Massimo Pini tests Volvo’s latest and smallest SUV. Have the Swedes saved the best till last?

Although Volvo began its assault on the SUV sector with the terrific 7-seater XC90 more than 15 years ago, the Swedish carmaker, waited until after the release of the second generation of both that model and the smaller XC60 - before bringing out the baby of the bunch, the XC40.

But just because the XC40 represents the entry point to Volvo’s SUV range, that certainly doesn’t mean it could be described (or thought of) as ‘basic’ in any way. Built on the company’s CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform, it shares much of its technology with its larger and costlier siblings, including forthcoming hybrid and all-electric powertrains and it doesn’t compromise on either style or equipment.

Standard kit is generous. Every XC40 comes with a nine-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation with full European mapping (and lifetime mapping updates), two-zone climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, voice-activated control system and ‘Volvo On Call’ with an app – available for your smartphone, smartwatch or tablet – which enables you to control various car functions remotely, and also acts as an emergency and tracking service.

If you sign up for the optional SIM card with mobile data allowance, then Sensus Connect (also standard) will allow you internet browsing with access a range of web apps including Connected Service Booking, which enables the car to pre-book itself for a convenient service appointment at your chosen Volvo dealer. Sounds good, eh? I’m not sure it will arrange for your dry cleaning to be collected just yet, but I’ll bet that’s on the cards. Watch this space, as they say.

On the safety front, Volvo’s long-standing reputation continues with the XC40 which received a full five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. LED headlights with active high beam are standard across all models as well as Run-off Road Protection which automatically tightens the front seatbelts should the car inadvertently leave the road, City Safety which includes pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, and front collision warning with fully automatic emergency braking and Oncoming Lane Mitigation which automatically provides steering assistance if you drift out of your lane.

The XC40 is available with a choice of petrol (T3, T4 and T5), diesel (D3 and D4) and (imminently) plug-in hybrid powertrains. As legislators have started to target diesels for increased taxation or, in some cases, restricting their access to city centres, buyers have responded by switching to petrol in big numbers. Volvo says that its petrol engines now account for around 50% of sales, which is a significant shift in a relatively short space of time.

Diesel models are limited to 150 (D3) and 190hp (D4) versions of the same 2.0-litre engine, with the latter available in six-speed manual or eight-speed Geartronic automatic transmission versions. Despite the anti-diesel lobby, we still think the higher-powered oil burner is a sound proposition – and probably the best all-rounder for most families' needs – so we decided to test a D4 all-wheel drive in the range-topping Inscription Pro trim.

There are three trim levels in total, Momentum, R- Design and Inscription but each of these can be suffixed with ‘Pro’ to add extra kit as standard for a modest price hike. In the case of our test vehicle, around £1,500 added a heated windscreen, headlight cleaning, heated washer nozzles, LED headlights with active bending lights, heated front seats and a powered passenger seat - as well as an upgrade from 18- to 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

On the road, it’s clear that Volvo engineers have focussed on comfort and refinement. The XC40 is the least sporty car in its class - by design. Even though the diesel engine’s not the quietest when provoked, the XC40’s overall level of refinement is impressive and ride comfort, even on the larger 19-inch alloys, is superb. If your driving routine involves a fair amount of motorway cruising, the XC40 is the consummate mile-muncher, thanks to its smooth ride, excellent front seats and well-insulated cabin.

And while we’re on the cabin, there’s more than enough room for four adults (five at a squeeze) with plenty of head- and legroom up front and in the back. There’s storage space for larger items such as laptops and 1.5-litre bottles up front as well as other handy features including a hook for hanging shopping beneath the glovebox and credit card slots by the steering wheel. The boot is large and features underfloor storage while the rear seats fold down completely flat at the flick of a switch. 

One of the main strengths of the XC40 is its high-quality interior. R-Design and Inscription models get more luxurious materials such as wood and sumptuous leather, while all cars come with a 12.3-inch active TFT crystal driver’s information display in place of traditional dials.

Gripes? There aren’t many. There’s the large blind spot caused by the chunky C-pillars - but on balance, I think it’s a price worth paying for the Volvo’s distinctive and stylish exterior design. One more. Given the vast amount of standard kit fitted to our Inscription Pro range-topper, I found it odd that you’d still need to fork out £300 for a smartphone integration to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

But judging by the number of XC40s I’m seeing on the roads, most buyers are not being turned off by such issues; sales are very much buoyant and it’s not hard to see why. It eclipses accomplished German rivals like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 when it comes to ride comfort and it matches both for quality and on-road presence while raising the bar in the safety stakes. The Volvo XC40 is the small premium SUV to beat.

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Model tested

XC40 D4 AWD Inscription Pro

Engine

D4 (diesel) – 190hp

Transmission

Automatic

 WLTP Combined fuel economy

39.8-44.1mpg

CO2 emissions

131g/km

 XC40 range available On The Road from (T3 Momentum Manual)

£28,965

 XC40 D4 AWD Inscription Pro Auto available On The Road from

£38,235

Model as tested, including options

£40,160