New addition
Volvo crossovers now have a baby brother, the 2019 XC40
Volvo has filled out its line of crossover sport utility vehicles with a small entry-luxury vehicle.
Called the XC40, it is the smallest of Volvo’s three crossovers. While it is clearly kin to the midsized XC60 and full-sized XC90, it has a look and personality of its own.
It’s looks are clearly part of the family of Volvos, but with a bit of distinctiveness integrated into the design of the front face and roofline. But the grille makes it clear that this is a Volvo, but the shape of the roofline and high wheel openings create a jaunty and young look to the car.
Front the front seat, the cabin feels as wide and certainly as comfortable and quiet as the XC40’s bigger siblings. You know you are sitting in a different car – although the center screen is the same iPadlike control system as the other models, the rest of the dash says this is a car aimed at a younger, slightly less affluent buyer. It still reflects the spartan look for which Scandinavian design is noted for.
A good way to understand this is that Scandinavian electronic equipment tends to have fewer buttons and switches. Their perspective is the more upscale and capable something is the less input is needed, hence, fewer controls. Look at Bang and Olufsen sound equipment to see this.
This is the crossover designed to get Millennials – and I bet a bunch of newly empty nesters – into the brand. It is also the right car to drive on roads in other parts of the world where there isn’t quite so much width to the roadways.
Competition in the small premium crossover market is touch, but it’s a fast-growing segment. Vehicles such as the BMW X1 and X2, Audi Q3, Infiniti QX30, Jaguar EPace and Mercedes-Benz GLA are all seeking to grab market share because this is a highly profitable type of vehicle.
The base version of the XC40 is the T4. This is the first T4 version of Volvo’s family of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder used in all versions of their vehicles in North America. This T4 engine features a different turbocharger producing only 187 hp. and 221 lb.-ft. of peak torque.
The other engine variation of the XC40 is in the T5, which produces 248 hp. and 258 lb.-ft. of peak torque. At launch, the Volvo XC40 comes standard with allwheel drive. Under normal, dry conditions practically all of the power goes to the front wheels. But the system can instantly redistribute up to 50 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels if it’s needed.
The front suspension features a McPherson strut, setup which is very efficient, taking up minimal space. In back there is fullyisolated multi-link rear axle set up to maintain plenty of grip thanks to high camber stiffness and precise wheel control. Many of the suspension components are made of lightweight aluminum.
There are nice touches, for instance there’s plenty of creative storage points. These include underfloor storage and a folding color, which acts as a shoppingbag holder. The audio system and connectivity are intuitive and work well, with the sound filling the cabin quite nicely. Standard equipment is a Harmon Kardon setup.
Naturally this being a Volvo, safety is an important issue, and this car’s structure puts in clearly designed with consideration for Volvo’s Vision 2020 goal that nobody should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020. So, the body features lots of highstrength steel and designers engineered crumple zones to insure good energy dissipation.
There are a number of active safety devices such their City Safety suite of features. These include systems to avoid or lessen collisions with vehicles, animals or even pedestrians. This is standard on all trims. Also standard are Run-off Road Protection Mitigation, Lane Keeping and Oncoming Lane Mitigation and a Whiplash Protection System for front seats.
A blind-spot information system and cross-traffic alert are options. You can also get Pilot Assist II, which is a driver’s aid that assists with steering, acceleration and braking.
As the base-level trim of the 2019 XC40, the Momentum has a starting MSRP of $33,200. The base price of the R-Design is $35,700. There are three trim levels: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. Eventually frontwheel drive will be but at launch all-wheel drive will be standard, which adds $2,000 to the base price.
Volvo sees the potential buyers to be a young, city-living Millennials. Research showed these customers will want plenty of storage, connectivity and flexibility. They say that they are people whose products reflect their desire to stand out from the crowd. The look of the XC40 relates to the other Volvos, but its size and specific design elements say its new.
Volvo expects as many as 80 percent of buyers will come from other brands, with the rest being existing customers who can now downsize. This isn’t unusual in this hot segment of the market, as many small luxury crossovers see this same mix between well paid Millennials who may be on the track to starting a family, and empty-nesters who no longer need a sport-ute but are delighted to find a smaller one.
The biggest deal about this Volvo is that there are three ways to “buy” one. You can use money and actually buy the car with cash or by financing it. Or, as many are doing, you can lease the car for a period of time. But Volvo also offers you the opportuning to subscribe to a 2019 Volvo XC40. Okay, it’s not really a subscription, but there isn’t an appropriate title yet.
It is called Care by Volvo. What you do is pay a flat rate for 24 months with a 15,000-mile allowance per year. You can even upgrade your car after a year. Volvo pays for all maintenance and repairs, insurance and even the windshield wipers. But you do own the car and the insurance is in your name.
Volvo says that they are offering this because for many people the ease and simplicity of the arrangement – and the ability to “upgrade” the car each year makes it worth doing. It does cost more, and there’s no negotiating about the price or the features. There are two cars, Two XC40 models will be available via Care by Volvo at Launch:
First is the XC40 T5 AWD Momentum with the Premium Package, Vision Package, heated front seats and heated steering wheel for $600 per month. Or, for an extra $100 a month you can choose the XC40 T5 AWD R-Design. This includes the Premium Package, Vision Package, Advanced Package, heated front seats and heated steering wheel, panoramic roof, the Harmon Kardon Premium Sound and 20” wheels.
In that regard, although the amounts are greater, subscribing to a Volvo is similar – and seeks to emulate – the similar systems for buying cellular service and a smartphone which you can upgrade each year. That too is more expensive that simply buying the equipment, but it is worth it to many customers.