Our recommendations
Which used Volvo XC40 estate should I buy?
Engines
We’d seek out the D3 variant. This 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel sounds a bit grumbly at idle but quietens down on the move and transmits little vibration into the car. It’ll whisk you up to motorway speeds easily enough and should be more economical than the D4, which is lumbered with four-wheel drive.
If you mostly do shorter, urban journeys, go for the 154bhp T3 petrol. It should have all the performance you'd need without being horrendously thirsty. The only point of note is that in 2018 the engine went from being a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit to a smaller three-cylinder 1.5. Both produce 154bhp (up until 2019, when it got a boost to 161bhp).
Trims
Well equipped, sporty looking and reasonably priced, R-Design is our favourite trim, because this version handles better on its sports suspension than the rest of the range. Don't bother with a Pro version of this trim level, because that'll give you 20in wheels that spoil the ride.
Our favourite Volvo XC40 D3 R-Design
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