2018 Volvo XC40 Review
Car Tested: 2018 Volvo XC40; Road Test No. 952
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 44 lakhs (est.)
Volvo will look at grabbing significant volumes with the launch of the XC40
Volvo cars have always been very under-rated in the Indian market because brand awareness isn’t as high as the German trio. But that doesn’t stop the Swedish automaker from launching new models in the country and the XC40 is here to compete with entry-level luxury SUVs like the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Audi Q3. The XC40 looks very promising and it has been made in such a way that it doesn’t feel like an entry-level car. We went to Hyderabad to check out Volvo’s newest offering and to see whether it has what it takes to shake up the segment.
Motor Quest: The Volvo XC40 was first unveiled globally in Italy last year and in just eight months’ time has made it to the Indian shores. Unlike other Volvo offerings, the XC40 comes underpinned by a new modular vehicle architecture called CMA.
The Volvo XC40 is a quirky yet butch-looking compact SUV
Exteriors – It isn’t an exaggeration if we’d say the 2018 Volvo XC40 looks like a mini or a shrunken XC90. One look at the XC40 and the design of the XC family of cars is immediately evident. The Thor hammer inspired LED DRL headlights and the D-shaped LED tail-lights are reminiscent of the bigger XC SUVs but have their own distinction. The front fascia is upright and gets a blacked-out grille and a dual-tone bumper. At the sides, the compact proportions of the SUV are prominent and the sharp kink in the window line has to be the design highlight. The vehicle runs on 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and overall, the Volvo XC40 comes across as a youthful and funky-looking SUV, especially in this R-Design variant.
The XC40 is crammed with a whole lot of features, many segment-firsts
Interiors – Step inside the cabin of the 2018 Volvo XC40 and again things are quite familiar here. The luxury compact SUV gets an all-black interior laid out with good quality of plastics, leather and other bits. The dashboard gets a distinctive design and the fit and finish are what we have come to expect from Volvo cars. The 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel looks similar to the one on the XC60 and which, by the way, feels good to hold. Behind the steering wheel, there is a fully digital instrument cluster which looks cool. The design of the central aircon vents are again similar to the XC60’s and talking about the centre console, you get the 9-inch (tablet-like) touchscreen infotainment system paired with a 13-speaker Harmon-Kardon audio system. Keeping in mind the funky and youthful exteriors, the Swedish carmaker has given the Volvo XC40’s cabin textured plastic inlays instead of wood. These inlays too are of the best quality.
The SUV’s cabin gets a Lava treatment where the door pads, foot wells and the sides of the centre console are finished in bright orange
The rear seat could have done with more under-thigh support and cushioning
Talking about seat comfort, both the front and rear seats are draped in a mix of leather and Alcantara with contrast white stitching. The front seats are electrically adjustable with the driver’s seat getting memory function. The seats are supportive and under-thigh support can be extended but manually. Getting in the rear seat could be a problem especially for the elderly because of the narrow door cavity. There is sufficient leg room and headroom but the seat itself is low-set and lacks under-thigh support. Also, due to the width, the XC40’s rear bench is better off with just two adults. While the upward sloping window line hampers the cabin’s airy feeling, the huge panoramic sunroof helps. There is a massive 586-litres boot for carrying your weekend’s luggage or storing the groceries and other stuff when you’ve gone shopping. What makes this boot slightly special is that the floor tray folds up to give you baggage hooks and this even acts as a luggage separator. In terms of features, the XC40 is loaded to the gills. You get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, powered tailgate, powered driver’s seat, wireless charging, heated front and rear seats and hands-free parking assist.
Performance – The Volvo XC40 is offered with the same engine as its siblings, which is a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder unit in the D4 trim producing 190 PS and 400 Nm. The engine has lots of punch, especially in the mid-range where power delivery is very strong. Turbolag is also minimal and the XC40 accelerates pretty well. The engine responds quickly to throttle inputs and the overall driving experience is very good. 0-100 km/hr comes up in a claimed 7.9 seconds.
The 8-speed automatic gearbox from AISIN works seamlessly
The engine is refined for the most part but gets a bit noisy at high RPMS. It revs freely till around 4200 RPM. You get different driving modes like Eco, Comfort, Dynamic, Off-Road and Individual. Comfort mode is best suited for regular commutes while Dynamic tweaks the character of the car and makes it feel edgier with better engine response and sportier dynamics. Individual mode allows you to configure the steering, brakes and engine settings. The 8-speed gearbox is quick, smooth and seamless and also gets a manual mode and paddle shifters but misses out on a Sport mode. On the fuel efficiency front, the XC40 will give around 10-12 km/l in mixed driving conditions.
Despite being an SUV, the XC40 is good in the corners with minimal body roll
Driving Dynamics – The suspension gets a slightly stiff setup, so while smaller potholes and undulations are taken care of nicely, the larger ones do filter inside the cabin. The SUV feels very composed on straight roads and corners alike and since AWD is standard, the driver gets more confidence while pushing the car hard. Being an SUV, body roll is definitely present, the brakes are very sharp and the 18-inch Pirelli P-Zero tyres have superb grip. Volvo also offers optional 20-inch wheels. The steering is smooth and light and offers good feedback as the speeds increase. The XC40 comes with a Haldex AWD system and the car performs pretty well off the road. The Haldex system sends out power to the wheels which have traction, allowing the XC40 to tackle obstacles easily.
The XC40 is ridiculously loaded with safety features
Safety and After Sales Service – Talking about safety, the 2018 Volvo XC40 comes with 7-airbags, ABS with EBD and radar-based safety functions like adaptive cruise control, City Safety, Pilot Assist, collision mitigation and lane-keeping assist. While the Scandinavian company’s retail footprint isn’t as extensive as its German rivals, it is slowly and steadily increasing its reach in the country.
It’s very tough to fault the Volvo XC40, an impressive car overall
Verdict – The 2018 Volvo XC40 is a thorough all-rounder because it looks ravishing, the interiors are luxurious, the engine is excellent and driving dynamics are also very good. What is there to not like in the SUV? Well, honestly I feel the rear seat comfort could have definitely been better. If you’re going to be chauffeur driven, I suggest you take a long test ride by sitting at the rear seat but if you’re going to drive the car yourself, I think the XC40 should be on top of your priority list if you’re on the lookout for a compact luxury SUV.
The 2.0-litre oil-burner gets vocal at higher revs
What’s Cool
* Youthful design
* Interiors are luxurious
* Most affordable Volvo SUV
* Radar-based safety features
What’s Not So Cool
* Only one engine option for the time being
* Rear seat could have been more comfortable
* The kink in the window line hampers the airy feel in the cabin
Alternatives: Mercedes GLA, BMW X1, Audi Q3
The level of attention to detail in the cabin of the XC40 is indeed commendable
2018 Volvo XC40 Specifications
* Engine: 1969cc, 4-Cyl, DOHC, Turbo-diesel
* Power: 190 PS @ 4000 RPM
* Torque: 400 Nm @ 1750-2500 RPM
* Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
* 0-100 km/hr: 7.90 seconds (claimed)
* Top Speed: 218 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 12-14 km/l (Real World), 17.01 km/l (Claimed)
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Suspension: MacPherson Strut coil springs (Front), Independent suspension with coil springs (Rear)
* Tyre Size: 235/55/18
* Brakes: Discs (Front), Discs (Rear), ABS
* Safety: 7-Airbags, ABS, Pilot-Assist, City Safety
2018 Volvo XC40 Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4425 mm X 1910 mm X 1658 mm
* Boot Space: 586-litres
* Wheelbase: 2702 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 54-litres
The XC40 is Volvo’s medium to reach out to younger buyers
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