2019 Volvo XC40

leather seat covers, power-adjustable passenger seat, up-level audio system, voice-activated navigation, hands-free power liftgate and 19-inch wheels (18s for the Momentum). The R-Design also gets a sport suspension.

Heading the list of options is a panoramic sunroof, 13-speaker Harmon Kardon-brand audio and 20-inch wheels.

With Volvo’s penchant for safety, the XC40 comes with active-safety technologies such as cross-traffic backup alert (with braking), and forward emergency braking that can detect pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. Few competing systems can do this.

Volvo has indicated that by the 2020 model year a plug-in hybrid XC40 will be available. It will use a three-cylinder engine plus a rear-mounted electric motor.

So, how did Volvo do at breaking into the entry-luxury small-utility field? Well, the company certainly had enough time to go to school on the competition, which means there shouldn’t be any excuses. And really, the XC40 stands up, other than it has a narrow price range commensurate with having just one engine choice and two trims.

Maybe the XC40 doesn’t need the variety and then again it’s also just the beginning.