Compare the2026 Jeep WranglerVS 2026 Volvo XC40

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Wrangler. But it costs extra on the XC40.

Both the Wrangler and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Jeep Wrangler 4-door is safer than the XC40:

Jeep’s powertrain warranty covers the Wrangler 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 8 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Wrangler’s warranty.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the XC40 AWD’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Wrangler second among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The XC40 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

The Wrangler has more powerful engines than the XC40:

As tested in Car and Driver the Wrangler Moab 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the XC40 B5 (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler 392’s fuel efficiency. The XC40 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Wrangler 2-door’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (17.5 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Wrangler 4-door’s standard fuel tank has 7.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (21.5 vs. 14.2 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Wrangler higher (6 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (4). This means the Wrangler produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The XC40 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Wrangler Moab 392’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC40 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Wrangler has larger standard tires than the XC40 (245/75R17 vs. 235/55R18). The Wrangler 4-door Moab 392/Xteme 35’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 (315/70R17 vs. 245/45R20).

The Wrangler has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The XC40 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Wrangler has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XC40; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Wrangler Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XC40 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door’s wheelbase is 12 inches longer than on the XC40 (118.4 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Wrangler is 1.7 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XC40.

The Wrangler’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.2% to 47.4%) than the XC40’s (57.9% to 42.1%). This gives the Wrangler more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 4.7 feet tighter than the XC40’s (32.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler 2-door has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 (9.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Wrangler Rubicon 4-door Xtreme 35’s minimum ground clearance is 4.8 inches higher than on the XC40 (12.9 vs. 8.1 inches).

The Wrangler has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (103.7 vs. 98).

The Wrangler 4-door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (31.7 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The Wrangler 4-door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (72.4 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The Wrangler’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in almost every dimension:

The Wrangler’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the left swing out door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XC40’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC40 is limited to 3500 pounds. The Wrangler 4-door offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Wrangler, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40.

The Wrangler has a higher maximum payload capacity than the XC40 (1327 vs. 1219 lbs.).

The engine in the Wrangler is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Wrangler’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The XC40 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Wrangler has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Wrangler Rubicon/Willys/Sahara/High Altitude/Rubicon has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XC40 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Volvo XC40 isn’t available as a soft top.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Jeep Wrangler retains 64.38% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 51.74% resale value of the 2025 Volvo XC40 after five years, which can save the Jeep’s owner up to $8185.85042 in depreciation.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The XC40 has never been chosen.

The Jeep Wrangler outsold the Volvo EX40/XC40 by almost six to one during 2024.