The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Baby Volvo’s Scandi style
Volvo’s XC40 is much more than just a smaller version of the brand’s larger SUVs. It gets its own all-new platform and a very distinct design to set itself apart.
The XC40’s “CMA” platform has been based around provision for a whole range of future cutting-edge Volvo powerplants, including three cylinder engines plus a Plug-in hybrid and a fullyelectric version.
The XC40 engine range starts with the three cylnder 1.5-litre 163hp T3 variant, which is only offered with front wheel drive and a choice of either manual or auto transmission.
This petrol engine also features in 180hp form mated to an 82hp electric motor in the T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid.
Further up the petrol range, there’s Volvo’s 2.0-litre unit which has to be mated to auto transmission. It’s available in 190hp form in the T4 derivative (offered with front or fourwheel drive). Or you can have the same engine in 247hp guise in the top T5 variant (which has to have AWD). As for the 2.0-litre diesels, things kick off with the 150hp D3, which comes with front or four wheel drive and manual or auto transmission. Alternatively, there’s the 190hp D4, which comes in auto 4WD form only.
Prices start at just over £30,000 and range up to just over £42,000. There are three main levels of trim – “Momentum”, “R-Design” and “Inscription”, with plusher “Pro” variants of each.
Every version of the XC40 is very well equipped. As standard, even entry-level “Momentum” variants come with LED headlights with optional active high beam, two-zone climate control with a “CleanZone” air-filtration system, rear parking sensors, a 12.3-inch TFT instrument binnacle display and 18in alloy wheels.
Volvo clearly felt that to break into the premium brand compact SUV segment, it had to offer something distinctively different to its German rivals, so that’s exactly what we’ve got.
It also has Volvo’s class leading safety standards, which may be the clincher for some.