The Volvo XC40 expands the Swedish manufacturer’s SUV line-up to three and gives it a direct rival to the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3 in the growing market for smaller premium SUVs.
Available to order now at prices from £27,905, and with first deliveries in early 2018, the XC40 is the first car built on the brand’s new modular vehicle architecture, CMA. All future 40 series cars will use this platform, which will include full electric vehicles.
The Volvo XC40 measures 4425mm long, which is 263mm less than its XC60 sister model, on a wheelbase of 2702mm. Volvo says that the new model offers a new take on interior storage, the same level of safety, connectivity and infotainment services available in the larger 60 and 90 series cars, and one of the best equipment levels in the sector.
Clever storage
New ideas for use of interior space include more storage in the doors and under the seats, a bespoke space for phones (including inductive charging), a fold-out hook for small bags and a removable waste bin in the tunnel console. Meanwhile among a suite of driver-assistance features available will be the Pilot Assist system with its semi-autonomous steering, and a 360-degree camera that helps drivers manoeuvre their car into tight parking spaces.
Styling-wise the XC40 will be clearly related to its larger siblings, though the interior is a step forward – the infotainment retains the portrait-style screen of the latest larger cars while the cockpit also includes a digital TFT display for the driver’s instruments.
Initial powertrain choices for the XC40 will range across 190hp D4 diesel or 250hp T5 petrol engines built to Volvo’s Drive-E programme. These will be added to later by the first model to use the brand’s new three-cylinder engine as well as hybrid and pure electric versions.
Keyword: Volvo XC40 to take on Evoque and Q3