Volvo V40 D2 ES 5dr Car Review - July 2012

The V40 D2 ES is fitted with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine which feeds its power to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. Performance is brisk, if not overly impressive, and the V40 will hit 62mph in 12.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 118mph. The engine suits the car well too, although it can feel a little flat when it falls off the boost.

Volvo has worked hard to get the V40 to handle as well as the class-leaders and our first impressions are that their efforts have not been in vain. The electronic power steering is crisp, linear and precise, if slightly numb, and the fully independent suspension (MacPherson struts at the front, control blade at the rear) make the V40 an enjoyable and involving drive.

Normally, if a car is good to drive, it's at the expense of ride quality. Not so in the Volvo. The V40 is almost eerily soft and cosseting, without ever feeling wallowy. Bumps in the road are smoothed out with panache, making the V40 a competent and comfortable long distance cruiser.

We can't quite make our mind up about the way the V40 looks. On the plus side, it's a handsome brute thanks to its sharp bonnet creases, muscular stance and sculpted headlamps; however, we can't help feeling that the V40 could, and should, look more special if it's going to tempt customers out of its more obvious (and cheaper) rivals.

Inside, the cabin is very light and airy and the quality of the materials, as you'd expect from the Scandinavians, is superb. The V40 gets a 'floating' centre console, which is a nice touch, and Volvo has eschewed analogue dials in favour of a digital display which changes colour depending on which mode the driver selects.

Although the D2 is the entry-level model in the V40 range, it still comes with a good amount of standard equipment, as befits the car's premium image. Alloy wheels, climate control, electric windows, and Bluetooth and iPod connectivity are all included as standard; however, you'll have to fork out extra if you want leather seats (£1250), sat-nav (£1200), rear parking sensors (£375), and metallic paint (£550).

Safety is where the V40 really starts to shine. Not only is the car equipped with a whole host of airbags, including one for the driver's knees, but the V40 also gets a system which is capable of bringing the car to a halt from speeds of up to 31mph if a crash is detected. Most impressive of all, however, is the V40's pedestrian airbag which inflates from under the bonnet, cushioning the blow if you should happen to run someone over.

It's too early to comment on reliability, but Volvos are generally well screwed together -- you only have to look at the number of ancient Volvo estates still on the road to see how well made these cars are.

Unfortunately, interior space is where the V40 falls down. The 335-litre boot (1032-litres with the rear seats folded flat) is by no means the biggest in the class, and taller passengers may find that rear cabin space is at a premium.

At £19,745, the V40 D2 ES is the only model in the range to cost less than £20,000. It's certainly not cheap, especially when you consider that for the same cash you could get yourself a decent mid-range Focus oil-burner, but you're paying for the prestige and you're getting plenty of car for your wad.

Running costs will be very low indeed. The V40 emits just 94g/km of CO2, entitling it to free road tax and congestion charge exemption, and Volvo claims a fuel economy figure of 78.5mpg combined. Cars never live up to their quote economy figures in the real world, but the V40 should still be very economical.