Volvo currently has the largest SUV range in its history to offer its customers. Each XC model has won awards and fame around the world.

The latest addition to the family is the XC40, which with a landslide victory and 325 points took the European Car of the Year award in Geneva this spring, ahead of the runner-up Seat Ibiza.

The XC40 is competing in a tough class against its rivals.

In fact, the compact SUV category could even be considered the hottest car category on the market today. The closest competitor in terms of price and image is definitely BMW’s hot new X2.

See also this: Autotoday tested: Volvo XC60 – Scandinavian feel and design that appeals to Finns

Volvo and BMW are definitely at the more expensive end of this category in terms of price, but there are many rival models with a lower starting price.

The success of Volvo’s entire current range, especially the XC models, is no coincidence. Scandinavian design, quality and straightforward styling are currently enjoying huge popularity around the world.

Here are three reasons why the XC40 is definitely worthy of the Car of the year award.

Personality

The current Volvo range is instantly recognisable as a Volvo, and so is the XC40. The daytime running lights, known as Thor’s hammer, are a signature Volvo feature. The front grille is adorned with a large Volvo logo.

The rear lights are tall, like their larger siblings the XC60 and XC90. In other respects, the XC40 is its own bold self in appearance. It’s 4.4 metres long, but the high side profile and large tyres make it look even shorter.

Despite its small size, the XC40 looks powerful from the outside. In terms of looks, the car can be described as very trendy and fashionable, with angular styling and personal solutions that exude boldness.

The car is available in a choice of roof and body colours for certain trim levels. The buyer also has a fairly free hand in the choice of interior materials and colours.

Fashion was also involved in the launch, with the XC40 showing its face to the public for the first time in Milan, the European capital of fashion and design.

Interiors and layout

Inside, the XC40 feels like a big car. There’s plenty of space in the front and rear.

The XC40 loses 26 centimetres to the XC60 in length. Interestingly, however, the interior dimensions are not many centimetres shorter than its big brother.

On the contrary, for example, the rear passenger space from seat to roof is just under a centimetre higher in the XC40. The biggest difference in interior dimensions comes in the size of the boot.

The interior materials are of high quality and there is not much hard plastic in the cabin.

The XC40’s interior solutions are focused on the interior. The aim is to make a compact car practical, where things stay organised. Customer feedback and ideas have played a big part in the design.

Volvo says it has removed the normal speakers in the doors to make room for things like tablets or a few water bottles. The speakers have been replaced by what Volvo says is the world’s first air-cooled subwoofer, mounted in the dashboard.

The aim was to make the centre console functional, with every inch put to good use.

A good example of this is the gear stick for the automatic gearbox, which initially feels oddly short. This way, the gear stick doesn’t get in the way when reaching for the wireless phone charging point in front of the gear stick.

The cup holders in the centre console are large and sturdy. There’s a small removable bin in front of the elbow, making it easy to dump small debris directly into the bin. Under the front seats, there are small storage spaces for belongings or a tablet.

Familiar and safe Volvo

The new XC40 offers many new dimensions for the experienced Volvo driver, but at its core, the car also exudes the familiar and safe Volvo way of doing things. The safety systems and accessories that control the car and your driving have been given a new look.

A nine-inch Sensus touchscreen comes standard on all XC40s, which can be expanded with additional apps and navigation familiar from other models.

IntelliSafe preventive safety systems, familiar from other models, are available in full on the XC40.

Volvo offers Momentum, Inscription and R-Design trim levels. Momentum is the best option if you want a choice of colour combinations for your car. Inscription and R-Design offer a more premium feel.

The XC40 is fun to drive

The test car was equipped with the most powerful T5 engine in the range. The four-cylinder displacement petrol produces a maximum power output of 247 horsepower and 350 Nm of maximum torque.

Other petrol engine options include the T3 (156 bhp) and T4 (190 bhp), while diesels include the D3 (150 bhp) and D4 (190 bhp).

The T5 engine propels the compact XC40 briskly forward. A smaller engine would certainly do the trick.

For the most part, the XC40 is very stable, with the only noticeable sideways movement being the car’s 1700 kg curb weight and the higher chassis centre of gravity.

Updates to the powertrain are still to come, as Volvo has promised to electrify all models from 2019 onwards. So you can also expect the XC40 to get hybrid and all-electric versions.

Overall, the XC40 will certainly show the way forward for Volvo and other brands, and the Car of the Year award will certainly add to the visibility.

The XC40 is a model to be emulated and compact SUV models have certainly entered the market for a longer period of time due to the versatility of the models.

Volvo XC40 T5 AWD R-Design aut.

Maximum engine power: 247 hp.
Maximum torque: 350 Nm.
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 6.5 s.
Combined consumption: 7.2 l/100km.
Starting price (XC40 T3 Momentum man.): €39 168.
Test drive price with options: €76,667.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.