New Volvo XC40 the Premium family SUV: 2019 Volvo XC40 Review & Road Test

The new Volvo XC40 is something very different. The big-three German car makers have long had this section of the market (the premium compact SUV sector) pretty much to themselves until now; however, they’ve recently been joined by the Jaguar E-Pace and the DS 7 Crossback so the XC40 also joins this ever-growing market with a car that’s very different from its larger stable mates. Nowadays there is a younger motoring market in regards to the people who buy cars. So Volvo allowed its designers to cut a little more loosely when it came to sculpting this stunning little SUV. It’s a great deal funkier, chunkier, more outgoing and striking and probably the biggest diversion from the Volvo mundane since the C30. Under the skin sits a brand new Volvo vehicle platform called CMA (Compact Modular Architecture), which will also feature on every smaller Volvo from now on. There’ll be S40 and V40 models and maybe even smaller cars too. The XC40 is offered with three petrol and two diesel engines and the option of two-wheel or four-wheel drive as well as six trim levels. CMA is a primarily steel monocoque, with a front-mounted transverse engine driving either the front wheels or all four of them, all through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Applying the same themes and approach that brought us the neo modernist, lounge-like interiors of the XC90, XC60 and V90, Volvo has designed an interior for the XC40 that looks and feels luxurious, expensive, informal and very pleasant. Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system is fitted as standard across the whole range with the 9.0in portrait-orientated touch screen taking pride of place in the middle of the dashboard. It is used to operate the majority of the XC40’s functions, which include the entertainment, satellite navigation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and vehicle settings. The motoring industry is already very well served for premium-branded compact SUVs, but there isn’t one as eye catching and distinctive as the XC40. The XC40 maybe comfort-orientated and functionality-focused but above all it is a classic Volvo to its core. It’s great to look at and refined to travel in. It’s responsive and driveable on the road and sufficiently resolved in its ride and handling to be highly enjoyable one moment then relaxing and protective the next. New videos are uploaded to The Player each week. In order not to miss one please subscribe and leave the bell sign unchecked so you get a reminder. Click here to subscribe:–    / @ajtheplayeryoutubechannel   The Player is the World's leading Bookazine (hard Backed Magazine), YouTube Channel and website for MEN ONLY! We publish a quarterly 220 page magazine that contains in-depth reviews and opinions from our team of experts, with articles and features written by some of the world's top journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting big boys toys. Subscribe to The Player Bookazine for FREE here: https://theplayer.co.uk Full written article can be found here: http://theplayer.co.uk Twitter:   / _the_player   Instagram:   / theplayer.co.uk   Facebook:   / mrandiejones