Volvo XC40 long-term test

• The car: Volvo XC40 D4 First Edition
• Run by: Steve Huntingford, editor
• Why it’s here: To see if this class-leading family SUV has any flaws that weren’t obvious when we group-tested it against rivals
• Needs to: Offer outstanding comfort and practicality, a quality interior and low running costs

Price £39,905 Price as tested £39,905 Miles 6890 Official economy 56.5mpg Test economy 35.6mpg Options fitted None

6 September 2018 – remote control

A couple of months back, I spoke about how I'd managed to lose the key to my Volvo XC40 down a drain. However, should something similar happen again (not that I'm planning to make a habit of losing my keys, you understand), it won't be such a problem, because I now have an app on my phone that I can use to lock and unlock the car.

Called Volvo on Call, it also tells me where the car is (in case I forget where I parked it) and lets me request assistance (in the event of a breakdown) or check on things like my average fuel economy and whether any maintenance needs doing.

However, the feature that I've found most useful so far is the way you can put the climate control on a timer so that the car is already the ideal temperature when you climb inside.

This was also possible in my previous car, a BMW 5 Series, but there you did it via a display on the key itself. Not only was this a £235 option, but it also meant the key had to be enormous; Volvo's solution seems much more sensible.

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