Review

Volvo V40 hatchback

Price: £18,995 - £33,875
prices & specifications
4.4/5
  • Pros:
    • Fresh, elegant design
    • Comfortable ride
    • Safest car in class
  • Cons:
    • High entry-level price
    • Petrol engines don't suit auto box
    • Not as practical as VW Golf
Volvo V40 hatchback
reviewed by Carbuyer

The V40 gives Volvo a five-door hatchback to rival the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class. Despite its estate looks, this all-new premium hatchback replaces the S40 saloon and V50 estate. It has a raft of safety equipment as standard, including the world's first external pedestrian airbag. The V40 is available in ES, SE and SE Lux trims, while engines include an entry-level 1.6-litre D2 diesel that promises 78.5mpg economy and 94g/km road-tax-free emissions. All models have Bluetooth and Volvo's City Safety automatic braking technology. Pay a little more and you can upgrade the standard car to the sporty R-Design specification or the rugged-looking Cross Country model.