Volvo V40 Cross Country 2014 Review

The V40 Cross Country creates a niche among Volvo’s line-up with its jacked-up stance and offroad makeover.

The five-door, five-seat Cross Country wagon rides 40mm higher than the standard V40. This gives it marginally better credentials to cope with ventures beyond the bitumen. To this end, it also features a more durable body-kit, 18-inch black-painted alloy wheels and daytime running lights.

There are just two drivetrain variants being offered with the V40 Cross Country -- the front-wheel drive, 2.0-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel ‘D4’ and all-wheel drive, 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol ‘T5’. Both are mated to a Geartronic six-speed adaptive automatic transmission.

The T5 delivers 187kW and 360Nm, which is sufficient to accelerate the V40 Cross Country to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds. Meanwhile, the D4 variant stirs to the tune of 130kW and 400Nm and will hit triple figures in 8.3 seconds.

Claimed fuel consumption for the T5 is 8.4L/100km and just 5.3L/100km for the diesel D4. After some time in each of these, our trip was showing 11.2 and 8.4 respectively. As an aside, models come with idle stop-start technology and braking energy regeneration.

On the road the D4 flaunts its considerable torque. Put your foot down and, beyond a moment’s initial lag, it is a lively player. But with 400Nm directed entirely at the front end, wheel spin and torque steer ensues. Keep it tame though, and the D4 is capable of being more responsive and obedient in its power delivery.

Around town, enduring your typical stop/start style driving, the turbo-diesel character wore a little thin and I was keen to see what the petrol-turbo T5 had to offer.

By comparison, and with all-wheel drive on its side, the T5 behaved in a more composed manner with more predictable power delivery. All four wheels were firmly planted and you felt a sense of partnership at the wheel.

The 2.5-litre engine feels more capable than its diesel sibling. It’s vibrant and fun and there’s a fresh perkiness to it that is entirely charming. But, more than that, the character of the engine seems fitting for a car that aspires to outdoor adventure. It delivers greater confidence and road holding than that experienced in the D4.

The six-speed transmission is smooth, although the sporty feel of this car lends itself to using the sequential shift to up the involvement factor. Shifting manually through the ratios the V40 moves quickly and smoothly, and proves that the T5 engine is willing to rev, too.

Suspension in the V40 Cross Country is a near-perfect blend specimen of tightly wound sportiness and everyday softness. There’s enough compliance to make day-to-day scenarios comfortable, but under duress the arrangement proves well sorted, offering excellent cornering grip.

Be sure though, the V40 Cross Country is more soft-roader than off-roader. Yes, you can tackle a little more dirt and oversized potholes, but beyond this, you’re entering the XC territory. There’s a polished ruggedness to the V40, favouring its more urban credentials. It’s off-road, but not off-trend.

Both V40 Cross Country variants arrive in ‘Luxury’ trim grade which sees an extensive, almost generous list of standard equipment included in the list price.

There’s electric seats for driver and front passenger, Bluetooth connectivity for telephony and audio streaming, USB and iPod connectivity, an eight-speaker sound system, 7.0-inch colour infotainment screen, cooled glove compartment, sat nav with voice control, a rear parking camera and sensors, cruise control, rain sensing wipers, climate control, and leather upholstery.

The cabin decor is a conservative blend of contemporary finishes incorporating textured plastics, brushed metals, faux chrome and real leather. It’s a restrained level of pomp that matches the V40 Cross Country’s character.

The V40 Cross Country scores a major win when it comes to comfort. The leather seats are perfection and are seriously comfortable and supportive, even for second row passengers. The floating console arrangement can feel a little sparse and is littered with small, fiddly buttons, but it is functional, and yields increased oddment storage, multiple cup holders and a decent-sized console bin.

And speaking of storage, the V40 Cross Country provides 324-litres of cargo space up back, which can be extended via 60:40 split-fold rear seats, and an option for a fold-flat front passenger seat.

If I had but one criticism of the V40 Cross Country’s interior it is that it can feel slightly claustrophobic. With small windows, a raked roofline, a high shoulder line and thick pillars, the poor visibility and closed-in feel can conspire against your personal space after hours at the wheel.

As with all Volvo passenger vehicles safety levels are exceptional. The V40 Cross Country scores a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating which is bolstered by automated braking technology, anti-lock brakes with ready alert, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, stability and traction control, torque vectoring and engine drag control, a pedestrian airbag system, and the usual array of supplementary restraints.

But buyers beware: Not all of the safety goodies come as standard, and to get the full gamut, you will need to shell out for the Driver Support Pack ($5000). Fortunately, this also includes Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Alert System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist Pilot.

While I emerged quite a fan of the V40 Cross Country’s niche character, I question the price tag that its jacked-up ride and rugged trim command. Having said that, I must confess that it’s these very attributes that attracted me to the model in the first place.

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $47,990 (D4) / $52,990 (T5)
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Metallic Paint $1550
Crash rating: Five-star (EuroNCAP)
Fuel: Diesel (T4) / 95 RON PULP (T5)
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 5.3 (D4) / 8.4 (T5)
CO2 emissions (g/km): 139 (D4) / 196 (T5)
Also consider: Audi Q3 (from $44,800 plus on-road costs); BMW X1 (from $44,900 plus ORCs); MINI Countryman (from $34,100 plus ORCs); Peugeot 4007 (from $34,990 plus ORCs)

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