MOTORS REVIEW: Volvo XC40

A brand initially transformed with the arrival of its XC90, a worthy rival to the likes of BMW’s X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE, has proved that its achievement with its flagship model was not a flash in the pan.

Indeed, the tide had turned, and with the V90 and S90 executive cars that followed, and the XC90’s little brother the XC60, the Swedish brand kept quality high and its designs premium in subtle, understated and unfussy fashion.

Now it’s the turn of the XC40 to take a share of the limelight and — on the evidence of my week with the car — it will follow-up where its stablemates’ multitude of car of the year accolades left off.

Taking on the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Jaguar EPace, the XC40 has to serve up a premium SUV feel and it succeeds in spades in top of the range D4 inscription Pro spec tested here (basic £37,170).

Prices for the XC40 range start at £27,610 but the flagship version, with an array of options fitted, came in at £43,730.

Most expensive among the extras was a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree reversing camera and Park Assist (an automated system which sees the car park itself), coming in at a combined £1,600.

Another costly perk was the £750 adaptive dampers for the suspension, which probably delivered the greater impact.

The XC40 proved itself an able tool on twisting roads, for what looks like a fairly tall SUV.

An accurate helm and the balancing effect of the dampers combined to deliver a chassis that offered both the comfort expected of a Volvo and a fair appetite for corners too.

The D4 moniker on the XC40’s boot denotes a turbocharged two-litre diesel engine delivering 187bhp and 295lb.ft. of torque, enough to deliver reasonable pace at a fairly relaxed-feeling gait.

Volvo claims a fairly impressive 7.9 second dash to 62mph and 130mph top speed.

Fuel economy is 56.5mpg and CO2 emission 133g/km, meanwhile.

Out on the road the eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts ratios smoothly and the XC40 feels far larger and more grown-up than I had anticipated.

It might be the smaller brother of the XC60, but interior accommodation still makes it a worthy family car and a useful 432-litre boot only re-states that fact.

In the Inscription Pro trim there is premium luxury to boot.

Volvo’s interior styling and quality is up there with the very best in class and the leather seats, soft-touch plastics and touches of aluminium combine with well-judged touches of piano black trim to great effect.

In this spec, a stunning crystal gear selector illuminates in a cool white light at night, adding a sculptural centrepiece.

It’s a lovely cabin in which to spend time in.

Reservations remain about the Sensus Pro nineinch touchscreen infotainment system, though.

In the past — in an XC60 — the nav had taken its own bizarre flight of fancy during one road test and at times hesitation to respond to a command can still occur.

Navigating through various less-than-straightforward menu pages to reach the desired function also seems to be a trait of the otherwise stylish-looking system.

Put simply, there are better out there.

The 12.3-inch active TFT crystal driver’s information display is more successful, though, and Volvo’s full suite of safety systems — standard across the range — are among the best there is.

Emergency automated braking can react to pedestrians and large animals as well as vehicles, there’s a lane departure warning system too and semi-autonomous Pilot Assist cruise control in the vehicle tested here.

In truth, my gripes about the infotainment feel minor by the end of my week with the car.

While I wouldn’t want Volvo to deliver the navigation tools for my Ocean Race yacht, I’d certainly welcome their attention to detail on the safety, handling and cabin fittings of a vehicle to traverse the globe in.

On the road, the XC40 simply excels…

First published 0ctober 5, 2018