VOLVO XC40

After showcasing the XC40 last month, Volvo has confirmed that it will be launching it in India by mid-2018 and has already put it up on its Indian website. This will mark Volvo’s entry in the premium entry-level SUV market and will help it to compete against the German trio. The XC40 is expected to be priced at Rs 40 lakh, and it will be taking on cars like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.

The XC40 looks quite similar to its older sibling, the XC90. It gets a high bonnet with muscular character lines, and a wide front grill flanked by LED headlamps incorporating the iconic Thor’s hammer LED DRLs. On the side, the 21-inch alloy wheels and fat C-pillar with black body cladding adds to its SUV character. The rear looks quite identical to any other Volvo SUV, with clean tailgate and vertical tail lamps.

The XC40 is based on the same CMA platform which underpins the larger XC90. It is 4425mm long, 1863mm wide and 1652mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2702mm. To get a perspective, it is almost identical to the Jeep Compass when it comes to size.

The 5-seater SUV gets interior quite similar to the one seen on the S90. It gets vertical AC vents, with the central console housing the touchscreen infotainment system which is paired to a Harman Kardon 13-speaker system. On the safety front, the XC40 showcased was loaded with features such as Pilot Assist system, City safety, Run-off-Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support and a park assist system with a 360-degree camera. It will be interesting to see what all features make their way to India over standard features like airbags, ABS and EBD.

Volvo has finally unveiled the XC40 – and it’s exactly what we expected. Unveiled at an event in Milan earlier today, the new premium mini SUV features the same styling cues as the XC90 and XC60 – but it’s smaller, and a little more edgy looking. Overall, the XC40 marks a new shift in direction for Volvo, and I think it’s actually very impressive.

"The XC40 is our first entry in the small SUV segment, broadening the appeal of the Volvo brand and moving it in a new direction," said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo. "It represents a fresh, creative and distinctive new member of the Volvo line-up. So it only feels natural to reveal the XC40 here in Milan, a buzzing European hotspot for fashion, art, design and lifestyle."

So what’s it actually like? Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the Volvo XC40.

Volvo XC40: Everything you need to know

Price and Volvo Care

Volvo says the new XC40 will start at £27,905 for the T3 Momentum version, but that will obviously increase the more extra bits and pieces you want. However, there will be other ways to buy the new XC40. 

At the launch event of the new car, Volvo also announced Care by Volvo – a new service rethinks the way we pay for – and use, cars.

Volvo is pitching Care by Volvo like a mobile phone contract, and says it should be “transparent, easy and hassle-free.” For Volvo, that means having a national, ready negotiated monthly-free, and the ability to get a new car every two years. Simply put, it should be a click, collect and forget service – with Volvo even taking care of the insurance, taxes and other bits of the car.

Volvo says those enrolled on the service will also be able to share the car with their family members or partners, as digital key technology will come standard with Care by Volvo.

On top of financial services, Volvo says there’ll also be a range of other services such as fuelling and cleaning and service pick-up - though they’ll vary depending on the region.

“Our aim with Care by Volvo is to provide our customers with a transparent, premium car user experience. "

Volvo says the new service will be available to buyers of the new XC40 in the UK, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Poland and the United States. Other markets and models will be added to the Care by Volvo scheme later down the line.