Volvo XC40

Volvo XC40 removed from Scheme due to delays in delivery

The Volvo XC40 is a compact SUV with similar dimensions to the BMW X1 and Volkswagen Tiguan. Let’s make no bones about it the XC40 is an expensive car, but for your money you do get the European Car of the year for 2018, (following in the footsteps of the Peugeot 3008), a car that stands out from the crowd, a beautifully designed interior and as one journalist put it ‘as on-trend as a flat white from your favourite coffee vendor’ The look of the XC40 is best summed up by Matt Watson who said about the XC40: ‘it looks like a baby XC90 that’s come back from uni sporting a trendy haircut and some cool new threads’

 

Volvo have built their reputation on making comfortable and safe cars, the XC40 is both of these, all cars are fitted with City Safety autonomous emergency braking, which can detect vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and even large animals. There are also systems to help keep the car on the road, and prevent it heading towards oncoming traffic. Every XC40 has Volvo On Call, a smartphone app and emergency assistance package that allows you to control some functions of the car remotely (like locking and unlocking), and can alert the emergency services if you’re involved in a crash. The standard front seats may not be quite as impressive as those fitted to larger Volvos (they offer a little less under-thigh support) but they’re still some of the best you’ll find in any family SUV. There’s a wide range of adjustment for tilt and height, plus four-way electric lumbar adjustment on all versions.

 

The XC40 has excellent head and leg room in the front but rear passengers, while enjoying excellent height, the seats are just not as comfortable or large as in the Tiguan.  The rear door openings are a little small too, hindering getting in and out and due to the sleek design, the window line kicks up towards the rear of the car which compromises the view out for small children. The boot is only 460 litres in size, the Tiguan offers 615 litres, but it is a nice rectangular shape and lifting items in is a breeze due to the wide opening and small lip.

All cars have cruise control, Drive mode settings (Comfort, Eco, Dynamic, Off-road and Individual), rear parking sensors, two zone climate control, automatic windscreen wipers, 12.3 inch active TFT configurable driver’s information display, LED headlights and a 9 inch touchscreen (or voice activated) infotainment system complete with built in sat nav. R-Design trim offers 18-inch alloy wheels and a sporty looking body kit. Inside, you get leather-Nubuck upholstery, mood lighting and pretty metal trim pieces. R-Design Pro adds heated windscreen, LED headlights, 20 inch double spoke wheels, heated front seats, power driver seat with memory. Inscription models feel very luxurious. They come with a full leather interior and also get Volvo’s driftwood trim pieces that look expensive, ambient lighting that offers a choice of colours, front parking sensors and power tailgate. Inscription Pro adds heated windscreen, LED headlights, 19 inch double Spoke wheels, heated front seats and a power passenger seat.

 

There are a few extras that you may wish to add: firstly the delightful infotainment system is fitted with access to some apps; Spotify, TuneIn, Google Local Search and Yelp, but to add Apple Car play/Android Auto you will have to pay £300. To add privacy glass it’s £300, heated steering wheel £175, heated rear seats £200, rear parking camera £375, front parking sensors £325 (standard on Inscription), wireless phone charging £175, power tailgate £375, keyless entry and start £350, Pilot Assist and adaptive cruise control comes in the intellisafe pro pack at £1500.

 

The XC40 is avaialble only as a petrol car, as a 6 speed manual/Automatic T3 or 8 speed automatic T4. The 1.5 litre three cylinder T3 offers 161 bhp and only drives the front wheels. Performance is brisk, 62 miles per hour can be reached in 9.4 seconds with a top speed of 124 mph. Economy, on the other hand, is not astounding, with a claimed combined effort of 45.6 miles per gallon. The Automatic 2.0 litre B4 engine is a 48v mild hybrid attached to the old T4 engine, the hybrid will give an extra boost (assume this is what the B stands for) the horse power is increased by 7 to 194 but there is no increase in torque over the old engine or a decrease in the the 0-62 mph time (8.4 seconds). The Economy range increases from 33.6 – 36.7 mpg to 34.7 – 39.2 mpg in the B4 FWD. All XC40’s are now limited to 112 mph top speed.

The XC40 Recharge PHEV has joined the Scheme, priced at £4299 AP for the R-Design and Inscription trims (add £200 for the pro versions), the PHEV pairs a 1.5 litre petrol to a 10.7 kWh battery totalling 254bhp, travel on electric only mode is 28.6 miles and charging will take 6 hours from a 3 pin plug or 2.5 hours from a wall charger. When driving in electric mode only the XC40 will be fine doodling around town but the 80bhp electric motor will need help from the petrol engine for hills and anything more that gently increasing speed.

Volvo XC40 removed from Scheme due to delays in delivery