Car review: Volvo XC40 D4 AWD First Edition

This is chunkier and more interesting-looking car than its larger XC60 and XC90 cousins, says Mike Stone
Mike Stone17 May 2018

Volvo’s newest and smallest SUV, the XC40, was well received when we drove it in Spain late last year. It’s now arrived in the UK, with well-stocked First Edition models.

This is chunkier and more interesting-looking car than its larger XC60 and XC90 cousins and it comes groaning with safety equipment and autonomous aids. On one 400-mile journey, mainly on motorways, I had little to do except operate the indicator stalk and change lanes from time to time.

The rest of the time it started, stopped, kept in lane and at a safe distance from other traffic all by itself. If you have to take your eyes off the road even for a moment, it is comforting to know you will not start to drift out of lane or get too close to other road users.

The car had covered only 200 miles when it arrived, which probably explains the poor fuel consumption, which rose from 29 to 37mpg after a further 500 miles, although still well short of Volvo’s claimed 55.4mpg.

The two-litre D4 diesel engine, with 188bhp, is not the smoothest in town but pulls well enough through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and would no doubt improve with more miles on the clock. The ride can be a bit bouncy on some surfaces but overall refinement was well up to scratch, although interior fittings don’t all match the premium feel of the XC60 or XC90.

With snow falling and 200 miles to go, the driver’s window froze open – the glass had come off its runner. An hour at a Volvo main dealer solved the problem, but it shouldn’t have happened.

Overall, this is likeable and very safe car which further distances Volvo from its rather staid image of old, and should win the company plenty of new fans.

Details: Volvo XC40 D4 AWD First Edition

Price: £39,905

Emissions: 135g/km

Top speed: 130mph

Combined mpg: 55.4 (claimed)

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