X

2019 Volvo XC40 is a damn good compact luxury SUV

Most small fancy SUVs tend to feel like penalty boxes unless you spend north of $40,000. Not the Volvo XC40, though -- this one's great right out of the box.

Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
2019 Volvo XC40
1 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

The XC40 packs a solid amount of standard equipment at an equally solid base price, and it's quite nice to drive.     

2019 Volvo XC40
2 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

You can even buy one like you would a Netflix account.    

2019 Volvo XC40
3 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

When it goes on sale in March, it will compete against other compact luxe-SUVs like the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and BMW X1.

2019 Volvo XC40
4 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

At launch in early 2018, the XC40 will be offered with just one engine -- the T5, a 248-horsepower turbocharged I4, mated to standard all-wheel drive.

2019 Volvo XC40
5 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

A cheaper, 185-hp I4 will arrive later on with front-wheel drive.   

2019 Volvo XC40
6 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

Cars take a long time to develop, and despite the XC40 starting its life back in 2013, the design looks fresh.    

2019 Volvo XC40
7 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

One of the first things you'll notice is that the XC40 comes standard with leather seats -- not some mediocre vinyl, but actual leather.   

2019 Volvo XC40
8 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

It feels nicer than anything the competition offers at a starting price in the low $30,000 range, and it looks nicer, too.    

2019 Volvo XC40
9 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

The 9-inch Sensus Connect infotainment system is standard on all trims, and although navigation isn't standard, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are.    

2019 Volvo XC40
10 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

Keep on scrolling to check out even more pictures of what I hope will become one of the hottest SUVs in its segment.

2019 Volvo XC40
11 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
12 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
13 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
14 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
15 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
16 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
17 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
18 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
19 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
20 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
21 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
22 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
23 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
24 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
25 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
26 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
27 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
28 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
29 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
30 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
31 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
32 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
33 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
34 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
35 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
36 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
37 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow
2019 Volvo XC40
38 of 38 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos