Volvo XC40 review

Looking at the distinctive design of the Volvo XC40, you begin to wonder if the German premium brands have it wrong; their ‘Russian doll’ designs lead to a very strong resemblance between models, and that often leaves you struggling to tell one from another. At the very least, Volvo's creativity is jolly refreshing.

Of course, the XC40 does retain some distinctive Volvo design cues. Its Thor’s Hammer headlight design and equally striking LED rear lights, for instance, ape the company’s other models, keeping the bloodline recognisable. The rest of the car's detailing and its overall proportions are quite different, though. It certainly doesn't look as if Volvo has popped the blueprints for the XC60 or XC90 into a photocopier, selected ‘reduce size’ and pushed ‘print’.

Trim levels range from relatively basic (Momentum Core) to properly sumptuous (Inscription Pro) and, as long as you aren't after a diesel, there's plenty of choice when it comes to engines. The most affordable ones come with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox as standard, with punchier engines getting an automatic ’box and four-wheel drive. There are also two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models called the Recharge T4 and T5, which can travel on pure battery power for short distances, plus a fully electric version called the Recharge P8.

Now, the XC40 is a former What Car? Car of the Year, so it's no secret that it's good. But it's been around a while now, so is it still a better buy than cars like the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque? Read on to find out.

And if you decide to buy an XC40, or any other car for that matter, take a look at our New Car Buying service to find out how much you could save on the brochure price without any tedious haggling.