2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark review
Volvo has trimmed the range of its XC40 small SUV, now only available in the less powerful B4 trim. Has it dulled the class-leader’s appeal?
2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark
The Volvo XC40 has long been the benchmark in the luxury small SUV segment. Earlier this year, the XC40 clocked up its fourth straight win in the Drive Car of the Year Best Small SUV under $80,000 category. A testament to not only just how good the XC40 is, but also to its longevity and appeal in a hugely competitive segment.
But, the times, they are a-changing, and with Volvo Australia gearing up to becoming an all-electric brand by 2026, it has trimmed its range of petrol-powered XC40s to just three variants.
All are powered by the same 145kW and 300Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, augmented by a 48V mild-hybrid system that provides a little bit of extra oomph in terms of performance as well as a modicum of fuel-saving.
And in what could well be its swansong as a petrol-powered SUV, some very mild updates have been designed to extend the XC40’s appeal until the electric transition begins in earnest.
So is the lightly revised 2024 Volvo XC40 still the standard-bearer in a segment it has long dominated, seeing off rivals four years in a row to claim its stake at the top of the premium small SUV pile? Let’s find out.
How much is a Volvo XC40?
The Ultimate B4 Dark variant now sits at the top of the petrol-powered XC40 range after Volvo trimmed the line-up for the 2024 model year, deleting the more powerful B5 variants.
Volvo Australia said at the time this was “in readiness for our all-electric strategy”. Volvo has previously stated it wants to be EV-only, confirming its desire to end sales of all petrol cars in Australia by the end of 2026.
For now, though, the 2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark flies the flag for the Swedish brand’s small SUV.
It’s priced from $62,990 plus on-road costs and brings with it the full catalogue of Volvo niceties. It’s one of just three variants in the trimmed-down XC40 range, all powered by a 145kW petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology.
The range starts with the only front-wheel-drive model in the XC40 line-up, the simply named XC40 Plus B4. It’s priced from $54,990 plus on-road costs.
Buyers wanting the peace of mind of all-wheel drive will need to find at least $7000 for the next XC40 in the range, the $61,990 Ultimate B4 Bright. From there, it’s just an extra $1000 to get into the AWD variant we have on test here, the Ultimate B4 Dark.
For clarity, there are no differences in equipment levels between Bright and Dark models, the nomenclature referring simply to the theme of the body enhancements found on the XC40.
On Bright models, things like the grille surround, window trims, side and roof rails are finished in chrome while the side mirrors are finished in matching body colour. On Dark models, those elements are finished in gloss black. Whether the Bright or Dark is the XC40 for you comes down to personal preference.
Whichever way you go, the equipment levels of the XC40 are top-notch. Bolstered for the 2024 model year by the addition of a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats as well as ‘Pixel’ matrix LED headlights, the list of standard inclusions is long and healthy.
Standard kit highlights in the B4 Dark include 20-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and push-button start, leather-upholstered seats, dual-zone climate control, a cooled glovebox, a 9.0-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, wireless smartphone charging, DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.
Our test car came fitted with a few options, pushing the price to $67,690 before on-road costs. The Lifestyle Pack that brings a panoramic sunroof and a premium Harman Kardon sound system added $2700 to the bottom line, while ticking the tinted rear windows box adds $800. And our test car’s Silver Dawn paint is a $1200 optional hue, one of eight $1200 colours, the only no-cost shade a fetching Cloud Blue.
Rivals abound in the prestige small SUV segment, and at the top of the list the BMW X1 in all-wheel-drive xDrive 20i trim starts at $70,400. To get closer on price, the Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro starts at $62,800, while the Mini Countryman S Favoured AWD starts at $61,990. All prices are before on-road costs.
| Key details | 2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark |
| Price | $62,990 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Silver Dawn |
| Options | Lifestyle Pack – $2700 – Panoramic sunroof – Harman Kardon sound system Tinted rear windows – $800 Metallic paint – $1200 |
| Price as tested | $67,690 plus on-road costs |
| Drive-away price | $72,700 (estimated, in NSW) |
| Rivals | BMW X1 | Audi Q3 | Mini Countryman |
How big is a Volvo XC40?
The Volvo XC40’s compact dimensions – it stops the tape at 4440mm long, 1938mm wide and 1652mm tall, sitting on a 2702mm wheelbase – don’t impact on cabin comfort.
Although some 65mm shorter than the BMW X1 and 77mm than the Audi Q3, the XC40’s much wider body (it’s 93mm wider than the X1 and 82mm more than the Q3), pay dividends in the second row where passenger comfort is excellent, despite its diminutive dimensions that lend it a squat and feisty mien.
Inside, the swathes of accented leather, finished in charcoal, complemented by charcoal headlining, reflect the ‘Dark’ designation in this model’s name. The optional panoramic glass roof does cast some welcome light on the interior.
The front seats, power adjustable up front and heated, are comfortable and supportive enough, although they could do with a touch more side bolstering. Under-thigh support is good too, helped by a seat extender that slides out – manually – to provide extra support.
The seating position is nice and high offering a commanding view over the XC40’s bonnet and onto the road ahead, while the steering wheel – cloaked in accented leather – feels chunky and reassuring in hand.
The XC40’s Orrefors crystal gear selector won’t be to everyone’s taste; a rare moment of bling in what is an otherwise functional cabin leaning towards minimalism.
Thoughtful storage options include the felt-lined door pockets (to stop those annoying rattles) that are capable of swallowing bottles, and a smallish central storage bin that unlike the glovebox isn’t cooled. There are also the obligatory pair of cupholders that accept standard-size drinks and coffee cups.
You’d think being on the shorter end of the small SUV segment in terms of overall length that the second row would feel a little cramped, a touch compromised. That’s not the case with the XC40, however, where comfort is excellent. The outboard seats feel plush and cosy, while there’s a good amount of foot, leg and even head room despite the presence of that optional panoramic roof.
It’d be a stretch to fit three adults comfortably across the XC40’s back seats – even with that extra width over its main rivals – but certainly two grown-ups and a kid, or three kids, won’t have cause for complaint.
For those with little ones, there are ISOFIX mounts on the outboard seats as well as three top-tether anchors on the seatbacks.
Amenities in row two include a pair of air vents (although no distinct climate controls) and two cupholders in a fold-down armrest. The outboard seats are heated too, something of a rarity as standard equipment.
The cargo area measures in at 460 litres with the back row in use by people, which is down when compared with its main rivals. The BMW X1 offers 540L while the Audi Q3 comes in just under its German rival at 530L.
It’s a similar tale with the second row folded away – in 40:60 fashion – the XC40’s 1336L dwarfed by the 1525L offered by the Audi Q3 and the mammoth 1600L found under the tailgate of the BMW X1.
The XC40’s cargo area does have neat party trick or two up its sleeve. The boot floor itself folds in a concertina-like fashion to create a handy divider that is ideal for ensuring smaller loads, such as your weekly shopping, doesn’t slide around.
There are tie-down points as well, while the floor itself can be lifted to reveal a narrow but sizeable storage area ideal for storing slimmer objects – such as briefcases or laptops – keeping them away from prying eyes. Under that secondary compartment lives the XC-40’s space- saver spare wheel and tyre package.
| 2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 460L seats up 1336L seats folded |
| Length | 4440mm |
| Width | 1938mm |
| Height | 1652mm |
| Wheelbase | 2702mm |
Does the Volvo XC40 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The XC40’s infotainment system is housed inside a 9.0-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen integrated into the dashboard. It’s starting to look a little dated, both in terms of physical size and in the way it’s integrated.
Today’s screens are not only increasing in size but are becoming slimmer and more refined in their appearance, unlike the chunky gloss-black surrounds of the XC40’s infotainment set-up.
The system runs Google’s Android Automotive operating system and brings with it satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, as well as wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. No wireless smartphone connectivity here.
A total of four USB Type-C connections – two up front and two in the second row – keep devices charged. Additionally, a wireless smartphone charging pad lives in the front centre console, just fore of the Orrefors crystal gear selector.
We used Apple CarPlay exclusively and it worked well, was quick to connect, and with a stable connection throughout our time with the XC40.
The touchscreen is snappy to respond to inputs and being Google-based it does come preloaded with things like Maps and Spotify. Additional apps can be downloaded directly via the Google Play app store and integrated straight into the XC40’s infotainment system.
The Volvo’s 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster looks sharp with crisp graphics and sharp resolution, but it runs out of puff pretty quickly.
Lacking some of the configurability of its rivals, the screen can be set according to one of two themes. The first, what Volvo calls Calm, shows only minimal information such as speed and engine revolutions, while the second, dubbed Navi, projects mapping and satellite navigation.
Users can toggle through – via steering-wheel controls – some driving and trip data, including fuel consumption, but it’s not the most intuitive user experience.
The XC40’s touchscreen also plays host to climate-control functions. Those controls, including temperature adjustment, fan speed and seat heating are on permanent display at the bottom of the screen, which is helpful.
Under the screen, a large volume dial and physical buttons offer the ability to skip tracks, as well as play and pause any audio tracks.
From new, Volvo offers a four-year subscription to its Digital Services package. This enables those Google-based systems like Maps and Google Assistant, plus remote services from the Volvo Cars app.
Is the Volvo XC40 a safe car?
The Volvo XC40 range wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded back in 2018. That means it’s set to expire this year, making the XC40 technically unrated by Australia’s independent safety body.
That’s not to suggest the XC40 will suddenly become an unsafe car, but rather is an indication of the constantly shifting goalposts of modern safety testing criteria.
Volvo has built its reputation on the safety of its vehicles and the removal of a sticker does not change the XC40’s crash-worthiness, the XC40 achieving impressive scores of 97 per cent for adult occupant protection, 84 per cent child occupant protection, 71 per cent vulnerable road user protection, and 78 per cent for its safety assist systems when it was tested back in 2018.
| 2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2018) |
| Safety report | ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Volvo XC40 have?
Being a Volvo, the XC40 is filled with advanced safety systems. Autonomous emergency braking that works from 4km/h to 210km/h is standard as is lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, blind -spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
There are front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. The airbag count runs to seven covering both rows of occupants.
We were a little disappointed at the XC40’s lane-keeping assist, which offered jerky corrections that felt a little overbearing and intrusive.
And the 360-degree camera proved frustrating. Its default position is top-down, which doesn’t provide the clearest of images.
You can select a different camera view – rear-view for parking say (which is, I feel the most helpful and useful) – but the system reverts to the top-down view as default. It’s frustrating to keep having to make the same inputs via the touchscreen every single time you want a clear and crisp view behind the small SUV.
| Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) | Yes | Low and high-speed with pedestrian detection |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Yes | With stop-and-go function and traffic jam assist |
| Blind Spot Alert | Yes | Alert only |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Yes | Alert and assist functions |
| Lane Assistance | Yes | Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist |
| Road Sign Recognition | Yes | Includes speed limit assist |
| Driver Attention Warning | Yes | Includes fatigue monitor |
| Cameras & Sensors | Yes | Front and rear sensors, 360-degree camera |
How much does the Volvo XC40 cost to run?
Volvo covers the XC40 with its standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty as well as offering five years of roadside assistance.
Service intervals are every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first, and can be prepaid at time of purchase.
A three-year/45,000km service plan will set you back you $1750, while opting for the five-year/75,000km plan asks for $3000.
The Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark costs $1786 per year to insure based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
That compares favourably against some of its main rivals, the BMW X1 xDrive 20i costing $2475 for the same coverage, while the Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro asks for $2370 in annual insurance premiums.
| At a glance | 2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1750 (3 years) $3000 (5 years) |
Is the Volvo XC40 fuel-efficient?
Volvo claims the XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark will use 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres of 95-octane premium unleaded on the combined cycle. Our week with the XC40, covering more than 500km over a variety of conditions, returned an indicated 8.5L/100km.
The fuel tank measures in at 54L.
| Fuel efficiency | 2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.1L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.5L/100km |
| Fuel type | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 54L |
What is the Volvo XC40 like to drive?
On paper, the XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark’s 145kW and 300Nm should be adequate for most urban driving scenarios. And they generally are. But acceleration from standstill is not what you could call brisk.
Volvo claims a 0–100km/h time of 8.5 seconds, which isn’t exactly earth-shattering. That’s not to say the B4 is ponderous, far from it, but there’s not much in the way of urgency from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four under the bonnet.
The presence of a 48V mild-hybrid system is claimed to offer a boost of 10kW and 40Nm under harder acceleration, which again looks promising on paper, but is difficult to feel out in the real world.
The duality of the 48V electrical system extends to shutting down the engine under low loads – such as cruising at a constant speed on a flat road or when slowing down for traffic lights, all in the name of fuel efficiency. As already reported, we saw 8.5L/100km against Volvo’s claim of 7.1L, which isn’t great.
It’s not the cleanest integration of the technology, either, particularly when the system shuts down the engine when coasting to a stop at traffic lights, say. Sure, if you do come to a complete stop, then all good.
However, if the light turns green while you’re still rolling, and you press on the accelerator to get moving again, there’s more than a moment’s hesitation before the turbo-four under the bonnet fires up. It makes for some heart-stopping moments. And you can’t turn it off either.
The eight-speed automatic transmission is a highlight, however, silky smooth with its shifts and rarely, if ever, caught out of gear. It’s quick to respond to more forceful inputs on the throttle too, such as for a burst of acceleration for an overtake, for example.
Steering feel is good too, nice and light for urban manoeuvrability and parking, yet with enough reassuring feedback and heft.
Ride comfort is good too, even on the standard-fit 20-inch alloys and their slim side-walled rubber. Things can get a little fussy under wheel on scrappier road surfaces, but overall, the Ultimate B4 Dark handles the bump and lumps of everyday driving commendably.
We did note some elevated levels of road noise, though, above what we would expect from a prestige SUV, particularly at highway speeds on the motorway. It’s not terrible by any stretch, and won’t dull conversation with your passengers, but it’s worth noting.
That said, the XC40 in this Ultimate B4 guise is perfectly happy to cruise at 110km/h (and on flat easy stretches the 48V hybrid system is a boon). It does feel a little ponderous in getting up to speed (that 8.5-second 0–100km/h claim coming to the fore), but once cruising speed is reached, the XC40 settles into a nice rhythm, never feeling overly stressed.
Its happy hunting ground undoubtedly, though, are the streets of our cities and suburbs, where acceleration times are less meaningful and where the XC40 continues to impress with its size, its stylish grace, and its unashamed premiumness.
| Key details | 2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark |
| Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Power | 145kW @ 4800–5400rpm |
| Torque | 300Nm @ 1500–4200rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 8-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 83.9kW/t |
| Weight | 1729kg (tare mass) |
| Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
| Payload | 551kg |
| Tow rating | 2100kg braked 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.4m |
Can a Volvo XC40 tow?
Volvo claims the XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark is capable of towing up to 2100kg with a braked trailer or 750kg unbraked. That’s enough for a small camper-trailer, small boat, jet ski or even box trailer with some bicycles or a load for the tip should be fine. For context, the XC40’s braked towing capacity is 100kg more than both the BMW X3’s and Audi Q3’s, each rated at 2000kg.
It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that the XC40’s 551kg total payload includes any and all passengers, their luggage and anything else you pack, plus the downball weight of anything being towed (Volvo doesn’t provide a downball weight). That’ll fill up pretty quickly.
Should I buy a Volvo XC40?
The Volvo XC40 has long been the standard-bearer in the premium small SUV segment. After all, four straight Drive Car of the Year category gongs aren’t awarded lightly.
The XC40 ticks a lot of boxes for buyers in the segment, its unashamed focus on premium resulting in a decent level of standard equipment, a spacious and thoughtfully designed cabin, and a drive experience that, while not exactly scintillating in terms of out-and-out performance, still offers a relaxed and easy time behind the wheel.
Its sharp-edged Swedish styling helps set it apart from most of its rivals, and that it’s competitively priced for the segment only adds to its appeal.
Certainly, buyers looking for an entry into the world of premium motoring would be well served to add the 2024 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark to their shortlist.
How do I buy a Volvo XC40? The next steps.
With just three petrol-powered XC40s to choose from – one front- and two all-wheel drive – choosing which one is right for you is pretty straightforward.
We recommend either the Bright or Dark B4 all-wheel-drive model, the final decision resting purely on whether you prefer chrome and body-coloured accents or swathes of black exterior highlights. That said, we do like the aesthetic appeal of an XC40 bedazzled with some black elements that never appear overdone.
Of course, for those looking to electrify their motoring, Volvo does offer two EV variants of the XC40, but a price premium over petrol models of around $15,000–$25,000 could be a deal-breaker for some buyers.
The next step on the purchase journey is to check the Volvo website for stock of your preferred XC40 variant. You can also find Volvos for sale at Drive Cars For Sale.
We strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing because personal needs and tastes can differ. Find your nearest Volvo dealer via this link.
We’d also recommend taking the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 for a test drive, the two top-selling models in the segment. While you’re at your local BMW dealership, cast your eye over the Mini Countryman too.
If you want to stay updated with everything that’s happened to this car since our review, you’ll find all the latest news here.
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