steering turns easily.

It’s also quite agile and you almost feel as though you’re in a small car - if it wasn’t for the height it that is.

It’s got a 2.0-litre, four cylinder turbo engine which gets up hills quickly and makes it a breeze to coast along highways. This T4 Momentum model is front-wheel drive (FWD), but all-wheel drive (AWD) is available in the the next two models up if that’s important to you for better traction on slippery surfaces. 

The XC40 has a 2.0-litre, four cylinder turbo engine.

Parking in the XC40 is fine because of the size, and also because it has a very clear reverse parking camera. Our car was optioned up to include the 360 view camera, and left-hand and right-hand cameras as part of the 'Momentum Technology Pack' ($2000) which also includes 'Park Assist Pilot' (it will park the car by itself without your help).

There are a number of power operated features including the tailgate which opens and closes with a button. The front seats are power adjustable with the previously mentioned Comfort Pack ($1000) and the sunroof opens with a button. There’s also keyless entry. 

For storage you’ll find two cupholders in the front, a spot for keys and a phone which also has a 'Qi' (chee) charger, a good sized centre storage bin, bottle holders in each door plus a few extra spaces: a deep stash in the centre console and a secret drawer under the driver’s seat. 

Rear passengers get two cupholders in the back, their own air vents which is one of the first things my children notice, and pockets on the back of the front seats. 

The rear seats have their own air vents.

Volvo is known for its comprehensive safety and in the XC40 you’ll find auto emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection. There’s also blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a lane keeping aid and front and rear collision warnings. 

Volvo is known for its comprehensive safety.

There are airbags to cover driver and front passenger plus side curtain airbags that extend to the back row. You’ll find two ISOFIX points and three top tether points for kids car seats.

AWD versions of the Volvo XC40 have a maximum five-star ANCAP rating, but this FWD T4 Momentum model is not included in that assessment.

The Volvo XC40 T4 Momentum costs $46,990 before on-road costs and extras. Add the extras on this particular car we tested and the total comes to $54,890. 

Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.2L/100km, and for the week we drove it, it returned 9.5L/100km. 

It's covered by Volvo's three year/unlimited km warranty which is not great when compared with other car companies but on par with other luxury brands. Servicing is recommended every 12 months or 15,000km.

The XC40 is covered by Volvo's three year/unlimited km warranty.