The Volvo V40 Cross Country stands out as a car that fits like a glove, offering comfort, class, poise, and power in one package. As the most rugged version of Volvo’s mid-sized hatchback, it successfully blends practicality with an adventurous spirit. Whether you’re navigating city streets or venturing into the countryside, this compact SUV-inspired hatchback has it all.

Though opinions on cars can be subjective, I found the V40 Cross Country to tick a lot of boxes. Here’s why it might be the ideal choice for your next car.

Design and Style: Rugged Yet Classy

The Volvo V40 Cross Country has a distinct design compared to the regular V40. With a higher ride height, roof rails, skid plates, and chunkier sills, the Cross Country takes on the appearance of a small off-roader, making it look ready for more adventurous outings.

Inside, the Volvo V40 Cross Country maintains the high-quality cabin Volvo is known for. The interior is cleanly designed, with supportive seats and plenty of room. Tech features and safety systems are also top-notch, ensuring comfort and security throughout your journey.

Luxurious Extras and Features

The model I tested was the D4 Geartronic Lux Nav, packed with optional extras like the £1,900 Driver Support Pack, which includes:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
• Lane Keeping Aid
• Road Sign Recognition Display

It also had the £2,000 Xenium Pack with a Rear Park Assist Camera and Park Assist Pilot. Other features included keyless entry and start (£550), rear dark tinted windows (£1,300), and a Flexible Load Floor with a grocery bag holder (£100).

Though the base price starts at a reasonable £23,320, the extras push the final price to a hefty £39,565. Despite the added cost, the Volvo V40 Cross Country offers excellent value for what you get.

Performance and Driving Experience

The 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine produces a healthy 187bhp, channeled through the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. With a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 130mph, it offers more than just practicality. On top of that, the engine delivers impressive fuel efficiency, achieving around 50mpg with ease, though the official 65.7mpg might be harder to reach in real-world conditions.

The V40 Cross Country features three driving modes: Elegance, Eco, and Performance. Eco mode suits the car best for efficiency, while Performance mode gives the car more urgency and power when needed.

Despite its raised ride height, the V40 Cross Country handles well. Whether cruising on highways, tackling country roads, or navigating city streets, the car takes it all in stride. However, it’s important to note that while the V40 Cross Country handles rough roads better than the regular V40, it’s not a true off-roader. For that, you’d need the top-of-the-range AWD model.

Comfort and Space

Inside, the Volvo V40 Cross Country offers ample space. The seats are comfortable, and the driving position is ideal. However, taller passengers may find rear headroom somewhat limited, and rear visibility is compromised by small windows and a high waistline.

The boot offers 324 litres of space, which is enough for most family needs, although slightly less than competitors like the VW Golf. There are also plenty of storage compartments throughout the cabin, which makes it easy to store smaller items.

One downside is the slightly overcomplicated center console, which features too many dials and buttons, making the user interface a bit fiddly. Setting the sat nav can also be a challenge at times.

Conclusion:

By the end of my week with the Volvo V40 Cross Country, I was genuinely sad to see it go. It’s a safe, practical, comfortable, and economical family hatchback with distinctive styling and a quality feel. The V40 Cross Country is a car that caters to a variety of needs, from everyday commuting to weekend adventures, and it does so while offering a refined, luxurious experience.

The Volvo V40 Cross Country D4 Geartronic Lux Nav is a standout option for those seeking a safe, stylish, and well-equipped family hatchback with excellent fuel efficiency and a rugged edge. While the price can climb quickly with added extras, its performance, safety features, and comfort make it a solid choice in the compact crossover segment.

FAQs about Volvo V40 Cross Country

1. What is the Volvo V40 Cross Country?

The Volvo V40 Cross Country is a compact SUV-inspired hatchback that blends practicality with an adventurous spirit. It offers a higher ride height, roof rails, skid plates, and chunkier sills, making it more rugged and ready for outdoor adventures while maintaining the high-quality interior and safety features Volvo is known for.

2. How does the Volvo V40 Cross Country differ from the regular V40?

The V40 Cross Country stands out from the regular V40 with a more rugged design, featuring a higher ride height, roof rails, skid plates, and chunkier sills. These elements give the car a more adventurous look, making it ready for light off-road driving while still retaining the stylish and comfortable features of the V40.

3. What extra features are available in the Volvo V40 Cross Country?

The V40 Cross Country offers several luxurious extras, including:

• Driver Support Pack (£1,900) featuring Adaptive Cruise Control, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Lane Keeping Aid, and Road Sign Recognition Display.
• Xenium Pack (£2,000) with a Rear Park Assist Camera and Park Assist Pilot.
• Keyless entry and start, rear dark tinted windows, and a Flexible Load Floor with a grocery bag holder. These features add to the overall comfort, safety, and convenience, though they increase the final price.

4. How much does the Volvo V40 Cross Country cost?

The base price of the Volvo V40 Cross Country starts at £23,320. However, with added extras like the Driver Support Pack, Xenium Pack, and other features, the final price can rise to £39,565.

5. What is the performance of the Volvo V40 Cross Country?

The V40 Cross Country is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, producing 187bhp. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, with a top speed of 130mph. The car offers excellent fuel efficiency, with the ability to achieve around 50mpg in real-world conditions, though the official 65.7mpg may be challenging to reach. It also features three driving modes: Elegance, Eco, and Performance.

6. How does the Volvo V40 Cross Country handle different driving conditions?

The V40 Cross Country is equipped with a raised ride height and handles well on highways, country roads, and city streets. It is not a true off-roader, but it does perform better on rough roads compared to the standard V40. For off-road capabilities, you would need the AWD model.

7. Is the Volvo V40 Cross Country comfortable and spacious?

Yes, the V40 Cross Country is generally comfortable with ample space for passengers. The seats are supportive, and the driving position is ideal. However, taller passengers may find rear headroom limited, and rear visibility is hindered by small windows and a high waistline. The boot offers 324 litres of space, which is suitable for most family needs.

8. Does the Volvo V40 Cross Country offer any challenges in usability?

The center console of the V40 Cross Country is a bit complicated, with many dials and buttons, making the user interface somewhat fiddly. Additionally, setting the sat nav can sometimes be a challenge, requiring more attention than expected.

9. Is the Volvo V40 Cross Country a good car for everyday use?

Yes, the V40 Cross Country is a versatile car that caters to a variety of needs, from daily commuting to weekend adventures. It offers a refined and luxurious driving experience, making it an excellent choice for families looking for a practical and stylish car.

10. What are the main pros and cons of the Volvo V40 Cross Country?

Pros:

• Rugged yet stylish design with SUV-inspired features.
• Comfortable, spacious interior with high-quality materials.
• Excellent performance and fuel efficiency for its class.
• Advanced safety features and tech packages.

Cons:

• Limited rear headroom for taller passengers.
• Slightly obstructed rear visibility.
• Overcomplicated center console controls and sat nav system.

11. Should I consider the Volvo V40 Cross Country?

The Volvo V40 Cross Country is a great choice for anyone seeking a safe, comfortable, and stylish family hatchback with a rugged edge. Its excellent fuel efficiency, performance, and safety features make it a strong contender in the compact crossover segment, especially if you’re looking for a car that can handle both city streets and country roads with ease.

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