Many people associate the Volvo brand with staid, sensible estate cars. Large and boxy family haulers that can withstand most attacks this side of a missile strike. This has earned the Gothenburg-based brand a reputation for exceptionally well-built motor vehicles, with the reliability of a wood burning stove and safety of a tank.
But they weren’t very exciting cars. Certainly, they didn’t attract the more youthful clientele that BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz were drawing in. Still, if you wanted a premium station wagon with high levels of safety, there was only one place to look.
SUVs became de rigeur in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Mercedes introduced the ML-Class and enjoyed great success. BMW too, with the X5. This new class of luxury SUVs slowly began to eat in on sales of the traditional estate car, the very thing Volvo was known for.
And so the XC90 was born. Volvo married the trendy design of an SUV to an immensely practical interior, offering plenty of space for seven occupants and their luggage. This was when 7-seater SUVs were scarce – Land Rover was yet to launch the Discovery 3 at the time. As a result, it enjoyed great popularity. Over 620,000 of them found homes across the globe in 15 years of production.

Nearly 20 years since the introduction of the original model, the XC90 is now in its second-generation. The ‘XC’ range itself has grown too. The XC60 takes the fight to the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, while the very stylish XC40 dukes it out with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1 and X2.
The baby of the family, the XC40, is an immensely charming and classy compact SUV. Styled to resemble the rest of the range, the XC40 has a more youthful twist. Contrasting paintwork is available – as well as more vivid, sprightly interior hues. The range-topping T5 is equipped with a 2,0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This produces 185 kW and 350 Nm of torque. A smooth eight-speed auto sends the power to all four wheels.
On the road, the little Volvo shifts. For a high-riding SUV, the XC40 T5 can give many a hot hatch a run for their money. Volvo claims a 0-100 km/h sprint of just 6,4 seconds. The manufacturer claims fuel economy of just 7.7 litres/100 km, but you’ll be hard-pressed to match that. In my time behind the wheel, the best figure I saw was 8.1 litres/100 km.
The powertrain is impressively refined and quiet at motorway speeds. Through corners the T5 remains composed, offering an entertaining experience. Even with large 20-inch wheels, the Volvo exhibits exceptional ride comfort. It’s not perfect, though – the ride can be caught out by sudden ridges or bumps. Optioning smaller alloy wheels will rectify this issue.

There’s certainly no complaints about the comfort provided by the seats. Volvo knows a thing or two about fitting their cars with supportive seats, and it’s no different here. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but the leather-trimmed pews offer plenty of adjustment, allowing people of all shapes and sizes to get comfortable behind the wheel. Even on the long road, the support afforded by the seats will limit discomfort and fatigue to a minimum.
The rest of the interior is also a delight for the eyes. Volvo’s current range has a wonderfully minimalistic approach to luxury. An infotainment system – Volvo Connect – controls most of the functions. It does take some time to get used to, as the system controls the media, radio and climate. A lack of buttons does create a tidier-looking cabin, but simple tasks – such as operating the air-conditioning – can be a bit of a palaver.
Aside from that small issue, the interior is a masterpiece. Beautifully-built, with lashings of leather and soft-touch materials spanning most parts of the cabin. With a wheelbase of just 2,702 mm, one would think space is at a minimum. But no, the interior is suitably spacious. The boot, according to Volvo, will hold 1,336 litres of luggage and cargo. This is on par with rivals from BMW, Lexus and Audi.
At R786,850 the XC40 is undeniably pricey. At this price, there are larger (albeit less premium) SUVs that will offer the consumer more on a practical, sensible level. But that’s not what the Volvo XC40 is about. The stylish Swede is a beautifully-built item of desire.

Put it this way: A regular handbag will serve its wearer just fine, last many years and offer everything you can reasonably expect. A Chanel handbag, for example, will serve the same purpose and be just as practical. But with the designer item, there’s more to it. You’re paying for the craftsmanship, exclusivity and distinctive design.
The XC40 is that Chanel handbag. It does everything you can expect of a compact, premium SUV. But it goes one step further. The wonderful interior, elegant styling and ‘want-one’ factor makes it an object of desire.
The Volvo XC40 T5 comes with a five-year/100,000 km maintenance plan.
Fast Facts:
Volvo XC40 T5 AWD R-Design
- Price: R786 850
- Power: 185 kW/350 Nm
- Fuel consumption: 7.7 litres/ 100 km (claimed)
- Top speed: 230 km/h
- Rivals: BMW X2 sDrive20i, Audi Q3 40TFSI
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