I drove a $46,000 Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design SUV to see how it stacks up against BMW and Audi - here's the verdict

Oct 24, 2018, 00:31 IST

The Volvo XC40 that we sampled for a week was a top-level T5 all-wheel-drive crossover, with the "R-Design" treatment. This is the Volvo that zigs! Ours had a "Bursting Blue Metallic" paint job.

We've also sampled the XC90 and the XC60. The XC40 is the smallest of the trio, but I like its sleeked-yet-still-boxy Volvo looks more than the XC60's.

The grille is all signature Volvo elements: the legendary badge, along with the newer "Thor's hammer" headlights.

As compact, near-luxury crossovers go, the XC40 fits nicely into the segment. The styling is angular and linear, with few swoops or curves or to distract from the basic silhouette.

The 19-inch wheels aren't really large enough to fill the arches — but 20- and 21-inchers are available.

The rear is arguably the XC40's best angle.

If we zoom in, you'll notice the relatively graceful integration of numerous design elements.

Angles galore! But the two-tone roof-body treatment, the crimped rear window, the hatch spoiler and the jagged shape of the tail lights all echo each other.

Straight in, the rear presents a familiar Volvo appearance — one that the brand has been using for a decade.

As snazzy as the headlights are, the tail lights have a more stunning configuration.

Cargo capacity amount to roughly 12 cubic feet, which is plenty for typical hauling duties, such as grocery store runs and weekend trips. Drop the rear seats and you have close to 60 cubic feet.

If you have to transport skis, there's a useful pass-through hatch.

I don't know — I guess there's room for sub-compact XC20 in the lineup!

Power is supplied by a 2.0-liter, 248-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. With 258 pound-feet of torque, it offers good pop. The 0-60 mph dash passes in about six seconds.

The eight-speed automatic is capable enough, but the shifter is maddening, requiring double pulls to get the XC40 in gear. And auto stop-start feature saves fuel and reduces emissions. You can expect fuel-economy in the 20-25 mpg ballpark.

The eight-speed automatic is capable enough, but the shifter is maddening, requiring double pulls to get the XC40 in gear. And auto stop-start feature saves fuel and reduces emissions. You can expect fuel-economy in the 20-25 mpg ballpark.

Let's slip into the cozy, all-black interior — rendered in leather-and-Nubuck.

The T5 trim level combines premium appointments with sporty accents. Overall, a pleasant and engaging place to spend time.

The R-Design steering wheel has the usual buttons and knobs to operate vehicle functions, as well as some nifty topstitching. It's heated, as are the front seats.

The instrument cluster is digital, but the gauges are analog.

The harman/kardon audio system is sounds quite good — but it's an $800 upgrade.

The details, such as this piece, are tech-y and sort of odd, but not off-putting.

The seats are really, really comfortable. But Volvo is famous for that. The panoramic roof is a $1,200 extra —and so worth it, as it fills the compact back seat with light.

It makes a difference for the front seats, too.

The Sensus infotainment system runs off of a nine-inch touchscreen that's not been universally praised by reviewers.

Personally, I like it. Sensus is the most Tesla-like system offered by another major automaker.

It consolidates nearly all vehicle functions into a tablet-like, swipe-able interface. It takes some getting used to, and it can be distracting. But it's effective.

It doesn't miss a trick, either. Bluetooth pairing is easy, there are USB/AUX ports, and the navigation is accurate. And if you can't stand it ... well, it features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

So what's the verdict?

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I drove a $46,000 Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design SUV to see how it stacks up against BMW and Audi - here's the verdict

The Volvo XC40 that we sampled for a week was a top-level T5 all-wheel-drive crossover, with the "R-Design" treatment. This is the Volvo that zigs! Ours had a "Bursting Blue Metallic" paint job.

We've also sampled the XC90 and the XC60. The XC40 is the smallest of the trio, but I like its sleeked-yet-still-boxy Volvo looks more than the XC60's.

The grille is all signature Volvo elements: the legendary badge, along with the newer "Thor's hammer" headlights.

As compact, near-luxury crossovers go, the XC40 fits nicely into the segment. The styling is angular and linear, with few swoops or curves or to distract from the basic silhouette.

The 19-inch wheels aren't really large enough to fill the arches — but 20- and 21-inchers are available.

The rear is arguably the XC40's best angle.

If we zoom in, you'll notice the relatively graceful integration of numerous design elements.

Angles galore! But the two-tone roof-body treatment, the crimped rear window, the hatch spoiler and the jagged shape of the tail lights all echo each other.

Straight in, the rear presents a familiar Volvo appearance — one that the brand has been using for a decade.

As snazzy as the headlights are, the tail lights have a more stunning configuration.

Cargo capacity amount to roughly 12 cubic feet, which is plenty for typical hauling duties, such as grocery store runs and weekend trips. Drop the rear seats and you have close to 60 cubic feet.

If you have to transport skis, there's a useful pass-through hatch.

I don't know — I guess there's room for sub-compact XC20 in the lineup!

Power is supplied by a 2.0-liter, 248-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. With 258 pound-feet of torque, it offers good pop. The 0-60 mph dash passes in about six seconds.

The eight-speed automatic is capable enough, but the shifter is maddening, requiring double pulls to get the XC40 in gear. And auto stop-start feature saves fuel and reduces emissions. You can expect fuel-economy in the 20-25 mpg ballpark.

Let's slip into the cozy, all-black interior — rendered in leather-and-Nubuck.

The T5 trim level combines premium appointments with sporty accents. Overall, a pleasant and engaging place to spend time.

The R-Design steering wheel has the usual buttons and knobs to operate vehicle functions, as well as some nifty topstitching. It's heated, as are the front seats.

The instrument cluster is digital, but the gauges are analog.

The harman/kardon audio system is sounds quite good — but it's an $800 upgrade.

The details, such as this piece, are tech-y and sort of odd, but not off-putting.

The seats are really, really comfortable. But Volvo is famous for that. The panoramic roof is a $1,200 extra —and so worth it, as it fills the compact back seat with light.

It makes a difference for the front seats, too.

The Sensus infotainment system runs off of a nine-inch touchscreen that's not been universally praised by reviewers.

Personally, I like it. Sensus is the most Tesla-like system offered by another major automaker.

It consolidates nearly all vehicle functions into a tablet-like, swipe-able interface. It takes some getting used to, and it can be distracting. But it's effective.

It doesn't miss a trick, either. Bluetooth pairing is easy, there are USB/AUX ports, and the navigation is accurate. And if you can't stand it ... well, it features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

So what's the verdict?