2018 Volvo XC40 ticks off all the CUV boxes
With the compact crossover segment booming and showing no sign of letting up any time soon, Volvo’s timing for its all-new XC40 could not be better. It is a sharp looker with an even sharper starting price: $39, 500.
Unlike the XC60, the XC40 is more a cousin than a sister to the XC90; it has the overall Volvo look, but it also pushes the boundaries with some strong character lines and an eye-catching palette of colours. Thor’s Hammer — Volvo’s descriptive term for its daytime running lights — has also evolved. The XC40 has the right proportions, so it has more grace to its look than many two-box designs.
All XC40 models ride on Volvo’s new CMA modular platform, which will underpin all of Volvo’s future small cars, including plugin hybrids and all-electric models. By 2021, Volvo will have five all-electric cars in its portfolio, one being the XC40. However, it’s likely to be preceded to market by an all-electric version of the S40 or V40.
The XC40 sits in the sweet spot in terms of size. It’s 4,425 millimetres long, rides on a 2,702mm
wheelbase and it’s 2,034 mm wide. This brings lots of interior space. With the driver’s seat all the way back, there was still enough legroom for me to sit in the back seat.
The XC40’s instrumentation is configurable and includes the ability to put the map or media information between the two main dials. It also arrives with one of the neatest infotainment systems available. If you can use a smartphone or a tablet, you can operate Sensus without having to consult the owner’s manual. The main page has four tiles; navigation ($1,000 option), media, phone and messages are the key functions, although weather and other information can be substituted. Touching the tile enlarges that function. The temperature and seat-heater functions sit at the bottom of the screen with a “home” button below that. Swiping away from the home screen in one direction reveals all of the safety functions; swiping the other way brings up the settings. The capacitive touch screen works even when the driver is wearing gloves.
Lift the hood and see the 2.0-L turbocharged four-cylinder that makes a healthy 250 horsepower and, more importantly, 258 pound-feet of torque
The new XC40 crossover is a stylish piece that has a ton of power and it has been priced to sell. When it lands in the spring of 2018, the XC40 will be offered in T5 Momentum ($39,500) and T5 R-Design ($43,700) models. In the summer of 2018, the Inscription model will join the ranks.
For those who want to inject more personality, the Momentum will be offered with a white roof and mirror caps and the R-Design is differentiated by its black roof and mirror caps. Either paint scheme brings a distinct look when compared with the mono paint job and the large P245/45R20 tires on the R-Design finish the look off nicely.
It’s safe to say the Volvo XC40 is going to be a player is a very competitive segment.