The facelifted Volvo XC40 is due in Australia imminently, with a new look, mild-hybrid engines, bonus features, and more choice for EV buyers – but higher prices.
The 2023 Volvo XC40 range will launch in Australia next month with a choice of mild-hybrid or electric powertrains only – but prices have risen by up to $5500.
Due in Volvo showrooms in August, the 2023 XC40 range brings a new look inspired by the related C40 coupe SUV – with sharper headlights and lower intakes – plus revised trim and wheel options, and a new Android Automotive infotainment system.
The updated XC40 also completes Volvo Australia's transition to a hybrid and electric-only range, ditching its T4 and T5 petrol engines for new B4 and B5 units with 48-volt mild-hybrid systems, promising similar performance but improved efficiency.
Three petrol and two electric models will be offered, across new Plus and Ultimate specification levels – waving goodbye to the old Momentum, Inscription and R-Design nomenclature, with each model now differentiated only by wheels and trim colour, rather than front and rear bumpers.
However, prices have risen significantly; all three petrol grades cost $4500 to $5500 more than the models they replace, pushing the new Plus B4 'base model' to $52,990 plus on-road costs – $8000 more than a T4 Momentum cost in 2019.
The strong-selling XC40 Recharge Pure Electric range has gained a new single-motor Plus variant, from $72,990 plus on-road costs, with less power and a smaller battery pack.
The existing dual-motor car remains, now priced from $79,490, with Ultimate badging – $2500 more than the MY22 dual-motor XC40 but, oddly, $500 less than the price announced for the MY23 version in December 2021. The plug-in hybrid has been axed.
However, the price rises are met by increases in standard equipment, with the entry-level model gaining wireless phone charging, an electric tailgate, electric passenger seat and more – while higher grades score a standard 360-degree camera, and an air purifier.
In addition to a new front end, all models gain USB-C ports (replacing USB-A), new wheel designs, and support for a Volvo Cars app.
Already fitted to the 2022 electric model, but new for the petrol XC40 for 2023, is a new infotainment system powered by Google's Android Automotive operating system – not to be confused with the Android Auto smartphone 'mirroring' app already offered on Volvos.
This system incorporates traditional Android Auto, Google Maps navigation, over-the-air updates, Google Assistant and, following a recent software update, Apple CarPlay tech.
Each model in the old petrol range has a mild-hybrid replacement: T4 Momentum to Plus B4, T4 Inscription to Ultimate B4 Bright, and T5 R-Design to Ultimate B5 Dark.
Powering the new mild-hybrid petrol models is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 145kW/300Nm in the B4, or 183kW/350Nm in the B5 – up 5kW (B4) and down 2kW (B5) respectively compared to the old T4 and T5.
It's coupled with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, capable of a small 10kW/40Nm boost under hard acceleration, or switching the petrol engine off under low loads – such as cruising at a constant speed on a flat road, or when slowing down for traffic lights – to save fuel.
A eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard, driving the front wheels in the Plus B4 for a 8.4-second 0-100km/h time, or all four wheels in the Ultimate B4 and B5 models for 8.5- and 6.4-second 0-100km/h sprints. All acceleration times are unchanged from equivalent T4 and T5 models.
Volvo claims fuel economy improvements of seven to 12 per cent in combined (city/highway) driving, to 6.9 litres per 100km for the Plus B4 (vs the 7.9L/100km Momentum), 7.1L/100km for the Ultimate B4 (vs the 8.0L/100km Inscription), and 7.2L/100km for the B5 (vs the 7.7L/100km R-Design).
Meanwhile, the Pure Electric range opens with the the single-motor model, with a 170kW/330Nm front-mounted electric motor and 67kWh (usable, or 69kWh total) battery for a 7.4-second 0-100km/h time, and a 180km/h limited top speed.
The dual-motor Ultimate flagship offers dual 150kW electric motors, all-wheel drive and a 75kWh (usable, or 78kWh total) battery, to develop 300kW and 660Nm combined, and dash from zero to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds
Volvo Australia has previously quote an "expected" WLTP range claim of 380km for the single-motor model – though Volvo claims 423km in Europe – while the dual-motor variant should be capable of a claimed 418km. Both models offer 150kW DC fast charging.
Standard features – including what's new for Model Year 2023 – are included in the lists below.
The 2023 Volvo XC40 range is available to order now, with close to 2000 orders already for the Recharge Pure Electric range, as of a month ago. First deliveries are due to commence in August (next month).
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric range sits to the side of the mild hybrids – rather than above it – and is available in single-motor Plus and dual-motor Ultimate forms.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines as a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
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Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
DAP Pricing– Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs.