The new Volvo XC40 is indeed a decent car. In fact it’s so very decent that one might venture to say that it’s indecently decent. In terms of its technological decorum it dazzles in its ingenuity. As a stylish multi purpose small SUV for today’s multi purpose lifestyle, it outclasses rivals through its unshowy elegance. And the Volvo badge itself speaks volumes: though without needing to raise its voice.
Classed as a mild hybrid, the XC40 is expressly designed to accommodate more than just driver, passengers and luggage. It’s been made to meet modern requirements, which means, of course, accommodating eco-consciousness as an intrinsic part of the brief. The result is a silent, swift and altogether admirable combination of modern best practice in automotive design. As you would expect from Volvo, no corners are cut. Quality is the byword: satisfaction the outcome.
Given ever increasing traffic coupled with lamentably maintained roads, it’s not surprising that safety becomes a pressing issue. Here Volvo’s incomparable track record on safety amounts to reason enough to suppose a head start over rivals; so there’s little doubt that the cabin of this top spec Ultra B4 version is one of the safest sanctuaries. This is by no means a trivial concern for those seeking reassurance for their nearest and dearest.
From the moment one settles in, one might be forgiven for thinking that comfort is the key consideration: the level is so high. Everything is eminently sensible and refined in taste – almost to patrician levels. In short, the driver feels good and passengers feel secure and comfortable. As a driver you sit high and everyone from a Neaderthal to Magnus The Giant will enjoy supreme comfort. I’ve never been so comfy in a test car for years. You could park up and spend all day listening to the Harman Kardon sound system as you snooze under the panoramic roof. These cars have class by the bucket load and don’t have to dip their toes in the twinkly tinsel of flash in order to steal a march on rivals. It’s rather like the difference between understated, made to measure apparel that comes – as all good things do – at a price – but a sensible one. With a £43,220 Volvo XC40 MHEV you know to expect comfort, performance, style, safety, good residuals and a warm acknowledgement from fellow road users who are rightfully suspicious of undue ostentation and conspicuous flag waving of the parvenu kind.
It comes as no surprise then that the XC40 has been awarded many accolades. To be more specific, with the XC40, one has everything one expects of an upmarket SUV. Driver aids are, of course, many and multifarious, ensuring safe and secure passage along the highways and byways of our congested roads. You’re ‘Volvo safe’ and secure in all conditions and need not fear whatever adversary the highway gremlin may strew in your path. It’s loaded with the sort of tech that makes Ludites jump in fright. But it’s not all about safety. It’s that ineffable sense of style and solidity: in a word, class.
Here is utility wrapped up in catwalk lustre – a sassy touch of style married to Thor’s Hammer underpinnings. Put simply it’s a market marauder that knocks its rivals dizzy. A quality motor from the kingdom of quality with a classy functionalism that does not eschew a proud statement of poise. It’s not that the XC40 establishes a unique concept: rather it takes a desirable concept and tunes it to perfection.
The B4 194bhp 2.0 litre petrol engine (You can have a B3 with a less powerful engine) has mild electric assistance (MHEV) and drives the front wheels through a seven speed automatic transmission. Performance is brisk for a vehicle of its size with responsive handling and surefooted roadholding through bends. The adventurous can travel up to about 115mph – which is way past ‘fast enough’. And if one is in a thrusting mood, one can select sport mode. More important than microsecond nonsense is that throttle response and overtaking ability, enable distances to be covered surprisingly rapidly. It might not (according to Lunatic Car Monthly) ‘go’ as fast and ‘handle’ as well at the limit as some rivals – but bear in mind that they do ridiculous tests around Silverstone where you are never likely to go. Quite simply, in the real world – this is a better package. Buy an Ariel Atom if you want that sort of experience.
I asked a venerable philosopher friend why those who never drive on the limit are so keen to know pointless statistics. He pondered the conundrum, puffed his politically incorrect pipe before sagely concluding that this was a consequence of the ‘Uncertainty principle’. He elaborated by pointing out that in today’s uncertain world people crave security. With these wise words in mind I put it through its paces and found myself nodding in satisfaction at the way it conducted itself with no fuss, no fluster and no fireworks – just mature confident and competent inspiring gravitas.
Of course, these days only the feckless ignore fuel consumption and I have to say that, in its class, the figures for the XC40 are competitive while the performance never leaves one in doubt that whatever the conditions, here is a motor that will deliver – more reliably it has to be said, than today’s postal services. Economy was around 45mpg overall.
It’s a splendid powertrain in this installation. Smooth linear torque and rapid response makes one wonder just how much more refined cars can get. No one could justifiably criticise this XC40 for any aspect of propulsive refinement.
At a time of great financial and ecological uncertainty one feels that here is a vehicle you can bank on. It’s a Volvo through and through and that means you can trust it to do what it says on the tin – to coin a phrase. No wonder the canny Chinese have leapt in and with great wisdom, left Volvo to continue unhindered to produce cars to the very highest standards with no corner cutting.
Weaving my way through congested city streets I felt imbued with the aura of understated celebrity, rather as if a respected theatrical knight were negotiating the Saturday afternoon hordes in the shopping precinct. I was astonished when, in a ‘fifty fifty’ situation, a boy racer flashed me the ‘go ahead’ – and as I obligingly negotiated the gap, he acknowledged my wave as if to say ‘suits you sir’.
Politicians today bang on about ‘change’, but quite frankly where this Volvo XC40 Mild hybrid is concerned, I wouldn’t change a thing.
