Volvo releases premium XC40 compact SUV across Britain

Volvo’s entry-level SUV, the XC40, has gone on sale in the UK with prices starting at around £28,000.

Described as a “premium compact SUV”, the new model sits under the XC60 and XC90 in the manufacturer’s line up. Its closest rivals are the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3.

Two diesel engines and three petrol engines will be available to begin with. These powertrains range in power from 150hp to 250hp, and all bar the entrylevel 156hp T3 petrol are available with all-wheel-drive.

Given the song and dance Volvo has made about electrifying its range by the end of this decade, expect hybrid and fully electric XC40s to join the line up before long.

Entry-level models are called Momentum and, from there, it’s R-Design, Inscription and First Edition.

Standard equipment in the XC40 includes a nine-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, Spotify and a mobile phone app that allows owners to control certain aspects of the car, such as the heater, remotely. Externally, all XC40s come with 18-inch alloys and LED headlights. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available as options, as is the 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Although you can put a deposit down now, first deliveries don’t start until early in the new year so you won’t see one on the road until then.

The Swedish manufacturer has also launched a way of buying the XC40 that makes a car purchase as easy as getting a new mobile phone. Care by Volvo is the first car scheme modelled on a mobile phone contract.

For £629 a month over two years you can own an XC40 – then just hand it back and receive a new model.

The deal covers insurance, road tax and servicing, so you don’t have to worry about the usual extras that come with car buying.

There are even concierge services, such as fuelling, cleaning and pick up for servicing.

The XC40 will become a familiar sight on our roads from early next year.