Used Volvo V40 Cross Country for sale: everything you need to know

The Volvo V40 Cross Country arrived in 2013 and lasted until 2019. It stuck to the usual Cross Country formula of raised suspension and extra body cladding, though unlike larger Cross Country models, the lack of all-wheel drive across the range means the changes were more for image than ability.

Still, it’s an appealing package, from its spacious and comfortable cabin to a range of frugal engines, and the inevitable confidence factor of knowing you’re sitting just a little further from the UK’s worsening road surfaces.

A handful of other carmakers have offered off-road-style models in the V40’s class, such as the Ford Focus Active and the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, though if you want a family car that really can take you into the rough, then the Subaru XV is probably the most authentic and capable of the lifted hatches.

Should you buy a Volvo V40 Cross Country? 

If you like the off-road look but don’t necessarily need the ability, then the Volvo V40 Cross Country makes an interesting alternative to more conventional V40 models. Only one engine got all-wheel drive, so unlike larger Volvo Cross Country models, this one probably won’t be taking you very far off the beaten track - though with 40mm extra ride height, it might at least help you clear a few more potholes.

Still, how many cars with ground-hugging body kits and big spoilers ever venture onto a race track? Sometimes, it’s enough to simply like the style of a car, and with plastic body cladding and that suspension lift, the V40 has a bit of that tougher off-road look that a lot of drivers gravitate towards, and the extra wheel travel does aid the ride quality too.

The extra height hasn’t really compromised its handling either, though that’s at least partly as the V40 was never the sportiest of cars to begin with. It’s better appreciated for its comfort and quality - the seats are great, and it feels very solid. The car’s design does make sitting in the rear a bit gloomy and the boot’s pretty small too, but strong EuroNCAP safety scores mean everyone should be well protected.

Engine choice is among a range of petrol and diesels, but only the top T5 petrol gets all-wheel drive. Bear in mind that the economy figures we’ve listed are all on the older NEDC scale, so you won’t match them in the real world, but they’re still frugal, and pre-April 2017 models are pretty cheap to tax.

The Ford Focus Active and Volkswagen Golf Alltrack both have the same chunky off-road style as the V40 Cross Country, but one car that actually offers some genuine rough-surface ability is the Subaru XV. It doesn’t feel as classy as the Volvo, but it’s properly capable.

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What’s the best used Volvo V40 Cross Country model to buy?

Cross Country Pro trim best highlights the model’s strengths, with leather trim, a reversing camera, cruise control and other toys helping enhance the premium-car feel, and now the model is a little older, there’s not a huge price difference between it and the lower-spec car anyway.

Given you’re unlikely to be doing much off-roading, we’d stick with the basic D2 diesel engine. It’s got enough pep for most daily situations and it’s very economical, though if you do want more power, the D3 matches the D2’s mpg figures but cuts a couple of seconds from the 0-62mph time.

Used Volvo V40 Cross Country fuel economy and performance

• Volvo V40 Cross Country T3: Manual transmission T3 models got a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 152PS output, covering 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds and returning 50.4mpg combined economy.
• Volvo V40 Cross Country T3 Auto: Unusually, the automatic T3 got a smaller 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, but its performance and even economy figures are quoted as being identical to the manual.
• Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 Auto AWD: T5s got a more powerful 2-litre with 245PS, and standard automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. 0-62mph takes 6.1 seconds, and economy is 44.1mpg combined.
• Volvo V40 Cross Country D2: The D2’s 2-litre diesel produces 120PS, and was fitted with either a manual or automatic gearbox. Both transmissions get the same 10.6-second 0-62mph time, but the manual is more efficient with 74.3mpg to the auto’s 72.4mpg.
• Volvo V40 Cross Country D3: Another 2-litre turbodiesel, the D3 gets 150PS, an 8.5-second 0-62mph time for both manual and automatic models, and economy figures of 72.4mpg for the manual and 68.9mpg for the auto.
• Volvo V40 Cross Country D4: The most powerful 2-litre turbodiesel produces 190PS and again gets manual and automatic options. This time the auto is quicker to 62mph, at 7.5 seconds to the manual’s 7.7, but the manual is still more frugal, at 70.6mpg compared to 65.7mpg.

What used Volvo V40 Cross Country trim levels are available?

Cross Country models were themselves a trim level in the wider Volvo V40 range, though Volvo did then break that down into further options, and of course, the original buyer could then add various different packs to the car to enhance its equipment levels further. In other words, not every V40 Cross Country you find will have the same kit.

• The Volvo V40 Cross Country has an off-road style appearance that includes 16-inch alloy wheels, front and side scuff plates, twin exhausts, and a silver-finish roof rack. Cross Country Pro upgrades to 17-inch wheels, leather trim, navigation, a parking camera, cruise control, and a TFT driver display.

Used Volvo V40 Cross Country dimensions and boot size

The Volvo V40 Cross Country’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4370mm
• Width: 1857mm (mirrors folded), 2041mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1470mm
• Ground clearance: 144mm (unladen)

The Volvo V40 Cross Country’s boot size is:

• 324 litres
• 1021 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)

Used Volvo V40 Cross Country road tax

Find a V40 Cross Country with the D2 engine and a manual gearbox registered before April 2017 and you could be in for a pleasant surprise, since it’s completely free to tax. Even automatic models and some of the more powerful diesels should be affordable, with bills of £20 and £35 depending on their CO2 emissions. After April 2017, all models get a flat VED rate of £180 per year, at the time of writing.

How much is it to insure a Volvo V40 Cross Country?

A basic Cross Country in D2 form starts from insurance group 17, while the most powerful T5 AWD rises to group 31. That compares with group 22 for the Mk7 Golf Alltrack and group 26 for the current Mk8, while a Subaru XV is just group 16 for the current hybrid e-Boxer model.

Read our full Volvo V40 Cross Country review