Volvo V40 Car Reviews

The V40 is available with a choice of five engines: two 1.6-litre engines producing either 148bhp or 178bhp, a 1.6-litre diesel developing 113bhp and two five-cylinder diesels with either 148bhp or 175bhp. The engines are all very good although the diesels are a bit coarse when cold. The D2 diesel delivers sub-100g/km CO2 emissions, making it the pick of the range.

Inside, the V40 feels like a quality product. The cabin design is very smart and the feel of the cabin materials makes the driving seat a very tactile place to sit.

There's plenty of interior space, with both front and rear passengers well catered for in terms of head- and leg-room.

The V40 should also be one of the safest cars in its class -- not only does it come with a system which brakes the car at speeds of up to 31mph if the car detects an accident, it also has the world's first pedestrian airbag which pops up from below the bonnet to cushion the blow should you hit someone.

It's slightly pricier than its competitors but the Volvo V40 is an excellent all-round package.

Background

The Volvo V40 was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and replaces the ageing S40 and V50 models in the Volvo line-up. It's also the first car that the Swedish manufacturer has produced under Chinese ownership, having been bought by Geely Automobile in 2010.

Summary

The V40 is a superb car thanks to its efficient engines, quality feel and class-leading safety features. It's a little bit pricier than its rivals but it's an excellent all-rounder and one of the best cars in its class.