What is it?
Volvo’s smallest SUV, now updated for 2019 with a selection of extra standard equipment and improved safety kit.
The XC40 is comfortably the Swedish brand’s second most popular model, with more than 32,000 cars finding homes worldwide in the first half of 2019. It is second only to the larger XC60, and us Brits can’t get enough of them.
It may be no stranger to these pages, but this particular model carries two badges that single it out as something less familiar. The first, T5, signifies the presence of the most potent petrol engine currently in the line-up: a turbo four-pot developing 247bhp and 258lb ft of torque, which is enough to propel the near-1650kg SUV to 62mph in 6.5 seconds.
It’s the second, Polestar Engineered, that requires greater explanation. Unlike past Volvos, which received Polestar performance versions, the sub-brand now exists as its own entity and is focused more on bespoke EVs, as well as the hybrid super-coupé Polestar 1.
But that’s not to say Polestar’s development team are so busy they can’t turn their hands to making Volvo’s mainstream products a little more exciting. Enter Polestar Engineered Optimisation, an optional upgrade available for all-wheel-drive versions of the XC40, as well as the S60 and S90 saloons and V60 and V90 estates.
Essentially a software tweak that overwrites the car’s Dynamic driving mode, it ups the amount of torque sent to the rear wheels to create a sportier, rear-driven feel. Throttle response is also sharpened and the 8-speed automatic gearbox allowed to hold onto its cogs for longer before upshifting.
The £745 option can be fitted by a dealer post-purchase, and retains the car’s original warranty. It was fitted to our test car along with the improved Intellisafe Pro pack, which adds steering assistance to its blind spot detection system for the first time, letting the car swerve if it drifts into the path of a potential collision.
All in, options boost the price some £4000 to £42,880, which is knocking on the door of a sensibly-specced Range Rover Evoque P250 and the Audi Q3, though only the Range Rover can claim styling anywhere near as distinctive as the Volvo’s Scandinavian influenced looks.
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si73
The comment about its price
The comment about its price knocking on the door of an Evoque or Q3 implies it is less worthy of such a price which I don't follow as this is equally as premium and probably more so than the Audi.
The Apprentice
si73 wrote:
I agree, Evoques are two a penny these days, XC40 is still relatively 'exclusive' they certainly catch my eye on the road. Its slightly exagerated chunky proportions are unique.
xxxx
MPG in the 20's when cruising
I suppose there's always trade offs but sub 30 mpg when cruising is a bit of a sore point on the hottest day of the year (probably down to excessive CO2). Fast and SUV just don't go together in my book, especially as you'd lose time filling up with todays ever decreasing fuel tanks.
Be interesting how the Model Y will effect sales of this and fast Q3's etc
Citytiger
xxxx wrote:
Despite what the makers and other claim, the model Y is not an SUV, its a minivan, a people carrier, a posh Touran, Zafira, Picasso, or possibly even a Golf +, anyone who thinks otherwise needs to take a look in the mirror and stop believing the hype.
An SUV should at least have the appearance of being able to go off road, the Model Y does not fit that critera in the slightest.
xxxx
Why
It's just a tag that means nothing, I don't think the Q3, XC40 are true SUV's either, but depneding on size this £43k or more likely the XC60 could be up against the Model Y. And mpg figures starting with a 2 won't look good
Ski Kid
You have to be joking
Small car ,under 30mpg forget the codswallop of co2 and nox, in the real world a sensible diesel euro 6 getting 40mpg plus with less co2 is logical,until solid state batteries arrive and hopefully improve cradle to grave for ev's .The hybrid scenario is a waste of weight and minerals,just a tax dodge.Like the idea of Hydrogen in the future ,hope it comes along.
m2srt
The war on diesel!
nivison
interiors..
...shown are from an Inscription. R Design only all black, which is fine - sporty! But also only with awful (imo) cheap looking Op-Art decor strips I just didn't want to look at every day. Shame but with that and who knows what digital tracking those Chinese owners have installed we passed....
Citytiger
nivison wrote:
Do you wear a tinfoil hat as well, to stop aliens reading your mind?
si73
Citytiger wrote:
Ooer can they do that?
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