Double Winner of European Car of the Year and Japan Car of the Year

The XC series of SUVs from Volvo, with their Thor's Hammer headlights and simple, clean Scandinavian design, are popular. The XC40, a compact SUV that made its world debut in 2017 following the full-size XC90 and mid-size XC60, has received extremely high market評価, winning the 2017-18 European Car of the Year and subsequently the 2018-19 Japan Car of the Year.



With rivals such as the German trio of Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, and Audi Q3, as well as the British Jaguar E-PACE and Range Rover Evoque, all vying for position in the same segment, we set out to discover how it managed to achieve such accolades.

The model we test drove was the XC40 T4 Momentum, the second-lowest trim level among the eight grades available for the XC40. It is equipped with a 2.0-liter Drive-E inline 4-cylinder direct-injection turbo engine, a basic version producing a maximum output of 190 ps (140 kW) at 4,700 rpm and a maximum torque of 300 Nm between 1,400 and 4,000 rpm. This engine drives the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.



All grades above this are all-wheel drive, and the higher T5 model features a tuned version of the same displacement modular engine, delivering 252 ps and 350 Nm.

Unlike the larger XC90 and XC60, which use the SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, the XC40 employs the newly developed CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) specifically for compact cars. Its dimensions are 4,425mm in length, 1,875mm in width, and 1,660mm in height. Seeing the actual car, its width of 1,875mm gives it a surprisingly substantial presence.

Page02.Interior Designed for Ease of Use

Interior Designed for Ease of Use

The exterior, with its emphasis on straight lines, features a novel design with a reverse-sloping nose and a kicked-up rear window. The test car, in a beautiful two-tone combination of a pale blue called Amazon Blue with an optional white roof, exuded a Nordic aura, complete with a small Swedish flag on the fender.

The interior, in a bright blonde/charcoal gray two-tone scheme, is finished with stylish and sophisticated colors and fabrics that make you hesitant to step in with muddy shoes.



The usability is well thought out, with features such as a retractable hook in the glove box for hanging bags, large door pockets made possible by relocating the bass speakers to the dashboard, allowing space for large water bottles, laptops, and handbags, a removable trash bin in the center console, and a smartphone space for wireless charging. The storage capacity is remarkable, rivaling even Japanese mini vehicles and minivans.

What's more, these features are integrated subtly and thoughtfully as part of the refined Scandinavian design, a point that Japanese car manufacturers could certainly learn from.




The actual driving experience is characteristically Volvo – solid and dependable, with the engine performing its supporting role admirably. In terms of safety and driver assistance, it comes standard with Volvo's renowned IntelliSafe suite. The Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability, provided by the full-speed adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist (lane-keeping function), can be easily and reliably activated with a single button on the steering wheel, showcasing the marque's expertise in this field.

The drawbacks are the rearward visibility, somewhat obstructed by the kicked-up C-pillar, and the vehicle's width, which can be a slight concern in Japanese parking lots and narrow roads. The price is 4,390,000 yen.

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