There was a time in Volvo’s long-standing history when all the company was really famous for, was creating boxy and boring cars. These were the kind of cars which were just as reliable and tough, as they were bland and uninspiring. However, those days are now in the rearview mirror as the Swedish carmaker has all but reinvented itself and its lineup. One such pristine example comes in the shape of the new and fantastic Volvo XC40.
The Volvo XC40 is one of the more compact cars that the brand makes, but its impact in the company’s ledger and reputation isn’t. The XC40 is the first new Volvo to use an all-new Geely-Volvo co-developed platform for its underpinning. The compact luxury crossover was formally launched in late 2017, and its target audience is primarily young adults. In the UAE, the 2019 Volvo XC40 rivals the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Range Rover Evoque.
Exterior
The Volvo XC40 benefits hugely from the carmaker’s new design language and thus, ends up looking almost as perfect as a modern-day crossover SUV can. Its amalgamation of traditional boxy appeal is wrapped in a layer of classy, new-age sophistication and chic. Starting at the front, the XC40 features Volvo’s trademark grille design, accompanied by sharp-looking LED headlights that quite neatly incorporate the “Thor’s Hammer” design daytime-running lights, and a large clamshell hood. Further down there’s the sculpted bumper with plastic foglamp-surrounds and a small skid plate.
Viewed from the side, the XC40’s tall-ish stance and high ground clearance gives credibility to its “crossover SUV” title. Meanwhile, a contrasting dual-tone paint job and stylish five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels add some extra character, and the generous spattering of black plastic cladding along with the protruding wheel arches makes it look butch. The sporty rear of the XC40 has neat-looking 3D-design LED taillights, a large distinctive roof spoiler, prominent ‘Volvo’ badging, and a big bumper with chrome-tipped dual exhausts and a subtle air diffuser. The 2019 Volvo XC40 comes in at 4.425 meters in length, 1.910 meters in width, 1.652 meters in height, and its wheelbase measures 2.702 meters. Its overall boot space is only 460 liters, which isn’t nearly as big as that of the X1’s or Evoque’s.
Interior
Since it was built new from the ground up, the Volvo XC40’s interior is significantly different in its styling over other Volvos. Its design is clean, crisp, and beautifully minimalistic with funky bits of trim on the dash and doors for a youthful and thoroughly contemporary look. The sporty cockpit of the XC40 features a chunky steering wheel, fully-digital instrument console, driver-oriented center stack, and posh metal accents that all come together to elevate the touch & feel of this interior. The quality of the materials chosen and the level of build are generally quite excellent.
However, space in the back can be tight for tall people, though the seats themselves are easily comfortable. Equipment-wise, you get adaptive LED headlights, power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging pad, a 9-inch touch-display with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, and a 13-speaker Harman-Kardon sound system. The XC40’s long list of safety tech includes 7 airbags, active headrests, and tons of electronic nannies as well.
Engine and performance
The T5 petrol engine of the 2019 Volvo XC40 delivers 247 hp and 350 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. It can hurl the XC40 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 230 km/h. This punchy motor is also rated at 7.2 L/100 km.
Verdict
The 2019 Volvo XC40 costs between AED 170,000 to AED 215,000, whilst insurance ranges from AED 2,650 to AED 3,351.
