Volvo XC40: 2018 carsales Car of the Year

The Volvo XC40  is the carsales Car of the Year for 2018.

The Volvo XC40 T4 Momentum staged a late coup during the final phase of testing. Its strong showing during the previous day's judging process left it in striking distance of the grand prize.

In their assessment of the compact Swedish SUV judges paid tribute to the blend of packaging appeal, high-tech innovation and Volvo's acknowledged expertise in both active and passive safety.

Elegant design cues for the dash, infotainment system, controls and instruments were greeted with delight by the judges. This is a vehicle that looks more expensive than it actually is. And outside, the XC40's styling strikes that fine balance between understatement and extravagance.

What also helped the Volvo XC40 T4 Momentum across the line was an excellent assessment from RedBook, based on value (purchase price and options), after-sales support, resale value and bonus scores for safety features.

But the RedBook ranking merely served to confirm what carsales’ judges had already noted. That strong value factor was specifically nominated as a winning attribute by carsales Car of the Year judge Bruce Newton in a XC40 comparison with the Jaguar E-PACE back in June.

So while we'd love to be able to tell you this was a surprise result, it really wasn't.

The Volvo XC40 was a particular hit with judge Andrea Matthews, who observed: "Sharp vehicle, loads of appeal; I would buy this car."

Fellow judge Paul Gover was similarly impressed, noting that the XC40 was a "lovely balanced package; some systems take learning, but great design."

"As good in its class as XC90 and XC60," he also remarked.

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It wasn't all beer and skittles for the Volvo XC40, however. Judge Ken Gratton felt the fit and finish lacks some cohesion – especially when evaluated from the rear seat. From the left rear seat there was painted metal visible between the B-pillar and door seal on the right side of the cabin, for example.

Newton, who had praised the Volvo back in June, was scathing in his opinion of the car's gearshifter, and also critical of the Volvo's "soggy ride" and "vague steering".

Bruce did reserve some praise for the XC40's design, however.

"Such a unique and attractive exterior, with a smart interior," he said.

In the final analysis, the Volvo XC40 T4 Momentum hit enough targets and outscored its other highly accomplished rivals to emerge a deserving recipient of the honour – carsales Car of the Year 2018.