INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Authors: Super UserThe name Volvo was once synonymous with large and safe estates, but these days the Swedish car-maker is becoming better
known for its growing range of SUVs
The enormous seven-seat XC90 set the ball rolling, and was followed by the mid-sized five-seat XC60, with the second-generation model
models over a number of years, and this promises to stand the XC40 in good stead as it enters what is one of the most crowded sectors of the
XC60It would have been tempting for Volvo to simply shrink down the proportions of the handsome XC60 to fit the company's new Compact
Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, but it's good to see that it's steered clear of a reiterative approach and come up with a distinctive
models to tie the XC40 into the range, the smaller car sports a much more defined look
This includes a clamshell bonnet, concave grille, heavily sculpted doors and distinctive rear pillars, while there are also plenty of
two-tone paint schemes to choose from.Climb into the XC40 and and there's nothing brash or gratuitous here, with a luxuriously clean and
minimalist interior to greet you
This clutter-free look is thanks largely to Volvo using the same 9-inch Sensus touchscreen interface seen in other recent Volvos, with
pretty much every element of the XC40's entertainment, convenience and safety functions, and is nice and responsive, logically laid out and,
for the most part, easy to use
and heated rear screen, tweaking the climate control requires you to take your eye off the road to use an on-screen control to set the
temperature, as opposed to a quick flick of a dedicated knob, although there is a voice-activated control system fitted as standard that's
There's enough storage space in the front doors to stow both a laptop and tablet, as the speakers that would normally be taking up space
here have been shifted to an air-ventilated dash-mounted sub-woofer
The central console has a designated area for your smartphone, along with USB and 12v sockets, as well as an optional wireless charging pad
also relay a version of the satnav, as well as road sign info and distance alerts, while our XC40 was equipped with a high-end 13-speaker
in the XC40, including advanced object-detection and collision-avoidance tech
All XC40s come with the company's suite of City Safety aids, with an integrated radar and forward-facing camera to detect subjects in front
of you and warn you of a potential collision; should you not react, the XC40 will automatically apply the brakes to either avoid or limit
Protection will automatically tighten the front seatbelts should the car inadvertently run off the road, to brace you for a potential
extras), which as the name suggests will warn you of anything in your blind spot.Volvo also offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous
driving with the Pilot AssistVolvo also offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous driving with the Pilot Assist
XC40's forward-facing camera and radar to detect your lane and any vehicles in front, the car will assist with steering inputs as well as
lightly resting on the steering wheel (hands must be on the steering wheel at all times) required as the car analyses the road in front and
makes the required steering inputs
You can take your foot off the accelerator, as the tech will automatically maintain the XC40 at the speed you want to travel, while you can
also set how close you want to travel to the car in front, with the system slowing in line with the flow of traffic, and coming to a
near-complete stop when necessary
range-topping T5 2.0-litre petrol engine, which produces a not-too-shabby 247bhp, but there's also the T3 (153bhp) and T4 (190bhp), and two
diesel options in the shape of the D3 (150bhp) and D4 (190bhp)
Depending on the model you opt for there's a 6-speed manual or 8-speed auto transmission, while there are also front or all-wheel drive
options.The XC40 hasn't been designed to be thrown into tight bends on B-roads; instead it'll happily glide along most UK roads with a
trying mimic its compact SUV rivals, Volvo has been clever with the XC40 and come up with a brilliant alternative that offers a something a
little different.Safety, practicality and comfort are everything you'd expect from the brand, but it's the attention to detail, and the
