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VolvoXC40 Plug-in hybrid (2020-2023)

Used only
Compact/Small SUV
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

£16,783Typical price

Test score

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The Volvo XC40 has gone down well with buyers and is admired by the media, but it’s not the quietest or quickest compact SUV. Volvo has fixed that by fitting a sophisticated plug-in hybrid system under the bonnet, adding near-silent zero-emission propulsion that goes like a rocket. Has this made the XC40 the fine all-rounder Volvo wants it to be? See our Volvo XC40 T5 Twin Engine review to find out.

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What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable is the Volvo XC40 Plug-in hybrid (2020-2023)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Model reliability 0-4 years
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2024Last checked by Which?
Apr 2021First reviewed by Which?
Nov 2019Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of three stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Which? safety

Model reliability 0-4 years

How we test model reliability 0-4 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Compact/Small SUV
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£16,783 - £43,217
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Tested fuel efficiency	49.6mpg
Length	4,425mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,863mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,040mm
Height	1,652mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.75 m
On sale date	11 September 2019
Lowest pence per mile cost	£25.43

Latest tested engine
Engine name	T5 Twin engine R-Design
Fuel type	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	1.5-litre (261hp)
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	48 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	25.43p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£72
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	135
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	198
Tested electric-only range (miles)	33 miles
Official fuel economy: WLTP	117.7 to 134.5
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	1800kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	19 August 2020
Test programme	2017

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VolvoXC40 Plug-in hybrid (2020-2023)

where to buy or sell