Doesn't the car have voice control's to turn on and off the heated seats, steering wheel etc. You wouldn't have to touch the screen when driving. You didn't mention that when criticising the system. Your review made some good points, but it seems like you didn't like the car from the start. Some of the negativity was just picky and over the top. I have also driven the 2024 XC40 and had a different experience to your review.
We do tend to be a little more nitpicky than other reviewers, but do that for all of our vehicles so it equals out in the end. As for the voice controls, yes those are available. However, if you're listening to music you'll have to briefly interrupt that. Same for any ongoing conversations in the vehicle. Then you have to activate the voice assistant and talk to it... so even if everything works it will take about 5 seconds. A well integrated physical button takes 1s to activate, without any interruptions, and no need to take the eyes of the road.
@GCCarsCA fair enough. To balance that point, even physical buttons, you have to take your eyes off the road for a second, so talking to the car is probably safer, which is what volvo is all about. Also, a little nit picky by me. 5 seconds of journey is not really much to stop music or talking to a passenger. I suppose my main point is that you never even mentioned it as an alternative way to operate the system in your review, which is one of the main reasons for lack of physical buttons in the car.
It seems like we have a different preference for how to control certain features of the vehicles, which is totally ok. I appreciate your point about not even mentioning the voice controls - we'll make an effort from now on that if we criticize the lack of physical buttons, we'll mention if it can alternatively be controlled by voice commands.
I have ordered brand new XC40 Plus B3 with 18% discount. The price is lower than lower class cars (Toyota Corolla Cross or Kia Sportage) with similar equipment (I topped it up with Autopilot and 360 camera). While comparing the catalogue prices of XC40 and X1 the latter one wins, with the actual price I simply did not find any competitor for XC40.
Hi, we did order an XC40 plus B3, came out just under 40k, but when enquired about fitting Harman sound system, were told, they stopped making custom ugrades ?
I like your approach. it is even not nitpicky enough. Cars seems nowadays to be designed in an office, by managers that look at marketing and cost sheets. They seem to drive their designs only rarely and only in ideal circumstances. Some examples. The XC40 garbage can is mentionned as a big invention - marketing tool - in all Volvo docs and reviews. But seldom it is mentionned that consequently the central arm rest is way too short. You did not notice it in your review maybe because the seats were in the full back position to have a better camera view, or you did not drive long enough to have the need to rest your arm? Before my new XC40 with Google navigation, I owned an XC60 with the previous software. The Google navigation is a great progress, but also some essentials disappeard. Like adjustment of the brightness of the screen displays by a handy turnbutton. The button has disappeared and now you have to tap, slide, tap, slide agian... Did nobody at Volvo drive the car at night, with sudden changing light intensities like going through a tunnel? This is not nitpicking, but essential safety. Is safety no longer a Volvo priority, like omitting an head-up display? (In the new EX30 there is even no longer a driver display...). When the navigation screen is on, nowhere is indicated what media or radio station is playing. You want to know: slide, tap slide... Want to know the time? Look sharply at the upper right corner of the central screen for the very small figures, here also looking away from the road. With the previous software it was in large characters and also on the driver display just in front of you. There is more annoyances that one only realises after some days or weeks of use. It will most probably not lead to customers returning their car because of this, but with the nickpicking, maybe the designers and marketing managers will be more open to user experience before their customers stay away. So please persevere!
As for the voice controls, yes those are available. However, if you're listening to music you'll have to briefly interrupt that. Same for any ongoing conversations in the vehicle. Then you have to activate the voice assistant and talk to it... so even if everything works it will take about 5 seconds. A well integrated physical button takes 1s to activate, without any interruptions, and no need to take the eyes of the road.
The worst thing about the xc 40 is the headrest push your head too far forward and cause neck pain after 1 hour of driving. Hate it. Sold it. Engine sounds like a blender full of paper clips. And only comes in all wheel drive, which reduces fuel economy and increases weight.
We didn't experience any issues with the headrest, but everyone's body is a little different... sorry to hear that this caused an additional issue for you. Add it to the list.
It just refused to start. The XC40 doesn't use an "Engine Start" button like most cars, it simply activates once you enter the car and put it into drive. However, as it also automatically turns off once you exit it simply refused to start. We couldn't put it into drive and all other solutions we searched for online didn't help either for about 5 minutes. After twenty-ish tries the car finally started... not very confidence inspiring.
I leased an EV version of this car and frustrated with: 1. Heating is rubbish for a Scandinavian car. Check out the Volvo xc40 forum full of complaints about condensation. I need to use the blower every 5 mins in real winter. 2. Changing climate controls during driving is dangerous as it's all tiny stuff on the touchscreen. 3. Haven't managed to connect Android auto in 4 months. Stuck with Google, can't use Waze. 4. The touchscreen isn't ergonomic and you often need to go through multiple clicks to find a setting 5. The Volvo cars app doesn't work 6. EV range is lower than our previous Kia e-Niro which is half the price of this Volvo. 7. Side mirrors are set bit backwards on the doors. This means you really need to turn your head to check mirrors while driving. Again, not ergonomic. Wife really struggles as she is short and has the seat forward. Thank God I didn't buy this car, only leased it.
We just tested the XC40 Recharge (review coming soon) and a lot of your frustrations are very familiar to us. Not having Android Auto while using an Android Automotive based infotainment system is baffling...
Seems counter intuitive when all a carjacker has to do is open your door and now you're completely vulnerable, instead of being able to drive off. Right?
This review comes off as if middle schoolers are trying to review a car...total failure. Complaining about the geated seats buttons?? Like 85% of heated seats are activated the same way. Complaining about a dial on the vent? Really? Android Automotive is far better than having to use Bluetooth or a cable to use auto features. Its a plus.
Most vehicles have heated seat *physical buttons*. And those that don't, have it implemented into their infotainment in a way that requires fewer taps. As for Android Automotive - we love that system. Just turns out that Volvo's implementation is horrendous. Most other people agree on that.
Do you think the XC40 stands a chance against the excellent BMW X1, or are the many small frustration just too much to overcome?
Doesn't the car have voice control's to turn on and off the heated seats, steering wheel etc. You wouldn't have to touch the screen when driving. You didn't mention that when criticising the system. Your review made some good points, but it seems like you didn't like the car from the start. Some of the negativity was just picky and over the top. I have also driven the 2024 XC40 and had a different experience to your review.
We do tend to be a little more nitpicky than other reviewers, but do that for all of our vehicles so it equals out in the end. As for the voice controls, yes those are available. However, if you're listening to music you'll have to briefly interrupt that. Same for any ongoing conversations in the vehicle. Then you have to activate the voice assistant and talk to it... so even if everything works it will take about 5 seconds. A well integrated physical button takes 1s to activate, without any interruptions, and no need to take the eyes of the road.
@GCCarsCA fair enough. To balance that point, even physical buttons, you have to take your eyes off the road for a second, so talking to the car is probably safer, which is what volvo is all about. Also, a little nit picky by me. 5 seconds of journey is not really much to stop music or talking to a passenger. I suppose my main point is that you never even mentioned it as an alternative way to operate the system in your review, which is one of the main reasons for lack of physical buttons in the car.
It seems like we have a different preference for how to control certain features of the vehicles, which is totally ok. I appreciate your point about not even mentioning the voice controls - we'll make an effort from now on that if we criticize the lack of physical buttons, we'll mention if it can alternatively be controlled by voice commands.
@@GCCarsCAI own one and the heated seat controls for the driver side is my biggest gripe with the car.
I have one of these and it's utterly intuitive. I can't understand how you had issues with it.
I have ordered brand new XC40 Plus B3 with 18% discount. The price is lower than lower class cars (Toyota Corolla Cross or Kia Sportage) with similar equipment (I topped it up with Autopilot and 360 camera). While comparing the catalogue prices of XC40 and X1 the latter one wins, with the actual price I simply did not find any competitor for XC40.
Can't argue with an 18% discount! That makes the Volvo a tempting buy, congrats on the new car!
Hi, we did order an XC40 plus B3, came out just under 40k, but when enquired about fitting Harman sound system, were told, they stopped making custom ugrades ?
@@letsbyeI am not sure how about your country trim options but in my country Plus version has HK already in the package.
I like your approach. it is even not nitpicky enough.
Cars seems nowadays to be designed in an office, by managers that look at marketing and cost sheets. They seem to drive their designs only rarely and only in ideal circumstances.
Some examples. The XC40 garbage can is mentionned as a big invention - marketing tool - in all Volvo docs and reviews. But seldom it is mentionned that consequently the central arm rest is way too short.
You did not notice it in your review maybe because the seats were in the full back position to have a better camera view, or you did not drive long enough to have the need to rest your arm?
Before my new XC40 with Google navigation, I owned an XC60 with the previous software. The Google navigation is a great progress, but also some essentials disappeard.
Like adjustment of the brightness of the screen displays by a handy turnbutton. The button has disappeared and now you have to tap, slide, tap, slide agian... Did nobody at Volvo drive the car at night, with sudden changing light intensities like going through a tunnel? This is not nitpicking, but essential safety. Is safety no longer a Volvo priority, like omitting an head-up display? (In the new EX30 there is even no longer a driver display...).
When the navigation screen is on, nowhere is indicated what media or radio station is playing. You want to know: slide, tap slide... Want to know the time? Look sharply at the upper right corner of the central screen for the very small figures, here also looking away from the road. With the previous software it was in large characters and also on the driver display just in front of you.
There is more annoyances that one only realises after some days or weeks of use. It will most probably not lead to customers returning their car because of this, but with the nickpicking, maybe the designers and marketing managers will be more open to user experience before their customers stay away.
So please persevere!
you can speak to the car and tell it to adjust the heating settings !
As for the voice controls, yes those are available. However, if you're listening to music you'll have to briefly interrupt that. Same for any ongoing conversations in the vehicle. Then you have to activate the voice assistant and talk to it... so even if everything works it will take about 5 seconds. A well integrated physical button takes 1s to activate, without any interruptions, and no need to take the eyes of the road.
xc40 have hud？
Unfortunately not.
I love mine but hate the infotainment. Especially the AC controls.
The worst thing about the xc 40 is the headrest push your head too far forward and cause neck pain after 1 hour of driving. Hate it. Sold it. Engine sounds like a blender full of paper clips. And only comes in all wheel drive, which reduces fuel economy and increases weight.
We didn't experience any issues with the headrest, but everyone's body is a little different... sorry to hear that this caused an additional issue for you. Add it to the list.
what do you mean the car didnt start after you got out and back in???!!! please explain
It just refused to start. The XC40 doesn't use an "Engine Start" button like most cars, it simply activates once you enter the car and put it into drive. However, as it also automatically turns off once you exit it simply refused to start. We couldn't put it into drive and all other solutions we searched for online didn't help either for about 5 minutes. After twenty-ish tries the car finally started... not very confidence inspiring.
Chinese feature i hate it
I'm not sure what you're talking about. mine came with a start and stop button
@GCCarsCA
Amazing video. You two are going to grow very quickly
Thank you kindly!
Different car L H D build different rear lights may be different
I leased an EV version of this car and frustrated with:
1. Heating is rubbish for a Scandinavian car. Check out the Volvo xc40 forum full of complaints about condensation. I need to use the blower every 5 mins in real winter.
2. Changing climate controls during driving is dangerous as it's all tiny stuff on the touchscreen.
3. Haven't managed to connect Android auto in 4 months. Stuck with Google, can't use Waze.
4. The touchscreen isn't ergonomic and you often need to go through multiple clicks to find a setting
5. The Volvo cars app doesn't work
6. EV range is lower than our previous Kia e-Niro which is half the price of this Volvo.
7. Side mirrors are set bit backwards on the doors. This means you really need to turn your head to check mirrors while driving. Again, not ergonomic. Wife really struggles as she is short and has the seat forward.
Thank God I didn't buy this car, only leased it.
We just tested the XC40 Recharge (review coming soon) and a lot of your frustrations are very familiar to us. Not having Android Auto while using an Android Automotive based infotainment system is baffling...
@@GCCarsCA Yes, and the hill on the floor between the back seats is another put off. We just miss our Kia so much!
auto stop of engine is to prevent theft.
Seems counter intuitive when all a carjacker has to do is open your door and now you're completely vulnerable, instead of being able to drive off. Right?
@@GCCarsCA I agree and what you experienced does not sound correct, this has not happened on the different models I've test driven from showrooms.
This video is frustrating!
Let us know what you didn't like and we can improve :)
These two should not enjoy each other so much, what were they suppose to do anyway on this video ??
Wait, are you offended that we're good friends? 😅
These two are as irritating as the car is frustrating!
Any specific quirk of ours you didn't like? We're always open to constructive criticism.
This review comes off as if middle schoolers are trying to review a car...total failure.
Complaining about the geated seats buttons?? Like 85% of heated seats are activated the same way. Complaining about a dial on the vent? Really? Android Automotive is far better than having to use Bluetooth or a cable to use auto features. Its a plus.
Most vehicles have heated seat *physical buttons*. And those that don't, have it implemented into their infotainment in a way that requires fewer taps. As for Android Automotive - we love that system. Just turns out that Volvo's implementation is horrendous. Most other people agree on that.
We had it last week and the minimalism is a bit much. The competitors are significantly stronger.
Totally agree! Seems to be a bit of a trend with Volvo unfortunately. Our upcoming V60 review has even more frustrating design choices in it.
@@GCCarsCA 👀