Volvo XC40 vs Volvo XC60: Used Car Comparison
28th Feb 2025
Two SUVs that were designed to deliver great comfort and design to families who value driving in style, the Volvo XC40 and XC60 have become some of the manufacturer’s best-sellers for good reason.
Even though both fall into the SUV category, one is larger than the other, and they showcase a range of differences that could cater well to different lifestyles and needs.
This article will explore such differences, as well as compare the similarities, to help you make an informed decision when choosing your used Volvo.
Contents
- Introduction and Design
- Versions and Performance
- Interior and Technology
- Practicality
- Value and Final Thoughts
Introduction and Design
A mid-size SUV that was introduced to the market in 2008 by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo, the XC60 was designed to be a smaller version of its predecessor, the XC90. Showcasing a perfect blend between sophistication and the Scandinavian minimalism, the XC60 displays a signature front grille and LED headlights with accents of chrome, smooth and clean lines.
The large alloy wheels provide a luxurious touch that emphasises the vehicle’s presence and premium statement.
In 2017 the XC40 was launched to sit below the XC60 in the range. As one of the smaller SUVs Volvo has to offer, the XC40 soon became a well-rated family SUV that focuses on comfort and youthful exterior design.
The front grille was designed with sharper lines and placed upright to provide a dynamic look compared to other SUVs within the range. Aiming at creating a cleaner look, the front bumper is compact and pronounced which provides an edgy and confident presence on the road.
Versions and Performance
The first generation of the XC40 and second generation of XC60, have plenty of powertrains to choose from. The most popular versions of these vehicles come as mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrids, even though there are purely petrol and diesel combustion engines available.
For the XC60, you can choose between petrol and diesel powered mild-hybrids, that produce between 194bhp and 296bhp. This is reflected in the 0 to 62mph acceleration times that can vary between 6.2 and 8.1 seconds. The fuel efficiency for these engines ranges between 34mpg and 46mpg.
When it comes to the plug-in hybrids, the XC60 comes with a couple of 2.0-litre engines, the T6 and T8, and both have a minimum difference in acceleration times and electric mile range. While the T6 produces 335bhp and accelerates to 62mph from resting in 5.9 seconds, the T8 produces 385bhp, the acceleration times drops 0.4 seconds, and it has a 48 electric mile range, against T6’s 49-mile range. Both engines have the same fuel economy of 257mpg.
Looking at the XC40’s options, there are a couple of 2.0-litre engines available, one powered by petrol (B4) and the other by diesel (D3). The B4 produces 194bhp and accelerates to 62mph from resting in 8.5 seconds, while the D3 produces 148bhp and goes from 0 to 62mph in 9.9 seconds. When it comes to fuel efficiency, they are capable of 38mpg and 51mpg, respectively.
There are also a couple of petrol-powered plug-in hybrids available, with an engine size that varies between 1.5 litres and 2.0 litres. The smaller engine produces 161bhp and can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 9.6 seconds. The 2.0-litre option produces 208bhp and goes from 0 to 62mph in 8.5 seconds. Fuel efficiency is practically the same.
Interior and Technology
Stepping inside the Volvo XC60, you’ll find a cabin that has been built to reflect the luxurious design displayed on the exterior. High-quality materials were used to provide a plush feel even though it’s robust enough to cope with the scuffs of daily life. The easy-to-use infotainment system and dashboard replace the physical button experience, providing a cleaner and a modern touch to the cabin.
The XC60 was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, due to the vehicle’s safety features such as Intellisafe Surround Pack (including blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert), oncoming lane mitigation, and WHIPS whiplash protection system.
In contrast the XC40, was built to provide a minimalist feel with a touch of futurist technology. No physical buttons or knobs can be found in the cabin, instead all the controls can be accessed using a touchscreen system placed at an ergonomic high on the dashboard.
Euro NCAP also awarded a five-star safety rating to the XC40, considering that the safety features scored well for both adult and child occupant protection. Among some of the safety equipment are the autonomous emergency braking, road sign information display, and Pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection
Both vehicles are equipped with an infotainment that comes with an user friendly system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are pre-installed to facilitate connectivity to smartphones.
Practicality
Both vehicles were designed with families in mind, having plenty of head and legroom, and ISOFIX anchor points in the rear seats which allow child seats to be secure.
The main difference between these SUVs comes down to storage space. Even though there are plenty of cubby holes and storage compartments in the cabin of both vehicles, there’s a significant difference in boot size. While the XC60 has a large 483-litre boot, the smaller SUV, XC40, holds up to 460 litres.
Expanding the boot size is possible for the two of them. The rear seats can be folded down, growing the amount of space available for storing luggage and shopping bags. The XC40 boot almost triples in size with the seats down, making enough room to store up to 1,336 litres. In comparison, the XC60 fits 74 litres more than the smaller SUV, having 1,410 litres of storage available in total.
Value and Final Thoughts
When looking at a Volvo XC40 vs XC60 comparison, it’s easy to see that both vehicles are excellent choices for a daily use family car. Both offer mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models but performance-wise, the XC60 delivers better acceleration while the XC40 delivers better fuel economy.
The XC40 is a good car if you’re looking to purchase a smaller vehicle and require less storage space. On the other hand, if a large boot is a necessity, you’ll want to choose the XC60 which allows a bigger expansion of the boot with the rear seats folded down.
When it comes to reliability, both vehicles are considered reliable due to their build quality, safety features, and engines efficiency.
Find your perfect used car at Evans Halshaw
Volvo is a brand known for producing reliable vehicles that were designed to provide comfort and style. The pair of SUVs, XC40 and XC60 are excellent examples of that, with both showcasing a beautiful exterior design, great performance, and impressive storage space. However, if neither of them is ticking all of the boxes, you can explore our range of used cars.
Alternatively, you can read more car comparison articles that are constantly updated with new information at Evans Halshaw Blog.
