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For All V40s have a smart, high-quality cabin and good standard equipment. The engines are strong, smooth and deliver attractive running costs.

Against The ride is overly firm, the gearshift is notchy and there’s too much road noise. The five-cylinder engines don't suit the V40’s laid back character.

Volvo V40 Hatchback
33 5stars

The Volvo V40 is great in some respects, but it’s below par in too many other areas to top the small family car class.

What Car? readers say

5

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The full Volvo V40 review


There are 57 Volvo V40 versions available

Hatchback 1.6 T2 12- SE Lux 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T2 120 ES 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T2 120 ES Nav 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T2 120 R-Design 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T2 120 R-Design Lux Nav 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T2 120 R-Design Nav 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T2 120 SE 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T2 120 SE Lux Nav 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T2 120 SE Nav 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T3 150 SE Lux Nav 5dr TBA
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 ES 5dr £19,995
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T3 150 ES 5dr £20,630
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 ES Nav 5dr £21,195
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 ES 5dr £21,245
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 SE 5dr £21,595
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T3 150 ES Nav 5dr £21,830
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T3 150 SE 5dr £22,230
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 R-Design 5dr £22,295
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 ES Nav 5dr £22,445
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 C/Country SE 5dr £22,595
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 SE Nav 5dr £22,795
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 SE 5dr £22,845
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T3 150 R-Design 5dr £22,930
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T3 150 SE Nav 5dr £23,430
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 R-Design Nav 5dr £23,495
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 R-Design 5dr £23,545
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 SE Lux 5dr £23,595
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 C/Country SE Nav 5dr £23,795
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 C/Country SE 5dr £23,845
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 SE 5dr £23,845
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 R-Design Lux 5dr £24,045
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 SE Nav 5dr £24,045
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T3 150 R-Design Nav 5dr £24,130
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 R-Design 5dr £24,545
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 C/Country Lux 5dr £24,595
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 R-Design Nav 5dr £24,745
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 SE Lux Nav 5dr £24,795
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 C/Country SE Nav 5dr £25,045
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 SE Nav 5dr £25,045
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 R-Design Lux Nav 5dr £25,245
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 R-Design Lux 5dr £25,295
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 R-Design Nav 5dr £25,745
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 C/Country Lux Nav 5dr £25,795
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T3 150 R-Design Lux Nav 5dr £25,880
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 SE Lux Nav 5dr £26,045
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 C/Country SE Nav 5dr £26,045
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 R-Design Lux 5dr £26,295
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 R-Design Lux Nav 5dr £26,495
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T4 180 SE Lux Nav 5dr £26,930
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D3 150 C/Country Lux Nav 5dr £27,045
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 SE Lux Nav 5dr £27,045
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T4 180 R-Design Lux Nav 5dr £27,380
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 R-Design Lux Nav 5dr £27,495
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.6 T4 180 C/Country Lux Nav 5dr £27,930
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.0 D4 177 C/Country Lux Nav 5dr £27,930
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Hatchback 2.5 T5 254 R-Design Lux Nav 5dr £31,575 TBA
Hatchback 2.5 T5 254 C/Ctry Lux Nav AWD 5dr £33,875 TBA

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The D2 is the star of the range, and not just because of its tax-friendly CO2 emissions. It's smooth, refined and gives adequate performance.

The D4 is strong, but we’ve only tried it with the optional automatic transmission, and it’s a disappointing combination. The T4 is better with the optional auto ’box, as it uses a smoother twin-clutch transmission. However, it costs much the same as the D4, but isn't as economical.

Buyers have a choice of ES, SE and SE Lux and R-Design trims, with City Safety, alloy wheels and Bluetooth standard on all. However, we’d recommend SE, which adds cruise control, wheel-mounted audio controls and a plusher interior finish to the base-level trim. If you’re after sportier looks, R-Design models get bigger alloys and a bodykit.

There are options, but most are bundled in packs, which Volvo hopes will ensure strong residual values.

The Cross Country range mirrors that of the standard hatch, but isn't worth the extra cash.

Reader test team says:

Volvo V40 Hatchback 1.6 D2 115 ES 5dr

Life as a motoring journalist perhaps get one a little too up and close to too many vehicles to see the wood from the trees. I'm afraid that is the…

david graves

5 out of 5 stars
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Volvo V40 Hatchback

Read the definitive Volvo V40 Hatchback review from the expert What Car? team. Check specs, prices and compare with similar cars.

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