Volvo V40 Cross Country 2013 Review

Volvo V40 Cross Country D4 and T5

What we liked:
>> Styling
>> Refinement
>> Driving dynamics

Not so much:
>> Bit pricey
>> No vents for rear passengers
>> Space saver spare and limited luggage space

And, in fairness, there's a precedent of sorts. Legions of naysayers have lined up to take a swipe at the MINI Countryman that Volvo sees as the V40 Cross Country's principal competitor. Yet the MINI has sold about 300 units for the year to date -- not huge numbers perhaps, but not bad either for a niche model. If Volvo could achieve similar sales figures for the V40 Cross Country, that would build V40 sales by about 50 per cent.

So by now you've probably established that the V40 Cross Country is a small hatchback that wants to be an SUV -- based on that MINI analogy. That's pretty much on the money.

The new car is badged 'Cross Country', rather than 'XC', to highlight its softroader status. Whereas cars like the XC60, for instance, will drag themselves through bog holes -- within reason -- the V40 Cross Country is a vehicle designed to tackle little more than well maintained fire access trails and rally roads.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

Standard features for both variants comprise: MP3-compatible eight-speaker audio with CD/DVD playback, Bluetooth audio streaming, satellite navigation, adaptive display, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, cruise control, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, climate control, electric windows/mirrors, reach/rake-adjustable steering column, electrically-adjustable front seats (with position memory for driver's seat), leather trim, 18-inch alloy wheels and remote central locking.

Volvo is also offering the V40 Cross Country with a Driver Support Pack as an option for $5000 -- and that includes: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Collision Warning and Full Auto Brake (CWAB); Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA); Driver Alert System (which includes Active High Beam, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Departure Warning, and Road Sign Information); and Park Assist Pilot.

PACKAGING

Sitting in the V40 Cross Country prior to turning anything on, it's clear that Volvo has exercised appropriate discipline where ergonomic interior design is concerned. The new car features the company's signature 'floating centre fascia' that has been around for about a decade now. All the fussy buttons are located together in a unit that looks attractive and is relatively easy to use and understand if you're at all familiar with Volvo switchgear operation.

With the infotainment display and the major instrument binnacle blacked out when the vehicle is not operating, the interior of the V40 Cross Country looks spartan, but press the start button and both infotainment display and instruments come to life. The way the data is presented in the instrument binnacle is sensible and easy to read, but watch the tacho needle climb up a ladder scale rather than around a dial takes a little while to appreciate. When the engine nears redline, the tacho numbers and calibrations turn red to accentuate the point. The design of the instrument binnacle looks suspiciously similar to that of Mazda's new Mazda3 small car.

Seats get a big 'thumbs-up'. They are moderately firm in the cushioning, but very well shaped to hold the occupants in place without detriment to comfort. Rear-seat accommodation is fair for adults, with enough knee room and space under the front seats to poke toes. Headroom may be marginal for some taller adults, but what stands out as the real issue in the rear is the lack of vents for HVAC.

At the hindmost part of the car, the luggage compartment looks shallow and small. There's a space-saver spare under the floor, along with some additional under-floor storage bins as well.

MECHANICAL

There is just one transmission option available, a six-speed automatic supplied by Aisin-Warner. Some differences lie between the transmission for the front-drive diesel variant or the all-wheel drive petrol T5. A Haldex drive system transfers torque to the rear axle in the case of the T5. Both variants ride 40mm higher than the standard V40 hatch.

Steering is electrically-assisted rack and pinion, with the 18-inch wheels suspended by MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link independent system behind. While the diesel lacks rear drivetrain components, the kerb mass (1561kg) approaches that of the T5 model (1588kg).

SAFETY

Standard safety features fitted include: City Safety, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake lights, stability/traction control system, torque vectoring, pedestrian airbag, driver's kneebag, side-impact airbags, front-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and whiplash protection system.

COMPETITORS

As for the Subaru, the most expensive XV remains over $10,000 cheaper than the Volvo. And then one should consider some of the cars that Volvo didn't mention. It's a lot larger than the Volvo -- so not strictly a direct competitor -- but the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack is also $200 cheaper than the V40 Cross Country D4, which is front-wheel drive only.

Last of all, consider that the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class stands a chance to reach Australia before long. If the relativity of pricing for the A-Class versus the V40 is any guide, what's more, the GLA will likely undercut the Cross Country on price.

ON THE ROAD

On the run from Canberra to Lake George, the V40 Cross Country coped well with typical country roads, of both the sealed and unsealed variety. The car didn't feel underpowered when overtaking was required and it felt solid over the rough stuff.

Ride comfort varied from acceptably good to firmish at speed. Both cars acquitted themselves very well over potholes and corrugations on unsealed roads. On one occasion the T5 progressively absorbed a sharp impact from a pothole on a stretch of bitumen -- without rattling the teeth. At higher speeds however, lumpy bitumen kept the suspension under pressure, but the car remained well controlled accordingly.

The front-wheel drive diesel variant felt more prone to roll in corners, but also stepped out at the rear on a trailing throttle -- until the stability control corrected that. Steering response was good indeed from both cars and feedback was also commendable, given the electric assistance. There was some torque steer in evidence from the diesel when accelerating from launch. That was not unexpected from a car trying to pump 400Nm through the front wheels.

The T5 in particular could be hurried along from point A to point B, but the diesel D4 variant was no slouch either. Fuel consumption over the course of the drive program was 11.8L/100km for the T5 and 8.3L/100km for the D4.

Each car's automatic transmission shifted gear smoothly -- and rapidly when the driver demanded manual changes. The lever was set up for what many enthusiasts consider to be counter-intuitive shifting -- back for lower gears, forward for higher gears. These days there are seemingly equal numbers of car companies offering this type of system or the reverse -- so it matters less that the Volvo's does or doesn't follow 'convention' than that owners will get used to it very quickly. One minor misgiving is that the sporty T5 variant didn't offer shift paddles. For many buyers that won't matter, and the shift lever can be used for the same ends, but the T5 is a car that lends itself to press-on-regardless driving.

Both engines were impressively refined and delivered strong performance in each unit's distinct way. The diesel offered some subdued clatter from around 1500rpm, but was hard to pick as a diesel at other times. NVH, as far as could be determined, was very good in both cars, although the roar from the tyres on coarse-chip bitumen drowned out anything else in the way of noise from drivetrain or wind.

Overall, the V40 Cross Country impressed with a blend of refinement and ability that accentuates the 'sportiness' in Sport Utility Vehicles. Ultimately, however, we're still asking the question: Who will buy it? Perhaps if the latte-sipping set buy a hobby farm...?

There's no denying the V40 Cross Country is enjoyable to drive and a capable country tourer.

If it seems like an answer searching for a question, one needs to acknowledge a simple fact: this Volvo is a good answer... albeit an expensive one.

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