The Volvo XC40 does 47.3 mpg combined (47.9 city, 48.3 highway), which works out to about $812 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 88.8 mpg while 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 26.5 — a difference of $1,017 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Volvo XC40 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 96.8 / 81.3 | 2021–2024 | $432 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 23 / 32.5 | 2019–2022 | $1,449 | |
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 24 / 31 | 2023–2026 | $1,449 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.068 |
| Fuel per year | $812 |
| Fuel over five years | $4,060 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$700 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,038 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 47.9 mpg | $802 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 48.3 mpg | $795 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +0.4 mpg (1%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the XC40 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2025 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2024 | 71 / 62.5 | 2 | $582 | |
| 2023 | 58 / 55.5 | 2 | $686 | |
| 2022 | 57.5 / 55.5 | 2 | $692 | |
| 2021 | 54 / 52 | 2 | $731 | |
| 2020 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2019 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Volvo XC40 get?
47.3 mpg combined on average — 47.9 in the city and 48.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2019–2026.
How much does a Volvo XC40 cost in fuel per year?
About $812 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $4,060 over five years, or 0.068 dollars a mile.
Which XC40 engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 88.8 mpg, against 26.5 for the 2L 4-cyl Hybrid — a difference of about $1,017 a year.
Is the XC40 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.