volvo v40 indepth review

The Volvo V40 has been around since 2013 and the butch V40 Cross Country was introduced in 2015. The V40 sits at the beginning of the Volvo range of cars in India followed by the S60, the XC60, the XC90 and the S90 as of now.

The V40 had received its midlife facelift globally earlier this year and the same has been brought to India. It gets the new Volvo signature vertically slatted grille and the Thor headlamps from the XC90. Apart from that there are a few nips and cuts to the bumpers for a fresh look. On the inside, it is spacious and plush. The vertical tablet-like screen takes centre stage on the dashboard. The V40 is a premium car and hence is offered with almost all the bells and whistles depending upon the trim. The top-spec R-Design gets special contrast stitched leather upholstery, electrically operated sunroof, power seats and a three-zone climate control.

Being a Volvo, the safety net is woven all around you. The multiple airbags, structural crumple zones, integrated pedestrian safety along with the latest generation of ESP, ABS and EBD with traction control work in tandem to keep the occupants as safe as possible.

Under the hood, you have the option of the 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that develops 150bhp of power at 3500rpm and 350Nm of torque from as low as 1500rpm. The petrol engine is also a turbocharged four-cylinder mill that develops 180bhp of power at 5700rpm and 240Nm of torque from 1600rpm and is offered only with the V40 Cross Country. Both the engines are mated to a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that powers the front wheels.

The Volvo V40 hatchback competes with the Mercedes A-Class, the BMW 1 Series and the Audi A3 while the V40 Cross Country takes a swipe at the Mercedes GLA, the BMW X1 and the Mini Countryman.