The Volvo XC40 we tested had 'all sauces' — which is how to say, it had pretty much all the extras. It was the sportiest (R-Design) and most powerful (D4) version of the diesel versions of the Volvo XC40 range. Superlatives that are joined by an all-wheel drive system, more than €10,000 of options and a reasonable price — which is almost double the base version (Volvo XC40 T3).
A unit that had, therefore, all the ingredients to please me. Did it please? Pleased. And it also pleased the European Car of the Year jury panel, who voted it Car of the Year 2018 in Europe.
The work pays off. Volvo has put virtually all of the 90-series technology at the service of this Volvo XC40 — it's the first 40-series representative to hit the market.
In this model, to the engines and technologies that we already knew from its bigger «brothers», now joins the CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform and the three-cylinder engines that are exclusive to this platform — two absolute firsts for the XC40. Inside, the quality of the materials and the design was also inherited from the bigger brothers, with some differences… we'll see which ones.
look at him
Hats off to Volvo. The latest models of the Swedish brand do not give much leeway to the subjectivity of aesthetic evaluations.
They say that tastes are not disputed, but the Volvo XC40 is, in my opinion, indisputably well designed.
The rear is wider than the front to give the body a sportier look and all body shapes are well resolved. There are no excesses of style, nor ill-conceived proportions. Volvo got the formula right again.
Anyway, feel free to disagree with me.
In this aspect, the Volvo XC40 was so well designed, that it even manages to hide its real dimensions, appearing more compact than it actually is. At 4,425 m long, 1,863 m wide and 1,652 m high, the XC40 matches the dimensions of its most direct competitors: BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3.
Open the door
Inside, we have another good sample of the entire Swedish design school. The shapes we know from the Volvo XC90 and XC60 are repeated in the “small” Volvo XC40.
But this Volvo XC40 is not a mere XC90 to scale… it's more than that.
The Volvo XC40 has its own identity. This identity is achieved using the exclusive details of this model, such as the lower surfaces covered in a fabric that looks like a carpet, or the solutions for storage of objects — the brands “imitate” in so many things, I don't understand why not. they do in this aspect as well. The hanger solution in the glove compartment is ingenious...
See the image gallery:
Solid interior and good materials.
What storage solutions are these? A hook in the glove compartment that allows you to hang a handbag (here is a video), the doors with specific storage spaces for computers and water bottles, the false bottom of the trunk (with a capacity of 460 liters) with hooks for hanging shopping bags, among many other solutions that simplify our lives. One of the things that bothers me the most while driving is objects rolling around inside the car… am I alone in this?
As for the space for the occupants, there is no lack of space either in front or in the back. Note that Volvo has sacrificed the luggage compartment capacity (lower, for example, to the BMW X1 which offers 505 liters against the 460 liters of this XC40) to increase the space available for the rear occupants. Stick the kids' chairs in the back and check...
Let's get behind the wheel?
The motto of the Volvo XC40 campaign for Portugal is “nothing more than you need”. Well, that principle doesn't apply to the unit we tested, equipped with the D4 engine with 190 hp and 400 Nm of maximum torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system.
This version has a lot more juice than we need 90% of the time.
If this engine already impresses on the Volvo XC60, on the Volvo XC40 it impresses even more for the rhythms it can print. The top speed is 210 km/h and acceleration from 0-100 km/h is achieved in less than 8 s. The CMA platform may not even have difficulty managing the power of this engine, but our driving license has…
Blame it on the dynamic behavior of the Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design — more agile and responsive than the XC60. As much as I tease him when entering corners (and I teased him a lot…), the Swedish brand's SUV always responds without any drama. When exiting corners, count on the AWD system to help you — especially in poor grip conditions. It's not the most exhilarating compact SUV to drive, but it's definitely one that conveys the most confidence to those who drive it.
I am convinced that the D3 version of 150hp and front-wheel drive comes and goes for orders.
As for consumption, I finally managed to calculate the averages for this model — I had already tested it in Barcelona but couldn't draw conclusions. The all-wheel drive system and the 190 hp of power are reflected in consumption. At moderate paces on a mixed circuit I scored an average of 7.9 L/100 km. But it's easy to climb to 8.0 liters, the engine invites high speeds…
I have to talk about security
Throughout this test, despite the power of the engine, I have spoken more about the confidence that the Volvo XC40 conveys, than the enthusiasm that its performances can offer. That's because in dynamic terms Volvo always puts more emphasis on safety than any other feature. The Volvo XC40 is no exception.
There are no surprises behind the XC40's steering wheel, no honed rear axles to help bring the front end into hard-hitting driving.
Characteristics that don't make him boring, but make him less challenging for those who like “live” reactions. By the way, as I wrote above, this Swedish SUV is excellent at hiding the speed at which we travel.
In terms of driving support equipment and active safety, the Volvo XC40 lines up on the same gauge — even though the most advanced systems have been relegated to the list of options. In any case, we already have the Collision Mitigation Support system as standard (this system helps you to avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles acting in the direction), Lane Keeping Aid (Lane Maintenance Assistance) and Brake Assist ( automatic emergency braking).
There is no doubt that the Volvo XC40 is a very self-assured SUV. Final considerations in the evaluation form.