2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler’s roots go all the way back to World War II and the Willys-Overland company. Fast-forward some 60 years or so and we have the iconic Jeep Wrangler JL, one of the last body-on-frame SUVs left for folks who prioritize off-road capability over creature comforts.

Every Wrangler comes with solid front and rear axles and a five-link suspension system. However, some popular trim levels, like the Wrangler Sport, Wrangler Willys Sport, and Wrangler Sahara, don’t get locking differentials or meaty tires, so choose your Wrangler carefully.

In Volvo speak, “40” denotes an entry-level model. While the Swedish automaker no longer rosters the S40 sedan or V40 wagon in North America, the XC40 subcompact crossover remains to compete with the likes of the Audi Q3, the BMW X1, the Lexus UX, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA for aspiring luxury-car owners’ dollars.

The XC40 was unveiled in 2017, arriving as a 2019 model, and it hasn’t undergone a redesign since. An all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge variant joined the lineup as a 2021 model. Volvo’s other current EV, the C40 Recharge, is also broadly similar to the XC40 models, but with a coupe-like body style.

For 2023, Volvo gave the XC40 several notable updates, including new mild-hybrid powertrains, revised styling, and the Android-based infotainment system previously seen on the XC40 Recharge and other Volvo models.

The mild-hybrid lineup includes base Core, mid-level Plus, and top Ultimate trim levels, with standard B5 all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrains (the B4 front-wheel drive, or FWD, version offered in the US is not available in Canada). This Volvo XC40 review is based on the Ultimate trim in B5 AWD spec.