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Volvo XC40 vs CUPRA Formentor comparison

Compare performance (197 HP vs 390 HP), boot space and price (41,900 £ vs 35,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Volvo XC40 or CUPRA Formentor?

Volvo XC40 vs CUPRA Formentor: Key differences

Volvo XC40

5 (5 Reviews)
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CUPRA Formentor

4.9 (2 Reviews)
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  • somewhat cheaper
  • clearly more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
  • somewhat lighter
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

XC40

Head-to-Head: CUPRA Formentor vs Volvo XC40

CUPRA Formentor and the Volvo XC40 go head-to-head in this compact crossover comparison to help you decide which small SUV suits your life. This CUPRA Formentor VS Volvo XC40 duel pits a brash, coupe-like compact crossover against a composed, premium small SUV, so the differences are as much about attitude as they are about practicality. If you're hunting for a quick read that separates style from serenity, we'll cut through the brochure speak and show how each car behaves in real traffic, at the school run and on a long motorway run. Expect the usual suspects — perceived comfort, cabin feel, usability and how each model shapes your daily routine — with a few wry observations along the way.

Formentor

The Character Clash: Sporty Swagger vs Scandinavian Restraint

The CUPRA Formentor arrives with a sporty posture and a deliberate, driver-focused personality, while the Volvo XC40 answers with calm, measured refinement and an air of safety-first assurance. The Formentor projects headline-grabbing style and sharper steering responses that make everyday driving feel more engaging, whereas the XC40 soothes with a composed ride and interiors that prioritize tactile quality over flash. That contrast is visible the moment you approach either car: the Formentor leans into expression, the XC40 into understatement. Both have their fans — one wants to be noticed, the other wants to be trusted — and that defines how they behave on the road.

XC40

Everyday Life: School Runs, City Streets and Long Trips

For daily commutes and tight urban parking, the Volvo XC40 plays the pragmatic card with a sense of space, user-friendly controls and a ride tuned for comfort, while the CUPRA Formentor rewards drivers who prefer a firmer, more connected feel at the wheel. Families will appreciate the XC40’s reassuring ergonomics and accessible cabin layout, whereas the Formentor trades a bit of rear-seat indulgence for a more dynamic driving experience up front. On long distances the XC40’s placid demeanour and composed seats lean towards relaxed cruising, whereas the Formentor keeps you attentive and entertained if you like to hustle between junctions. In short, one leans pragmatic comfort, the other leans engaged motoring — choose which daily mood suits you.

Formentor

Buying on Image: What You’ll Be Saying Without Saying It

Choosing the CUPRA Formentor announces a willingness to be noticed — you’re after sporting looks and a car that feels alive in corners, even if it’s still perfectly usable day-to-day. Picking the Volvo XC40 signals a preference for understated refinement, Scandinavian design and an ownership experience built around calm competence rather than flash. Both cars justify themselves: the Formentor as a choice for someone who wants driving to feel like a small thrill, the XC40 for someone who values presence, perceived quality and low-stress motoring. Neither choice is shy; they just tell different stories about what matters to you when you step away from the garage.

XC40

Who Should Be Considering the CUPRA Formentor?

The CUPRA Formentor fits buyers who prize style and spirited driving — the sort who will enjoy a car that looks aggressive in the driveway and rewards sharper inputs on twisty backroads. If you care more about engagement, distinctive design and a cabin that feels like it was tuned around the driver, then the Formentor is speaking your language. It’s a strong match for people who like their daily transport to double as weekend fun, and for those who place image and driving excitement high on the list. If that description sounds like you, the Formentor will feel like the more expressive choice compared with the XC40.

Formentor

Who Should Be Considering the Volvo XC40 (and Why Formentor Still Matters)

The Volvo XC40 suits buyers who prioritise comfort, user-friendliness and a premium, safe image — think commuters who want a calm cabin and families who value practical ergonomics over being noticed. If low-stress driving, a composed ride and tactile interior quality top your priorities, the XC40 makes a persuasive, sensible case against the more extroverted Formentor. That said, if you occasionally crave a sharper, more dynamic feel you won’t regret giving the CUPRA Formentor a test drive first; it will remind you why some buyers trade a bit of polish for personality. Read on to see the detailed differences and decide which mood you want your next small SUV to be in every morning.

Frequently compared as well

CUPRA Formentor
CUPRA Terramar
VS
In the dynamic showdown between the CUPRA Formentor and the CUPRA Terramar, enthusiasts are treated to a blend of style and performance that defines the brand. The Formentor, with its striking design and agile handling, appeals to those seeking a sportier SUV experience, while the Terramar offers a …
Ford Kuga
Volvo XC40
VS
The Ford Kuga is the zippier, more practical pick — roomy, better value and a bit more fun to drive — while the Volvo XC40 trades that scrappiness for a quieter, upmarket cabin, class-leading safety tech and unmistakable Scandinavian polish. If you want driving engagement and bang for your buck go …

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

XC40

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

CUPRA Formentor is somewhat cheaper – starting at 35,200 £ , while the Volvo XC40 costs 41,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 6,664 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the CUPRA Formentor uses 1.4 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Volvo XC40 with 6.5 L/100km. The difference is about 5.1 L/100km.

Formentor

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the CUPRA Formentor offers clearly more power – delivering 390 HP compared to 197 HP. That’s roughly 193 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the CUPRA Formentor is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 4.2 s, while the Volvo XC40 takes 7.6 s. That’s about 3.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the CUPRA Formentor delivers markedly more torque with 480 Nm compared to 300 Nm. That’s about 180 Nm more.

XC40

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, CUPRA Formentor is somewhat lighter – 1,434 kg compared to 1,688 kg. The difference is around 254 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Volvo XC40 carries marginally more – 532 kg compared to 526 kg. That’s a difference of about 6 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The CUPRA Formentor is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £35,200
Formentor

CUPRA Formentor

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 150 - 390 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.4 - 10.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 117 - 126 km
details
Volvo XC40
CUPRA Formentor

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Volvo XC40

The Volvo XC40 wraps Scandinavian minimalism into a compact, city-ready SUV with a premium cabin that feels both practical and grown-up. It will suit buyers who prize safety, clever storage and a composed ride, proving that small dimensions don't mean small personality.

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Reviews Volvo XC40

5 (5 Reviews)
rate
S. M.
20 Apr 2026, 09:07:56

Excellent

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

CUPRA Formentor

With coupe-like lines and a muscular stance the Cupra Formentor blends sporty drama with everyday sense, so it looks like it’s in motion even at a standstill. Inside and out it’s tuned for drivers who want engaging handling and a grown-up cabin — practical enough for daily life, playful enough to make the commute feel like a short track session.

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Reviews CUPRA Formentor

4.9 (2 Reviews)
rate
Waldemar
7 Feb 2026, 09:46:20

For me, a mature man, the "civilian" version was enough — an automatic, very well-equipped, with the 150‑hp engine in Magnetic Tech.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Long-distance driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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Volvo EC40
Volvo XC40
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Volvo EC40 and Volvo XC40 go head-to-head: compare performance, space, features and price in one quick overview to see which model suits your daily driving, budget and lifestyle better. A clear, side-by-side look helps you make the smarter choice.
Volvo XC40
CUPRA Formentor

Costs and Consumption
Price
41,900 - 46,100 £
Price
35,200 - 62,500 £
Consumption L/100km
6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
117 - 126 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
148 g/km
co2
32 - 229 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
40 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,688 kg
Curb weight
1,434 - 1,742 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
345 - 450 L
Length
-
Length
4,451 mm
Width
1,863 mm
Width
1,839 - 1,852 mm
Height
-
Height
1,537 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,415 L
Payload
532 kg
Payload
439 - 526 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
163 - 197 HP
Power HP
150 - 390 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.2 - 9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
210 - 220 km/h
Torque
265 - 300 Nm
Torque
250 - 480 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Power kW
120 - 145 kW
Power kW
110 - 287 kW
Engine capacity
1,969 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3

General
Model Year
2026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, E, D, F, B
Brand
Volvo
Brand
CUPRA
What drive types are available for the Volvo XC40?

The Volvo XC40 is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.