Volvo XC40 Overview: Generations, Specs and Engine Range (2017–present)
A guide to Volvo XC40 generations and key versions: a 5-door SUV built since 2017 with 129–408 hp, from petrol and diesel units to full-electric Recharge models.
The Volvo XC40 is a 5-door SUV produced from 2017 to the present, with outputs ranging from 129 to 408 hp across petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and full-electric versions. If you are comparing volvo xc40 specs, it suits drivers who want a compact premium SUV with a choice of FWD, RWD or 4x4 and everything from a frugal manual to a 4.9-second electric flagship.
Volvo XC40 generations
1 generation (2017–2022)
The first-generation Volvo XC40 was built from 2017 to 2022 as a 5-door SUV in 20 modifications, spanning 129–408 hp with Automated manual, Automatic and Manual gearboxes and FWD or 4x4 drivetrains. The range ran from the 1.5 T2 AT with 129 hp (0–100 km/h in 10.9 s) to the electric AT (408 hp) doing the sprint in 4.9 s. A popular choice was the 2.0 AT (190 hp) diesel with 4x4 and a 1969 cc engine, reaching 100 km/h in 7.9 s.
1 generation, restyling (2022–present)
The restyled Volvo XC40 has been in production since 2022 with 13 modifications and a 129–407 hp spread, adding RWD to the existing FWD and 4x4 layouts. The electric lineup leads here: the Recharge Pure Electric 69 kWh with 231 hp (7.4 s to 100 km/h), the RWD Recharge Pure Electric 82 kWh with 252 hp, and the twin-motor 4x4 flagship Recharge Pure Electric Twin Motor 78 kWh with 407 hp and a 4.9-second sprint. The 1.5 Recharge PHEV DCT (211 hp) combines a 1477 cc engine with 2.1 l/100 km.
Which Volvo XC40 to buy
- 2.0 AT (190 hp) (1 generation): the mass-market diesel with 4x4 and a 1969 cc engine, accelerating to 100 km/h in 7.9 s.
- 1.5 MT (163 hp) (1 generation): the economical pick at 6.3 l/100 km, with a 1477 cc engine, FWD and a manual gearbox.
- 1.5 Recharge PHEV DCT (211 hp) (1 generation, restyling): the plug-in hybrid returns 2.1 l/100 km and reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 s.
- Recharge Pure Electric Twin Motor 78 kWh (1 generation, restyling): 407 hp, 4x4 and a 4.9-second 0–100 km/h time make it the quickest current version.
On the used market the choice splits cleanly by year: cars from 2017–2022 are first-generation, while anything from 2022 onward is the restyled model. Since both generations share the single 5-door SUV body, narrowing a search comes down to the year and the powertrain rather than body style.
Which Volvo XC40 to avoid
The 1.5 T2 AT (1 generation) is the weakest performer in the data: 129 hp, 10.9 s to 100 km/h and 7.2 l/100 km. The 1.5 MT (163 hp) from the same generation is both quicker (9.3 s) and more frugal (6.3 l/100 km), so the T2 only makes sense if an automatic gearbox is a hard requirement.