New Volvo XC40 T4 2019 Review
Buyers are spoiled for choice in the compact premium SUV sector, and the Volvo XC40 is our favourite of a very talented bunch. More stylish than an Audi Q3 and more relaxing to drive than a BMW X1, it鈥檚 proof that Volvo offers something unique in this class. We loved the diesels, but in entry-level T3 spec it simply failed to excite. The T5鈥檚 availability in only the highest trim levels made it just too expensive, too. So does this T4 model - as the middle child in the three-strong petrol range - make the most sense? This engine variant is offered in every XC40 trim: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription, as well as their respective 鈥楶ro鈥?model lines. Prices start from 拢32,770 in Momentum spec, climbing to 拢38,820 in Inscription Pro guise. All models come with cruise control, LED headlights, heated door mirrors, a 12.3-inch digital driver鈥檚 display, and a nine-inch touchscreen sat-nav. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a 拢300 option on all models, which seems a little mean at this price point. Under the bonnet there鈥檚 the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit found throughout the Volvo line-up.
Here it produces 187bhp and 300Nm, pitching it squarely against the BMW X1 sDrive20i. Unlike the BMW, which is offered with a choice of front or four-wheel drive, the XC40 T4 is four-wheel drive only. In the move, it鈥檚 a vast improvement over the smaller T3 petrol. While it doesn鈥檛 quite have a pleasing rasp of the X1鈥檚 engine - it can sound a little strained when revved hard - it鈥檚 nicely hushed at a cruise. In terms of straight-line speed, there鈥檚 little to split the two; the Swede鈥檚 0-62mph time (8.5 seconds) is more than competitive enough. Both aspects are helped by the eight-speed automatic gearbox: shifts are slick and, in contrast to Audi鈥檚 jerky dual-clutch box, remains obedient during low-speed manoeuvring. The only oddity is the manual override鈥檚 sideways shifts - the counterintuitive layout takes some getting used to. The T4鈥檚 driving experience is as we鈥檝e come to expect from Volvo in recent years.
Avoid the 19-inch wheels on our test car and the ride sits towards the smoother end of its class. The handling is secure, too, but can鈥檛 offer the sharpness or agility of the sportiest rivals - and while the steering is light and precise, there鈥檚 very little feel. It therefore feels like a car at its best when driven at a more relaxed pace. Begin to tot up the running costs and the T4 starts to make less sense, however. A claimed 40.4mpg falls 6.7mpg short of the X1, while CO2 emissions of 163g/km don鈥檛 stack up against the BMW鈥檚 136g/km. In other words, a driver covering 10,000 miles per year will pay almost 拢200 less to fuel an X1. Company car drivers in the lower 20 per cent bracket will have to pay over 拢400 more for the Volvo, too. Regardless of trim, the cabin is a wonderful place to sit. It鈥檚 heavily inspired by the larger XC60 and XC90; the gorgeous portrait oriented touchscreen flanked by a pair of tall air vents.
The Alfa sure looks good after this treatment, and so does the Porsche, even if the pictures don't show the shine on the white paint quite so effectively. Europa, a victim of my learning curve, suffers from plenty of orange peel. So what has this got to do with the Subaru? A quick first pass has hidden what looked to be embedded flaws, so we are off to the races as it seems the body responds well to polishing. This will save me a lot of work. A coat of clear will come after any decals or photoetch. So what is the technique? I'm still developing it, and will post more as I go along; but I have come across two systems. The first is LMG Micro-Polish, sold in a kit with another bottle of something called Micro-Swirl Remover, various grits of fine sandpaper, and a small piece of polishing cloth. The trick is to work this light cream into the body with a cloth, then remove excess cream with a clean cloth. The Micro-Swirl Remover, which appears to be more liquid and perhaps less abrasive, works the same way. The other is the well-known set of Tamiya polishing creams in toothpaste tubes, in coarse and fine formulations. These are more aggressive and cut faster than the LMG product, especially the coarse one. I used the LMG on all three of the bodies shown, and so far I am happy.