VS

Volvo XC40 vs Nissan Qashqai comparison

Compare performance (197 HP vs 205 HP), boot space and price (36,800 £ vs 29,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Volvo XC40 or Nissan Qashqai?

Volvo XC40 vs Nissan Qashqai: Key differences

Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate

Nissan Qashqai

4.9 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • noticeably cheaper
  • very slightly more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • a bit lighter
  • slightly more trunk space
XC40

Streetwise Personality

The Qashqai plays the pragmatic card with a confident, mass-appeal look that feels reassuringly familiar on suburban streets, while the XC40 leans into Scandinavian character with sharper lines and a sense of premium quirkiness. One reads as the sensible choice for buyers who want a modern, functional compact crossover; the other makes a quiet fashion statement that will turn heads at the school run and the café. Both wear their identities well, but they speak to different tastes—one mainstream and unflashy, the other a touch more design-led and distinctive.

Qashqai

How They Move

Behind the wheel the Qashqai favours comfort and composure, smoothing out everyday imperfections and delivering relaxed progress without fuss. The XC40, by contrast, feels more planted and willing to engage the driver, with firmer responses that reward a brisker pace but can be less yielding on rough surfaces. If you prioritise serene cruising you’ll appreciate the Qashqai’s diplomacy; if you want a compact that feels more driver-oriented, the XC40 has the edge.

XC40

Inside: Comfort and Controls

The Qashqai’s cabin is cleverly organised for real life—intuitive controls, comfortable seating and a layout aimed squarely at hassle-free daily use. The XC40 elevates the experience with tactile materials and a minimalist, premium ambience that feels grown-up and slightly more special. Both cabins work well, but the choice comes down to whether you value pragmatic ergonomics or a more premium interior mood.

Qashqai

Everyday Practicality

When it comes to hauling stuff and moving people, the Qashqai prioritises utility with clever storage and a user-friendly load area that makes family life easier. The XC40 counters with smart solutions and a tidy, well-finished cargo space that suits owners who want practicality without compromising style. In short, one leans toward everyday versatility while the other balances utility with a premium feel.

XC40

Ownership: Daily Costs and Ease

Living with the Qashqai tends to feel straightforward and budget-friendly, with an emphasis on low fuss and dependable running characteristics that suit routine motoring. The XC40 brings a touch more polish to ownership, including a sense of premium service and finishes that some buyers will happily pay for. Your priorities—frugal practicality or a more elevated ownership experience—will steer which one makes more sense for you.

Qashqai

Who Should Drive Which

Choose the Qashqai if you’re a family-focused buyer or commuter who values comfort, sensible packaging and uncomplicated everyday usability; it’s the kind of car that quietly handles the daily grind. The XC40 is aimed at style-conscious drivers who want a compact SUV with a premium presence, engaging road manners and an interior that feels a step up. Flip a coin if you must, but read on — the DriveDuel Champion will be revealed next and you won’t want to miss who takes the crown.

Frequently compared as well

Nissan Qashqai
Renault Captur
VS
The Nissan Qashqai stays the sensible family favourite — roomier, better built and more composed on the motorway, so it’s the pick if you value comfort and practicality without drama. The Renault Captur, meanwhile, charms with bolder styling, clever packaging and nippier city manners (usually for …
Nissan Qashqai
Toyota Corolla Cross
VS
The Nissan Qashqai feels like the classier, more refined compact crossover—crisper handling, a plush interior and sharper infotainment—while the Toyota Corolla Cross is the sensible rival, offering rock-solid reliability, excellent economy and no-nonsense practicality that will age well. If you …

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.

Nissan Qashqai is noticeably cheaper – starting at 29,600 £ , while the Volvo XC40 costs 36,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,157 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Nissan Qashqai uses 4.5 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Volvo XC40 with 6.5 L/100km. The difference is about 2 L/100km.

Qashqai

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Nissan Qashqai offers very slightly more power – delivering 205 HP compared to 197 HP. That’s roughly 8 HP more horsepower.

Both models accelerate almost equally fast – 7.6 s from 0 to 100 km/h.

Looking at top speed, the Nissan Qashqai is slightly faster – reaching 206 km/h, while the Volvo XC40 tops out at 180 km/h. The difference is around 26 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Nissan Qashqai delivers barely more torque with 330 Nm compared to 300 Nm. That’s about 30 Nm more.

XC40

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Nissan Qashqai is a bit lighter – 1,420 kg compared to 1,688 kg. The difference is around 268 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Nissan Qashqai offers slightly more boot space – 504 L compared to 452 L. That’s a difference of about 52 L.

For maximum load capacity, the Nissan Qashqai offers barely more capacity – up to 1,447 L, about 119 L more than the Volvo XC40.

When it comes to payload, the Volvo XC40 carries marginally more – 532 kg compared to 520 kg. That’s a difference of about 12 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Nissan Qashqai is decisively ahead 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 £29,600
Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Full Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 140 - 205 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.5 - 6.8 L/100km
details
Volvo XC40
Nissan Qashqai

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.

details
223202_XC40_Inscription_-_exterior
223206_XC40_Inscription_-_exterior
223200_XC40_Inscription_-_exterior
265601_XC40_Recharge_Plug-In_Hybrid_R-Design_Leather_Charcoal_in_Charcoal
265600_XC40_AWD_R-Design_expression_in_Crystal_White_Pearl

Reviews Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai blends practical, family-friendly packaging with SUV styling that refuses to shout, making it a sensible and dependable choice for everyday life. It’s comfortable to live with, economical on the road, and neatly equipped enough to feel modern without ever feeling precious — perfect if you want crossover versatility without the drama.

details
Nissan_Qashqai_4X4_005
Nissan_Qashqai_4X4_001
Nissan_Qashqai_4X4_011
Nissan_Qashqai_4X4_032
Nissan_Qashqai_4X4_022

Reviews Nissan Qashqai

4.9 (3 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

Frequently compared as well

Skoda Karoq
Volvo XC40
VS
The Skoda Karoq is the sensible, spacious family SUV that puts practicality and value first — roomy boot, low running costs and a no-nonsense interior that feels built to last. The Volvo XC40, by contrast, serves up Scandi style, sharper tech and a more premium cabin (plus safety kit you can brag …
Nissan Qashqai
Opel Grandland
VS
The Nissan Qashqai feels sharper on the road with refined handling and clever packaging, while the Opel Grandland answers with a roomier cabin and bolder looks that’ll please practical families. Pick the Qashqai for polished tech and a composed daily drive, choose the Grandland if you want more …
Nissan Qashqai
VW T-Roc
VS
The Nissan Qashqai is the sensible, family-friendly compact SUV — roomy, quietly comfortable and packed with practical tech for long motorway miles. The VW T-Roc swaps a little rear-seat space for cheeky styling and sharper handling, so if you want personality and a bit more driver engagement it’s …
Volvo EX40
Volvo XC40
VS
Choosing between the Volvo EX40 and XC40 is basically a choice between new‑school electric chic and old‑school SUV versatility: the EX40 is the fresh, all‑electric, city‑savvy compact with the latest tech and low running costs, while the XC40 is the tougher, more familiar compact that still offers …
Peugeot 3008
Volvo XC40
VS
The Peugeot 3008 is the extrovert of the pair—bold styling, a quirky, techy interior and strong value that make it a fun crossover to live with, while the Volvo XC40 plays the long game with understated Scandinavian style, class-leading safety and a more premium feel. Pick the 3008 if you want …
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 …
Nissan Qashqai
Suzuki S-Cross
VS
Choosing a compact SUV is more about lifestyle than just luggage space, and in this matchup the Nissan Qashqai brings glossy tech, a classy cabin and composed road manners. The Suzuki S-Cross counters with sensible packaging, economical engines and value that won’t make your wallet faint — which …
Hyundai Tucson
Volvo XC40
VS
The Hyundai Tucson turns heads with bold styling, generous kit and wallet-friendly practicality, while the Volvo XC40 answers with crisp Scandinavian design, a cosseting cabin and a premium badge that justifies the extra euros. If you want bang-for-buck family usability and lots of equipment go …
Volvo XC40
Nissan Qashqai

Costs and Consumption
Price
36,800 - 47,200 £
Price
29,600 - 39,900 £
Consumption L/100km
6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 6.8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
147 - 148 g/km
co2
102 - 154 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
54 L
Fuel tank capacity
55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,688 kg
Curb weight
1,420 - 1,665 kg
Trunk capacity
452 L
Trunk capacity
479 - 504 L
Length
4,425 mm
Length
4,425 mm
Width
1,863 mm
Width
1,835 mm
Height
1,652 mm
Height
1,625 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,328 L
Max trunk capacity
1,422 - 1,447 L
Payload
532 kg
Payload
466 - 520 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Full Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, CVT, Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
163 - 197 HP
Power HP
140 - 205 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
180 km/h
Max Speed
170 - 206 km/h
Torque
265 - 300 Nm
Torque
240 - 330 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
120 - 145 kW
Power kW
103 - 151 kW
Engine capacity
1,969 cm3
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,498 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, C
Brand
Volvo
Brand
Nissan
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.