Did you know that Volvos first ever compact SUV is selling at an average of 2,000 cars a month and has already racked-up a host of top awards including being named European Car of the Year and What Car? Car of the Year.
All of this is significant because the XC40 is Volvo’s first ever compact SUV, and its stealing sales from other premium brands. No wonder Volvos overall sales growth in the UK is around the 27 per cent mark. The XC40 has three levels of trim; Momentum, Inscription and R-Design. Prices start at £28,965. You can also get Pro Edition models of each trim which adds extra goodies.
Our favourite is the R-Design. You get a stylish, sporty body kit which makes the car really stand out. There are smart alloy wheels, sports suspension, leather upholstery, folding mirrors and parking sensors. This is already on top of a really good level of standard equipment. Every XC40 comes with sat nav, air con, DAB radio, auto wipers and lights, electric windows and of course a fabulous level of safety equipment which makes the XC40 one of the safest cars in the world.
The interior is really smart with some neat, funky touches around the cabin. Everything is solid and feels good. Outside, the XC40 is very un-Volvo. It stands out on its own and doesnt look as though it morphed from the bigger XC60/XC90 models. Its a handsome animal. Roomy too.
Its also really good to drive. Apart from the entry level models, you get AWD as standard. This makes the XC40 feel incredibly surefooted. Its a car that will happily trundle around town, blast along the motorway or enjoy being hustled along country lanes. You can also get an automatic gearbox.
Engines are familiar to any Volvo fans with a mixture of punchy D3 and D4 diesels and smooth T3, T4 and T5 turbo petrol units. Theres also a hybrid XC40 which comes with the petrol T5 engine. Not all engines are available with every trim.
Our favourite is the R-Design trim with power from a D4 AWD 2.0 litre diesel engine. 0-60mph takes a shade under eight seconds but go easily and youll be close to 56mpg. These are impressive figures for a chunky car. If you want performance, go for the hybrid model which reaches 60mpg in 6.5 seconds. Wow.
Volvo was a late arrival into the small SUV market in the UK. Theyve clearly taken advantage of looking at the competition and making sure they hit the bullseye with their new baby. If you want a premium, compact SUV, the Volvo XC40 is the one to go for. Its brilliant.
Fancy a test drive? Pop along to one of the Volvo North East dealers in Newcastle, Sunderland, Stockton or Harrogate. You might not recognise the name, but Volvo North East is the new name for Mill Volvo. Mill has been taken over by another family firm, Stoneacre, who have other dealerships across the region. Apart from the name change, everything else is still the same. Same faces, same great service and some good deals. Go and renew some old friendships or why not find out all about the new-look dealers for Volvo in the North East.