Now as the market demands more in terms of a car for every application, the V40 also comes in various guises, one being the Cross Country, which I got to drive.
So what is it exactly? Well it is a V40 focused on a more adventurous lifestyle. Sure most of the changes compared to the normal model are cosmetic, however the Cross Country does sit about 12 mm higher which should help get over nasty bumps out in the country. As for the looks, well the V40 has just been given a makeover and it looks better than ever.
The Cross Country model features some added bits to enhance its crossover characteristics like roof rails, black bumper cladding as well as some slightly bolder nose treatment. It, like its face lifted siblings, feature new LED daytime running lights with Volvo's signature Thor’s Hammer design. The look is eye catching and I feel it brings the car in line with the brands new generation of models.
Inside the V40, one will be forgiven for missing a few updates. However there are some which just enhance the cars cabin ever so slightly. Unfortunately, the stylistic floating centre stack remains unchanged. I would have liked to see a similar system to that found on the XC90.
As for practicality, well the V40 tends to come across as a shortened station wagon than a hatchback. I opened the rear tailgate to find a sizable boot. Rear head and leg room for passengers is also impressive. The folding of the rear seats is also easy to operate for convenience.
I guess it’s worth mentioning that the V40 is jam-packed with safety features, some are optional but the car that I drove featured blind spot assist, lane keep assist as well as ACC (Active Cruise Control) which I feel are all a must have. Blind-Spot Assist has helped me numerous times for those “where did he come from” moments.
Under the hood of the D3 model I had, sits a frugal 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor developing 110 kW and 320 Nm. It sends its power to the front wheels via a six-speed gearbox which is rather smooth. I did find that the stop / start system is a tad bit too intrusive at times, sometimes switching the engine off before the car has come to a stop. As for economy, well I managed around 5.8 L/100km over my test week with the car. The ride quality is compliant and the Cross Country definitely handles our rough roads a bit better than the more street orientated model.
After spending a sometime behind the wheel of the updated Volvo V40, I still can’t see why it is not as popular as the German offerings. It is, according to Volvo, the safest model in the segment, looks good and offers a fresh and vibrant feel. Sure, I think that it could do with some techno enhancements like a touch screen and a simpler control unit but that’s just my personal thoughts.
I highly recommend that if you are looking for a vehicle within this segment that you should consider looking at Volvo as well, and more specifically, the Cross Country.
Prices for the Volvo V40 Cross Country start from R413 400.
