Although it accounts for only a fraction of the volumes its German rivals garner in the boutique SUV segment, the Volvo XC40 has garnered plenty of positive press for its rakish design and composed road manners. It’s been a while since we last sampled The Swedish baby, so we got behind the wheel of a slightly paradox ical example – the entry-level Volvo XC40 T3 in top-spec Inscription trim – to refresh our memories.
Exterior:
Despite its relatively diminutive stature in its stable, the Volvo XC40 T3 boasts a combination of more upright stance, clear two-box profile, concave grille design and more ‘squat’ overall poise lend it a more purposeful and SUV-like air than the gracile and comparatively ‘soft’ looking XC60. Although 18-inch alloys are standard fitment, our test unit rolled on a fetching set of dual-tone 20-inch items shod with 45-profile Pirellis. Inscription specification adds some chrome garnish to the window surrounds and a model-specific grille treatment that incorporates chrome-effect louvre inlays. Thankfully – and in typical Volvo fashion – this brightwork has been tastefully executed and doesn’t detract from the otherwise clean and purposeful aesthetic.
The XC40 was the first member of the Volvo family to utilise the firm’s CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform that prioritizing cabin space over luggage capacity…although a peek inside the car suggests that’s not necessarily the case.
Interior:
The first thing that strikes you when entering the Volvo XC40 T3 is just how much space there is contained in that fairly compact shell. The tall stance incorporates an elevated roofline that affords occupants plenty of headroom, fore and aft. Those in the back will also appreciate the generous kneeroom on offer and a reasonably flat footwell means getting comfortable doesn’t require lots of legwork. It’s a similar story with the boot, which accommodated a useful 320 litres-worth of our ISO measuring blocks with the rear bench in place, growing to 1 168 litres with the seatbacks folded.
Credit also needs to go to Volvo for adopting a cabin design that’s both classy and distinct from its German and Japanese rivals. Large, unfettered panels interspersed with clean, square elements for the HVAC/infotainment panel and the minimal use of physical ancillary controls combine with clever material choices such as unvarnished ‘driftwood’ trim panels and that Orrefors crystal gearknob to give the Volvo XC40 T3 a unique character. There’s substance to the style, too, as the levels of material and perceived quality are on par with the Germans, further contributing to the baby XC’s premium posting.
Tech features:
It’s fair to say that Volvo stole a march on the Germans when it revealed the XC90’s predominantly touchscreen-driven cabin back in 2015, and while the system in place here has changed little in that time, it remains and intuitive setup that’s become more responsive on the back of software updates in recent years. The infotainment system’s simple graphics and smartphone-like sliding tile interface are typically Volvo; simple and effective.
Our test unit also played host to Volvo’s Intellisafe suite of safety systems; including radar- and camera-driven lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous driving module. The latter generally works well when it comes to detecting other vehicles in the XC40’s field of operation but faded road markings tend to flummox the automated steering system, so it’s best to reserve the Pilot function for long-distance driving on well demarked and relatively quiet roads.
Powertrain:
From aesthetic and packaging standpoints the XC40 hasn’t set a foot wrong, but things begin to take a bit of a negative turn when it comes to the T3’s powertrain.
The 1,5-litre, three-cylinder turbopetrol unit’s 110 kW and torquey-for-its-output 265 N.m outputs provide the baby XC with a decent turn of pace, it is astonishingly unrefined. On more than one occasion, fuel pump attendants approached the T3 with the diesel nozzle in hand, only to do a double take when confronted with a filler cap marked for unleaded.
There’s a bizarre, almost diesel-like, coarseness under even modest acceleration that’s particularly noticeable because the rest of the Volvo XC40 T3’s packaging is otherwise so solid and well-resolved. The turbocharged three-cylinder’s diesel resemblance certainly wasn’t carried over to its fuel efficiency; try as I might, the best I could eke out of the T3 was a hard-won 8,9 L/100 km. Anything other than a measured throttle foot and remembering to place the drivetrain management system into its ‘Eco’ setting would quickly see that figure shoot into the nines.
On the move:
The slight disappointment of the T3’s engine dealt with, it’s heartening to find that the XC40’s road manners manage to shine through regardless. The CMA platform accommodates a MacPherson front suspension setup, as opposed to the double-wishbone arrangements in the 60 and 90 models, but that’s of no detriment to the Volvo XC40 T3’s road manners as it rides in a supple and composed manner over all surfaces, despite its 20-inch footwear.
While the steering is typically town-bound-SUV light about dead centre, it’s responsive and geared perfectly for tight maneuvering. Some cars – and the likes of the Volkswagen Golf springs to mind – have an effortlessness about the manner in which they go about their business that makes them initially seem almost unremarkable in motion. The Volvo XC40 T3 has an ability to smooth itself into everything from round town pottering to more spirited B-road driving which is a testimony to just how well engineered this car is. The impressive NVH suppression and refinement (again, gruff-sounding engine aside) further the impression of the XC40 being a particularly pleasing car to drive.
Summary:
The XC40 continues to impress as a particularly capable, stylish and comfortable member of the compact premium SUV segment. The T3’s gruff and somewhat thirsty three-cylinder engine is the only black mark in the Volvo’s otherwise impressive ledger. The D4 turbodiesel, with its brawny 400 N.m of torque and solid refinement, probably remain the pick of the XC40 litter but the recent addition of the four-cylinder T4 turbopetrol (140 kW/400 N.m) could well make a compelling case for that honour, too.
