Volvo XC40 Estate

1.5 T3 [163] R DESIGN 5dr [2021]

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Volvo has never made a small SUV but it needed one. Hence some new beginnings with this XC40. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Volvo's XC40 is much more than just a smaller version of the brand's larger SUVs. It gets its own all-new 'CMA' platform and a very distinct design to set itself apart. The result is a slightly unusual alternative to premium-branded compact SUVs like Audi's Q3 and the Mercedes GLA.

Volvo has taken its time in developing a contender for the industry's fastest-growing market segment, that for compact family hatchback-based SUVs. Unless you count the gussied-up V40 Cross Country model - which we don't - the Swedish brand has never had a car in this class. The XC40 puts that right. Under the skin lies a freshly developed 'Compact Modular Architecture' platform that Volvo has created with its Chinese owner Geely. It's a chassis that will in future 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 and Q3 crossovers are all within this XC40's sights. So it'll have to be good.

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. For the time being though, buyers are limited to the Swedish brand's efficient 2.0-litre 'Drive-E' petrol and diesel units. If you want to fuel from the green pump, the range starts with the 154bhp T3 variant, which is only offered with front wheel drive and a choice of either manual or auto transmission. Alternatively, the same engine is available with 187bhp in the T4 derivative or in 247bhp guise in the top T5 variant. Both these more powerful versions come only with auto transmission and 4WD. As for the diesels, well things kick off with the 148bhp D3, which comes with front or four wheel drive and manual or auto transmission. Or there's the 187bhp D4, which comes in auto 4WD form only. Available driving systems include the brand's 'Pilot Assist' autonomous set-up which can steer and brake for you on the highway.

It's an interesting combination this. A Swedish-branded product, financed by a Chinese conglomerate, styled by a British designer and built in a Dutch factory. We'll start with the penman, a young Englishman 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.

Prices are likely to start at just over £25,000 and range up to just under £40,000. 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" 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 fill-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 148bhp D3 variant most will choose offers combined fuel consumption of up to 70mpg and CO2 emissions from around 105g/km and if you go for the pokier 187bhp D4 AWD variant, you'll be looking at about 60mpg and 115g/km. The petrol-powered 154bhp T3 offers combined fuel economy of up to 45mpg and CO2 emissions from around 135g/km. Go for the top 187bhp AWD T5 auto derivative and you can expect the figures to be closer to 40mpg and 145g/km. Maintenance should be relatively affordable for a car of this kind, with three or five year pre-paid servicing packages are available to help you budget ahead. If you pay extra for the useful 'On Call with App' remote connectivity system, this Volvo can be programmed to autonomously realise when a service is due, then automatically book it for you at a dealership of your choice. Finally, we'll tell you that the warranty is the usual three year, 60,000 mile package.

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 everyone 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 to own this car though? Well, the class-leading safety standards may be tempting for some. And the personalisation options a deciding factor for others. Overall, if you're looking for a quality option that's a bit more unique in this segment, Volvo thinks it has a car that'll interest you very much.