Skip advert
Advertisement

Volvo V40 D3 SE Lux

Classy interior and generous kit make Volvo a contender

Sleek looks to match the Mercedes and a luxurious and welcoming interior are the V40’s big strengths – yet the characterful five-cylinder engine mixes punchy performance and low running costs, too. The relaxed driving experience doesn’t offer the same level of driver engagement as rivals, but the Volvo is a better equipped and more rounded family car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The A-Class isn’t the only all-new contender in the premium hatchback class. The Volvo V40 is another stylish-looking five-door, and it has the right credentials to be a strong alternative to the sporty Mercedes.

On the outside, the V40 matches the A200 CDI for style. The bold nose and distinctive lines are neat, and a longer body means it looks sleeker than the squat Mercedes. The large black tailgate emulates the ageing C30 three-door, but even with twin exhausts it doesn’t look quite as neat as the A-Class. And the small wheels featured on the SE-spec car in our pictures don’t fill the arches.

Still, the interior can’t be faulted for its smart design. It looks modern, with Volvo’s familiar circular controls, keypad and climate control switches logically laid out on the slender centre console. Our car came with the optional TFT digital dials and illuminated gearlever (£350), which look smart.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Qashqai

2018 Nissan

Qashqai

52,849 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £10,900
View Qashqai
5008

2022 Peugeot

5008

46,225 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £18,506
View 5008
Puma

2023 Ford

Puma

67,042 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £12,506
View Puma
EQC

2023 Mercedes

EQC

21,307 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £26,000
View EQC

Comfort is another highlight. The plush leather seats are supportive and, while rear legroom is tighter than in the A-Class, larger rear windows and light headlining mean it feels more airy. Heated seats, rain-sensing wipers and bi-xenon headlights are standard on SE Lux models, as is keyless entry.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Boot space is tight, with only 335 litres available – although both cars lag well behind the class-leading VW Golf and BMW 1 Series for capacity. Folding the rear seats raises this to 1,032 litres, which is 125 litres behind the A-Class, but useful touches include a folding boot floor, bag hooks and under-floor storage. Also, the V40’s rear loading hatch has a wider opening than the narrow Mercedes.

The 2.0-litre D3 diesel is powerful, and marked out by its distinctive five-cylinder soundtrack. However, our SE test car was held back by its skinny tyres, and was five-tenths slower than the A-Class from 0-60mph at the test track, with a time of 8.5 seconds. Despite having a useful 50Nm more torque, it also trailed in our in-gear tests. In the real world, the difference is barely perceptible, while the smooth and refined D3 diesel engine is less intrusive than the A-Class on the motorway.

Our model’s smaller wheels boosted comfort further, but we’d expected a bigger difference over the A-Class, with rough surfaces exposing a lack of composure in both cars. The V40 is also less planted in corners, with more body roll and steering that lacks weight and feedback.

Our £24,845 D3 SE Lux is £125 more than the A200 CDI Sport, but even the lesser SE has more kit and undercuts the A-Class – although a six-speed auto is a £1,485 option on both models.

We were disappointed with the V40’s test economy of 38.7mpg, as it was well short of the claimed figures. Overall, though, it’s a compelling package that takes a very different approach to the A-Class. Is it a winner?

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,513 off RRP*Used from £5,500
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £16,700
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,233 off RRP*Used from £12,420
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025