The XC40 is now such a common sight that it’s hard to believe it was introduced only five years ago. Volvo’s smallest SUV has quickly become an essential part of the firm’s range and made the V40 hatchback a distant memory.
Now it’s being facelifted, but the changes are minor, because Volvo has been doing yearly updates since launch to keep it fresh: a new engine here, a trim level shuffle there.
The powertrain offering in particular has been in constant flux: the three-cylinder petrol manual T2 and T3 came and went, the torque converter gearbox was phased out in favour of a dual-clutch unit and in 2020 all the diesels were axed.
At the top of today’s range are the Recharge and Recharge Twin EVs.
If you're not quite ready to say goodbye to petrol, the T4 and T5 plug-in hybrids combine a 127bhp or 177bhp three-cylinder engine with an 81bhp electric motor.
This story is from the February 22, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.
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This story is from the February 22, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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