I’ve become quite accustomed to the Volvo XC40 SUV by now. I’ve driven most of the available powertrain setups for the XC40 here in Malaysia. I say most because the only variant I haven’t reviewed is the B5 mild hybrid variant. To put it simply, the B5 will take the T5’s place as the cheapest XC40 you can buy in Malaysia. This also allows Volvo to claim that all of its XC40 lineup here in Malaysia is fully electrified. In this review, I will take a closer look at the Volvo XC40 B5 and see if it’s still worth considering this variant.

With the introduction of the B5 variant, the XC40 is practically only available in the fully electrified XC40 Recharge and this XC40 B5. Volvo Car Malaysia has already phased out the XC40 T5 and the T5 Recharge, the plug-in hybrid variant. Therefore, distinguishing between the B5 and the EV version is straightforward. All you have to do is look at the front, where the B5 comes with a grille, but the EV version doesn’t. I personally like the front grille being painted in gloss black, which looks elegant yet matches the overall design of the vehicle.

Regarding the XC40 B5, the rim and tire setup are consistent from front to back. This is different from the EV version, as the EV version has wider tires at the back. The rims actually look decent, and I have to say, Volvo always has good-looking rims. These rims are wrapped in 235/50 R19 tires. As for the interior, it is the same interior you can find in any XC40, except that the B5 does not get the Abisko National Park outline on the dashboard and the door trims. Other than that, you really can’t tell the different XC40s apart just from the interior.

As a replacement for the T5 variant, the B5 will continue to be powered by the same 2.0L turbocharged engine. However, in this B5 variant, it is equipped with the 48V mild hybrid technology, which is supposed to improve efficiency and provide a slight bump in performance. On paper, the XC40 comes with 263 hp and 390 Nm of peak torque, and power is sent to all four wheels through the 8-speed automatic transmission. In terms of its performance, the XC40 B5 does produce a decent amount of power to get you up to speed. But at times, the transmission does take quite some time to downshift when you step on the throttle pedal, giving the impression to the driver that this powertrain is on the lazier side. I think this powertrain suits the needs of Volvo owners, as they did not buy a Volvo hoping that it’ll become a sports car.

Coming back to the mild hybrid system, it only activates when the vehicle is coasting. At least that’s when I can discern its operation somewhat. It allows the vehicle to maintain cruising speed without having the engine kicking in. It will also turn into a generator when the vehicle is slowing down, so all this kinetic energy will not go to waste. As for its fuel consumption, I was hoping for lower fuel consumption as this is a mild hybrid powertrain. But during my test, I got around 8.6L/100km, and most of the drive I’ve been doing over long distances. I guess the all-wheel-drive system and the vehicle weight may be hindering it from achieving even better fuel economy.

Handling-wise, the XC40 does provide better handling than the EV version of the XC40. While the XC40 is not light by any means, the B5 is definitely much lighter than the EV variant. The SUV still feels stable in corners and responds well to steering inputs. The steering is precise and provides decent weight to give the driver a good sense of where the front wheels are pointing. As for the ride, the suspension on the XC40 strikes a good balance between comfort and sportiness. It’s not too soft until the vehicle feels floaty, but it’s not too stiff to the point where it lets all the road imperfections into the cabin.

With a price tag of RM 278,888.00, the XC40 B5 is definitely a good alternative to the GLA and the X1. In my opinion, the XC40 feels more like a true SUV compared to its competitors, instilling confidence in the driver that it can handle various road conditions. It’s actually quite a complete vehicle if you’re in the market for this size SUV. However, I believe this engine could achieve even greater efficiency given its potential.

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You can check out the Volvo XC40 Pure Electric here: