Volvo XC40 cars for sale

Frequently asked questions about the Volvo XC40

• What is the Volvo XC40?
• The Swedish brand formerly known for its lumbering, safe, boxy estate cars has been building SUVs for some time – but now it’s entered the compact crossover segment with this Volvo XC40. It’s a small SUV to accompany the bigger XC60 and XC90 full-sized SUVs. This one’s smaller and has an edgier design to appeal to a younger crowd. Although shrunken, there’s still decent space for small families. Read on for our detailed guide to the Volvo XC40 range.

• Which versions of the Volvo XC40 are available?
• Just this single five-door bodystyle is available in the XC40 range, so your only considerations are which engine and trim level to choose. The trims kick off with Momentum, rising through R-Design and ending up at the range-topping Inscription spec. Each level can be supplemented with a Pro spec, which adds niceties such as satellite-navigation and other gadgets. Engine choice comprises D3 diesel in manual or automatic guise and a pair of petrol engines: the 156hp T3 manual or the 190hp T4 automatic.

• What's under the skin?
• There’s a pleasing distinctiveness to the XC40’s styling. This is a chunky, modern, playful design that fits into the existing Volvo style book yet with a clever fresh twist. We’re especially impressed by the space available in both rows of seats. Notice also some of the cheeky design motifs, such as the subtle Swedish flag tabs adoring the front seats (you can even have them on the bonnet edges, like design tabs on your favourite jeans). The hardware underneath is designed around a downsized engine range, with low CO2 emissions and decent mpg figures. You can choose either front- or all-wheel drive models (every AWD car comes with automatic transmission, incidentally).

• Is the Volvo XC40 good to drive?
• The XC40 is a very accomplished small crossover. It won’t set your pulse racing, but then this is a sensible small family crossover. It fulfils that brief very well. The ride is very comfortable, smothering away the worst patter from the road underfoot and it’s easy to thread through city streets. Just watch out for a rather poor rear blindspot, owing to the chunky design at the rear. It can be quite tricky to see out of the back if you’re reversing, so consider adding parking aids or cameras from the options list. Economy is reasonable, but the petrol engines can be a bit juicy if extended. Consider your typical driving patterns before choosing whether to drink from the green or black pump, is our advice.

• How much does the Volvo XC40 cost?
• The XC40, due to its premium nature, is more expensive than many mainstream alternatives. That said, you can soften the hit by looking at the monthly deals regularly promoted on the offers tab of the Volvo website. There are usually several finance deals around, too, which could prove a sensible and manageable way into an XC40. It’s always worth shopping around for the best deals; Volvo sales staff are normally open to haggling.