• Diesel versions are commendably economical
• Petrols are about on the pace with the opposition
• Servicing costs remain high at main dealers

Volvo quotes a baffling array of figures when it comes to fuel economy based on the engine/gearbox combination, as well as how they vary depending on the size of the alloy wheels fitted. Check specific figures before you buy. For the T2 manual, fuel economy ranges from 39.8-42.8mpg, variable depending on the size of the wheels. The automatic claims between 38.2 and 41.5mpg. 

Jump up to the T3 manual and you can expect between 39.8 and 42.8mpg just like the T2, while the automatic version falls to 37.2-40.9mpg. Sadly, there are no high-efficiency three-cylinder petrols going into the V40, and there won’t be, as the car is so close to retirement.

The diesels are much more frugal. Pick a manual D2 and you can expect betwen 49.6 and 56.5mpg, while the automatic versions claims between 47.9 and 52.3mpg. If you prefer the power of the D3, there isn’t too much of a penalty. The manual claims 50.4-55.4mpg while the auto between 47.9 and 52.3mpg.

In terms of servicing costs, Volvo dealers are very competitive when compared to BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

Is the V40 eco friendly?

The cleanest engines in the range are the diesels, with D2 and D3 models claiming the lowest CO2 when fitted with the automatic gearbox, at 118g/km (124g/km with larger wheels). This is followed by the manual D3 at 121-125g/km, and then the manual D2, claiming 122-126g/km. The petrols aren’t quite as clean, claiming 129g/km for the cleanest T2 automatic, and 143g/km for the manual T3.

If you want a plug-in hybrid V40, you’re going to have to secondhand, where you can pick up one of the excellent Twin Engine diesel hybrids, which should have suffered the worst of their depreciation by now.

Is it reliable?

Reliability should not be a concern, as is reflected in the car’s strong resale values. The four-cylinder engines are well-proven and they have suffered from no major issues in the past. That should help continue to cement Volvo’s claim as a manufacturer of reliable cars.