Drive of the Year: Volvo XC40

LOOKS GOOD
The Volvo XC40 was voted European Car of the Year in 2018. And guess what? We’re not surprised!
Even just glancing at this classy, small premium SUV, you can immediately see why people have been raving about it. Its compact size makes it a perfect car for city living. But in terms of style and aesthetics, the XC40 is a winner all the way.

Of course, looks aren’t everything! Nowhere is that old adage truer than in relation to cars: in the modern world, for a motor to be described as great, on top of cool design, it has to score well in terms of comfort, driving control, performance, safety, sustainability and economy. A brilliant driving experience is what we’re after and nothing less will do. So how does the XC40 rate across all of the relevant benchmarks?

As soon as you settle into the driving seat, you notice how effectively the high seating position improves visibility, putting you fully in command of the car – and the road. And it drives beautifully.

The XC40 was designed with the modern-day driver in mind. It’s ingenious storage features mean that keeping the car clutter-free is easy. The interior design – inspired by contemporary street fashion, as well as the classic Scandinavian design for which Volvo is famed – emphasises elegant lines and there’s an overall impression of cleanliness and space. It feels like a bigger car.

KEEPS YOU SAFE
Parking is made easy in the Volvo XC40 with the availability of a 360° camera, which gives you a superb, detailed bird’s eye view of your car and its surroundings. It really is a game-changer in busy streets, making it far easier to squeeze into tight spaces. The City Safety feature, standard on the XC40, is like having a co-pilot – one that doesn’t start any arguments, that is! It identifies other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals ahead, warning you if there’s hint of danger.

SOUNDS GOOD
Did we say that the Volvo XC40 has all the attributes of a genuine Smart car? Some cars will give you a headache trying to figure out how all of the gadgets work. In contrast, the technology in the XC40 is genuinely intuitive and easy-to-use.

The Volvo On Call app, for example, allows you to connect your phone, tablet or wearable device with your Volvo XC40. Using the app., you can pre-heat or pre-cool your XC40, lock or unlock it remotely and find it in a crowded car park (now there’s a breakthrough!). You can also sync your calendar with Volvo On Call, so that it reminds you of appointments, where they are – and how to get there.

Having good music at your fingertips is of huge importance to the modern driver, and especially to Hot Press readers. The XC40’s comes with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto inbuilt. Whether you’ve got an iPhone or a Samsung – or any other Android – you can safely use your phone’s functions via the car’s touch screen, steering wheel controls or voice control. You can make a call, construct text messages, listen to music and use app-based navigation to find the shortest route.

Meanwhile, Spotify is also inbuilt. You can control it easily using the centre touch screen. Additional on-board apps include TuneIn, Glympse and audiobooks – so you can finally get around to finishing Ulysses!
Light is precious to Scandinavians (try going there during winter and you’ll see why!), which may explain why the interior of the Volvo XC40 is designed to allow as much natural light as possible to flood in, contributing to a lovely airy feeling. The optional panoramic roof offers the opportunity to further bask in the natural light by day. You can also add mood-enhancing LED interior lighting that highlights the beautifully sculpted dashboard and decor panels at night.

In short, there are times when driving the XC40 is like an other-worldly experience – in a good way!

THE VERDICT
Volvo cars have always been known for their reliability and safety – but the XC40 offers all of that and a lot more besides. The attention to detail is second to none, and it’s as comfortable and commanding a drive as you could possibly hope for in this class. There’s also plenty of added bonuses: the brilliant music functions, and the Volvo on Call app all make this a magnificently modern vehicle that’s perfect for city living. The XC40 is our kind of motor. Now, let’s go for a drive!

You can read the complete 'Whole Hog On 2019’ in one brilliant sweep in the Hot Press Annual – in which we distill the highlights and low-points of the year, across 132 vital, beautifully designed pages. Starring heroes of the year Fontaines D.C. on the front we cover Music, Culture, Sport, Film, Politics, the Environment and much, much more. Buy this superb publication direct from Hot Press here.