Volvo XC40 T4 R-Design review: Let comfort take the driver’s seat

At Rs 39.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Swede make is somewhat dearer than its immediate rivals – BMW X1 and Audi Q3. In its facelift avatar, the tweaks in the design are almost negligible, however, the fun begins as you fire the engine and zoom the smallest Volvo on the straight. The XC40 is on sale in just one fully-loaded variant: T4 R-Design. We spent a week with the car and here’s our take on how she dances to the beats:

Whether it’s XC40, XC60 or XC90, the Swede carmakers are known for their craftiness. The XC line-up is extremely handsome, robust and distinct-looking machines. Dimensionally, the XC40 remains the same, with striking elements across the silhouette.

Sharp elements in the head and fog lamps, Volvo logo integrated with the grille, stretched bonnet with creases express the dynamic structure of XC40. On the sides, the R-Design sits on 18-inch alloys, gloss black skid plate and roof rails.

The flawless design oozes luxury, with chrome used in the tail section for nomenclature and dual-tip exhausts. The only new bit here is the T4-R design badging on the tailgate. Let’s find how is she decked up inside.

Volvo is meant to make things beautiful and I’m happy to see bare minimum changes inside the new XC40. Neat in design, features are well-appointed are upmarket. You will find vertical-placed infotainment with butter-smooth touch, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, heated seats and power tailgate among the list of features. The second row, however, is tight on space and four people on the go will find the ride comfortable.

The very European cabin is wrapped with plush leather. The sporty R-Design steering wheel and infotainment system exude top-notch luxury. The two-zone climate system, cooled glovebox, heated windscreen, and a whole lot of creature comfort features are inherited from the outgoing version.

The biggest change has come in the form of a ‘change of heart’. Quite literally! 190 horsepowers and 300Nm of peak torque is available on the tap. The all-new 2-litre, BS-VI compliant, petrol engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Use paddle shifters in case you’re in the mood to sway her, however, it’s just a front-wheel-drive now.
Gear shifts are seamless and on the open straights, in no time, you would meet triple-digit speeds. The car is well-planted at high speeds as well as it’s easy to manoeuvre at low speeds. The petrol power train is usually calm, with a slight bit of clatter creeping in as you push it beyond 3,500 rpm.

Toggle between four drive modes to experience subtle changes in drive parameters. It’s brisk, it’s fast and you would love to take it around the corners as well, with a slight body roll though. The leather-wrapped steering is light and confidence-aspiring. The ride quality is supple, with the suspensions doing a brilliant job in blunting the road imperfections. Enjoy the drive, only till the point you wish to get into a race mode.

Priced just shy of Rs 40 lakh, Volvo XC 40 leaves too little to complain about comfort, drive and features. But in case you are planning to pick a car based on spirited driving experience, you might choose the German rivals.

Kilometers driven: 344 kilometers

Mileage: 14.2 kmpl