Volvo V40 review
By Motor Match • 27/12/2023
It’s understandable then that Volvo wanted to have a slice of this premium hatchback segment, and the car to do this was the V40.
What is it?
Car buyers love a premium car on a budget, and that’s why the compact hatchbacks from Audi, BMW and Mercedes are all among some of their best-selling cars. It’s understandable then that Volvo wanted to have a slice of this premium hatchback segment, and the car to do this was the V40.
Introduced in 2013, it brought style, good interior quality and a remarkable safety reputation – all traits usually associated with Volvo’s larger vehicles. It was an instant hit, aided further by the option of a rugged Cross County model. But can it take it on its esteemed German rivals?
What’s new?
There’s only one generation of the Volvo V40, though a fairly significant facelifted model arrived in 2016. Key changes included the addition of the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights rolled out across Volvo’s more modern rivals, along with more efficient engines.
The V40 was also available with Volvo On Call for the first time, allowing a smartphone app to integrate with the car to check fuel and oil levels remotely, for example. The V40 was discontinued in 2019 amid falling sales and the need to free up more production capacity for the new XC40 SUV.
What’s under the bonnet?
Volvo offered a great range of engines on the V40, with a wide choice of petrol and diesel variants available.
Starting with petrol, there’s the 118bhp 2.0-litre T2 and 148bhp 2.0-litre T3, while Volvo even offered the V40 with a hot hatch-like 245bhp 2.5-litre ‘T5’ unit.
The diesels were typically more popular, however, with a choice of the 113bhp 1.6-litre D2, 148bhp 2.0-litre D3 and 187bhp D4, with the latter offering an exceptional mix of fuel economy and performance.
What’s it like to drive?
Behind the wheel, the V40 offers a good balance of agile handling and a comfortable drive. It’s not as sporty as a BMW 1 Series, but this Volvo feels planted to drive and handles well, which isn’t a surprise given it shares some components with the excellent Ford Focus.
Stick with lower-spec versions that ride on smaller wheels and the ride is excellent, as the R-Design version with its firmer setup isn’t anywhere near as good. It’s also got an excellent reputation for safety, with features such as adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring available as an optional extra – quite a rarity for a car like this at the time.
How does it look?
Volvo’s designs have become increasingly stylish in recent years, and we reckon the V40 is one of the best of recent years. It’s a very sleek piece of design, with details such as its twin exhaust pipes and extended rear window giving it a particularly sporty profile – you can take this up a level with the R-Design grade too.
The update in 2016 also introduced smart LED running lights that helped to modernise the V40, though even more than a decade after it first went on sale, the V40 still looks excellent.
What’s it like inside?
The V40’s stylish looks continue inside, with the V40 getting a ‘floating’ centre console area. It’s smart, though is starting to show its age as there are a lot of buttons below the main screen which can take time to get your head around. The quality is generally good, too, having that premium feel that’s able to rival cars from BMW and Mercedes.
The passenger area of the V40 offers a good amount of space too, with four adults able to sit quite comfortably in the cabin. The boot, however, is quite small at 324 litres, and lags behind those of its rivals.
What’s the spec like?
There are three main trim levels available on the V40 – Momentum, R-Design and Inscription.
Standard equipment is fairly generous, with the Momentum coming with LED headlights, climate control, rear parking sensors and automatic emergency braking. The R-Design is intended as the sportier-looking version, gaining 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a more aggressive bodykit and twin exhausts.
The Inscription brings the most bells and whistles, with leather upholstery and automatic wipers added.
Verdict
Though the Volvo V40 might not have been on sale for a few years, it’s still able to hold its own next to newer rivals. This is a premium hatchback that still looks the part inside and out, and is good to drive as well.
Though the V40 might no longer feel as cutting-edge as some rivals, or be as practical, it’s still a commendable used buy.
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