New Volvo Xc40 Review

Now that Volvo have lowered the Motability Advance Payments for the XC40 range, Motability customers can enjoy the cutting-edge safety systems, stylish interiors and the dynamic yet fuel-efficient engines of this premium SUV at an affordable price. The range currently starts at £999 for the Volvo XC40 T3 Inscription manual, with the best value automatic XC40 priced at £1699 (section updated June 2020).

Volvo XC40 Motability Advance Payment Offers

Volvo took its time in developing a contender for the industry's fastest-growing market segment, the compact family hatchback-based SUVs. Unless you count the beefed-up V40 Cross Country model - which we don't - the Swedish brand has never had a car in this class. The XC40 put that right.

Under the skin lies the 'Compact Modular Architecture' platform that Volvo created with its Chinese owner Geely. It's a chassis that will also be used by a whole range of new compact Volvo models, but it's hard to believe that many of them will be much more significant than this one. Established premium brand compact SUV contenders like BMW's X1, Mercedes' GLA and Audi's Q2 crossovers are all within this XC40's sights.

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 fully-electric version. If you want to fuel from the green pump, the range starts with the three cylinder 1.5-litre 163hp T3 variant, which is only offered with front wheel drive and a choice of either manual or auto transmission.

Further up the petrol range, there's Volvo's 2.0-litre unit which has to be mated to auto transmission. It's only available through Motability in 190hp form in the T4 derivative (offered with front or four-wheel drive). As for the 2.0-litre diesels, there's the 150hp D3, which comes with front or four-wheel drive and manual or auto transmission.

The XC40 is an interesting combination. A Swedish-branded product, financed by a Chinese conglomerate, styled by a British designer and built in a Belgian factory. We'll start with the designer, a young Englishman called Ian Kettle who says that the look of this car was inspired by robots he'd seen in sci-fi movies. In styling this contender, his brief was to give the XC40 its own identity, rather than simply making it a down-sized XC60. So, while this car shares its bigger stablemate's 'Thor's Hammer' LED headlights and clamshell bonnet, it also gets unique touches like an inverted front grille and coupe-like rear styling.

To some extent of course, the XC40 had to be different because it rides on quite different underpinnings, a 'CMA' ('Common Modular Architecture') platform that'll be seen on a whole range of future small models from Volvo and its Chinese parent Geely. What it means here is that for the first time, Volvo has a range of three SUVs; other brands have that too of course but in this case, the three products are each quite distinct in character. The Swedish brand hopes that'll be significant.

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 18 inch alloy wheels.

If you upgrade to sporty 'R-Design' trim, you additionally get gloss black styling details including a contrasting colour black roof, plus diamond-cut or matt black alloy wheels, part-leather seats and aluminium dash inlays. Top-spec 'Inscription' variants meanwhile, enjoy full-leather upholstery, an electric tailgate, wood detailing and a crystal glass gearlever. As ever with Volvo, a key focus is safety. An autonomous braking system is standard-fit and this system can specifically detect people and animals. There's also an 'Oncoming Lane Mitigation' set-up that not only stops you from pulling out into the path of an oncoming vehicle but can also steer you away from such an impact. Pilot Assist, Volvo's innovative semi-autonomous drive feature, is an optional extra on every XC40, as is 'Run-off Road Protection and Mitigation'. And Cross Traffic Alert with brake support', which warn you of oncoming vehicles when you're reversing out of a space.

The 150hp D3 variant that many Motability drivers will choose offers WLTP-rated combined fuel consumption of up to 51.4mpg on the combined cycle and NEDC-rated CO2 emissions from around 127g/km - that's in front-driven manual form. The petrol-powered 163hp T3 offers combined fuel economy of up to 41.5mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions from 142g/km.

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. Not all Motability drivers will like the looks but there's no doubt that they will help the brand to target buyers who would never previously have considered a Volvo.

Will these people pass up a premium German-branded alternative - like a BMW X1 or Audi Q2 - to drive this car though? Well, the class-leading safety standards may be tempting for some. And the competitive Advance Payment options a deciding factor for others. Overall, if you're looking for a quality option that's a bit more unique in this segment, this Volvo is a car that should interest you very much.

People with a disability and carers who choose a new Volvo XC40 through Motability will receive a brand new car, delivered by a Motability Specialist at a local Volvo dealership, complete with insurance, servicing and maintenance, full breakdown assistance, replacement tyre cover, windscreen repair or replacement cover plus a mileage allowance of 60,000 miles over three years.