At least that’s what CarAndDriver thinks, high praise from a publications that’s had their share of subcompact luxury crossover SUV, especially with how much the segment’s popularity has exploded recently.
You won’t see anything ground breaking like gullwing doors or a V-12, but those who go with the XC40 will find it to be a fun drive, something that doesn’t seem to be the norm for cars in this segment. The first batch to arrive on showroom floors will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine delivering 8 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the T5 is punchy enough to launch all 3800 pounds of car from 0-60mph in just 6.2 seconds.
Test driving a XC40 T5 equipped with the R-Design package, CarAndDriver found the body motions controlled and handling quick with plenty of power to pull them out of corners. R-Design features like the slightly spirited driving. For those who want sharper throttle response, there’s even a Dynamic drive mode.
Their one gripe was with the seats, how it falls short of what’s expected from Volvo, but its other interior features like the 9.0-inch touchscreen could make future buyers overlook the discomfort.
