• Big boot for such a compact car
• Rear room is tight for adults
• Still a safe car despite old design

Those stylish lines do nothing for the relative impracticality of the V40 package. Because it is based on old, Ford-era mechanicals, space in the rear passenger compartment is restricted with much poorer head- and legroom in the back than you’ll find in a comparable VW Golf or Ford Focus.

Load space in the Volvo V40 is generous when compared to rivals including the Audi A3 and the BMW 1 Series. The V40 has a bootspace of 402 litres with the rear seats in place and this expands to 1,032 when the seats are folded flat. The Audi A3 has a loadspace of 365/1,100 litres while the BMW 1 Series has a bootspace of 360 litres with the seats in place and 1,200 litres with the seats folded.

There are plenty of cubbyholes to keep loose change in and the door pockets and glovebox are of a good size.

Volvo V40 safety

Volvo is famous for its safety systems and the V40 is packed with kit to keep you and your passengers and pedestrians safe.These include city safety, knee airbag on the driver’s side, dual-stage driver and passenger airbags. With a side impact protection system, dual chamber side impact airbags, curtain airbags, ABS, stability and traction control, the V40 received five stars when tested by Euro NCAP way back in 2012.

It also scored maximum points for pedestrian safety thanks to its innovative under-bonnet airbag system that lifts the bonnet up to provide greater protection.

Euro NCAP crash test video