There are plenty of reasons why I love the Volvo cars. Volvo vehicles are safe, dependable, and endlessly surprising, so it's easy to see why we like them so much.
Looking at the distinctive design of the Volvo XC40, you begin to wonder if the German premium brands have it wrong – their ‘Russian doll’ designs lead to a very strong resemblance between models, which often leaves you struggling to tell one from another. At the very least, Volvo's creativity is refreshing that brings cool Scandinavian styling – inside and out.
Exterior:
I think it’s more youthful-looking than the larger XC60, which you could describe as a tailored shirt to the XC40’s funky tee. Of course, the XC40 does retain some distinctive Volvo design cues. Its Thor’s Hammer headlight design and equally striking LED rear lights, for instance, ape the company’s other models, keeping the bloodline recognisable. The rest of the car's detailing and its overall proportions are quite unique, though.
Interior:
The Volvo XC40’s interior has a classy minimalist design and an eye-catching infotainment screen. Sadly, it’s not the easiest system to use.
The front seats in the Volvo XC40 are some of the best you’ll find in any family SUV. There’s a wide range of adjustment, including tilt and height, plus four-way electric lumbar adjustment on all versions.
The center console is minimalist yet elegant, conventional buttons are kept to a neat single row in the centre of the dash, including a large volume knob in the centre that is easy to reach for when you’re on the move.
If you’ve ever used an Apple iPad then you’ll have no problem operating the Volvo XC40’s 9-inch infotainment display. It lets you swipe between menus and pinch to zoom in on maps, and has a conventional ‘home’ button at the bottom of the screen so you can skip quickly to the main menu. Yes, it does come with Apple CarPlay and Android auto and features a wireless charging pad.
The best thing about the interior though is the 13-speaker, 650W Harman Kardon system that can envelop you in a wave of sound.
Engine and Performance:
The XC40 T5 has a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine and delivers as much as 247hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed Geartronic torque-converter automatic transmission. In addition, the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capability lets you play wherever you decide to go without compromising fuel efficiency.
The XC40 is probably the least sporty feeling car in its class. Refinement is excellent while the ride comfort is accomplished even on the larger alloy wheels. But worthy of note is the car's smooth ride, which easily eclipses its German rivals, and when combined with the XC40's excellent front seats and low overall levels of noise, makes this a genuinely impressive long-distance cruiser. I like how Volvo sets its cars up. They are not too sporty, but not too soft and squidgy either. For many, they will be, well, just right.
Safety:
Volvo’s exceptional reputation for safety continues with the XC40. Confirming its status, it received a full five-star safety rating when it was assessed by Euro NCAP.
Central to this is the standard-fit City Safety pack. Capable of detecting vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals, the technology will alert the driver or apply the brakes automatically if it detects that a collision is imminent.
It's also available with the company's constantly-improving Pilot Assist adaptive cruise and lane-keeping system, which does a reasonable job of handling motorways and A-roads in a semi-autonomous manner. As part of its plan to stop a driver being seriously injured or killed, Volvo now limits the top speed of its cars to 180 kmh. (I can’t say whether I’ve tried this or not. 😉)
Space and Practicality:
Volvo has clearly gone to a lot of effort to make the XC40’s cabin as user-friendly as possible. For starters, there’s more than enough room for four adults (plus a child in the middle rear seat) with head and legroom in the back a particular highlight.
Up front, Volvo’s designers have carved out generous amounts of space for storing larger items such as laptops and 1.5-litre bottles of water. Other handy features include a hook for hanging shopping under the glovebox and slots for credit cards by the steering wheel. The boot is large if not class-leading, and features underfloor storage and rear seats that fold down completely flat.
Verdict:
Volvo’s youthful interpretation of its sophisticated signature style gives the XC40 plenty of showroom appeal. It's a chunky-looking machine, with a muscular profile and a cool colour split in the rear pillar that makes it stand out. A family-friendly SUV with ample appeal and few weaknesses. This is an SUV that does it all, with a welcome dose of style and upmarket luxury to boot.
The XC40 is not only the best Volvo made in ages - but also one of the best cars in its class.
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