Volvo XC40 vs. Volvo C40: which is better?
The all-electric Volvo C40 is a derivative of the XC40. But which fares better in our comparison review of the two models based on style, reliability, and more?
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Volvo announced in 2023 that it would only offer SUVs in the future. By 2025, it wants half of its sales to be from electric vehicles, and by 2030, it wants to only sell EVs.
The XC40 and C40, then, are ahead of their time – stylish, luxurious, safe and efficient crossovers.
Besides styling, there’s not an awful lot to consider, but we outline some of the smaller points that may play a role in your decision below.
Volvo XC40 vs. Volvo C40: which has more style?
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Both the XC40 and the C40 are crossovers that have stacks of elegance and luxury – Volvo has been very successful in pitching its cars against more established German rivals like BMW and Mercedes.
The XC40, which was launched five years before the C40, is a fairly typical-looking SUV. In fact, it’s actually boxier than many other similarly-sized SUVs.
It has a high roofline and large windows that make visibility great for both the driver and the passengers in the back.
From the front, both cars have a large grille area flanked by Volvo’s signature headlight clusters comprising T-shaped LED daytime running lights (you may see them referred to as Thor’s Hammer).
The key difference is at the back, where the C40’s roofline slopes away to form some sort of a coupé-like silhouette, similar to the BMW X4 or Mercedes GLC Coupé.
You’ll also notice some aerodynamic styling tweaks on the C40’s rear end, including a spoiler, which make it look sporty and fairly unique.
What is it like to drive a Volvo XC40 vs. C40?
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The driving experience for both of the models can be incredibly similar or totally different, depending on which route you go down in terms of fuel choice.
If you choose an electric variant, they’ll handle exceptionally well thanks to the low centre of gravity typical of all electric cars (due to the battery placement). From inside, you wouldn’t know which one you’re driving.
The dual-motor variant, which has around 400hp, is lightning quick, and most drivers will be more than happy with the single-motor XC40 or C40.
Although they’re built on the same platform and share lots of parts, the C40 is strictly electric. The XC40 has endless options – petrol, diesel, mild hybrid versions (of both), and plug-in hybrid.
They’re all reasonably efficient given the size of the car, and we’d probably settle for a middling petrol option like the T3 (petrol) or B3 (mild hybrid petrol).
You may also want to consider some mild off-roading in your SUV. All current versions of the XC40 and C40 can wade through 450mm of water, which is good for a reasonably compact SUV.
Electric and plug-in hybrid versions of the XC40 have 175mm of ground clearance – 4mm more than the C40. Petrol and mild hybrid XC40 models have 196mm of ground clearance.
What is the technology in the Volvo C40 and XC40?
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All modern Volvo cars come with a large, portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system that takes centre stage and looks great.
There aren’t too many buttons surrounding the display, making for a clean and minimal look, but there are still some physical controls for things like volume.
Because Volvo has a reputation for building extremely safe cars, it should come as no surprise that standard safety equipment is impressive. Even entry-level models have a reversing camera and some driver assistance systems.
Newer models also have Google Assistant built-in, but the connectivity subscription only lasts four years, at which point it’ll cost to keep the car connected to the internet.
Like-for-like, the XC40 and C40 are largely available with the same kit, but the XC40 has a lower-end entry-level model that the C40 doesn’t, which means the C40 costs more but comes with more.
Volvo C40 vs. XC40 dimensions and boot space
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The electric XC40 and C40 are 4,440mm long, while models with a petrol or diesel engine are shorter, at 4,425mm. They’re all 2,034mm wide, including mirrors.
Height varies from 1,591mm to 1,647mm and 1,652mm for the C40, electric XC40 and all other XC40s, respectively.
Boot size also varies, but the difference is negligible in the real world. The XC40 has 419 litres (electric) or 452 litres (others) of space, and up to 860 or 893 litres with the rear seats folded.
The C40 has slightly less space, at 413-853 litres. Electric XC40 and C40 models also have a storage area under the bonnet, sometimes referred to as a frunk, which is good for a muddy pair of boots. It’s a small but useful 31-litre space. In comparison, a Tesla Model Y has a 117-litre frunk.
XC40 vs. C40: which is more reliable?
Fortunately, because both cars share so many parts, although the C40 is newer and there’s less data, we know that it’s very likely to perform just as well as the XC40.
The XC40 and Volvo as a brand perform very well in reliability surveys. Moreover, the company has displayed a clear dedication to quality and safety in its electric vehicles, including additional warranty cover for the batteries.
In some lights, electric cars are considered more reliable because they have fewer moving parts to go wrong, but batteries can be expensive to replace when out of warranty.
This is common across all manufacturers, but there are examples of electric cars having done hundreds of thousands of miles on the same battery.
Used Volvo XC40 vs. used Volvo C40: which should I buy?
If you’ve got your heart set on petrol or diesel, or you’re willing to explore plug-in hybrid models with around 30 miles of zero-emission range, then you’ll be limited to the XC40.
Those prepared to go electric have the choice of both models. In that instance, the decision comes almost entirely down to styling preference. The differences in boot size and so on are so minimal in real-life situations that you’ll barely notice a difference.