2018 Volvo XC40 - interior Exterior and Drive

Volvo XC40 on sale - prices, specs and pictures of the new Swedish SUV   Volvo has launched its new entry-level SUV, the XC40, which is on sale in Britain today priced from £28,000, and with deliveries starting early next year. The new model is a small SUV aimed primarily at urban drivers. Its closest rivals are probably the Range Rover Evoque, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3, though it’s arguably more stylish than any of these competitors.  Volvo says that this car is its first ever premium compact SUV, one of an increasing number of subdivisions of the swelling ‘sports utility’ market segment. The Swedish firm has historically been known for its upmarket estate cars, as well as the the more recent XC90 and XC60 SUVs.  The XC40 inherits its looks from both of these cars, as well as a great deal of the technology that sets them apart from their rivals. We’ve been impressed by how closely the XC60 resembles the more expensive and larger XC90 in terms of comfort and quality, so if the similarities extend down to the XC40 it will likely become a new benchmark for the segment.  The new car measures 4425mm long, compared to the XC60’s 4688mm and the XC90’s 4950mm. "The XC40 is our first entry in the small SUV segment, broadening the appeal of the Volvo brand and moving it in a new direction," said Volvo boss Håkan Samuelsson. "It represents a fresh, creative and distinctive new member of the Volvo line-up." Two diesel engines and three petrol engines will be available to begin with. These powertrains range in power from 150hp to 250hp, and all bar the entry-level 156hp T3 petrol are available with all-wheel-drive. A hybrid version is expected in due course, though this firmly fossil fuel launch is arguably at odds with Volvo’s electric ambitions announced earlier in the year. Standard equipment in the XC40 includes a 9-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, Spotify, and a mobile phone app that allows owners to control certain aspects of the car (such as the heater) remotely. Externally, all XC40s come with 18-inch alloys and LED headlights. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available as options, as is the 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. We won’t know how comfortable the XC40 is until we sit in it, but Volvos rarely disappoint and are among the best in the business for sophisticated cabins. A 432-litre boot space is advertised, which is a little more than the Evoque but much less than the Volkswagen Tiguan. The car is ready to order now, and deliveries are expected to begin early next year.  Care by Volvo - a new model of vehicle ownership? Alongside the launch of the XC40, Volvo is introducing another product, which it says will change the way we own its cars. Called Care by Volvo, it amounts to an all-inclusive subscription service that bundles vehicle rental, insurance, maintenance, breakdown cover and concierge services into one monthly payment. This is only available within the M25 at the moment. In due course, Volvo anticipates adding services like cleaning to the list of Care by Volvo services, as well as its pioneering in-car delivery system which allows couriers to leave items bought online in a customer’s boot.  Company CEO Håkan Samuelsson said: “With Care by Volvo, we introduce a new car access for the modern age. In a time where consumers are used to transparent flat-fees for all sort of services, the traditional process of buying and owning a car can be perceived rather complicated. Care by Volvo changes all of that.” The only package available at launch will be for a T5 or D4 Momentum model, an entry-level car, in black. It will cost £629 per month over 24 months. The insurance covers up to three people, though they all have to be aged between 25 and 80, with at least a year’s no-claims bonus and with a maximum of three penalty points. Volvo compares this system to a mobile phone contract and other subscription-based forms of ownership, and said that the Care by Volvo will be “transparent”. They then refused to send us a copy of the terms and conditions when we requested it. A subscription of £629 a month over two years amounts to over £15,000. Buyers will need to think very carefully about spending this amount of money in such a short space of time.