With gas rapidly becoming the favorite choice of fuel, Volvo’s choice of launching the XC40 T4 couldn’t be right. Now the gas left us very impressed when we drove it, so can the petrol engine proceed with the baton?

On the outside, there is no change to set it apart except for the T4 badge. Additionally, being an R-Design, there isn’t too much bling; the only chrome bits are the logo on the grille and the exhaust tips in the rear. The entrance is typical Volvo, featuring the famous’Thor’s hammer’ design for the LED headlights and a glossy black grille. Over to the side, you get the same 18-inch alloy wheels and vented roofing that appears very cool and in the back, the boomerang-like taillights are unmistakably Volvo.

Volvo XC40 T4 petrol Interior Design Review,

Contents

The interior of the XC40 again is similar to all Volvos; excellent. The design, construct and the overall feel exudes the sense of being superior; and you do get your money’s worth. The dash is dominated by soft-touch materials and subtle piano-black beams around the vents and the vertical touchscreen appear nice. Speaking of that, the 9.0-inch touchscreen is much like the one we have seen previously. It’s responsive, high on performance, and despite being the most popular location for most of the controls, it is user-friendly too.

Volvo XC40 Interior Review

Volvo XC40 Interior Review

The steering and the completely digital instrument cluster see no alterations, but the seats are all black, rather than the bright orange motif that you could opt for with the old car. The seats themselves are excellent, though. You get premium leather upholstery, memory functions for the driver side and they give excellent support in just the right areas, as long drives are an absolute breeze. The heated seats have been omitted now, which is a downer for all those in the north.

The back seat of this XC40 is not the best in its class, but you do get sufficient room back here. However, the backrest is a tad too vertical and the very low set chairs imply that taller passengers tend to sit knees-up. Practicality is great with plenty of storage through the cottage and a huge 460-liter boot.

What Volvo is well-known for, is packing their models to the brim when it comes to gear. The XC40 R-Design will get technicians and attributes seen on cars two sections over. The list incorporates radar-based safety assists like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, a collision mitigation system, six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake-assist, mountain ascent, and descent controls, along with far more. You also find wireless charging, a tire pressure monitor front and rear parking sensors using a reverse camera.

What’s it like to drive Volvo XC40?

Powering the XC40 T4 is a BS6-compliant, 2.0-litre, the turbo-petrol engine which produces 190hp and 300Nm of torque. On startup, refinement levels are exceptional; there are no flaws and the motor runs silently at low revs. Step on the accelerator though, and you get a thrum that is boomy past the 3,000rpm mark and almost coarse near redline. The turbo kicks in around the 2,500rpm markers which get you a small surge, but it is still not exciting enough. You do get push manners involving Eco, Comfort, Dynamic and Off-road, but in its most responsive, Dynamic setting, there is no punch in the motor. A lot of this has to do with the 8-speed automatic gearbox, which simply is not responsive enough. Shifts are smooth but slow. Even using the paddle shifters is not any help. The very best way to drive it is in Dynamic mode for those marginally faster changes, but with a relaxed foot. You also receive an Off-road mode, but it does is only lightens the steering engages hill-descent control and turns off the car start/stop for a climb down a steep trail.

The XC40, at its T4 iteration, is now a front-wheel-drive automobile; and while that helped save some weight, it feels light, nor Loaded.

Running is like you would expect in an SUV; also it is not a particularly enjoyable car to drive on a winding road. That said, body roll is well contained, traction from the Pirelli P-Zero tires is good and steering is constant, fluid. Also, the brakes are sharp but innovative and offer a powerful bite. In terms of ride comfort, the XC40 is impressive with its high-speed equilibrium, but the ride does get a bit bumpy at low rates over broken areas of streets. But the cottage is well insulated and you do not feel too a number of the jolts on the interior.

Can I purchase Volvo XC40?

However, available only in one, fully-loaded R-Design guise, you do get a lot of car for the price. The design works heads, the cottage is sensible and it has got the lengthiest features record.

Then there is the petrol engine which, despite not being the best concerning refinement has enough grunt for you around. Yes, the backseat is not impressive and the aftersales experience is not as widespread as its German rivals, but it’s a small price to pay in exchange for a well-sorted SUV which provides you almost all you would want.

Therefore, if you are in the market for a compact luxury SUV with a gasoline engine, the XC40 T4 is an option worth serious consideration.