My neighbour drives an Evoque, the decorator round the corner drives a Qashqai, and the electrician at the end of the street opposite drives an XC60. My old headmaster has just swapped his old SAAB for a new Vitara, a friend of mine has put down a deposit on a Discovery Sport, there’s a Range Rover 3 doors up, and when I’m not driving a press car, I’ve drive a Yeti. I’ve got an aged Jimny too, which to be honest, I drive more than I do the Yeti.
Where once we all drove hatchbacks; Golfs, Astras, Focuses, and the like, just like nearly everyone else around us, we’ve succumbed to the SUV. Apparently, SUVs are more practical, yet secretly we all know they’re not as good to drive as hatchbacks. Still, you pays your money; you takes your choice.
But with so many similar-sized and similar looking SUVs now available – can you really tell an X3 from an X1, a Q3 from a Q5, or a T-Cross from a Taigo without looking at the badge (Nope, me either!) – how does one stand out from the crowd, even if only by a little bit?
You have to applaud Volvo for choosing not to make their XC40 look like a boil-washed XC90. Yes, Volvo’s current smallest SUV does carry all the usual Volvo styling cues – the Thor Hammer headlights, the LED rear lamps that run right up the C-pillars, the oh-so Scandi-Chic, near button-free interior… Nevertheless, the XC40 manages to look like a model in its own right, rather than just a scaled down version of something available somewhere within the range.
But, just because it’s smaller, and in my humble opinion, groovier-looking than its larger siblings, don’t think for a moment that it is any lesser equipped. The XC40 gets the same, I-pad-esque nine-inch infotainment display as you’ll find in the XC90, as well as a beautifully 12.3in digital instrument panel. The touchscreen sits centre-stage within the dash and controls the majority of the XC40’s functions including the entertainment, navigation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, so-called driver aids (y’know, the ones you always end-up switching off because they’re so bloody intrusive!) and most other vehicle settings too.
It can take a little while to fathom everything out, and until you’re familiar with the Sensus system (as Volvo calls it) you’ll more than likely have to take your eyes off the road to poke at submenu after submenu, sometimes just to perform the simplest of task such changing the radio station. Thankfully, and with time, everything eventually become clear.
What can’t be faulted is comfort and performance. I’ve said it many times before; I’ll say it again. Why can’t all car manufacturer make car seats like Volvo do? In every modern Volvo I’ve driven, both driver and passenger seat seem to be adjustable to fit whatever size frame or figure you may have: they are simply superb. The whole set-up of the XC40, in fact, airs towards comfort rather than sportiness – or whatever the Germanic marketing types call it. If you’ve penchant for B-road blasts you may want to consider something else; the steering is a more than a tad light for anything approaching “enthusiastic” driving.
That’s not to say there is a lack of performance. In B4 mild-hybrid guise (as tested) the 2.0 litre four –cylinder petrol engine produces 197 bhp –enough to get the XC40 to 62mph in a respectable 7.6 seconds. Simply select Drive, (pull the lever back twice remember) and let the 8 speed auto ‘box do its own thing – which apart from the odd slow reaction – it does rather well.
A front wheel drive B4 mild-hybrid XC40 will deliver 42.2 mpg (combined) whilst the all-wheel drive option lowers that to 39.8 mpg. I suspect with careful driving you might get more.
A word of advice: Pick your wheels and tyres wisely. Having driven XC40s before I can confirm that although the 20 inch rims might make you look smooth, they certainly won’t make you feel it! Believe me, the 19inch alloys and taller tyres make for a much nicer ride.
Believe or not it is six years since I first drove an XC40, I didn’t realise it had been quite that long. Still though, the XC40 manages to offer something just a little bit different from the usual so-called premium brand SUV norm. If comfort, economy and build quality mean more to you than just following the crowd, and you also need practicality and economy – not to mention comfort – put XC40 high up on your potential purchase list.
Volvo XC40 2.0 B4P Ultra Dark 5dr Auto
Engine: 1,969cc 4Cyl 16V Petrol. Hybrid
Transmission: 8 speed Auto, All wheel drive.
Power: 197bhp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque: 221 lbft @1,300 rpm
0-62MPH: 7.6 Sec
Max Speed: 112 mph
CO2: 115 g/km
MPG: 39.8 (WLTP combined)
Weight: 1,634 kg
Price: from £45,520
Many thanks to Joe at Volvo’s UK press office for the loan of the XC40
@bird_liam
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