Apr 12,
2018
We're
enthusiasts of lifted trucks and fast sports cars, so you might be
surprised to learn that our favorite vehicle of 2018 is this compact Volvo
crossover. It's the most unique, useful, comfortable, and just plain creative
vehicle we’ve driven in a long time.
What Is
It?
The XC40 is
an all-wheel-drive compact luxury crossover. Think: the BMW X1, Audi Q3,
Mercedes GLA, Lexus UX, Infiniti QX30, Hyundai Kona, Lincoln MKC, Jeep
Renegade, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Crosstrek, Cadillac XT4, Acura RDX, Jaguar E-Pace,
and probably half a dozen others we’re forgetting at the moment. The category
is enormously popular right now.
Thing is,
most of them are pretty similar, with phoned-in designs, mediocre driving
experiences, and plastic-y interiors. But the XC40 stands out. With this
car, Volvo tried to give normal people the perfect car for everyday use. We
think they’ve succeeded.
The XC40 is
competent on a winding road, but it's on city streets where it really
excels. (Matt Scott)
Who Is
It For?
In short:
People who need the small dimensions of a compact car for city parking, but
also want a spacious interior for hauling people and stuff; people looking to
make their commutes as comfortable as possible; people who value comfort,
appreciate good design, and want a vehicle they can be proud of.
It's also
good for people who are sick of the traditional car-buying process. While
you will technically be able to negotiate a finance plan for the $36,000
vehicle with a person in a polyester suit, write a check every month to an
insurance provider, and figure out all your oil changes and tire swaps
yourself, Volvo would much prefer that you simply avoided all that hassle by
subscribing to a $600 per month autopay plan instead.
With zero
dollars down, that amount includes every fee associated with leasing the
XC40—with the exception of gas. It takes care of your service, your
consumables (tires, brake pads, and even windshield wipers), your repairs, and
even your insurance. With an annual allowance of 15,000 miles, that strikes us
as a very good deal, especially for people who live in expensive insurance
markets like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. The subscription will last
for two years, but drivers will have an option to swap cars after just a year,
with a two-year renewal.
The XC40
looks so much more striking than other crossovers, it's almost unfair to call
it their competition. (Volvo)
Driving
It
The XC40 is
almost soothing to drive, while still providing you all the tools you need to
compete on today’s congested streets. Where other crossovers try to fool you
into thinking they’re sporty by spec’ing stiff suspension, the XC40 has the
ride quality of a large luxury sedan, combined with the kind of clear outward
visibility in all directions that disappeared on many other cars decades ago.
That’s all
backed up by a punchy 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder motor that pairs
well with the eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver oomph when you want
it, and refinement and fuel economy (23 MPG city/31 MPG highway) everywhere
else. It’s faster to 60 miles per hour than an equivalent Porsche Macan, but
back off the throttle, and it’s far smoother and quieter than cars this size
have any right to be.
It's hard
to capture just how spacious, and clever the Volvo's interior is. The $600
subscription includes options like the full-length glass moonroof, and the big
touchscreen. (Volvo)
Design
The XC40's exterior
is strikingly unique, the best expression of Volvo’s newfound confidence. And
the interior is delightfully practical.
Climb
inside, and clever, unique features abound. Where most other cars tack on small
door pockets for items like wallets and bottled drinks, Volvo has molded into
the XC40s doors huge wells, that can easily swallow a purse, or large laptop.
Need to charge your phone? Throw it in the large central cubby, where there’s a
big, flat capacitative charging platform. The carpet is a hard-wearing, synthetic
weave that looks like it’s been borrowed from a floor mat, or the water and
dirt-shedding floor of a ski lodge, and should work equally well at getting rid
of all the crap you track inside.
What you’re
going to notice first, and use most often, though, is the nine-inch touchscreen
mounted vertically in the dashboard. It has a physical home button, just like
an iPad, and works in a fluid, intuitive manner that’s very Apple. In an
intelligent assessment of who its subscribers will be, and how they actually use
their cars, Volvo has prioritized access to features like Spotify and
Wikipedia.
The back
seats are comfortable, and spacious, thanks to their upright position, and fold
flat at the push of buttons, mounted just inside the tailgate, creating a
large-for-the-class load area. Oh, and you can open that simply by
kicking the bumper, if your have the key in your pocket.
Road trip?
The XC40 would make it as relaxing, and easy as possible, with plenty of room
for four and their luggage. (Matt Scott)
Likes
- Striking
looks.
- Simple subscription model
eliminates ownership hassles, at a good price.
- Useful interior offers a great
experience every time you use it.
- Intelligently designed to
provide practical solutions to everyday problems.
- Smooth
ride.
- Fast
acceleration.
- Good
fuel economy.
- Feels
special.
All
automakers should immediately be required to remove their janky infotainment
systems, and replace them with the XC40's iPad-like system. Every function is
exactly where you want it to be, and works exactly how you expect it to. Zero
frustration, extremely little distraction. (Volvo)
Dislikes
- Twitchy steering is out-of-sync
with otherwise relaxing drive.
Commentaires
Enregistrer un commentaire