Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design Review
Urban Glamping

The last time I remember Volvo building something un-Volvo-like was when they acquired DAF (more well-known for building trucks than cars), and presented the world with their range of 300 series cars; which meant that the only Volvo-ness one could see outwardly were the grille with their familiar diagonal stripe running across, a new bonnet and equally familiar ice cube-inspired tail lights. That car was also one of the earliest from a mainstream manufacturer to feature a CVT, though sold in small numbers.

Meanwhile, in 2018, the new XC40, completes Volvo’s SUV range, with a compact car, which sits below the very attractive XC60. But my experience with it in the driver’s seat is anything but compact. But unlike its larger XC60 sibling which utilises their widely-used Volvo Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), the XC40 sits on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which will go on to form the underpinnings for the rest of the Volvo 40 series vehicles.

Featuring their current “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running light design, our test unit carried the “R-Design” trim package, which adds an aggressive glossy black grille to is front, and together with its headlamps, presents imposing sight in most anyone’s rear view mirror.

Volvo had turned up the 'quirky knob' with this one, with a two-tone paint scheme, a high-cut C pillar, and does away with additional rear quarter glass, which could be a hit or a miss for some; but we have to admit, that bold design decisions tend to leave lasting impressions, and this one to me is a good one. At the base of the car, protective black plastic cladding and wheel arch protectors underscore its activity-friendly intent.