Volvo V40 Cross Country review

There’s a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustment to help you find a good driving position, and the Cross Country has the most comfortable seats in its class. There’s full electric adjustment for the driver plus lumbar support for both the driver and front passenger, and leather upholstery throughout.

The centre console feels very outdated and cluttered, though, with a selection of small and fiddly buttons that are hard to tell apart at a glance. There’s DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB input that will allow full control of Android and Apple phones through the standard 7.0in colour display. However, combined with the messy dash, it all feels a long way behind the large, clear touchscreens of the Volkswagen Golf, or the Audi Q2’s class-leading MMI infotainment system.

Forward visibility in the V40 is fair, but rear visibility is quite poor because the rear windows narrow noticeably and the thick pillars at the back of the car cause big blind spots. The high, slim rear window can make it hard to judge where the back of the car ends, too.

Front and rear parking sensors are standard on Cross Country cars, as is a rear camera and Park Assist Pilot – a system that will steer the car into a space as you operate the accelerator.

In typical Volvo fashion, the V40’s interior is one of the smartest in the class, even though its German rivals set a high bar when it comes to overall perceived quality. Brushed metal finishes and a variety of soft-textured plastics and materials mean that it looks classy and modern, and feels high-end in all the key places. The switches are well damped, and it’s not until you start prodding around beneath the seats and in the footwells that you find some sharp-edged plastics.