The facelifted Volvo XC40 range is due here in August, with a range of electrified and electric powertrains and Android Automotive infotainment.
UPDATE, 06/02/2023 – Volvo Car Australia has increased the asking price of the XC40 by between $500 and $2000, depending on the variant.
“During 2022 we, together with the whole industry and others have faced a number of hurdles an example of these being the cost of raw materials and logistics, and as a result needed to realign pricing,” said a Volvo Car Australia spokesperson.
MORE: Volvo Australia raises prices on most models
Arrivals will commence in August, with deliveries beginning either late in August or during September.
The new infotainment system – which continues to use a 9.0-inch portrait-oriented screen – debuted on the Recharge Pure Electric and has now been rolled out across the range, with all Volvo models getting the system this year.
The non-electrified T4 and T5 four-cylinder powertrains have been replaced with 48V mild-hybrid four-cylinders badged B4 and B5.
The former produces 145kW of power and 300Nm of torque (up 5kW on the old T4), while the B5 produces 183kW and 350Nm (down 2kW).
Compared with the outgoing T4, the new B4 uses 1.0L/100km less on the combined cycle and the B5 uses between 0.5L and 0.9L/100km less than the old T5.
There’s also a new trim level structure. The Plus B4 replaces the T4 Momentum, and the new base price is $53,490 before on-roads.
The T4 Inscription and T5 R-Design are gone, replaced with Ultimate B4 Bright and Ultimate B5 Dark models.
As previously confirmed, the Recharge Plug-In Hybrid is dead and there are two electric versions: the single-motor Recharge Pure Electric and the dual-motor Recharge Twin Pure Electric.
Cosmetic tweaks to the XC40 include a restyled front bumper, new wheel designs, and new headlights with revised LED daytime running light signatures, albeit without a cornering function.
The Plus B4 loses the old T4 Momentum’s front fog lights, but gains a power tailgate, power passenger seat and power-folding second-row headrests.
It also gains USB-C outlets, standard mechanical cushion extensions, and what Volvo calls a “Touring chassis” suspension tune, shared across all petrol-powered models.
On top of this, the Ultimate B4 Bright gains a surround-view camera and an air purifier.
The XC40 is an important model for Volvo, being the brand’s best seller in Australia. With 2763 sales year-to-date, it’s also the best-selling small luxury SUV, and by some margin too – the Mercedes-Benz GLA is currently in second with 1861 sales.
The small Volvo will be joined this year by the closely related C40 Recharge, a sleeker, more coupe-like crossover on the same platform that’ll be offered exclusively with electric power.
Pricing
- 2023 Volvo XC40 Plus B4: $53,490 (+$500)
- 2023 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Bright: $60,490 (+$500)
- 2023 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B5 Dark: $64,990 (+$1000)
- 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric: $73,990 (+$1000)
- 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Pure Electric: $81,490 (+$2000)
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Drivetrains
Petrol-powered 2023 Volvo XC40 models all use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The front-wheel drive B4 produces 145kW of power at 5400rpm and 300Nm of torque at 4200rpm, while the all-wheel drive B5 produces 183kW and 350Nm.
The Recharge Pure Electric features a single front-mounted electric motor and front-wheel drive, with 170kW of power and 330Nm of torque.
The dual-motor all-wheel drive Recharge Twin Pure Electric produces 300kW and 660Nm.
The claimed 0-100km/h times are as follows:
- B4: 8.5 seconds
- B5: 6.4 seconds
- Recharge: 7.4 seconds
- Recharge Twin: 4.9 seconds
Efficiency
The 2023 Volvo XC40 uses a claimed 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle in the Plus B4, 7.1L/100km in the Ultimate B4 Bright and 7.2L/100km in the Ultimate B5 Dark.
The Recharge Pure Electric uses a 69kWh battery, and WLTP-certified figures on the Volvo global site says it has 424km of range.
The dual-motor version has a 78kWh battery and WLTP range of 417km.
Both electric models support DC fast charging at up to 150kW and AC charging at up to 11kW.
Dimensions
The Volvo XC40 measures 4440mm long, 1910mm wide and 1657mm tall on a 2702mm wheelbase.
Luggage space is 460L, expanding to 1336L with the second row folded.
Tare mass ranges from 1669kg in the Plus B4 to 2158kg in the Recharge Twin Pure Electric.
Servicing and Warranty
Volvo covers its cars with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
The XC40 is currently offered with a choice of three- or five-year service plans, priced at $1750 and $3000 respectively.
Safety
The Volvo XC40 has a rating of five stars from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2018.
All models received an adult occupant protection score of 97 per cent, child occupant protection score of 84 per cent, vulnerable road user protection score of 71 per cent and a safety assist score of 78 per cent.
All 2023 Volvo XC40 models come standard with the following equipment:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vulnerable road user detection
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags
- Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
Standard Equipment
The Plus B4 comes standard with the following equipment:
- Power tailgate (new)
- Manual seat cushion extension (new)
- Power passenger seat (new)
- Power-folding second-row headrests (new)
- 18-inch five-spoke silver alloy wheels (new)
- Wireless phone charging (new)
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Android Automotive operating system with Google Automotive Services and Volvo Cars app (new)
- DAB+ digital radio
- Automatic headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Hill-descent control
- Dual-zone climate control
- Keyless entry and start
- Leatherette upholstery
- Power driver’s seat with memory
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Eight-speaker sound system
The Ultimate B4 Bright adds:
- 19-inch Y-spoke matte graphite alloy wheels (new)
- Air purifier (new)
- Surround-view camera (new)
- Leather-accented upholstery
The Ultimate B5 Dark adds:
- 20-inch double-spoke black alloy wheels
- Alcantara-accented upholstery
Over the Plus B4, the Recharge Pure Electric adds:
- Panoramic sunroof
- 19-inch alloy wheels (new)
- Heated front and rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
The Recharge Twin Pure Electric adds:
- Pixel LED headlights
- Surround-view camera
- 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Sustainable upholstery
Colours
The XC40 is available in the following colours:
- Black Stone solid
- Sage Green metallic (new)
- Fjord Blue metallic (new)
- Silver Dawn metallic (new)
- Bright Dusk metallic (new)
- Onyx Black metallic
- Crystal White pearl
- Fusion Red metallic
- Thunder Grey metallic
Metallic shades are a $1200 option on all petrol models, but are a no-cost option on electric models.
MORE: Everything Volvo XC40
